LegalZoom
Legal Solutions Trusted By Millions
Filenow
Quick & Affordable Business Formation with 24-Hour Processing
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
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
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
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 | LegalZoom | Filenow | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| First Year Total | ~$249-$548+ (Pro + RA; state fees extra) | ~$49-$199 + state fees (RA included in Premium) | Filenow |
| RA Annual Fee | $249/year (not included; mandatory for privacy) | Free Year 1 (Premium); $119/year renewal | — |
| Value Score | 7.5/10 | 8.3/10 | Filenow |
Speed & Performance
LegalZoom
Avg formation: 1-5 business days standard
Expedited: Same-day ($20+)
Filenow
Avg formation: 24 hours processing + state time (fastest standard)
Expedited: Included (24-hour); same-day in select states
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
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 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 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)