LegalZoom
Legal Solutions Trusted By Millions
US Registered Agents
Nationwide Registered Agent Services in All 50 States
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
US Registered Agents
HQ: Nyack, New York (407 N Highland Avenue)
Ownership: Private (independent)
Employees: 11-50 (small to mid-size team)
Formations: Hundreds of thousands (focus on RA; high WY volume)
Key Milestones
- Founded 1998 in Pacific Northwest (now NY-based)
- Expanded to full 50-state + territories network
- Became major provider for incorporation wholesalers
- Added Canada representation
- Built multi-jurisdiction change-of-agent service
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
US Registered Agents Services
Formation types:
- ✓ LLC
- ✓ Corporation (C-Corp, S-Corp)
- ✓ Foreign Qualification (all states)
- ✓ Change of Registered Agent
Differentiators:
- 50-state + territories coverage
- Multi-state discounts & partner programs
- Pays state fees for change of agent
- Global network (Canada provinces)
- Simple, wholesale-friendly model
Both offer nationwide RA coverage. Compare differentiators above to see where each shines.
Pricing & Value
| Category | LegalZoom | US Registered Agents | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| First Year Total | ~$249-$548+ (Pro + RA; state fees extra) | ~$129 + state fees (RA included) | US Registered Agents |
| RA Annual Fee | $249/year (not included; mandatory for privacy) | $129/year per state (multi-state discounts) | — |
| Value Score | 7.5/10 | 7.9/10 | US Registered Agents |
Speed & Performance
LegalZoom
Avg formation: 1-5 business days standard
Expedited: Same-day ($20+)
US Registered Agents
Avg formation: 1-5 business days standard
Expedited: Available (varies by state)
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
US Registered Agents — Pros
- ✓ All 50 states + territories
- ✓ Multi-state/partner discounts
- ✓ Pays change of agent fees
- ✓ Canada representation
- ✓ Simple RA model
US Registered Agents — Cons
- ✗ Limited direct reviews
- ✗ Basic support tools
- ✗ RA $129/year
- ✗ No free Year 1
- ✗ Wholesale emphasis
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 US Registered Agents if: The specialist for nationwide and territorial RA needs—ideal for businesses spanning states or wholesalers. Reliable coverage at a fair price; great if you need broad reach without complexity.
Tie: Both rated 7.8/10