Inc Authority
100% Free Business Formation Services
Business Initiative
Business Intelligence That Forms Your Business
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
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
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)
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 | Inc Authority | Business Initiative | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| First Year Total | ~$0 + state fees (free formation + RA) | ~$310+ (LLC formation + RA) | Tie |
| RA Annual Fee | Free Year 1; $99/year renewal (or higher bundles) | $125/year per state (multi-company discounts) | — |
| Value Score | 8.5/10 | 8.5/10 | Tie |
Speed & Performance
Inc Authority
Avg formation: 24 hours processing + state time
Expedited: Free 24-hour (standard)
Business Initiative
Avg formation: 7-14 business days standard
Expedited: 1-3 business days ($25-$200); same-day before 1 PM EST
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
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 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 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)