Inc Authority vs ZenBusiness: Head-to-Head Review

    by Benjamin Aronson
Updated May 29, 2024

Setting up your LLC is stressful, huh…

Wouldn’t it be great if you had a professional filing company that can help with the formation of your business?

Our team of business developers and researchers tested and recorded the experience of filing with Inc Authority & ZenBusiness. So if your goal is to find a trustworthy filing company for your business, then this article is for you.

In this comparison, we’ve laid out all the information so you can make the right choice for your business.

Top LLC Formation Services
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FinancePond Rating
4.8/5
  • Form an LLC for $0 + State Fees
  • FREE Registered Agent Service for a Year
  • Trusted by over 500,000+ Businesses
  • 100% Transparency
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FinancePond Rating
4.8/5
  • Form an LLC for $49 + State Fees
  • Fast & Simple LLC Formation
  • Launched Over 100,000 Businesses
  • 100% Accuracy Guarantee
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FinancePond Rating
4.5/5
  • Form an LLC for $225 + state fees
  • Registered Agent Service included ($125)
  • Forming Businesses Since 1998
  • 100% Error-Free Guarantee

When it comes to value for money, Inc Authority will give you the most BANG for your buck and file your LLC in the best state.

Since 1989, Inc Authority and its family of companies have been helping entrepreneurs around the United States. Since then, they have formed thousands of businesses.

They’re one of the few companies that provide FREE formation services to their customers (Harbor Compliance and Northwest Registered Agent are two competitors that offer free-agent services).

Inc Authority representatives claim that the value and quality of professional services are unmatched by their competitors. They are proud to note that those qualities set them apart from other formation services.

To back up that claim Inc Authority has 5-star reviews and an A+ Trustpilot ratings.

They received those scours due to the fact that they provide extra services. These services prove to be very helpful throughout the LLC registration.

Inc Authority ensures that customer satisfaction is kept up to a high standard throughout all of their work.

Having a full-service business formation specialist like Inc Authority by your side is extremely useful. It’s is a big advantage, especially when creating your LLC.

With their easy-to-use service, you can forget about the time-consuming filing processes. In Authority will incorporate your business within 5 minutes.

Note: Incfile also provide free LLC formation service. If your interested, we reviewed Incfile vs Inc Authority. Check out which free business formation service offers more value!

Why we like Inc Authority

Free LLC Formation $0
Tax planning consultation
FREE registered agent service for a year

Why we dislike Inc Authority

Numerous upsells
Value to cost

High

Ease of Use

Easy

Speed

Fast

Customer Care

High

Reputation
Trusted
More services
Many

Today everything is about innovation & modernization, and ZenBusiness is at the top of the creative mountain.

The foundation of ZenBusiness started with an idea. The Idea to aid entrepreneurs to develop their business legal needs, website domains, LLC paperwork, etc.

In 2015, 3 entrepreneurs driven to help small business owners built ZenBusiness and modernized the LLC formation process.

In case you’re wondering why you should choose them, they’ve got the perfect answer to that question.

 ‘‘We make it easy to start, run, and grow your dream business”

– ZenBusiness

What separates ZenBusiness from its competitors is modern technology and its automated processes. They help business owners form LLCs quickly and at low costs.

The ease of use of their website is appealing. And creating an account that gives you access to their portal and all your info will only take a few minutes to set up.

Why we like ZenBusiness

Business formation for $49 + state fees
Highly rated customer reviews
A full year of the registered agent service for FREE

Why we dislike ZenBusiness

Established in 2015, limited record
Value to cost

High

Ease of Use

Easy

Speed

Fast

Customer Care

High

Reputation
Trusted
More services
Many

Plans and Packages: Inc Authority vs ZenBusiness

Below you’ll find a head-to-head breakdown of the LLC formation services that Inc Authority and ZenBusiness offer.

Before you choose the right formation company, make sure you take your time on this section.

Think about your business and the key services that you need. That way you will make the best decision for your company.

