This analysis will help you choose between two leading LLC formation services: Bizee vs. ZenBusiness.
Launch your LLC with ZenBusiness
ZenBusiness vs. Bizee (2024)
Updated:
Jun 26, 2024
Written by:
Miranda Riva
Miranda Riva
Edited by:
Laura Jackson
Laura Jackson
For those of you who have already determined which type of business entity is right for your company and are looking to register as an LLC, we put together a comparison review of Bizee vs. ZenBusiness — two top online LLC formation companies — to help you decipher which is best suited to your business needs. Whether it’s learning what a limited liability company is or taking the next steps after mapping out a business plan, employing the right resources can help you achieve your goals while mitigating headaches along the way.
We at the MarketWatch Guides team spent hundreds of hours reviewing the top business formation providers on the market, delving into their pricing, services, customer support and reputation. We leaned on our expertise as juris doctorate (JD) graduates to approach our assessment through a critical lens. As active members of our state bar associations, we also used our unique understanding of today’s legal climate to determine what businesses need most. Our analysis led to the conclusion that ZenBusiness and Bizee are among the top five business formation companies.
In general, ZenBusiness offers more comprehensive services, while Bizee is more cost-effective. With all packages and add-ons, Bizee is either comparable or cheaper than ZenBusiness. For example, Bizee’s top plan costs $299, while ZenBusiness’ plan is $349. That being said, you can attribute this extra cost to more services or more comprehensive services. Returning to the previous example, ZenBusiness includes business website domain registration in its package, while Bizee does not.
At a Glance: Comparing ZenBusiness vs. Bizee
ZenBusiness is a public benefit corporation based out of Austin, Texas. The company was founded in 2015 and has since helped launch over 300,000 businesses. Bizee was founded in 2004 and is based out of Houston, Texas. Known for its simple LLC filing package that only charges a state filing fee, Bizee has helped more than 800,000 entrepreneurs since its inception. Despite their differences, both companies have garnered strong reputations and thousands of positive online reviews.
ZenBusiness LLC Highlights:
- Complete formation package starting at $0 (plus state filing fees)
- Customizable packages so you only pay for what you need
- Money-back guarantee for filing acceptance
Bizee LLC Highlights:
- Complete formation package starting at $0 (plus state filing fees)
- Intuitive website platform that provides a user-friendly experience
- Expedited filing in top-tier package to get your LLC off the ground quickly
ZenBusiness vs. Bizee: Side-by-Side LLC Plan Comparisons
ZenBusiness offers three tiers for LLC formation: Starter, Pro and Premium. Similarly, Bizee offers Silver, Gold and Platinum packages.
Basic Plan Comparison:
| ZenBusiness Starter | Bizee Silver | |
| Cost | $0/year + state fee | $0/year + state fee |
| Order Processing Time | 2-3 weeks | 21 days |
| Registered Agent | Add-on for $199/year | $0 for the first year, $199/year after that |
| Operating Agreement | Add-on for $125 | Add-on for $40 |
| EIN Registration | Add-on for $99 | Add-on for $70 |
| Business Website | Add-on for $129/year | N/A |
| Business Domain Name | Add-on for $25/year | Add-on for $27/year |
| Business Email Address | Add-on for $25/year | Add-on for $27/year |
Mid-Level Plan Comparison:
| ZenBusiness Pro | Bizee Gold | |
| Cost | $199/year + state fee | $199/year + state fee |
| Order Processing Time | 1-5 business days | 21 days |
| Registered Agent | Add-on for $199/year | $0 for the first year, $119/year after that |
| Operating Agreement | Included | Included |
| EIN Registration | Included | Included |
| Business Website | Add-on for $129/year | N/A |
| Business Domain Name | Add-on for $25/year | Add-on for $18/year |
| Business Email Address | Add-on for $25/year | Add-on for $18/year |
Top-Level Plan Comparison:
| ZenBusiness Premium | Bizee Platinum | |
| Cost | $349/year + state fee | $299/year + state fee |
| Order Processing Time | 1-5 business days | 2 days |
| Registered Agent | Add-on for $199/year | $0 for the first year, $119/year after that |
| Operating Agreement | Included | Included |
| EIN Registration | Included | Included |
| Business Website | Included | N/A |
| Business Domain Name | Included | Included |
| Business Email Address | Included | Included |
Information correct as of May 2024.
ZenBusiness vs. Bizee Services
Launch your LLC with Bizee
ZenBusiness and Bizee offer various services, some of which are the same. Below is a comparison of these services to see how the providers stack up against each other.
Name Availability Search
Each state has its own set of rules regarding how to find, register and reserve an LLC name, which can be tricky to navigate. ZenBusiness and Bizee both help with this in their own ways.
Once you have chosen your business name, ZenBusiness handles the process of searching the state database to ensure the name is unique and available. Bizee, on the other hand, helps you pick the perfect name by offering a free Business Name Generator. You use this tool to generate name ideas and search for their availability in your state.
