BizFilings vs ZenBusiness: pricing and features compared
Data last updated: Apr 21, 2026BizFilings starts at $99 plus state fees. ZenBusiness starts at $0 plus state fees. Sticker-price differences between LLC formation services rarely tell the full story, since the cheapest tier usually excludes the EIN filing and operating agreement most filers need.
The registered agent renewal is the line item that actually matters over time: ZenBusiness is $199 per year, BizFilings is $220. Over five years that delta adds up to $84, which is typically a larger swing than the formation-tier sticker price.
ZenBusiness offers a genuine $0 formation tier; BizFilings does not. The free tier is meaningful if you only need state filing and are comfortable applying for an EIN yourself on irs.gov. It stops being free the moment you bundle the basic documents most LLCs need.
ZenBusiness has 28,984 Trustpilot reviews compared to BizFilings's 170. The volume gap is usually about review solicitation rather than quality, but the higher-volume score tends to be the more statistically stable signal.
For most filers, the decision between two services is decided by three things: whether you need a $0 tier or can absorb a mid-tier to get the EIN and operating agreement bundled, how much the registered agent will cost you in year two and onward, and whether the support quality matters to you (it matters more if you're paying $200+ for the service in the first place).
Key differences at a glance
- ZenBusiness is $99 cheaper at the starting tier (one of them has a free tier).
- ZenBusiness has the cheaper registered agent renewal ($199/yr vs $220/yr). Over five years that is a $84 difference.
- ZenBusiness has a genuine $0 formation tier. The other does not.
- ZenBusiness offers live chat support; the other relies on phone and email only.
Where each service fits
Pick BizFilings when
BizFilings is comparable to ZenBusiness on most of the dimensions we measure. The tiebreaker is usually support quality or brand preference.
Pick ZenBusiness when
Pick ZenBusiness when you want the lowest possible day-one sticker price; you're optimizing for lower long-term cost (RA renewal is cheaper); you want a genuine $0 formation tier (and don't need the add-ons); you want live chat support; you want a high-volume review history (28,984 Trustpilot reviews vs 170).
What each service offers that the other does not
Only ZenBusiness
- Free $0 formation tier
- Banking partner integration
- Live chat support
Both services
- Compliance dashboard
- Phone support
What it costs under your specific situation
Running the same LLC through three common scenarios. Year-1 and 5-year totals exclude state fees, which are identical for both services.
| Scenario | BizFilings Year 1 | ZenBusiness Year 1 | BizFilings 5-year | ZenBusiness 5-year |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Just the basics: state filing, RA year 1, nothing else You file the EIN yourself at irs.gov and skip a written operating agreement. | $99 | $0 | $979 | $796 |
| You want EIN and operating agreement handled too Most new LLCs end up here. Assumes $70 EIN and $99 OA add-ons where the service charges for them. | $268 | $169 | $1,148 | $965 |
| Standalone registered agent only (no formation) You already formed the LLC elsewhere. Just swapping to this service's RA. | $220 | $99 | $1,100 | $495 |
Full feature comparison
| Dimension | BizFilings | ZenBusiness |
|---|---|---|
| Starting price Cheapest tier, excludes state fees | $99 | Free |
| Registered agent year 1 | Not included | Not included |
| Registered agent renewal Year 2 onward, annual | $220/yr | $199/yr |
| Free $0 tier | No | Yes |
| EIN application | Paid add-on | Paid add-on |
| Operating agreement | Paid add-on | Paid add-on |
| Compliance dashboard | Yes | Yes |
| Mail scanning | No | No |
| International founders | No | No |
| Banking partner | None | Thread Bank |
| Phone support | Monday to Friday, 8:00 AM to 6:00 PM Central Time | Monday to Friday 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. CT, Saturday and Sunday 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. CT |
| Live chat | No | Yes |
| Trustpilot rating | 4.5/5 (170 reviews) | 4.8/5 (28,984 reviews) |
Pricing tiers side by side
BizFilings
- Basic — $99
- Standard — $229
- Complete — $359
ZenBusiness
- Starter — Free
- Pro — $199 · renews $199/yr
- Premium — $399 · renews $399/yr
Includes RA year 1 · renews $199/yr
Support and ratings, interpreted
BizFilings offers phone, email. ZenBusiness offers phone, email, live chat. ZenBusiness is the only one of the two with live chat, which matters if you anticipate back-and-forth questions during filing. Trustpilot: BizFilings is 4.5 across 170 reviews; ZenBusiness is 4.8 across 28,984. A high-volume sample with a 4.5+ rating is the strongest signal; a small sample with either extreme rating is the weakest.
