In Short: ZenBusiness vs LegalZoom
Both file LLCs for $0 plus state fees on their entry plan, and both are established companies with strong public ratings. The real difference sits in what happens after the filing: LegalZoom charges $249 a year for registered agent service against ZenBusiness at $199, and LegalZoom bundles attorney access that ZenBusiness does not offer. Neither is built for a founder living outside the United States.
- Entry formation price: $0 plus state fees at both.
- Paid formation tiers: LegalZoom Pro $249 and Premium $299. ZenBusiness publishes its plans from $0 plus state fees.
- Registered agent: ZenBusiness $99 the first year then $199 a year. LegalZoom $249 a year.
- Trustpilot: ZenBusiness 4.8 out of 5, LegalZoom 4.6 out of 5.
- LegalZoom’s differentiator is attorney access, offered on a plan that auto-renews at $49 a month after a 30-day trial.
- Three-year registered agent cost: $497 with ZenBusiness, $747 with LegalZoom.
Disclosure: BusinessAnywhere sells business formation and registered agent services, so ZenBusiness and LegalZoom compete with us directly. Every figure below was taken from each company’s own published pages and public Trustpilot profiles on 14 September 2026, and each is linked to its source so you can check it. Prices change, so confirm before you buy.
The $0 Formation Price Is the Same at Both
LegalZoom advertises LLC formation from $0 plus state filing fees on its Basic plan. ZenBusiness advertises the same entry price on its pricing page. Neither company can discount the state filing fee, which is set by the state and payable whichever route you take. The LLC cost by state table lists what each state charges.
Because the headline price is identical, comparing these two on formation cost alone tells you nothing. The comparison that matters is the paid tiers and the recurring services.
What Each Charges Beyond the Filing
| ZenBusiness | LegalZoom | |
|---|---|---|
| LLC formation, entry | $0 plus state fees | $0 plus state fees |
| Mid tier | Published from $0 plus state fees | Pro, $249 plus state fees |
| Top tier | Published from $0 plus state fees | Premium, $299 plus state fees |
| Registered agent, first year | $99 plus state fees | $249 a year |
| Registered agent, renewal | $199 a year | $249 a year |
| Three-year registered agent cost | $497 | $747 |
| Attorney access | Not offered | Included on a plan that auto-renews at $49 a month after 30 days |
| Trustpilot rating | 4.8 out of 5 | 4.6 out of 5 |
The registered agent line is the one to plan for. Over three years it is $497 with ZenBusiness and $747 with LegalZoom, and that is a recurring cost for as long as the company exists. The best registered agent service comparison runs the same maths across five providers.
Where LegalZoom Wins
LegalZoom sells legal services, not just filings. Its paid plans bundle attorney consultations, and that is the reason to pay $249 or $299 rather than $0. If your situation involves partners, investors, a complicated operating agreement or an industry with licensing rules, talking to a lawyer is worth more than any price difference discussed here.
Where ZenBusiness Wins
ZenBusiness is $50 a year cheaper on registered agent service and carries a higher Trustpilot score. Its compliance tooling is aimed at owners who want annual report deadlines handled without thinking about them. For a straightforward single-member LLC with no legal complications, it is the cheaper of the two to keep running.
Neither Is Built for a Founder Outside the US
Both companies assume the person forming the company has a US address and a Social Security number. That assumption runs through the whole product: the address used on the filing, the EIN application, and where the mail goes afterwards.
If you are forming a US LLC from outside the country, the pieces you need are different. A US business address that is not your registered agent address. Mail scanned and forwarded to wherever you are. An EIN obtained without a Social Security number. A registered agent price that does not step up after year one.
| ZenBusiness | LegalZoom | BusinessAnywhere | |
|---|---|---|---|
| LLC formation | $0 plus state fees | $0 plus state fees | $0 plus state fees |
| Registered agent, renewal | $199 a year | $249 a year | $147 a year |
| Three-year registered agent cost | $497 | $747 | $294 |
| EIN without an SSN | Not listed | Not listed | $97 |
| Virtual mailbox with international forwarding | Not listed | Not listed | From $20 a month |
| Trustpilot rating | 4.8 out of 5 | 4.6 out of 5 | 4.8 out of 5 |
FAQ: ZenBusiness vs LegalZoom
Is ZenBusiness or LegalZoom cheaper?
Both start at $0 plus state filing fees for LLC formation. ZenBusiness is cheaper on the recurring cost: registered agent service is $99 for the first year and $199 a year after that, against $249 a year at LegalZoom. Over three years that is $497 against $747.
What does LegalZoom offer that ZenBusiness does not?
Attorney access. LegalZoom bundles attorney consultations into its paid plans, on a plan that auto-renews at $49 a month after a 30-day trial. ZenBusiness does not offer legal advice.
Which has better reviews, ZenBusiness or LegalZoom?
On Trustpilot as of 14 September 2026, ZenBusiness holds 4.8 out of 5 and LegalZoom holds 4.6 out of 5. Both are strong scores for the category.
Can I use ZenBusiness or LegalZoom from outside the United States?
Both are built around a US-based owner with a US address and a Social Security number. Neither lists a virtual mailbox with international mail forwarding or an EIN application for applicants without a Social Security number, which are the two pieces non-resident founders need most.
Do I still pay state filing fees with either one?
Yes. The state filing fee is set by the state and is payable whichever service you use, or if you file yourself. No formation company can discount it.
Forming From Outside the US
If you are a non-resident founder, the filing is the easy part. BusinessAnywhere covers the rest: formation from $0 plus state fees, the registered agent service free for the first year and $147 a year after, an EIN application for $97, and a virtual mailbox from $20 a month with international forwarding. If you are still deciding on structure, the how to start an LLC guide covers the full process.
Compare the full pricing and start your formation.
Prices and ratings in this article were checked on 14 September 2026 against each company’s own published pages and public Trustpilot profiles. Both change over time, so confirm current figures before you buy. This article is general information, not legal or tax advice.
