UPDATED 4/25/20
Ready to start a business, form an LLC, or a corporation and want to read about all the top online legal formation services, including industry leader LegalZoom and its competitors and alternatives to form your LLC; Corporation, nonprofit or file your DBA legally. ? Great. Here is the detailed information, based on my personal experience and conversations with my business consulting clients, who are all small business owners and entrepreneurs.
Continue reading to learn about the legal technology and lawyer services available at affordable prices to determine which is your best online legal service choice and your Legalzoom alternatives for LLC formation services. Come let’s launch your new business, my fellow entrepreneurs!
Contents
- Best LegalZoom Alternatives for Online Legal Services
- #1 Incfile
- #2 Rocket Lawyer
- #3 ZenBusiness
- #4 Nolo
- #5 LegalShield
- #6 Bizfilings
- #7 Swyft Filings
- #8 Law Depot
- #9 Gust
- #10 LawTrades
- #11 Docracy
- #12 Corpnet
- #13 Farewill
- #14 Northwest Registered Agent
- #15 Inc Authority
- #16 Filenow
- #17 MyCompany Works
- #18 Incorporate.com
- #19 Local Attorney
- #20 DIY Business Entity Formation
- #21 Paralegal
- Similar Companies to Legalzoom
- Legalzoom Alternatives & Competitors
Read my full review of Legalzoom and get a promo code discount
Best LegalZoom Alternatives for Online Legal Services
To help you make the best choice for your legal services, I have spent countless hours of research and analysis to compare these small business legal service providers, which are alternatives to LegalZoom LLC formation services. Read these in-depth reviews if you are considering these competitors legal services:
#1 Incfile
This Legalzoom competitor is winning over clients by offering the lowest price package starting at only $0 for LLC formation. Yes, that is right – zero dollars for the basic package! Know that you will be paying required state fees.
Why do they offer LLC formation for free? They will offer you additional services (which are helpful for new businesses ) such as EIN Employer Identification Number, DBA Doing Business As at reasonable prices. Think of the zero $0 LLC setup as a free sample – like the cheese cubes at Costco! Tasty but you may need to buy lunch later. 🙂
However, be sure to review this base package to see what it does not include. Scroll down to read the comparison chart which compares your alternatives to show that there is a NO refund policy, and only allows 1 day to cancel and then will charge you $30 as compared to Legalzoom 100% satisfaction guarantee up to 120 days after purchase.
Read my full review incfile vs LegalZoom
#2 Rocket Lawyer
Both companies provide online legal services for your new business formation, legal documents and subscription to legal plans. Whilst prices are comparable, see details in the side-by-side comparison chart below, the quality of legal forms are much better at Legalzooms as also are customer reviews.
Read my review Rocket Lawyer vs LegalZoom
#3 ZenBusiness
Newcomer to the online business legal market is Zenbusiness, founded in 2015. They are Legalzoom competitors with affordable pricing with LLC formations starting at $39. What they do not offer is a full range of legal services as Legalzoom does, nor are their business legal plans available.
Customers appreciate the easy checkout process and their socially conscious practices of supporting microloan programs at Kiva.org.
#4 Nolo
This alternative option for your business formation and corporate legal needs is more of a DIY do it yourself choice, with Nolo providing the necessary legal forms and a set of instructions on how to complete and file them with your state.
Nolo.com also has an online LLC formation tool. However, the same type of problems can easily occur, with my layman’s wrong answers and risk of business capital. I recommend using Legalzoom for your LLC formation – get 10% off with our exclusive promo code BEST4B19
Read my review Nolo vs LegalZoom
#5 LegalShield
LegalShield is different than LegalZoom because they primarily offer prepaid legal plans for both personal and business customers. That being said, if you subscribe to the monthly service you can get legal counsel on many small business needs such as contract review, debt collection assistance and a letter or phone calls by a professional attorney.
Now they have a division called Launch, which offers online LLC, DBA or INC formations. But at $149, the exact price of my recommendation LegalZoom, go with the leader Legalzoom.
Read my review LegalShield vs LegalZoom
#6 Bizfilings
Both of these online business formation companies are competent legal service providers. But bizfilings does not have the online tracking tool that LegalZoom does, which allows you to check the status of your order in real-time at anytime online.
The prices are exactly the same as the mid and top-level packages, $349 and $359, and only $50 cheaper for the lowest price option. Also, LegalZoom offers custom operating agreements free of charge and bizfilings does not.
Read my review Bizfilings vs LegalZoom
#7 Swyft Filings
This firm competes on the price by dropping the price to $49 to start, and then charges additionally for items, which are included free of charge at Legalzoom, such as customized operating agreements and online order tracking.
Read my review Swyft filings vs LegalZoom
#8 Law Depot
This alternative to Legalzoom offers free legal documents that you can download, complete and file with your state by yourself. The site will customize the forms to fit your particular legal situations. While I always love a bargain I think that legal service is not the place to cut corners.
#9 Gust
This company helps startups launch and supports founders with legal tools and business advice. Their focus is on incorporation because they were created by venture capitalists who expect you to fund your startup with equity investors.
Most small businesses will do better to buy Legalzoom $149 LLC formation than pay $300 for the Gust membership.
#10 LawTrades
This company sells entrepreneurs packages of formation and business law services either as projects, bundles or one time purchases. Their goal is to become your legal team. The Founders Package, starting at $1,200 plus state filing fees, is amongst the most expensive alternatives to Legalzoom.