BizFilings
Phone: Monday to Friday, 8:00 AM to 6:00 PM Central Time.
Email: yes.
No live chat.
Trustpilot: 4.5/5 from 170 reviews.
ZenBusiness
Phone: Monday to Friday 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. CT, Saturday and Sunday 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. CT.
Email: yes.
Live chat: Monday to Friday 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. CT, Saturday and Sunday 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. CT.
Trustpilot: 4.8/5 from 28,984 reviews.
Before you pick either service
A few things apply no matter which one you choose. These catch enough first-time filers to be worth stating plainly.
The state fee is identical. Whether you use BizFilings, ZenBusiness, or neither, your state charges the same formation fee. Nothing a service does lowers that number. The fee ranges from $35 in Montana to $500 in Massachusetts depending on where you form. See the state-by-state guide for exact numbers.
You can get an EIN for free at irs.gov in five minutes. Both BizFilings and ZenBusiness either bundle EIN filing or sell it as a paid add-on. You're never required to pay for EIN filing; the IRS charges nothing and the online form takes about five minutes. If a service is pitching "we'll handle your EIN" as a headline feature, that's convenience pricing, not necessity.
The registered agent renewal is what matters long-term. The formation fee is a one-time cost. The registered agent is what recurs every year for as long as you keep the LLC open. Over five years, the RA renewal cost usually exceeds the formation fee. Compare on that number, not just the day-one sticker.
Operating agreements are separately priced at most services. Any LLC with more than one member, and any LLC relying on its liability shield, should have a written operating agreement. It governs ownership percentages, profit splits, management structure, and dissolution. California, Maine, Missouri, and New York require it by statute; every other state treats it as strongly recommended. Don't skip it to save $99.
Frequently Asked Questions
-
Which is cheaper, BizFilings or ZenBusiness?
ZenBusiness is cheaper at the starting tier ($0 vs $99). Over 5 years including RA renewals, the gap is about $183.
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Does BizFilings or ZenBusiness have better support?
BizFilings offers phone, email. ZenBusiness offers phone, email, live chat. ZenBusiness is the only one of the two with live chat, which matters if you anticipate back-and-forth questions during filing. Trustpilot: BizFilings is 4.5 across 170 reviews; ZenBusiness is 4.8 across 28,984. A high-volume sample with a 4.5+ rating is the strongest signal; a small sample with either extreme rating is the weakest.
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Is ZenBusiness's free tier really free?
The $0 tier covers state filing and typically includes year one of registered agent service. It does not include EIN filing (you can still get one for free from the IRS directly) or an operating agreement, which most filers need. Once you add those, ZenBusiness's free tier ends up around $169, which is very close to what BizFilings charges for its bundled mid-tier package. Pick the free tier if you're comfortable doing the add-ons yourself; pick a bundled service if you want everything in one place.
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Should I just file the LLC myself instead of using BizFilings or ZenBusiness?
You can. The state fee is identical whether you use a service or not. What these services sell is convenience: a handled registered agent (which you can also buy standalone), a bundled operating agreement, compliance reminders, and in some cases banking and tax integrations. If your time is worth more than $50 an hour and you would rather not research your state's specific filing quirks, a service pays for itself. If you like DIY administrative work, file directly at your state's Secretary of State portal.
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How much does the registered agent cost with each service from year 2 onward?
BizFilings renews at $220/yr. ZenBusiness renews at $199/yr. This number matters because it recurs every year for as long as you keep the LLC. Over a five-year window, the registered agent renewal cost typically exceeds the formation fee, so it's worth more attention than most reviews give it.
