Filenow
Quick & Affordable Business Formation with 24-Hour Processing
Business Initiative
Business Intelligence That Forms Your Business
Side-by-side comparison. Data as of 2026-02-16.
Company Background
Filenow
HQ: New York, NY (small team of experts)
Ownership: Private (independent; founder-led team of entrepreneurs/lawyers)
Employees: Small team (1-10)
Formations: Thousands (growing; focus on quality)
Key Milestones
- Founded 2018 by team of entrepreneurs, lawyers, tax pros
- Grew via affordable formation model
- Launched Incorporation Wizard for entity selection
- Achieved 4.8/5 on ShopperApproved (600+ reviews)
- Expanded to full compliance add-ons
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
Filenow Services
Formation types:
- ✓ LLC
- ✓ Corporation (C-Corp, S-Corp)
- ✓ Foreign Qualification (all states)
- ✓ Change of Registered Agent
Differentiators:
- 24-hour order processing (no extra cost)
- Error-free guarantee (money back if errors)
- Transparent, no-hidden-fees pricing
- Incorporation Wizard (entity selector)
- Unlimited expert support (phone/email/chat)
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 | Filenow | Business Initiative | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| First Year Total | ~$49-$199 + state fees (RA included in Premium) | ~$310+ (LLC formation + RA) | Business Initiative |
| RA Annual Fee | Free Year 1 (Premium); $119/year renewal | $125/year per state (multi-company discounts) | — |
| Value Score | 8.3/10 | 8.5/10 | Business Initiative |
Speed & Performance
Filenow
Avg formation: 24 hours processing + state time (fastest standard)
Expedited: Included (24-hour); 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
Filenow — Pros
- ✓ 24-hour processing included
- ✓ Starter from $49 + state
- ✓ Error-free money-back guarantee
- ✓ Free RA Year 1 (Premium)
- ✓ Unlimited expert support
Filenow — Cons
- ✗ Small team (emerging)
- ✗ RA $119 renewal
- ✗ Fewer add-ons
- ✗ Low review volume
- ✗ No enterprise tools
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 Filenow if: Excellent for founders who want fast, affordable setup with pro help—great alternative to giants if you prioritize transparency and speed.
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)