incorporate.com
Long-Established Business Formation & Compliance
Business Initiative
Business Intelligence That Forms Your Business
Side-by-side comparison. Data as of 2026-02-16.
Company Background
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
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
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
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 | incorporate.com | Business Initiative | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| First Year Total | ~$334+ (formation + mandatory RA; state fees extra) | ~$310+ (LLC formation + RA) | Business Initiative |
| RA Annual Fee | $235/year (mandatory; no free year; can't opt out easily) | $125/year per state (multi-company discounts) | — |
| Value Score | 6.8/10 | 8.5/10 | Business Initiative |
Speed & Performance
incorporate.com
Avg formation: 1-5 business days standard
Expedited: Same-day (add $20)
Business Initiative
Avg formation: 7-14 business days standard
Expedited: 1-3 business days ($25-$200); same-day before 1 PM EST
Pros & Cons
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
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 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.
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)