Full reviews
Sources
- Pricing: www.wolterskluwer.com/en/solutions/bizfilings · verified April 21, 2026
BizFilings markets LLC formation starting at $99 plus state fees on the Wolters Kluwer solutions landing page. Package tiers (Basic $99, Standard $229, Complete $359) are shown on the PackageSelect ordering screen at secure.bizfilings.com/PackageSelect.aspx. Prices vary by state. - Registered agent renewal usd: www.wolterskluwer.com/en/solutions/bizfilings/registered-agent-service… · verified April 21, 2026
Registered Agent Services page quotes $220 for 1 year, $370 for 2 years, and $489 for 3 years. All formation packages include 3 months free registered agent, then auto-renew at standard rates. - Registered agent only: www.wolterskluwer.com/en/solutions/bizfilings/registered-agent-service… · verified April 21, 2026
Registered agent available as a standalone product independent of formation package. - Features: www.wolterskluwer.com/en/solutions/bizfilings · verified April 21, 2026
BizComply online compliance monitoring tool bundled with registered agent. EIN only included at Complete tier. Operating agreement template included at Standard and up. No mail scanning, no international founder product, no named banking partner. - Support: www.wolterskluwer.com/en/solutions/bizfilings/contact · verified April 21, 2026
Contact page lists phone 608-827-5300 with office hours 8:00 AM to 6:00 PM Central Time Monday to Friday. Email via web form. No live chat advertised on the contact page. - Headquarters: www.wolterskluwer.com/en/solutions/bizfilings/contact · verified April 21, 2026
Contact page lists 525 Junction Road Suite 5000, Madison, WI 53717. Area code 608 matches Madison, WI. - Founded: www.wolterskluwer.com/en/solutions/bizfilings · verified April 21, 2026
BizFilings was founded in 1996 and acquired by Wolters Kluwer (CT Corporation) in 2002. Now operated under the Wolters Kluwer solutions portfolio. - Ratings: www.trustpilot.com/review/wolterskluwer.com/en/solutions/bizfilings · verified April 21, 2026
Trustpilot profile for BizFilings (Wolters Kluwer) shows approximately 4.5/5 across roughly 170 reviews as of April 2026. Review volume is modest relative to consumer-facing competitors. - Pricing: www.zenbusiness.com/ · verified April 21, 2026
Homepage 'Compare and select a package' section lists Starter at $0 plus state fees, Pro at $199 plus state fees renewing at $199 per year, and Premium at $399 plus state fees renewing at $399 per year. Only Premium bundles Registered Agent Service in the formation package. - Registered agent: www.zenbusiness.com/registered-agent/ · verified April 21, 2026
Page headline 'SPECIAL OFFER: 50% OFF REGISTERED AGENT' with fine print '$99 + state fees for the first year. Renews at $199/yr.' The $199 figure is treated as the regular annual rate. - Features: www.zenbusiness.com/ · verified April 21, 2026
Package comparison table confirms online filing, free formation tier, paid EIN and Operating Agreement at Pro and above, ongoing state-required filing compliance, and an online dashboard with compliance tracking. - Banking partner: www.zenbusiness.com/ · verified April 21, 2026
Homepage and footer disclaim: 'ZenBusiness is a financial technology company and is not an FDIC-insured bank. Banking services provided by Thread Bank, Member FDIC.' - Velo: www.zenbusiness.com/velo/ · verified April 21, 2026
Homepage 'Say Hello to Velo' section introduces Velo, the ZenBusiness AI assistant that automates filings, tracks deadlines, and builds a website. - Founded: www.zenbusiness.com/about/ · verified April 21, 2026
About page: 'In 2015, Ross Buhrdorf and Shanaz Hemmati founded ZenBusiness.' - Headquarters: www.zenbusiness.com/contact-us/ · verified April 21, 2026
Contact FAQ states 'The ZenBusiness headquarters are in Austin, Texas, and we offer services in all 50 states and the District of Columbia.' The company is fully remote. - Support: www.zenbusiness.com/contact-us/ · verified April 21, 2026
Contact page lists phone (844) 493-6249 and a chat option with matching hours: Monday to Friday 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. CT, Saturday and Sunday 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. CT. - Ratings: www.trustpilot.com/review/www.zenbusiness.com · verified April 21, 2026
Trustpilot profile shows 4.8 stars across 28,984 reviews on the date of verification.