Inc Authority and ZenBusiness name their packages differently, so to make things easier to understand, we’ll use a 3-step system for their packages:

????Basic

????Traditional

????Supreme

But before we get into the statistics, we’d like to present you with the Free Plan that Inc Authority has to offer and show you what it includes.

Inc Authority: FREE LLC Formation Package

Inc Authority completely waive their service formation charges in this plan. The only thing that you’ll have to pay to file your business is the State Fee.

The State Fee is an unavoidable cost at this related to every state.

This Free Package Includes:

  • 5 point name check
  • Preparation and filing
  • Registered agent
  • Digital delivery & storage
  • Business checking account
  • Tax planning consultation
  •  S-Election form
  • INC CARE support

Inc Authority’s free package is truly a bargain. This package gives your business a real head start! And instead of spending money on filing fees, you can invest your funds into your business.

Now let’s dive into the Package Comparison of both companies.

 The Basic Plan Comparison: Inc Authority vs ZenBusiness

Plans and Packages

 Inc Authority

ZenBusiness

Basic Package Price (without state fee)

$399

$49

Processing Time

1-3weeks depending on the state

6–7 business days

Registered Agent Services

Free for the first year, following $99/yearly

Free for the first year, following $119/yearly

Operating Agreement

 ✓

Employer Identification Number(EIN)

 $70 Extra

Yearly Compliance

1 Year Inc Success Advisor

Worry-Free Compliance – $119

Free Consultation

Tax Consultation

Accounting Consultation

Name Availability Check

 ✓

 ✓

Business Website/Domain

????

????

The Basic Plan Breakdown

Inc Authority

The Basic Plan costs $399 plus state fees. For that price, Inc Authority will fully set up your LLC dotting the i’s and crossing the t’s.

Inc Authority calls the Basic Pack a “Starter Business Bundle” and it includes everything from the free package plus:

  • Verification of Business Name Availability: Ensuring that the name you’ve chosen for your company hasn’t already been taken is a vital part of Business Formation.
  • State Filed Articles
  • Company Seal & Record Book
  • Initial Meeting Minutes & Resolutions
  • Business Ownership Certificates
  • Operating Agreement
  • Employer Identification Number (EIN): An EIN is like the Social Security Number for your business and it’s something you just can’t go without.
  • Business Credit & Funding Evaluation
  • You can get pre-approved for $50k – $150k in working capital (unsecured loans & credit lines for start-ups) in less than 10 minutes.
  • Tax Consultant
  • 1 Year Inc Success Advisor: The full-year includes things like IRS Notifications and Audits Tax, Accounting, and State and Local Business Licenses. Lawsuit Defense, Payroll and Business Funding, Business Banking, and Credit Cards.

There’s a lot of helpful features in the Basic Plan like the Free Tax Consultation which will aid your business in the accounting side of things.

Overall, the benefits that you’ll receive when purchasing this plan will be of great use, but we’ll let you decide whether your business needs them.

ZenBusiness

Their Starter Plan allows you to form your LLC for just $49 + state fees

This package includes:

  • Standard Filing Service: This means that filing can take anywhere from a few days to a few weeks. If you’re in a hurry then you’d be better off paying the extra buck for Expedited or Rush filing.
  • Year of Registered Agent Services: ZenBusienss will assign a registered agent in the state of your company. This agent is responsible for all government notifications, correspondence, legal and logistical basics. Their job is to ensure your business is legitimate and to make your life easier and hassle-free.
  • Operating Agreement Template: Having a template always comes in handy especially, when this template is the only document that records the ownership of the company. Ownership is not listed with the State.
  • 100% Accuracy Guarantee

To sum up the Basic Plan for ZenBusiness we’d like to say that it’s a great DEAL. Noting that business owners get a registered agent for a year along with operating agreement templets is pretty awesome, especially because of the price of $49 + state fees. Considering that most competitors are at least double (without the add-on for a registered agent).

