When launching a business, is it really possible to get everything — from formation services to logo design — in one seamless platform? Enter ...
ZenBusiness vs Swyft Filings Comparison
Written by: Natalie Fell
Natalie is a business writer with experience in operations, HR, and training & development within the software, healthcare, and financial services sectors.
Edited by: David Lepeska
David has been writing and learning about business, finance and globalization for a quarter-century, starting with a small New York consulting firm in the 1990s.
Published on September 4, 2022
Setting up a business entity is an essential component when launching a business, and due to its often intricate and time-consuming nature, many entrepreneurs choose to employ a professional to handle it correctly. These formation services typically offer other supportive services that can prove useful to a budding business owner.
ZenBusiness and Swyft Filings are two prime online services worth considering in this area. To help you discern which of these is superior and which might best cater to you and your business needs, we’ve carried out an in-depth assessment of their services from an entrepreneur’s viewpoint.
Keep reading to choose the path that may guide your business toward a successful journey and align best with your business goals.
Services Overview
Business Formation Service
ZenBusiness
Swyft Filings
Plans and Pricing
3 plans: Starter, Pro, and Premium; $0 – $349 annually + state filing fees
3 plans: Basic, Standard, and Premium; $0 – $299 + state filing fees
Registered Agent Service
Not included, $199 annually
Not included, $199 annually
Operating Agreement
$99 if you go with the Starter plan; Included in Pro and Premium plans
Included with Standard and Premium; $35 for Basic
Annual Report Service
Worry-free compliance service covers annual filing; only annual reporting is $100 + state fees
Not included, $99 + state fees, or included in the Annual ComplianceGuard Subscription (free for 14 days, then $149)
Processing Time
Standard and rush
Same-day, standard, and express
Customer Support
Chat, email, phone; Mon – Fri 8am – 8pm CT, Sunday 9am – 6pm CT
Chat, email, phone; Mon – Fri 9am – 6pm CST
Business Documents Online Library
Included in Premium, $99 (one-time fee) for other two plans
Top-tier plan only
Other Services Offered
Domain name registration, business website creation and business email address, business banking, business credit cards, online payments
Digital Corporate Kit, Seller’s Permit, Corporate Bylaws and Resolutions, Banking Resolution
Number of Business Served
More than 500,000
More than 300,000 since 2015
Money Back Guarantee
60 days
No, but they offer a 100% satisfaction guarantee
Our Verdict
After a thorough assessment, we have determined that ZenBusiness offers better value.
The main advantage of Swyft is in its name, and they do deliver on their promise of quick processing. However, by choosing ZenBusiness, you’ll save some money and likely receive higher quality customer service and equally fast turnaround times.
Pricing
Turnaround Time
Help and Support
Customer Satisfaction
Ease of Use
Overall Score: 4.7/5
Pricing
Turnaround Time
Help and Support
Customer Satisfaction
Ease of Use
Overall Score: 4.4/5
ZenBusiness is our recommendation, mainly because of competitively-priced packages that offer good value to new business owners.
Pros and Cons
Pros
- Competitively-priced packages offer good value ($0 business formation plan)
- Great and helpful customer support
- Positive customer reviews
- Quick and easy purchase process
- Company is socially responsible and active
Cons
- Registered agent service not included in the plans (available as an add-on)
- Cancellation can be a lengthy process
- Some information is difficult to find on the website
Pros
- Competitively-priced packages offer good value
- Fast turnaround times
- Personalized customer service specific to your needs
- Quick and easy purchase process
- Good rating from the Better Business Bureau
Cons
- Registered agent services aren’t included in packages and are pricier than competitors
- Significant upselling
- Uses third parties for some services
Plans and Pricing – Winner: Swyft Filings
ZenBusiness
Renowned for some of the most affordable rates in the industry, ZenBusiness offers a free LLC formation package — Starter plan.
For those desiring more comprehensive features, the $199 Pro package offers continuous compliance support, an EIN, an operating agreement, and rush processing.
Additionally, the $349 Premium plan includes rush processing service, a business website package, and a domain name.
Please note that none of these plans include state filing fees, which vary from state to state.
