ZenBusiness vs Inc Authority Comparison

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Carolyn Young is a business writer who focuses on entrepreneurial concepts and the business formation. She has over 25 years of experience in business roles, and has authored several entrepreneurship textbooks.

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 8, 2022

Business entity formation is a crucial element of launching a business, and because it’s often complex and tedious, many entrepreneurs hire a professional to do the job right. These business formation services also offer additional services that can be helpful to a new business owner.

Two of the leading online services to consider are ZenBusiness and Inc Authority. And to help you determine which is best and which might be best for you and your business, we have thoroughly reviewed their services by putting ourselves in the shoes of an entrepreneur. Read on to make the choice that will put your business on the highway to success.

Services Overview

Business Formation Service

ZenBusiness

Inc Authority

Plans and Pricing

3 plans: Starter, Pro, and Premium; $0 – $349 annual fees + state filing fees

Free Formation, Starter, and Fast Track Business Bundle + state filing fees

Registered Agent Service

Not included, $199 annually

Included for one year, then $179 annually

Operating Agreement

$99 if you go with the Starter plan; Included in Pro and Premium plans

Not included, $89

Annual Report Service

Worry-free compliance service covers annual filing; only annual reporting is $100 + state fees

Annual compliance notifications

Processing Time

Standard, rush

Standard state times, $0 express processing

Customer Support

Chat, email, phone; Mon – Fri 8am – 8pm CT, Sunday 9am – 6pm CT

Chat, email, phone; Mon – Fri 6am to 5pm PT

Business Documents Online Library

Included in Premium, $99 (one-time fee) for other two plans

Other Services Offered

Domain name registration, business website creation and business email address, business banking, business credit cards, online payments

Ownership or Stock Certificates, Professional Tax Consultation, Web Domain + 5 Email Addresses

Number of Business Served

500,000

250,000

Money Back Guarantee

60 days

Our Verdict

After a thorough assessment, we have determined that ZenBusiness offers better value. With ZenBusiness, you’ll save money and likely receive higher quality customer service and equally fast turnaround times. Although Inc Authority’s platform of LLC formation packages offers a variety of services, they are significantly more expensive.

If you’re an entrepreneur with an eye on your budget, ZenBusiness is the better choice.

Pricing

Turnaround Time

Help and Support

Customer Satisfaction

Ease of Use

Overall Score: 4.7/5

Learn More

Pricing

Turnaround Time

Help and Support

Customer Satisfaction

Ease of Use

Overall Score: 3.4/5

Learn More

We recommend ZenBusiness over Inc Authority, mainly due to the better value plans and great customer service. Both offer a robust lineup of services with many features, but we find Inc Authority significantly overpriced compared to similar competitors.

Pros and Cons

ZenBusiness Inc Authority

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

Free plan is a good value
Free 1-year registered agent service and EIN
Quick and easy purchase process
Good rating with Trustpilot

Cons

Pricing not disclosed on site; the information is hard to find on the site
Expensive service packages
Aggressive sales tactics
Poor customer service

Plans and Pricing – Winner: ZenBusiness

ZenBusiness

Renowned for some of the most affordable rates in the industry, ZenBusiness offers a free LLC formation package — Starter plan.

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.

Inc Authority

Inc Authority effectively simplifies the LLC formation process compared to the do-it-yourself approach. Their platform is user-friendly, with intuitive guides assisting users through each step, thus making business entity setup more accessible for entrepreneurs.

However, there are upsells during the formation process that can lead to increased LLC costs.

Additional Services – Winner: ZenBusiness

ZenBusiness and Inc Authority provide several identical services, but each platform also brings unique offerings to the table.

Specifically, Inc Authority has a distinct edge with its business funding service and business credit package, which ZenBusiness does not offer. They also offer fewer additional services than ZenBusiness.

On the other hand, ZenBusiness stands out with its services tailored to the handling of compliance issues and its worry-free CPA assessment. They also offer a wider range of packages that are designed to meet varying business needs, whereas these are services not offered by Inc Authority.

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.

Is Inc Authority a good business formation service?

Inc Authority’s robust suite of formation packages comes with a ton of valuable services, however, they are significantly more expensive compared to other companies. Competitors like LegalZoom and ZenBusiness offer similar packages and better customer service at much more affordable price points.

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