The Traditional Plan Comparison: Inc Authority vs ZenBusiness

Plans and Packages

 Inc Authority 

 ZenBusiness

Traditional Package Price (without state fee)

$499

$149

 

Processing Time

Express processing saves you several days (depending on the state)

4 – 5 business days

Registered Agent Services

Free for the first year, following $99/yearly

Free for the first year, following $119/yearly

Operating Agreement

Employer Identification Number(EIN)

Yearly Compliance

 ✓

Free Consultation

Tax Consultation

Free Accounting consultation

Business Website/Domain

$25 annually

The Traditional Plan Breakdown

Inc Authority

The price for Inc Authoriy’s Traditional Plan is $499.

After drilling down into their offerings, there only two main features that you get when choosing this package (compared to the Basic Package) which are:

  • Website Domain
  • Business License Report: Instant access to Inc Authority’s business license reporting software. This will show you precisely which licenses you’ll need for your specific business based on location and industry.

As mentioned the price difference is derived from the website domain and business license report.

ZenBusiness

Almost three times less than Inc Authority, ZenBusiness charge $149 for their Traditional Plan. In addition to the services and features from the Basic Package, the Traditional Package includes:

  • Expedite Filing Speed: If you’re In a rush then this will be the best package for you. ZenBusiness will save valuable time that you can choose to spend on more important matters like growth.
  • Employer ID Number (EIN)
  • Banking Resolution Template: The Banking Resolution template isn’t typically required but it’s still a vital document that determines who may open your business bank account and assign signature authority.
  • Worry-Free Compliance: The benefits of Annual Compliance are:
    • Saves Time & Avoids Errors: Their team handles your filings so you don’t have to worry about compliance deadlines or making costly errors.
    • Handles Annual Filings: Covers your annual report filing and two yearly amendments so you stay in good standing with the state.
    • Ensures Compliance: ZenBusiness will send alerts and updates to help ensure you don’t miss a deadline.

The Supreme Plan Comparison: Inc Authority vs ZenBusiness

Plans and Packages

Inc Authority 

ZenBusiness

Supreme Package Price (without state fee)

$799

$299

Processing Time

Express Processing

1 – 3 business days

Registered Agent Services

Free for the first year, following $99/yearly

Free for the first year, following $119/yearly

Operating Agreement

Employer Identification Number(EIN)

Yearly Compliance

Free Consultation

Business Website/Domain


The Supreme Plan Breakdown

Inc Authority

Inc Authority’s most Supreme Plan costs $799 + State fees. They provide everything in the Basic and Traditional Plans plus:

  • Express Processing: Express processing simply lowers the amount of time it takes to process your LLC. This time depends on a lot of things, but they can speed it up to just a few days.
  • Biz Credit Express
  • Business Credit Coach: 90 days of one-on-one coaching with a dedicated business credit coach who will guide you step-by-step.
  • Multi-tiered Credit Building System: Your business will be taken through their exclusive, multi-tiered credit development system. That is going to help build your credit quickly and efficiently.
  • Business Credit Launchpad: A proprietary web-based software program that will walk you through the steps of your business credit development.
  • D&B Credit Bureau Registration: You’ll receive an Initial registration and report from the top business credit reporting bureau, Dun & Bradstreet.

The Supreme Package that Inc Authority provides is everything that you may ever need to form your business. If you’re looking for a few of the services stated below then Inc Authority’s Supreme Plan is the way to go

ZenBusiness

For the affordable price of $299 + State Fees ZenBusiness provides everything in the Basic and Traditional Plans plus the services below:

  • Domain Business Name
  • DomainName Privacy
  • Business Email Address
  • Rush Filling

ZenBusiness aims to provide you with everything that’s needed for your start-up. Their services comparably have lots of guidance and useful resources for a new business owner.

Are you just starting out? If you’re just about to raise your business off the ground then you’ll benefit from learning about the 5 Top Incorporation Services of 2021.

Additional Extras

Inc Authority allows you to create and construct your plan if, for example, you don’t need some features they’re offering in their packages. You can choose from:

  • An EIN number ($49)
  • An operating agreement ($89)
  • Legal documents package with ownership certificate ($99)
  • Domain registration from GoDaddy ($19)
  • Inc Success Advisor ($197/year or $27/month)
  • Express Processing ($49)

Having a choice is always a good thing, and with Inc Authority that’s a priority.

