Head-to-Head

ZenBusiness

AI-Powered Business Formation & Compliance

VS

US Registered Agents

Nationwide Registered Agent Services in All 50 States

Side-by-side comparison. Data as of 2026-02-16.

Founded
ZenBusiness: 2015
US Registered Agents: 1998
Rating
8.8/10
7.8/10
First Year Cost
~$0 + state fees (Starter); $199 + RA (Pro)
~$129 + state fees (RA included)
Formation Speed
1-3 business days (higher tiers); 7-14 days (Starter)
1-5 business days standard
RA Annual
Free Year 1 (Premium); $99 first year then $199 renewal
$129/year per state (multi-state discounts)

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

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

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

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 ZenBusiness US Registered Agents Winner
First Year Total ~$0 + state fees (Starter); $199 + RA (Pro) ~$129 + state fees (RA included) ZenBusiness
RA Annual Fee Free Year 1 (Premium); $99 first year then $199 renewal $129/year per state (multi-state discounts)
Value Score 8.7/10 7.9/10 ZenBusiness

Speed & Performance

ZenBusiness

Avg formation: 1-3 business days (higher tiers); 7-14 days (Starter)

Expedited: Included in Pro & Premium

US Registered Agents

Avg formation: 1-5 business days standard

Expedited: Available (varies by state)

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

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 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 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.

Higher rating: ZenBusiness (8.8/10)