IncFile and LegalZoom are online legal services that help you start and operate your business. They differ in pricing and the number of services offered. IncFile has lower pricing to form a business—no cost plus state fees. However, LegalZoom provides a more extensive selection of legal services such as attorney advice and IP.
When to Use IncFile
IncFile is best for someone looking for a low-cost business registration. With IncFile, you can register your business as a limited liability company (LLC) or corporation for no-cost, plus the state fee. IncFile also has a lower-cost registered agent service—$0 for the first year, and $119 thereafter.
When to Use LegalZoom
LegalZoom is best for those who need multiple legal services. For example, with LegalZoom, you can register a business, submit a trademark, speak to an attorney, and handle personal legal matters such as creating a will. IncFile doesn’t provide as wide of a selection of legal services.
Alternative: When to Use Rocket Lawyer
Rocket Lawyer is best for those who need ongoing legal services. For $39.99 per month, members receive a free business registration, unlimited legal forms, and unlimited 30-minute attorney consultations on new legal matters.
IncFile vs LegalZoom at a Glance
Business Formation Services | $0–$299 (plus state fees) | $79–$349 (plus state fees) |
Registered Agent Services | $0 first year, $119 thereafter | $299 per year |
Custom Legal Forms | Minimal | 150+ legal forms available |
Ongoing Legal Advice | N/A | $9.99–$31.25 per month |
Intellectual Property Services | $199 trademark registration (plus federal fee) | Multiple services: trademark, copyright, and patent submission |
Business License Research | $99 one-time | $99.99 one-time |
Customer Support | Monday–Friday | 7 days a week |
Online Reviews | Good | Average |
Ease of Use | Good | Great |
More Information |
How We Evaluated IncFile & LegalZoom
To evaluate LegalZoom vs IncFile, we primarily looked at pricing, breadth of services, and quality of those services. We also considered the software ease of use, customer support availability, and the overall response of online reviews.
Business Formation Services: IncFile Wins
Cost to register an LLC in California with IncFile
(Source: IncFile)
IncFile: For $0 (plus state fees), IncFile will register your business as an LLC, S-corp, or C-corp with the state. The no-cost registration is for its basic silver package. However, if you’d like an expedited filing or additional services, such as an EIN (employer identification number), you’ll need to sign up for its Gold package ($149) or Platinum package ($299).
LegalZoom: The lowest cost package to register your business with LegalZoom is $79 (plus state fees). This package is comparable to IncFile’s $0 offering. LegalZoom’s Standard business registration package that decreases your filing time (15 days instead of 30 days) is $329. The Express Gold package costs $349 and provides the fastest delivery (seven to 10 business days) with rush processing and express shipping.
Registered Agent Services: IncFile Wins
(Source: IncFile)
IncFile: When registering a business, IncFile provides its Registered Agent (RA) service for $0 for the first year, and $119, thereafter. It offers the standard RA service, which accepts legal and vital state documents on your behalf.
LegalZoom: There is no discount with LegalZoom’s Registered Agent service—it’s a flat fee of $299 per year. The one RA service feature you receive with LegalZoom that you don’t with IncFile is its Business Data Protection through Experian, a $239 annual value.
Business Legal Forms: LegalZoom Wins
(Source: LegalZoom)
LegalZoom: There are over 150 customizable legal documents provided by LegalZoom. The documents are for both business and personal matters. Once created, to access your customer document, there are two pricing options: $59 per document or $7.95 per month for unlimited document creation.
IncFile: The downside with IncFile here is that it doesn’t have a database of legal forms to choose from. What it provides is a small selection of business-related documents that a state may require. The documents IncFile will assist with include the Annual Report, Certificate of Good Standing, and Articles of Dissolution.
Ongoing Legal Advice: LegalZoom Wins
LegalZoom’s Business Advisory Plan is designed to assist a new or growing business with legal matters.
(Source: LegalZoom)
LegalZoom: There are two options for ongoing legal advice with LegalZoom. One option, called Legal Advantage Plus, costs $9.99 per month and assists with employment issues, tax advice, and estate planning. The other option is the Business Advisory Plan, which assists with business formation, contracts, and intellectual property matters. All these services may help you start your business.
IncFile: There are no options for legal advice.
Intellectual Property Services: LegalZoom Wins
LegalZoom provides services for all three major patents.
(Source: LegalZoom)
LegalZoom: Compared to other online legal service providers, LegalZoom provides the most comprehensive intellectual property (IP) services. It will assist with trademark registration ($599 plus federal fees), utility patent registration ($2,400 plus federal fees), and copyright registration ($114 plus federal fees).
IncFile: The only IP that IncFile will assist with is a trademark name registration. The $199 fee (plus federal fees) includes legal counsel from a trademark attorney, a search of existing trademarks, and handling all correspondence with the USPTO until the name is approved.
Business License Research: IncFile Wins
IncFile provides a free tool to search for licenses needed for over 20 industries in every state.
(Source: IncFile)
IncFile: There are two ways IncFile can help in your business license search. One way is its free tool that searches for and lists licenses required for over 20 popular industries in every state.
The other option IncFile provides is a custom license search for $99. This search includes licenses and permits required at the local, state, and federal levels. Obtaining licenses at multiple government levels may be a necessary legal step to start your business. The service also provides filing instructions for each license.
LegalZoom: For $99.99, you can obtain a thorough search of business licenses, tax registrations, and seller’s permits through LegalZoom’s partner Business Licenses LLC. The company provides an online dashboard to manage your licenses, which may help if you have a business with multiple locations.
Customer Support: LegalZoom Wins
LegalZoom: Available seven days a week, LegalZoom has superior customer support. Contact the company by phone or chat from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. Pacific time Monday through Friday, and from 7 a.m. to 4 p.m. Pacific time Saturday and Sunday.
IncFile: You can contact IncFile Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Central time.
Online Reviews: IncFile Wins
IncFile: Both companies have their fair share online complaints. However, overall, IncFile has fewer and an overall higher rating. On Fit Small Business’s IncFile’s review page, the most common complaint was customer service. The most common praise was the quality software and its overall ease of use.
LegalZoom: The most common complaint on our reviews page of LegalZoom is the high cost and potential for upcharges. Praise centered around its software ease of use, particularly when customizing legal forms.
Bottom Line
If you only need assistance with registering a business and getting a registered agent service, IncFile is your best option. If you need more extensive legal services, such as legal advice, customizable legal forms, and IP submission, LegalZoom is your best option.