ZenBusiness provides you with a dozen add-ons that you can opt-in for, a lot of which are beneficial to startups and small business owners. Some of them are:

  • Expedite Filling ($50)
  • Rush Filling ($100)
  • Banking Resolution ($30)
  • Employer ID Number ($70)
  • Worry-Free Compliance ($119 billed annually)
  • Business Website ($100 yearly)
  • Business Domain Name ($25 yearly)
  • Domain Name Privacy ($10 yearly)
  • Business Email Adress ($25 yearly)

While helping you with your startup or a business, they offer to take care of annual report filing. As well as other ongoing LLC maintenance as a part of their Worry-Free Compliance.

Both companies have great add-ons that are guaranteed to bring you value.

Inc Authority vs ZenBusiness Category Comparison

In this section you’ll learn about the DNA of both companies and get some insight into the real value they’re offering.

We’ve examined every piece of information from both Incorporation services. Below we will And present the topics that we feel exploit the most value:

  • Track Records & Experience
  • Customer Satisfaction & Reviews
  • Formation Speed & Turnaround times
  • Overall Value

So keep on reading and you’ll see why these are two of the Top Business Formation Services in the LLC formations industry.

Track Records & Experience

Inc Authority

They offer customer support via chat, phone, or email. Their helpful representatives are available from 11 am to 8 pm ET on weekdays.

Being around since 1989, they’ve racked up a great track record and are consistently working toward improving it.

ZenBusiness

Although ZenBusienss has only been around since the beginning of 2015, they have an impressive track record.

ZenBusiness has been continuously reaching new heights and achieving great results for its clients.

Being around for a significantly shorter amount of time doesn’t necessarily make them less likely to provide you with great results. You can see proof of that on reviews websites.

Both companies have great track records and they’ve built up a steady stream of happy customers.

Customer Satisfaction & Reviews

Inc Authority 

They’ve ranked up a 4.8/5 rating from 5,937 Reviews on TrustPilot. 92% of all customers have left excellent feedback with high ratings. You can see the Reviews on their website.

ZenBusiness

Also at its peak with the same rating of 4.8/5 from 5,814 Reviews on TrustPilot. Although they’ve got 87% excellent ratings their close second is followed by 8% of Great feedback so in this field their performance is amazing.

Formation Speed & Turnaround times

Inc Authority

Line IncFast, Inc Authority bases their turnaround time depending on the state. It can take a few days to a couple of weeks. But thankfully in both their Traditional and Supreme packages, they include Express Processing. Which would help you by filing your LLC in just a few short days.

ZenBusiness 

They base their turnaround time on which package you purchase. ZenBusiness’s most affordable package has a 3-4 week turnaround time. On the other hand, their Supreme package speeds it up to 1-3 days.

With each plan, they shorten the processing time by a few days.

Together they both provide Rush Filing in their Supreme Plans. If you need Rush Filing you can add it to your Basic or Traditional plan by paying an extra charge.

Overall Value

Inc Authority

Their processes will significantly improve your chances of running a successful business.

Inc Authority has an up-to-date and user-friendly website. It normally takes about 10-15 minutes to fill out the necessary information to get your LLC filed.

Whether you’re starting an LLC, S Corp, C Corp, or other business entity. ZenBusiness and Inc Authority provide clients with a superior and modern filing experience at an unparalleled value.

If you spend a few minutes scrolling through their website, you’ll find that they provide special offers and discounts. Also, coupons that you can use to get the most value for your money.

ZenBusiness

Their packages cover the base but ZenBusiness offers more than that. They help your business grow by getting a business credit card or business bank account.

Starting a business is a tough task in itself so why don’t you make it easier by hiring one of the Top Incorporation Services?

ZenBusiness provides relief offering a pre-programmed checklist and assistance with basic questions.

It’s an easier and cost-effective way to handle start-up business logistics without stress.

