Best LLC Services Compared: ZenBusiness vs LegalZoom vs Bizee

Forming an LLC is not complicated enough to require a lawyer, but it involves enough moving parts - articles of organization, a registered agent, an EIN, an operating agreement - that most founders would rather pay someone to handle the paperwork than lose a weekend to it. That is exactly the gap LLC formation services fill.

The problem is that the four biggest names - ZenBusiness, LegalZoom, Bizee, and Rocket Lawyer - all advertise a "$0" or near-$0 formation fee, then differ wildly on what happens next. The real cost lives in the renewals, the registered agent, and the bundled subscriptions you may not have noticed at checkout.

This comparison cuts through that. Here is who each service is actually best for, based on current 2026 pricing.

The short answer: which service is best?

There is no single winner, because the right choice depends on what you need beyond the initial filing.

• Best overall value: ZenBusiness - the cleanest balance of price, usability, and support for a first-time owner.
• Best if you want ongoing legal help: LegalZoom or Rocket Lawyer - both bundle attorney access, which the others don't.
• Cheapest year-one formation: Bizee - free registered agent in year one keeps your first-year outlay lowest.
• Best if you'll create lots of legal documents: Rocket Lawyer - its membership is really a document-and-legal platform with formation attached.

If you want the reasoning behind those picks, keep reading. If you're still deciding whether an LLC is even the right structure, start with what an LLC is and the difference between it and a sole proprietorship.

What these services actually do

Every service here handles the same core job: preparing and filing your articles of organization with the state. What separates them is everything bundled around that filing - registered agent service, EIN acquisition, operating agreement templates, compliance reminders, and legal support.

One number never changes no matter which service you pick: the state filing fee. That is set by your state (roughly $40 to $500 depending on where you form) and goes to the government, not the service. When a company advertises "$0 LLC," they mean their service fee is $0 - you still pay the state. For a full breakdown of that, see how much it costs to start an LLC.

Price comparison (2026)

Figures reflect published 2026 pricing from each provider and third-party reviews; verify at checkout, as plans change. Sources are linked at the end.

The pattern to notice: the sticker price and the true cost diverge fastest on renewals. LegalZoom's real year-one total often lands closer to $500-$750 once you add state fees and registered agent service. ZenBusiness and Bizee stay leaner if you decline the upsells.

ZenBusiness: best all-around choice

ZenBusiness is the service I'd point a first-time owner to by default. Its Starter plan is $0 plus the state fee, the interface is genuinely beginner-friendly, and it walks you through each decision without drowning you in legalese.

The catch is the same one that trips up everyone: the Starter plan's Worry-Free Compliance is free for year one and then auto-renews at $199/year. Registered agent service is a separate $199/year (discounted to $99 for the first year if bought standalone). Its Pro ($199/yr) and Premium ($399/yr) tiers bundle the EIN, operating agreement, and - on Premium - registered agent service.

Best for: first-time founders who want a smooth, guided experience and are comfortable auditing their renewals once a year.

LegalZoom: best for ongoing legal muscle

LegalZoom is the most recognized brand in the category, and it earns that mostly through the depth of its legal services rather than the formation itself. Its Basic package is $0 plus state fees, with Pro ($249) and Premium ($299) adding paperwork, a bookkeeping trial, and - on Premium - attorney consultations.

Registered agent service runs $249/year, the priciest of the four. What justifies the premium for some owners is the Business Advisory Plan and attorney access: if you expect to need real legal guidance as you grow, having it under one roof has value.

Best for: owners who anticipate needing attorney consultations or want the reassurance of the biggest brand.

Bizee: cheapest first year

Bizee (rebranded from Incfile in late 2023) wins on pure year-one economics. Its Silver plan is $0 plus the state fee, and it includes registered agent service free for the first year - the only service here to do so. That single inclusion makes it the lowest-cost option to get an LLC on the books today.

The renewal is where you have to pay attention: after year one, registered agent service costs roughly $119 to $149 per year depending on the plan, and Bizee's own pages aren't perfectly consistent, so confirm the figure on your checkout screen. Gold ($199) and Platinum ($299) add the EIN, operating agreement, and faster filing.

Best for: cost-conscious founders who want the lowest first-year outlay and will note the renewal date in their calendar.

Rocket Lawyer: best for document-heavy businesses

Rocket Lawyer is less a formation service with legal extras and more a legal platform with formation attached. Without a membership, LLC formation is $99.99 plus state fees. But the first formation is free with a Rocket Legal membership ($39.99/month) or Rocket Legal+ ($239.88/year), which also unlocks document creation, eSignatures, legal reminders, and legal pro access.

If your business will regularly generate contracts, NDAs, and agreements - think agencies, consultancies, or anything with lots of client paperwork - the membership pays for itself beyond the LLC filing. If you only need the LLC and nothing else, you're paying for a platform you won't use.

Best for: businesses that will create legal documents regularly and want an all-in-one legal subscription.

How to actually choose

Work through these three questions in order:

1. What's my year-one budget? If it's tight, Bizee's free-first-year registered agent is the cheapest path. If you have a little room, ZenBusiness gives more polish for a similar spend.
2. Will I need legal help beyond forming the LLC? If yes, LegalZoom or Rocket Lawyer. If no, don't pay for lawyers you won't call.
3. How will I handle the registered agent? This is the recurring cost that matters most. Compare it against dedicated registered agent services, which sometimes beat the formation companies on price and reliability.

Whichever you pick, the mechanics of the filing are the same. If you'd rather understand the process before handing it off - or do it yourself - read our step-by-step guide to how to start an LLC.

Conclusion

For most people, ZenBusiness is the best all-around LLC service - clean pricing, a beginner-friendly flow, and no glaring weakness. Choose Bizee if year-one cost is your top priority, LegalZoom if you want brand weight and attorney access, and Rocket Lawyer if you'll lean on legal documents all year. The one universal rule: read the renewal terms before you check out, because that's where the "$0 LLC" quietly stops being free.

Ready to move? Pick the service that matches your answer above, then keep your momentum going with our guide on how to start a business the right way.

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Sources: ZenBusiness Plans, ZenBusiness Registered Agent Pricing, LegalZoom pricing overview, Bizee LLC review (LLC.org), Rocket Lawyer pricing. Pricing verified as of 2026; confirm current figures on each provider's checkout page.