Inc Authority
100% Free Business Formation Services
BetterLegal
Fastest Business Formation in 2 Days
Side-by-side comparison. Data as of 2026-02-16.
Company Background
Inc Authority
HQ: Reno, Nevada (3773 Howard Hughes Pkwy, Suite 500S)
Ownership: Private (independent)
Employees: 120+
Formations: 250,000+ entities
Key Milestones
- Founded 1989 in Reno, NV
- Pioneered free formation model
- Hit 250,000+ formations
- Partnered with Daymond John (Shark Tank) in 2021
- Inc. 5000 ranking for multiple years
BetterLegal
HQ: Austin, Texas (1003 Rio Grande St)
Ownership: Private (founder-owned; Chad Sakonchick)
Employees: 7
Formations: 20,000+ businesses formed
Key Milestones
- Founded 2017 in Austin, TX
- Grew to $4.1M revenue with 7-person team
- Pivoted to no-code (Bubble) in 2022 for rapid features
- Expanded to full one-stop shop (formation + partners)
- Hit 20k+ formations; AI tools launched
Core Services
Inc Authority Services
Formation types:
- ✓ LLC
- ✓ Corporation (C-Corp, S-Corp)
- ✓ Foreign Qualification (limited)
- ✓ Change of Registered Agent
Differentiators:
- Truly free formation ($0 service fee + state fees only)
- Free 1-year RA + EIN
- Tax-deductible state fees
- Worry-free guarantee
- High-volume upsell support (credit, funding)
BetterLegal Services
Formation types:
- ✓ LLC
- ✓ Corporation (C-Corp, S-Corp)
- ✓ Foreign Qualification (all states)
- ✓ Change of Registered Agent
Differentiators:
- 2-business-day formation (fastest standard)
- No upsells; one simple package
- AI-powered legal translator (Chrome extension)
- Freebies: website, tax analysis, insurance eval
- All essentials included (EIN, docs, resolutions)
Both offer nationwide RA coverage. Compare differentiators above to see where each shines.
Pricing & Value
| Category | Inc Authority | BetterLegal | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| First Year Total | ~$0 + state fees (free formation + RA) | ~$419+ (formation + RA) | Inc Authority |
| RA Annual Fee | Free Year 1; $99/year renewal (or higher bundles) | $120/year ($10/month); add-on only | — |
| Value Score | 8.5/10 | 8.2/10 | Inc Authority |
Speed & Performance
Inc Authority
Avg formation: 24 hours processing + state time
Expedited: Free 24-hour (standard)
BetterLegal
Avg formation: 2 business days standard
Expedited: Included (2 days); same-day in select cases
Pros & Cons
Inc Authority — Pros
- ✓ 100% free service fee
- ✓ Free 1-year RA + EIN
- ✓ 24-hour fast processing
- ✓ Tax & funding analysis
- ✓ #1 rated on Trustpilot
Inc Authority — Cons
- ✗ Heavy marketing/upsells
- ✗ Persistent emails/calls
- ✗ Billing disputes
- ✗ BBB complaints
- ✗ Limited add-on depth
BetterLegal — Pros
- ✓ 2-day formation (fastest)
- ✓ Simple $299 package
- ✓ AI translator & freebies
- ✓ All docs/EIN included
- ✓ No-hassle onboarding
BetterLegal — Cons
- ✗ RA $120/year extra
- ✗ Support issues on RA
- ✗ Billing complaints
- ✗ Basic vs. full suites
- ✗ Small team scale
The Verdict
Choose Inc Authority if: The ultimate free formation option—ideal for bootstrappers ignoring upsells. Delivers value if you want zero-cost startup with pro perks.
Choose BetterLegal if: Ideal for founders who prioritize speed over hand-holding—form fast, then layer RA. Watch reviews on ongoing service.
Higher rating: Inc Authority (8.4/10)