Name availability help is available in all plans for both providers.
DBA Name
A Doing Business As (DBA) name is like a nickname that you do business under. You may have a DBA name for any number of reasons. For example, if the legal name of your business is long, you may want to shorten it to make it easier for customers to remember. Like the legal name, a DBA name must be reserved and registered with the state. You can also trademark it so that no other business uses it. ZenBusiness and Bizee can help with this registration process.
The pricing for ZenBusiness’ DBA registration service varies by state. It’s also unclear whether ZenBusiness helps you trademark the name as well.
Bizee offers a location-specific DBA service, where its team registers your fictitious name in each location your business operates. All you have to do is pay the state fees, and Bizee handles the rest. The company can also trademark your DBA for $299 plus state filing fees. This price includes a trademark search, legal counsel from a trademark attorney and the preparation and filing of your trademark application.
Operating Agreement
ZenBusiness can file your operating agreement for an additional $125 with the Starter package. This service is already included in the Pro and Premium packages, so no additional fee is necessary.
Bizee can file your operating agreement as part of its Gold and Platinum packages. Similar to ZenBusiness, this service is not included in Bizee’s base plan. The cost is $40 to add it onto the Silver plan.
Business Website and Email
In this digital age, a business website and email inbox are necessary to attract and communicate with customers. ZenBusiness and Bizee can help you register your website domain and set up your email address.
For ZenBusiness, domain name registration and email address setup are each $25 per year in the Starter and Pro packages. They are included in the price of the Premium package. Similarly, these services come with Bizee’s top plan. However, they cost $27 per year each in the Silver package and $18 per year each in the Gold package.
Registered Agent
The registered agent is the individual or entity that receives mail on your business’ behalf. You can act as your own registered agent or hire a third-party to handle it for you.
ZenBusiness offers a registered agent service for $199 per year. After receiving your mail, ZenBusiness scans and uploads it to your dashboard and alerts you that it’s there.
Bizee also has a registered agent service. It’s free for the first year with all formation packages. After that, the price increases to $119 per year. Bizee’s registered agent service works similarly to ZenBusiness’ with a dashboard to scan and forward you legal documents and notifications to alert you of them.
Document Templates
ZenBusiness has a template library that you can access for a one-time fee of $99. This library contains over 25 documents and forms, including liability waivers, contracts, proposals and employment agreements. You can customize them to fit your needs.
Bizee also has a template library. You get automatic access to the templates if you have Bizee’s Platinum package. Otherwise, you have to pay an additional $150.
EIN
Every business is required to register for an employer identification number (EIN) with the IRS. It is essentially the equivalent of a social security number for an individual that you use to file taxes for your business.
ZenBusiness’ Pro and Premium packages include EIN registration, but this service is also available as a $99 add-on for the Starter plan. The process of obtaining your EIN with ZenBusiness is simple. All you have to do is provide ZenBusiness’ team members with basic information about your brand. After that, they file for you and notify you when it’s ready.
Bizee has a similar service and process. EIN registration is included in the Gold and Platinum packages, but it costs $70 with the Silver plan. Bizee promises to have your EIN ready within one business day.
Compliance Alerts
ZenBusiness helps you stay compliant with state and federal regulations with its Worry-Free Compliance service. This service is free for the first year and $199 per year after renewal. It includes reminding you of compliance deadlines, helping you file up to two yearly amendments and providing you with expert support should your business fall out of good standing.
Bizee offers a somewhat similar service with its Lifetime Compliance Alerts. You get reminders of upcoming deadlines for free. This service, however, doesn’t include filing documents or providing expert support.
Annual Report
ZenBusiness has an add-on for filing your annual report that costs $100 plus state filing fees. Bizee can also file your annual report for $99 plus state filing fees.
Tax Consultation
ZenBusiness provides a free 30-minute tax consultation with all of its packages. The call is with a tax expert who will discuss tax requirements, planning and deadlines. Bizee offers a free tax consultation as well. It’s included in every plan and designed to help you build the best tax structure for your business.
Expedited Filing
The plan you choose dictates how long it takes ZenBusiness and Bizee to file your documents. ZenBusiness estimates a processing time of two to three weeks for the Starter plan and one to five days for the Pro and Premium plans. Bizee estimates 21 days for its Silver and Gold packages and two days for the Platinum package.
ZenBusiness vs. Bizee: Customer Reviews
ZenBusiness and Bizee reviews number in the thousands and are generally positive.
| ZenBusiness | Bizee | |
| Trustpilot | 4.7 / 5 stars (15,200+ reviews) | 4.7 / 5 stars (18,400+ reviews) |
| BBB | 3.6 / 5 stars (240+ reviews) | 4.9 / 5 stars (1,700+ reviews) |
Information correct as of May 2024.
ZenBusiness vs. Bizee: Which Do We Recommend?
