ZenBusiness
AI-Powered Business Formation & Compliance
LegalZoom
Legal Solutions Trusted By Millions
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
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
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
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
Both offer nationwide RA coverage. Compare differentiators above to see where each shines.
Pricing & Value
| Category | ZenBusiness | LegalZoom | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| First Year Total | ~$0 + state fees (Starter); $199 + RA (Pro) | ~$249-$548+ (Pro + RA; state fees extra) | ZenBusiness |
| RA Annual Fee | Free Year 1 (Premium); $99 first year then $199 renewal | $249/year (not included; mandatory for privacy) | — |
| Value Score | 8.7/10 | 7.5/10 | ZenBusiness |
Speed & Performance
ZenBusiness
Avg formation: 1-3 business days (higher tiers); 7-14 days (Starter)
Expedited: Included in Pro & Premium
LegalZoom
Avg formation: 1-5 business days standard
Expedited: Same-day ($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
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
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 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.
Higher rating: ZenBusiness (8.8/10)