incorporate.com
Long-Established Business Formation & Compliance
Filenow
Quick & Affordable Business Formation with 24-Hour Processing
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
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
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
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 | incorporate.com | Filenow | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| First Year Total | ~$334+ (formation + mandatory RA; state fees extra) | ~$49-$199 + state fees (RA included in Premium) | Filenow |
| RA Annual Fee | $235/year (mandatory; no free year; can't opt out easily) | Free Year 1 (Premium); $119/year renewal | — |
| Value Score | 6.8/10 | 8.3/10 | Filenow |
Speed & Performance
incorporate.com
Avg formation: 1-5 business days standard
Expedited: Same-day (add $20)
Filenow
Avg formation: 24 hours processing + state time (fastest standard)
Expedited: Included (24-hour); same-day in select states
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
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 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 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)