ZenBusiness vs Inc Authority

Yes, it matters which company you use to form your LLC, because pricing, included services, and ongoing support can vary a lot between providers.

Both ZenBusiness and Inc Authority are reputable companies, so both are viable options for forming an LLC. Either company will file with the state and create a new, legally recognized LLC.

The best choice depends on your business’s specific needs and budget. Make sure you compare what is included in each formation package, how fast they file, and what you will pay to keep your business compliant each year.

At ZenBusiness, pricing for both one-time and recurring services is clearly listed so you know what you are paying for before you check out. Inc Authority’s pricing structure is less straightforward, so it is important to review their terms carefully, especially any free trials or bundled offers, to avoid surprise costs once trials expire.

Inc Authority’s free LLC package includes LLC formation, an EIN or expedited processing (but not both for free), one year of registered agent service, and limited website tools.

On Inc Authority’s website, the free LLC package appears to include LLC formation, an EIN, expedited processing, one year of registered agent service, and a business website.

That offer looks generous, but there are caveats. Like ZenBusiness, Inc Authority will form your LLC for $0 plus state fees and include one year of registered agent service. However, you can’t select both the free EIN and free expedited filing. You must choose one or pay $49 to get both.

The website tools are also limited trials: a 30-day premium website builder and one year of domain registration. After those trial periods, monthly or annual fees apply.

It depends on which add-ons are selected during the order process. Choosing both the EIN and expedited filing adds $49. Inc Authority also offers a website-building trial that renews at $49 per month after 30 days, and a compliance service trial that renews at $147 per year.

Optional upsells throughout the order form can bring total costs above $550 if selected, despite the initial “free” offer. While each add-on is optional, pricing for many of them only appears late in the checkout process.

When you factor in registered agent and ongoing compliance costs, ZenBusiness generally provides better overall value because key compliance tools are bundled into the higher-tier ZenBusiness packages.

ZenBusiness includes registered agent service in the Premium Package. The Premium Package costs $399 plus state fees for the first year and renews at $399 annually. Premium also includes Worry-Free Compliance through the underlying Starter features.

With ZenBusiness, purchased separately, registered agent service is $199 per year and Worry-Free Compliance renews at $199 per year. Worry-Free Compliance is free for the first year in the Starter Package, then renews at that rate.

Inc Authority does not list registered agent renewal prices publicly. Their customer service has indicated that registered agent service renews at “about $199 per year,” but this can vary. Their compliance program costs $147 per year, and extra items like legal document access and an operating agreement add to the total.

Overall, once you add in registered agent and compliance renewals, ZenBusiness typically offers more value at similar or lower long-term costs by combining these tools within the Premium Package.

The ZenBusiness Pro and Premium Packages generally form LLCs the fastest, with 1-day processing, while the ZenBusiness Starter Package takes 7 to 10 business days and Inc Authority’s standard processing time is not clearly published.

ZenBusiness processes LLCs in 7 to 10 business days with the Starter Package, and in 1 business day with the Pro or Premium Packages when ZenBusiness has all required information.

Inc Authority offers expedited processing for free if you skip the free EIN or for an added fee if you want both services, but Inc Authority does not publish its normal, non-expedited filing times on its website, so direct timing comparisons are limited.

Actual approval times depend on state processing. Some states issue approvals within hours via online systems, while others take several weeks. Filing services like ZenBusiness and Inc Authority only affect how quickly your paperwork is submitted to the state, not how long the state takes to approve it.

The ZenBusiness LLC formation service is more transparent about pricing because our plans, included services, and renewal costs are clearly listed before you check out.

Our formation plans pricing page explains what is included in each package, which services are optional add-ons, and how renewals work, so you know your costs up front.

Inc Authority does not show most prices until partway through the order. Details like registered agent renewals, add-on service fees, and post-trial costs only appear during checkout or after you contact customer support.

Inc Authority offers customer support via phone and email, with its support team available from 7:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. PT, Monday through Friday (excluding weekends).

ZenBusiness offers customer support via phone, email, and chat seven days a week, from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. CT on weekdays and 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. CT on weekends.

Yes. ZenBusiness clearly shows all LLC package prices and any renewal rates upfront, before you enter personal or business details.

Inc Authority also shows total costs before checkout, but you usually need to go through most of the order form and enter business information before you can see full pricing for add-ons or renewals.

Support hours vary by company. Inc Authority is available on weekdays only (7:30 a.m.–5:30 p.m. PT). ZenBusiness provides weekday and weekend support, from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. CT on weekdays and 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. CT on weekends.

On Trustpilot, ZenBusiness holds a 4.8 out of 5 rating across 27,108 reviews. Inc Authority has a 4.9 rating across 45,000+ reviews (as of January 2026).

However, on the Better Business Bureau site, Inc Authority holds a 1-star average review score and an F rating, while ZenBusiness is BBB-accredited with an A+ rating and higher customer satisfaction.

Both ZenBusiness and Inc Authority provide ongoing compliance tools, including registered agent service, compliance reminders, and website or business management resources. ZenBusiness also offers Worry-Free Compliance, business license reports, and integrated tools for accounting and banking, while Inc Authority focuses on basic formation and compliance features.