Inc Authority
100% Free Business Formation Services
incorporate.com
Long-Established Business Formation & Compliance
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
incorporate.com
HQ: Wilmington, Delaware (2711 Centerville Road)
Ownership: Private (subsidiary of Corporation Service Company - CSC)
Employees: 100+
Formations: 750,000+ businesses
Key Milestones
- Founded 1899 as The Company Corporation
- Rebranded to incorporate.com
- Expanded to 50 states + DC
- Integrated with CSC Navigator compliance tools
- Served Fortune 1000 & law firms
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)
incorporate.com Services
Formation types:
- ✓ LLC
- ✓ Corporation (C-Corp, S-Corp)
- ✓ Nonprofit
- ✓ Foreign Qualification (all states)
- ✓ Change of Registered Agent
Differentiators:
- 120+ years legacy (CSC)
- CSC Navigator compliance platform
- Corporate Veil Guarantee ($75k)
- Mandatory RA integration
- Full-service for law firms & corps
Both offer nationwide RA coverage. Compare differentiators above to see where each shines.
Pricing & Value
| Category | Inc Authority | incorporate.com | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| First Year Total | ~$0 + state fees (free formation + RA) | ~$334+ (formation + mandatory RA; state fees extra) | Inc Authority |
| RA Annual Fee | Free Year 1; $99/year renewal (or higher bundles) | $235/year (mandatory; no free year; can't opt out easily) | — |
| Value Score | 8.5/10 | 6.8/10 | Inc Authority |
Speed & Performance
Inc Authority
Avg formation: 24 hours processing + state time
Expedited: Free 24-hour (standard)
incorporate.com
Avg formation: 1-5 business days standard
Expedited: Same-day (add $20)
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
incorporate.com — Pros
- ✓ Longest track record (1899)
- ✓ 750k+ formations
- ✓ Enterprise compliance tools
- ✓ All 50 states coverage
- ✓ Corporate Veil Guarantee
incorporate.com — Cons
- ✗ RA $235 mandatory
- ✗ No free Year 1 RA
- ✗ High overall costs
- ✗ Mixed reviews
- ✗ Restrictive policies
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 incorporate.com if: The granddaddy of formation services—reliable for complex needs, but overpriced and restrictive for most founders. Use only if you need full CSC ecosystem.
Higher rating: Inc Authority (8.4/10)