Head-to-Head

Active Filings

Fast & Affordable Business Formation Since 2001

VS

Business Initiative

Business Intelligence That Forms Your Business

Side-by-side comparison. Data as of 2026-02-16.

Founded
Active Filings: 2001
Business Initiative: 2021
Rating
7.8/10
8.7/10
First Year Cost
~$0 + state fees (RA included)
~$310+ (LLC formation + RA)
Formation Speed
2-5 business days standard
7-14 business days standard
RA Annual
Free Year 1 (with formation); $99/year renewal
$125/year per state (multi-company discounts)

Company Background

Active Filings

HQ: Dania Beach, Florida (381 E Sheridan St)

Ownership: Private (independent, founder-owned; no VC backing)

Employees: 4

Formations: 100,000+ satisfied customers

Key Milestones

  • Founded 2001 by immigrant Roberto Neuberger in Florida
  • Expanded from FL-only to all 50 states + DC + PR
  • Pioneered online incorporation tech (pre-VC era)
  • Developed proprietary compliance review system
  • Remained independent (no institutional investors)

Business Initiative

HQ: New York, NY (virtual/nationwide operations)

Ownership: Private (founder-owned)

Employees: 1

Formations: Not publicly disclosed (quality-focused, low volume)

Key Milestones

  • Launched 2021 as educational platform
  • Evolved to full-service formation + RA services
  • Built AI tools, stats library, and provider directory

Core Services

Active Filings Services

Formation types:

  • LLC
  • Corporation (C-Corp, S-Corp)
  • Nonprofit
  • Foreign Qualification (all states)
  • International Incorporation Plan (for non-US residents)
  • Change of Registered Agent

Differentiators:

  • More free services than competitors (lifetime support, checklists)
  • 19+ years experience; 3rd oldest service
  • Error-free filing guarantee
  • Proprietary compliance tech
  • Dedicated support for law firms & small biz

Business Initiative Services

Formation types:

  • LLC
  • Corporation (C-Corp, S-Corp)
  • Partnerships
  • Foreign LLC/Corp qualifications
  • Change of Registered Agent

Differentiators:

  • All state/federal fees included upfront
  • Business intelligence platform (stats, AI selector, education)
  • Directory of other providers
  • Founder-led, transparent education

Both offer nationwide RA coverage. Compare differentiators above to see where each shines.

Pricing & Value

Category Active Filings Business Initiative Winner
First Year Total ~$0 + state fees (RA included) ~$310+ (LLC formation + RA) Business Initiative
RA Annual Fee Free Year 1 (with formation); $99/year renewal $125/year per state (multi-company discounts)
Value Score 7.8/10 8.5/10 Business Initiative

Speed & Performance

Active Filings

Avg formation: 2-5 business days standard

Expedited: 2 business days (varies); same-day in select states

Business Initiative

Avg formation: 7-14 business days standard

Expedited: 1-3 business days ($25-$200); same-day before 1 PM EST

Pros & Cons

Active Filings — Pros

  • Lifetime free support
  • 3rd oldest; proven track record
  • All 50 states + international
  • Error-free guarantee
  • Strong Spanish support

Active Filings — Cons

  • ✗ Small team (less scale)
  • ✗ RA renewal after free year
  • ✗ Fewer reviews than giants
  • ✗ Basic tech vs. AI tools
  • ✗ Expedited varies by state

Business Initiative — Pros

  • All fees included (transparent value)
  • Privacy-first RA ($125 flat)
  • Educational platform (stats/AI tools)
  • Fast human support
  • Nationwide + foreign quals

Business Initiative — Cons

  • ✗ Newer (fewer formations track record)
  • ✗ Limited review volume
  • ✗ Basic add-ons
  • ✗ No 24/7 chat
  • ✗ Virtual-only operations

The Verdict

Choose Active Filings if: Veteran player with human touch—great for immigrants needing reliable help, but check pricing vs. budget options.


Choose Business Initiative if: Beats competitors on all-in costs and smarts—perfect for informed operators who want a partner, not just a filer.

Higher rating: Business Initiative (8.7/10)