Harbor Compliance
Multi-State Compliance & Entity Management Platform
Filenow
Quick & Affordable Business Formation with 24-Hour Processing
Side-by-side comparison. Data as of 2026-02-16.
Company Background
Harbor Compliance
HQ: Lancaster, Pennsylvania (812 N Prince St)
Ownership: Private (founder-led; Mike Montali CEO)
Employees: 51-200
Formations: 40,000+ clients served (focus on compliance, not pure formation)
Key Milestones
- Founded 2012 by regulatory specialists & tech experts
- Hit Inc. 5000 for 7th year in 2025
- Acquired Labyrinth Inc. (added nonprofits)
- Launched Compliance Core™ algorithm
- Grew to 40k+ clients across 50 states
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
Core Services
Harbor Compliance Services
Formation types:
- ✓ LLC
- ✓ Corporation (C-Corp, S-Corp)
- ✓ Nonprofit
- ✓ Foreign Qualification (all states)
- ✓ Change of Registered Agent
- ✓ Conversions & Mergers
Differentiators:
- Compliance Core™ scans 22,000+ requirements
- Air-Tight Onboarding™ (90% issue resolution)
- SaaS + managed hybrid for enterprises
- Direct SOS database feeds for real-time status
- Unlimited users & collaboration tools
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)
Both offer nationwide RA coverage. Compare differentiators above to see where each shines.
Pricing & Value
| Category | Harbor Compliance | Filenow | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| First Year Total | ~$99 + state fees (RA-focused; higher for full compliance) | ~$49-$199 + state fees (RA included in Premium) | Filenow |
| RA Annual Fee | $99 first year; $149 renewal (multi-year discounts) | Free Year 1 (Premium); $119/year renewal | — |
| Value Score | 7.9/10 | 8.3/10 | Filenow |
Speed & Performance
Harbor Compliance
Avg formation: 1-5 business days standard
Expedited: Same-day document delivery (included)
Filenow
Avg formation: 24 hours processing + state time (fastest standard)
Expedited: Included (24-hour); same-day in select states
Pros & Cons
Harbor Compliance — Pros
- ✓ 22k+ regulatory scans
- ✓ SaaS + managed hybrid
- ✓ All 50 states RA
- ✓ Entity management suite
- ✓ Proven for enterprises
Harbor Compliance — Cons
- ✗ Premium pricing
- ✗ Mixed Trustpilot (3.5)
- ✗ Billing complaints
- ✗ Steep for startups
- ✗ Basic formation vs. specialists
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
The Verdict
Choose Harbor Compliance if: The powerhouse for complex, multi-state compliance—ideal for growing businesses needing software + service. Skip if you're a solo founder on a budget.
Choose Filenow if: Excellent for founders who want fast, affordable setup with pro help—great alternative to giants if you prioritize transparency and speed.
Higher rating: Filenow (8.1/10)