ZenBusiness
AI-Powered Business Formation & Compliance
Van Buren Financial
Delaware Registered Agent & Full-Service Financial Solutions
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
Van Buren Financial
HQ: Wilmington, Delaware (615 West 18th Street)
Ownership: Private (founder-led: James Van Eperen, CEO)
Employees: 11-50
Formations: Not publicly disclosed (focus on RA clients; hundreds served)
Key Milestones
- Founded 2008 in Wilmington, DE
- Grew as full-service CPA/financial firm
- Expanded registered agent services (10+ years)
- Integrated tax/accounting with RA for DE entities
- Became go-to for DE LLCs needing financial tie-in
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
Van Buren Financial Services
Formation types:
- ✓ LLC
- ✓ Corporation (C-Corp, S-Corp)
- ✓ Foreign Qualification (Delaware focus)
- ✓ Change of Registered Agent
Differentiators:
- Delaware specialist with in-house CPAs
- Financial services bundled with RA (taxes, payroll, accounting)
- Local Wilmington office (staffed business hours)
- One-stop for DE entity + financial needs
- Personalized for small business owners
Both offer nationwide RA coverage. Compare differentiators above to see where each shines.
Pricing & Value
| Category | ZenBusiness | Van Buren Financial | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| First Year Total | ~$0 + state fees (Starter); $199 + RA (Pro) | ~$99 + state fees + RA bundle | ZenBusiness |
| RA Annual Fee | Free Year 1 (Premium); $99 first year then $199 renewal | $129/year (call for DE quote; bundled 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
Van Buren Financial
Avg formation: 1-5 business days standard
Expedited: Available (varies)
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
Van Buren Financial — Pros
- ✓ Delaware specialist
- ✓ RA + accounting bundle
- ✓ Local Wilmington office
- ✓ Financial planning tie-in
- ✓ Personalized service
Van Buren Financial — Cons
- ✗ DE-focused (limited nationwide)
- ✗ Low review volume
- ✗ Call-to-quote pricing
- ✗ Smaller scale
- ✗ Basic tech
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 Van Buren Financial if: The perfect DE partner for businesses wanting RA + full financial/accounting support in one local firm. Ideal if you're forming in Delaware and need tax expertise built-in.
Higher rating: ZenBusiness (8.8/10)