A great addition to the value that ZenBusienss provides is the availability of its representatives. As soon as you enter their website you’ll be greeted by a representative in a small pop-up window.

They will ask if there’s anything that they can help you with or answer any questions that you may have on the topic of Business.

Our team has conducted tons of research particularly on this company and you can see why they’re great in the Review of ZenBusiness. Their technology keeps your costs down and offers the most customized business formations online.

Pros & Cons of Inc Authority and ZenBusiness

When making an effort to find the right incorporation service one of the best ways is to have a clear and concise comparison like a Pros & Cons section.

This section will reveal some of the best and most important upsides of both companies while also showing you what you should look out for before making a final choice.

Pros of Inc Authority

???? Free LLC Formation $0

The Free Formation Package is a great DEAL, especially for start-ups and business owners who are struggling financially.

???? Long-Term, Proven Track Record

Being a Pioneer in the field since 1989, they have the utmost advantage when it comes to experience.

???? Full-Year of Registered Agent Service

Unlike most of their competitors, Inc Authority provides this service in their Free Package. And it’s an absolute necessity when forming a company.

???? Ease of Use

Inc Authority is famous for providing user-friendly services that are easy to use and tailor-made for their customer.

Pros of ZenBusiness

???? Publication Services

ZenBusiness will take a load off your mind because they provide a publication service (Some states require publication). Many competitors lack this important service.

???? Fresh Perspective

Some would consider that long-term experience is an advantage but not in this case. ZenBusiness is newer and more modern delivering innovative approaches.

???? Customer Support & Feedback

Even though they’ve been around 4 times less than Inc Authority, they’ve racked up more reviews and great ratings. Including real customer feedback than you see on their website.

???? Affordable Plans

Compared to Inc Authority and other companies in the field of Business Formation, they rank very highly for their Pricing of Packages.

It’s all about the Value for Money when it comes down to choosing the right company or plan for your business. If you’re interested we can show you exactly How much it would cost to set up an LLC, no matter the state.

Cons of Inc Authority

???? Costly Plans

If you’re on a tight budget and your capital is low the only reasonable option would be their Free package.

???? Upsells For The Free Package

If you choose their Free Plan, you’ll have to deal with a lot of upsells for additional extras, that you’d probably need further down the line anyway. Incorproate.com is an LLC formation service that has similar practices.

Cons of ZenBusiness

???? Fairly New to Business Formation

Even though they’re performing great and impressing their customers, let’s not forget that the company was formed in 2015. In the formation world, that’s a short track record.

???? They’re great, But Not Free

Even though they provide value in abundance. A couple of their competitors offer free formation packages that are, well, extremely appealing.

The Bottom Line

Choosing the right formation company comes down to your specific requirements, needs, and expectations.

Regardless of the company you choose to form your business, you’ll see that both companies will provide top-of-the-line incorporation service.

The pioneer in the field provides (Inc Authority) one thing that ZenBusiness doesn’t and that is Legal Support. Which will come in handy because as we all know, lawyers are always a huge expense.

The fast response of their staff is amazing. No doubt, having someone that you can rely on to give you a hand is a huge advantage.

If your looking for reliability and a long-term track record, then Inc Authority might be a good choice for you.

ZenBusiness, on the other hand, helps you by taking care of all of the dirty work. They alleviate the stress and headaches that go with the bureaucratic LLC filing process.

They make the start-up protocol seamless and utilize their modern approach to Business Formation. Like having a pre-programmed checklist that will assist with your basic questions.

They’re a socially conscious organization and that’s what makes them unique. Their mission is to continue helping others while increasing their growth.

It’s not commonly known but they made a partnership with Kiva.org that is helping lift people out of poverty. They do so through financial lending and loan money to help women- and minority-owned businesses get off the ground.

If you are looking for a more affordable filing company that still achieves top-notch results then ZenBusiness would be a great pick for you.

Both companies provide incredible incorporation services with dozens of extra features and a ton of value. But in case you like to do your own research we can help you with that by showing you 5 Alternatives to ZenBusiness.

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