LegalZoom
Legal Solutions Trusted By Millions
Harbor Compliance
Multi-State Compliance & Entity Management Platform
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
Harbor Compliance
HQ: Lancaster, Pennsylvania (812 N Prince St)
Ownership: Private (founder-led; Mike Montali CEO)
Employees: 51-200
Formations: 40,000+ clients served (focus on compliance, not pure formation)
Key Milestones
- Founded 2012 by regulatory specialists & tech experts
- Hit Inc. 5000 for 7th year in 2025
- Acquired Labyrinth Inc. (added nonprofits)
- Launched Compliance Core™ algorithm
- Grew to 40k+ clients across 50 states
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
Harbor Compliance Services
Formation types:
- ✓ LLC
- ✓ Corporation (C-Corp, S-Corp)
- ✓ Nonprofit
- ✓ Foreign Qualification (all states)
- ✓ Change of Registered Agent
- ✓ Conversions & Mergers
Differentiators:
- Compliance Core™ scans 22,000+ requirements
- Air-Tight Onboarding™ (90% issue resolution)
- SaaS + managed hybrid for enterprises
- Direct SOS database feeds for real-time status
- Unlimited users & collaboration tools
Both offer nationwide RA coverage. Compare differentiators above to see where each shines.
Pricing & Value
| Category | LegalZoom | Harbor Compliance | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| First Year Total | ~$249-$548+ (Pro + RA; state fees extra) | ~$99 + state fees (RA-focused; higher for full compliance) | Harbor Compliance |
| RA Annual Fee | $249/year (not included; mandatory for privacy) | $99 first year; $149 renewal (multi-year discounts) | — |
| Value Score | 7.5/10 | 7.9/10 | Harbor Compliance |
Speed & Performance
LegalZoom
Avg formation: 1-5 business days standard
Expedited: Same-day ($20+)
Harbor Compliance
Avg formation: 1-5 business days standard
Expedited: Same-day document delivery (included)
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
Harbor Compliance — Pros
- ✓ 22k+ regulatory scans
- ✓ SaaS + managed hybrid
- ✓ All 50 states RA
- ✓ Entity management suite
- ✓ Proven for enterprises
Harbor Compliance — Cons
- ✗ Premium pricing
- ✗ Mixed Trustpilot (3.5)
- ✗ Billing complaints
- ✗ Steep for startups
- ✗ Basic formation vs. specialists
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 Harbor Compliance if: The powerhouse for complex, multi-state compliance—ideal for growing businesses needing software + service. Skip if you're a solo founder on a budget.
Higher rating: Harbor Compliance (7.9/10)