#11 Docracy
This is the resource library of online legal documents most of which are free. Small businesses can browse the available forms including contracts, consulting agreements and LLC operating agreements. Still, I think if you are not knowledgeable in your state business law you could easily make expensive mistakes.
#12 Corpnet
Another choice for business entity formation, which I compare side by side in the chart below. They offer a calendar tool that will help you stay compliant with the forms and reports you need to file with the state and federal government by certain due dates.
Read my in-depth CorpNet review
#13 Farewill
This UK firm will help you create a legally binding will in minutes for a reasonable price. They do not offer business formation services but are a viable alternative for wills in the UK.
#14 Northwest Registered Agent
This company began as a corporate compliance firm and has expanded into offering additional business legal services including registered agent service, annual report filing services, mail forward, scanning, virtual office, and office leasing.
For those starting a business, they offer new company formation, Federal IRS registration, S corporation tax election, and business license registrations. Most of their legal services are more expensive than Legalzoom and Incfile.
#15 Inc Authority
The newest company on this list, formed in 2019, is competing with Legalzoom. They are offering a quick 4-step registration process for business entity formation. Some of these services are offer FREE you only pay the required state fees.
#16 Filenow
Another newcomer to the online legal scene. Their services are faster than some of the major players, such as LegalZoom and Incfile, and they also include some complimentary services such as EIN number, first-year registered agent and offer a money-back guarantee.
#17 MyCompany Works
Focusing on new LLC formation and incorporations this firm caters to entrepreneurs. Founded in 2001, with the simple mission of making starting a business easier, faster and less expensive.
They offer a toll-free phone consultation and have an A+ Better Business Bureau rating. Prices start at $79 plus state fees.
#18 Incorporate.com
Previously called the Company Corporation, it has helped form over 750,000 LLC and corporations for entrepreneurs. Founded in 1999 in Delaware their mission is helping entrepreneurs is their passion. And we strongly believe in the power of private enterprise.
#19 Local Attorney
Instead of going online, work with a local attorney who is familiar with your State’s business legal regulations. They can help you with all your business startup needs such as DBA, EIN, LLC, INC and sales tax registration.
#20 DIY Business Entity Formation
If you are organized and have some business experience you could set up your own LLC. My time as a business owner is limited, and as such I prefer to pay professionals affordable fees to set up my LLC. If you want to DIY your LLC here are the steps you will need to take.
#21 Paralegal
You could hire a paralegal at a lower hourly rate than an attorney who could help you complete the paperwork you need to start your business.
Similar Companies to Legalzoom
Legalzoom Alternatives & Competitors
Similar companies to Legalzoom for our consideration of legal services to form an LLC, file a DBA (Doing Business As) and form a corporation.| Competitor | Business | Customers | Ratings | Guarantee | Includes | Prices |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Incfile | 14 years | 150,000 | 3 stars (out of 5 stars) from 44 ratings | None, you can get a refund only if you cancel within one day, and they will charge you a $30 cancellation fee. | Registered agent services first year only, online access to incorporation documents | starts at $0 and $149 Visit Incfile.com |
| Rocket Lawyer | 10 years | N/A | 2.5 (out of 5 stars) Legal form quality deemed poor | 30 days | Legal documents and business formations. Additional fee for membership services. | starts at $99.99 Visit Rocket Lawyer |
| Corpnet | 12 years | 100,000 | 4.0 (out of 5 stars) | Satisfaction Guaranteed | Registered agent and account creation | starts at $79 and $199 Visit Corpnet |
Legalzoom Competitors
Complete List of Links to Reviews – Legal Firms Compared Side by Side
Legalzoom vs Incfile Review and Comparison of Legal Services
LegalZoom vs LegalShield – Review of Legal Shield services for legal issues
Legalzoom vs Nolo.com – Self Service, DIY Legal Forms vs Legal Services Online
LegalZoom vs Rocket Lawyer – Comparisons of Online Legal Services
Legalzoom vs Swyft Filings – Compared online legal services for small business
Legalzoom vs Bizfilings – Side by Side comparison and review
Legalzoom vs MyCorporation legal services for incorporation and LLC business formation services
Related articles:
Yes, LegalZoom is a good way to form your LLC. It is reasonably priced (under $100) has a fast turnaround time and has been trusted by over a million entrepreneurs.
Sure, you could form your own LLC, however, because in business time is money, so it is more beneficial to spend time on marketing activities that earn money than on completing complex legal forms to save a few bucks.
Read more at my in-depth Legalzoom review here
Incfile is a better deal on LLC formation than Legalzoom. Incfile offers a zero cost 0$ LLC package, including required state fees.
Rocket Lawyer is better than Legalzoom for custom legal forms which are unlimited and include premium documents.
Incfile is cheaper than Legalzoom. Incfile charges $0 for LLC formation as compared to Legalzoom $79 lowest pricing package for LLC setup.
All LLC formation packages have additional filing fees as required by your state.
Is LegalZoom reliable? Is LegalZoom legitimate?
Legalzoom is both reliable and legitimate as evidenced by two decades in business, including international offices, having served over 1 million people and business legal needs satisfactorily.
You may read negative reviews by individual attorneys or law firms against Legalzoom. If you have a complicated legal case then seriously consider hiring a specialized attorney, however, if you have standard legal needs such as LLC formation or writing a simple will then Legalzoom is a good reliable choice.
Yes, Legalzoom documents are legal in all jurisdictions and will hold up in court – IF you purchase the standard packages and forms.
If you add additional stipulations these may or may not be legal depending upon your state and the specific clauses that you added.
Check out my guide on how to start your business right with tons of useful tips I learned by successfully starting, building, and selling multiple companies.
