LegalZoom
Legal Solutions Trusted By Millions
BetterLegal
Fastest Business Formation in 2 Days
Side-by-side comparison. Data as of 2026-02-16.
Company Background
LegalZoom
HQ: Glendale, California (101 N Brand Blvd)
Ownership: Public (NASDAQ: LZ)
Employees: 964+
Formations: 4,000,000+ businesses
Key Milestones
- Founded 2001 in California
- Pioneered online LLC formation
- Went public (NASDAQ: LZ) in 2021
- Acquired law firm operations
- Expanded to 4M+ formations with attorney-backed services
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
LegalZoom Services
Formation types:
- ✓ LLC
- ✓ Corporation (C-Corp, S-Corp)
- ✓ Nonprofit
- ✓ Foreign Qualification (all states)
- ✓ Change of Registered Agent
Differentiators:
- Privacy-focused RA (uses company address)
- Attorney-backed legal forms & reviews
- All-in-one legal ecosystem
- Corporate Veil protection guarantee
- 24/7 chat during formation
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 | LegalZoom | BetterLegal | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| First Year Total | ~$249-$548+ (Pro + RA; state fees extra) | ~$419+ (formation + RA) | BetterLegal |
| RA Annual Fee | $249/year (not included; mandatory for privacy) | $120/year ($10/month); add-on only | — |
| Value Score | 7.5/10 | 8.2/10 | BetterLegal |
Speed & Performance
LegalZoom
Avg formation: 1-5 business days standard
Expedited: Same-day ($20+)
BetterLegal
Avg formation: 2 business days standard
Expedited: Included (2 days); same-day in select cases
Pros & Cons
LegalZoom — Pros
- ✓ 4M+ businesses formed
- ✓ Privacy-first RA
- ✓ Comprehensive legal ecosystem
- ✓ 24/7 chat support
- ✓ Trusted since 2001
LegalZoom — Cons
- ✗ RA $249/year
- ✗ No free Year 1 RA
- ✗ High overall costs
- ✗ Aggressive upsells
- ✗ Basic for simple needs
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 LegalZoom if: The go-to for comprehensive legal services with privacy focus—ideal if you want forms, attorneys, and RA in one trusted place. Pricey but reliable for those valuing the brand.
Choose BetterLegal if: Ideal for founders who prioritize speed over hand-holding—form fast, then layer RA. Watch reviews on ongoing service.
Higher rating: BetterLegal (8.0/10)