After comparing Bizee vs. ZenBusiness, we concluded that Bizee may be the better service for those just getting started with their LLC. However, ZenBusiness offers more options for entrepreneurs looking to customize their business.
You Should Consider ZenBusiness If:
- You’re looking for a money-back Guarantee
- You want the luxury of customizing your formation plan
- You want numerous add-on services to choose from
ZenBusiness’s chatbots will guide you through the LLC formation process, which can be beneficial for new users and potentially frustrating for others. However, the ZenBusiness website includes many tabs and details that might be difficult to navigate if you’re not certain what you’re looking for — but if you have a clear sense of direction you’ll easily figure out which pages are suited to your needs.
When it comes to the efficiency of cost, ZenBusiness outpaces Bizee with its selection of inclusive plans and optional add-on services. ZenBusiness’s more comprehensive top-tier packages have several beneficial features not included with Bizee’s highest-cost plan, including a customizable website, a Google Ads credit and rush filing.
One additional call-out for this ZenBusiness vs. Bizee review is the matter of guarantees. Unlike Bizee, ZenBusiness includes a money-back guarantee with any of its services. ZenBusiness customers can request a full refund — excluding state and federal fees — within 60 days of purchase.
You Should Consider Bizee If:
- You want to work on an intuitive website that’s easy to operate and supplies helpful widgets
- You want a free registered agent for the first year with the Silver package
- You are looking for the quickest turnaround time
If you’re just looking to file the basic legal documents for your LLC, it’s tough to outdo Bizee’s zero-cost Silver package. Especially since Bizee will act as your registered agent for the year for free and will only charge you the state fees. However, this service will automatically renew for the full price ($119) after your first year is up, so if you don’t plan on keeping them as your agent you should set a reminder and make alternative arrangements. Bizee also has an accessible selection of how-to guides and reports available to download for free to help any level of user find what they’re looking for.
Frequently Asked Questions About ZenBusiness vs. Bizee
An LLC formation company will help you officially form your company with the state. Formation services will not only offer packages that include basic steps like filing your articles of organization but will also offer post-formation services like tax advising and registered agent services.
While both companies offer excellent LLC formation services, determining which is better will depend on your business needs. If you are new to the small business world and are looking for a simple startup service, then Bizee is probably your best choice. However, if you are looking for more customization, then ZenBusiness may be the better service.
Both companies offer three tiers of packages for the same price point (first tier for $0, second tier for $199 and third tier for $299). For more information on value, see our plan comparison charts above.
Absolutely! Bizee has been used by 800,000 customers and counting. It has received over 45,000 reviews by satisfied customers on reputable consumer review sites. Both ZenBusiness and Bizee also offer incorporation services to assist business owners looking to form a corporation.
While there are a number of LLC formation service providers to choose from, we have hand-picked our top five companies and reviewed them so you can make an informed decision on which service is best for your needs. Our top choices are:
ZenBusiness has a $0 Starter Package that comes with its basic formation services and “Worry-Free Compliance” which is free for the first year. You can cancel by the end of your first year with ZenBusiness to avoid the $199 renewal fee.
Our Methodology
To provide consumers with objective and accurate information, our credentialed legal experts created a comprehensive rating system for Limited Liability Company (LLC) services. We researched five online LLC, registered agent and trademark registration services, including ZenBusiness, LegalZoom, Swyft Filings, Northwest Registered Agent and Bizee (formerly Incfile).
We conducted a survey in 2024 of 200 professionals who were currently using LLC services or had used LLC services within the past year. We analyzed the results of this survey to determine the following rating criteria:
- Features (20%)
- Value for Money (25%)
- Customer Service (20%)
- Usability (25%)
- Reputation and Credibility (10%)
Visit the full LLC methodology page for more details on our rating system.
How Do the LLC Formation Companies Compare?
| Features |
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|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cost | $0+ | $0+ | $0+ | $0+ | $39+ |
| Customer Service | |||||
| Operating Agreement | |||||
| Registered Agent Service | |||||
| EIN | |||||
| License Reports | |||||
| Compliance | |||||
| Expert Help | |||||
| Tax Advisory | |||||
| Tax Preparation | |||||
| Guarantee of Acceptance | |||||
| Start Now | Start Now | Start Now | Start Now | Start Now |
- Service not offered.
- Service included in basic package.
- Service free for one year.
- Service available for additional fee.
Note that formation companies may offer promotional deals or additional free services.
50 State LLC Formation Guides
Interested in starting an LLC? Below are the links to our all-inclusive, state-specific LLC formation guides.
Legal Disclaimer: This article contains general legal information but does not constitute professional legal advice for your particular situation and should not be interpreted as creating an attorney-client relationship. If you have legal questions, you should seek the advice of an attorney licensed in your jurisdiction.
If you have feedback or questions about this article, please email the MarketWatch Guides team at editors@marketwatchguides.