Swyft Filings
The Basic package, suitable for budget-conscious entrepreneurs, includes company name verification, document filing, lifetime support, and the same as ZenBusiness — it’s free of charge.
The Standard package, priced at $199, adds a federal tax ID, custom operating agreement, and corporate bylaws, serving businesses seeking more legal aid.
The $299 Premium package expedites filing and offers a business website and hosting, and a digital LLC kit, making it a one-stop solution for comprehensive business services.
Same as ZenBusiness, none of these plans include state filing fees, which vary from state to state.
Experience – Winner: ZenBusiness
ZenBusiness
ZenBusiness was founded in 2015 and has formed over 500,000 businesses.
Swyft Filings
Swyft Filings was also founded in 2015, but they have formed over 300,000 businesses.
Customer Support – Winner: ZenBusiness
ZenBusiness
The customer support team at ZenBusiness is accessible via phone, email, or our online chat portal, and they’re available even on Sundays.
Swyft Filings
Swyft Filings’ customer support team is accessible via phone, email, and chat form during workdays. The online chat functions more like a contact form, returning a response within 24 hours.
Turnaround Times – Winner: Swyft Filings
ZenBusiness
At ZenBusiness, formation speeds are state-dependent. For urgent requests, premium packages offer rush service. Compared to other formation services, ZenBusiness matches or slightly exceeds their speed.
Swyft Filings
The Basic package assures filing within 10 days. The Silver package quickens the process with a 5-day filing period. For immediate needs, the Premium package offers same-day filing. However, it’s important to note that actual incorporation times can fluctuate based on the specific state and the volume of requests being processed.
Customer Reviews – Winner: ZenBusiness
ZenBusiness
ZenBusiness shines in customer feedback, with over 12,000 reviews on Trustpilot alone, most of which are positive. Clients often praise their services for being efficient and easy to use.
Swyft Filings
Swyft Filings has similar ratings as ZenBusiness. Over 6,200 online reviews indicate positive customer satisfaction; however, lately, there have been negative experiences with add-ons and third-party services.
Ease of Use – Winner: ZenBusiness
ZenBusiness
Purchasing a business formation service from ZenBusiness is a breeze. You begin by choosing the desired incorporation package, then provide basic personal and business information, and select any additional features. It’s a simplified process designed to avoid any confusion.
Swyft Filings
The initial formation process with Swyft Filings is generally swift, simple, and straightforward. One disadvantage is the inability to see all the details of the three plans before starting your filing, making upfront comparison challenging.
Throughout the process, there’s an ongoing upsell of services, which some may find annoying.
Additional Services – Winner: ZenBusiness
Both ZenBusiness and Swyft Filings offer a variety of supplementary business services, many of which are unique to each platform.
ZenBusiness extends services in the realm of digital business establishment, with offerings like domain name registration, business website creation, and business email address setup. They also provide additional financial services such as business banking, business credit cards, and online payments.
On the other hand, Swyft Filings focuses on corporate governance and documentation with services such as providing a Digital Corporate Kit, assistance in obtaining a Seller’s Permit and creating Corporate Bylaws and Resolutions. They also offer Banking Resolution services.
While there’s an overlap in their dedication to providing additional business services, each company brings its unique approach. ZenBusiness is particularly suited for those who need assistance in setting up their business online and managing their financial services, while Swyft Filings is a great fit for those who require more formalized corporate documentation and governance tools.
FAQs
Why should I use a business formation service to start my LLC?
Using a business formation service to start your LLC frees you up to focus on growing your business. These services handle the filing process for you and offer additional services that can make life easier for a new business owner.
What should I take into consideration when choosing the right business formation service for my LLC?
When assessing whether or not a business formation service is right for you, it’s important to dive into the following four categories: included features, customer service, pricing, and turnaround time.
Where can I learn more about what real customers think of the various business formation services?
To learn more about the customer experience at a particular business formation service, check out the reviews and ratings on the Better Business Bureau and Trustpilot websites.
Why should I choose ZenBusiness over Swyft Filings?
Although both ZenBusiness and Swyft Filings offer exceptional service and a robust suite of formation services, ZenBusiness beats Swyft Filings in the efficiency of customer support, easy-to-use website, and rush processing included in BOTH top-tier plans..
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