Updated 4/10/2020
Wondering which is the best legal service for your LLC Legalzoom or Nolo? As a small business consultant, I have compared each site and created this side by side comparison review of Legalzoom and Nolo.com to help you make the right decision for your company.
This in-depth review compares these online legal service providers on all features such as; products and services, attorney help, awards, customer reviews, and gold star ratings.
Comparing Nolo and Legalzoom will show why I recommend Legalzoom for forming your LLC – or incorporating, patent applications and legal document reviews.
Reader Steve Silton asked the question, Which is Better LegalZoom or Nolo?
Comparing LegalZoom vs Nolo; Legalzoom is an online legal site specializing in business LLC, INC and DBA, while Nolo is primarily a distributor of legal forms. For small businesses, I recommend Legalzoom due to their experience helping millions of entrepreneurs.
Please, if you are NOT an attorney licensed in your state PLEASE do not use Nolo legal forms for the important work of forming your LLC, getting your DBA or incorporation. You will come to regret it. For only $49 Legalzoom will set up your business LLC properly
While you may save a little bit of money, it is penny-wise and pound foolish (to use one of my mother’s favorite sayings!) This means that there is too much importance to protect your business and your personal assets, such as your families home to cut corners here trying to save a few dollars.
Plus you are sure to get frustrated trying to understand the forms and filing instructions. Save your time and energy building your company not trying to decode complex legal and government forms.
Read my full LegalZoom review
LegalZoom vs Nolo.com
These two options for small business legal issues are not the same, Legalzoom sells basic legal advice and services, while Nolo is primarily selling legal forms with little to no legal advice nor assistance.
When you want to create an LLC it is important to review each company and its services offered.
You may have heard about the Rocket Lawyer offer, read more here Legalzoom and Rocket Lawyer compared
Legalzoom vs Nolo: Side by Side Comparison
| Features | Legalzoom | Nolo.com |
|---|---|---|
| Products and Services | LLC, Corporations, DBA- Forms, Filings, Guidance and Legal Assistance | Legal Forms completed online. Mainly a legal library of forms, books and software. |
| Legal Help | Included, by email, phone and ongoing support and monthly legal plans for attorney advice | None. Find a Lawyer search |
| Awards | National Law Journal, Top Workplace, Entrepreneur of the Year CEO | Book Awards |
| Customer Reviews | Verified customers rated the legal services 4.6 out of 5 stars with 16, 961 reviews | Rated Fair to Poor by user reviews posted on business websites |
| Ratings - Gold Stars | Independent sites such as Consumer Affairs and BBB Better Business Bureau ratest 3.5 stars out of 5 stars | 2.0 stars out of 5 stars from Trustpilot, leading consumer review site. |
| Visit Legalzoom.com | Visit Nolo.com |
Overview of Nolo Legal Services and Forms
In 1971, Nolo began by publishing DIY, do it yourself legal guides. It was one of the first online legal sites. In 2011, it merged with other online legal sites which focused on divorce and general law and became the Nolo Network.
Nolo’s roots are in creating and distributing legal forms to consumers.
In fact, they offer many business legal forms in their internet legal library.
Remember, they did not begin as a fully qualified legal firm, as Legalzoom did. Thus their expertise continues to be in the sale of legal forms, of which you or your attorney can customize for your specific situation, file with state and federal courts and government offices.
Thus buying a legal form – without the associated legal knowledge of how to use it, where to file it and the applicable legal procedures – can be unwise. Sure it is easy and inexpensive but you may miss vital points which will harm your company going forward.
The online legal site Nolo.com is a legal form web store. Their slogan is “Law for All”.
Nolo has expanded its offerings to offer a FORM YOUR LLC ONLINE service (pictured below). Essentially this is a questionnaire form titled, Start Your Company Today. To form your LLC you will be answering questions such as;
- I want to form my LLC in (US State)
- Select Your LLC Package; Express Premiere Service $299 plus state fees and $99, plus state fees Basic Service.
- Then as you proceed through the ordering process you will be listing members, writing your operating agreement, getting an EIN Employer Identification Number, assigning a registered agent and finalizing your order.
Overview of Legalzoom Legal Services
I recommend using an attorney based firm such as Legalzoom (who helps over 1 million entrepreneurs every year) to set up your business LLC properly. You put your personal assets at risk, including your home if your LLC is not set up correctly – for your state and industry.
As an experienced small business owner and reviewer of online legal services, I am impressed with Legalzoom’s good balance of affordability, quality and customer service.
Read my complete LegalZoom LLC review
LegalZoom has been in the business of the formation of LLC, DBA Doing Business As, and Incorporations for 12 years setting up over one million businesses. They are highly rated by millions of users across the internet.
Additionally, LegalZoom gives you lifetime customer support for any questions or issues that come up later about your LLC formation. Oh and my favorite part, they are available by phone and are in the USA, so they are native English speakers and are easy to speak to 🙂
LegalZoom – Over 1 million businesses have trusted us to help them get started.
Plus LegalZoom also has a team of top legal attorneys continue to review and maintain the documents and processes to be the most up to date to comply with the latest legal regulations for all US states.
Legalzoom Competitors 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
Read my in-depth list of Legalzoom alternatives here
Originally published on 10/8/18
Updated 4/10/2020
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.
