ZenBusiness
AI-Powered Business Formation & Compliance
incorporate.com
Long-Established Business Formation & Compliance
Side-by-side comparison. Data as of 2026-02-16.
Company Background
ZenBusiness
HQ: Austin, Texas
Ownership: Private (VC-backed; Public Benefit Corporation)
Employees: 600+
Formations: 850,000+
Key Milestones
- Founded 2015 in Austin, TX
- Raised significant VC funding
- Became Public Benefit Corporation
- Launched AI assistant 'Navi'
- Surpassed 850k businesses formed
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
Core Services
ZenBusiness Services
Formation types:
- ✓ LLC
- ✓ Corporation (C-Corp, S-Corp)
- ✓ Nonprofit
- ✓ Foreign Qualification (all states)
- ✓ Change of Registered Agent
Differentiators:
- AI-powered platform (Navi assistant)
- 100% Accuracy Guarantee
- Worry-Free Compliance
- Modern, intuitive dashboard
- Lifetime alerts & tools
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
Both offer nationwide RA coverage. Compare differentiators above to see where each shines.
Pricing & Value
| Category | ZenBusiness | incorporate.com | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| First Year Total | ~$0 + state fees (Starter); $199 + RA (Pro) | ~$334+ (formation + mandatory RA; state fees extra) | ZenBusiness |
| RA Annual Fee | Free Year 1 (Premium); $99 first year then $199 renewal | $235/year (mandatory; no free year; can't opt out easily) | — |
| Value Score | 8.7/10 | 6.8/10 | ZenBusiness |
Speed & Performance
ZenBusiness
Avg formation: 1-3 business days (higher tiers); 7-14 days (Starter)
Expedited: Included in Pro & Premium
incorporate.com
Avg formation: 1-5 business days standard
Expedited: Same-day (add $20)
Pros & Cons
ZenBusiness — Pros
- ✓ AI-powered modern platform
- ✓ 100% Accuracy Guarantee
- ✓ Excellent support
- ✓ Free Starter plan
- ✓ Worry-Free Compliance
ZenBusiness — Cons
- ✗ RA $199 renewal
- ✗ Add-ons increase cost
- ✗ No free Year 1 RA on lower plans
- ✗ Some billing issues
- ✗ Premium gets expensive
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
The Verdict
Choose ZenBusiness if: One of the strongest modern players in the space. ZenBusiness excels with its beautiful AI-powered platform, strong guarantees, and top-tier customer support. Highly recommended for founders who want a premium experience without the corporate feel.
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.
Higher rating: ZenBusiness (8.8/10)