Bizee vs LegalZoom: Which LLC Formation Service Wins?
Two of the biggest names in LLC formation go head-to-head. We compare pricing, features, customer support, and overall value to help you choose the right service for your business.
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Bizee
LegalZoom
Table of Contents
Bizee vs LegalZoom: At a Glance
When it comes to forming an LLC online, Bizee and LegalZoom are two of the most popular options. Both offer $0 basic formation packages (you pay only state fees), but they take very different approaches to serving entrepreneurs.
Bizee focuses on delivering exceptional value with free formation, a complimentary year of registered agent service, and fast processing times. With over 1 million businesses formed, it is the go-to choice for budget-conscious entrepreneurs who want a straightforward, no-nonsense formation experience.
LegalZoom, on the other hand, is the industry giant with decades of experience and over 4 million customers served. It offers a broader ecosystem of legal services, including attorney consultations, extensive document libraries, and intellectual property protection. It is ideal for entrepreneurs who anticipate needing ongoing legal support beyond formation.
Quick Verdict
- Best Overall Value: Bizee
- Best for Legal Support: LegalZoom
- Lowest Total Cost (Year 1): Bizee
- Best Document Library: LegalZoom
- Fastest Processing: Bizee
- Best Customer Support: LegalZoom
Bizee vs LegalZoom: Pricing Comparison
Pricing is often the deciding factor when choosing an LLC formation service. Both Bizee and LegalZoom advertise $0 formation, but the total cost of ownership tells a different story.
Formation Package Prices
| Feature | Bizee | LegalZoom |
|---|---|---|
| Basic Formation | $0 + state fee | $0 + state fee |
| Mid-Tier Package | $199 + state fee (Gold / Standard) | $249 + state fee (Pro) |
| Premium Package | $299 + state fee (Platinum / Premium) | $299 + state fee (Premium) |
| Registered Agent (Year 1) | FREE ($0) | $249/year |
| Registered Agent (Renewal) | $119/year | $249/year |
| EIN / Tax ID | $70 (or included in paid plans) | Included in Pro/Premium |
| Operating Agreement | Included in $199+ plans | Included in Pro/Premium |
| Annual Report Filing | $99 + state fee | $199/year |
Key Takeaway: Bizee is significantly cheaper in the first year thanks to its free registered agent service. LegalZoom charges $249 for registered agent service with no free period, making Bizee the better value for cost-conscious entrepreneurs.
What You Get in the Free Packages
Both companies offer a $0 basic tier, but the included features differ:
✅ Bizee Silver ($0 + state fee)
- Preparation and filing of Articles of Organization
- Unlimited name searches
- 1 year FREE registered agent service
- Business tax consultation
- Online order tracking
- Next-business-day processing
✅ LegalZoom Basic ($0 + state fee)
- LLC name availability check
- Filing of Articles of Organization
- Digital welcome packet
- Tax consultation with 1-800Accountant
- Business insurance quote from Next Insurance
- Chat and phone support
Notice that Bizee includes a registered agent for free, while LegalZoom does not. Since a registered agent is legally required in every state, this means your first-year cost with Bizee is essentially just the state fee, whereas with LegalZoom you will need to add $249 for registered agent service.
Bizee vs LegalZoom: Side-by-Side Comparison
Here is a comprehensive feature comparison to help you see exactly how these two services stack up:
| Feature | Bizee | LegalZoom |
|---|---|---|
| LLC Formation | ✓ Yes ($0 + state fee) | ✓ Yes ($0 + state fee) |
| Registered Agent (Year 1) | ✓ FREE for 1 year | ✗ $249/year |
| Registered Agent (Renewal) | ✓ $119/year | ✗ $249/year |
| EIN / Tax ID | ✓ Available ($70 or in paid plans) | ✓ Included in Pro/Premium |
| Operating Agreement | ✓ Included in $199+ plans | ✓ Included in Pro/Premium |
| Processing Speed | ✓ Next business day | ~ 5-14 business days |
| Online Dashboard | ✓ Yes | ✓ Yes |
| Lifetime Compliance Alerts | ✓ Yes (paid plans) | ✓ Yes |
| Attorney Consultations | ✗ Not available | ✓ Included in Pro/Premium |
| Legal Document Library | ~ 24 templates (Premium) | ✓ 150+ templates |
| Trademark Registration | ✓ Yes | ✓ Yes |
| Copyright & Patent Filing | ✗ Not available | ✓ Yes |
| Business Tax Consultation | ✓ Free (all plans) | ✓ With 1-800Accountant |
| Bookkeeping Tools | ✗ Not available | ✓ Included in Premium |
| Website Builder | ✗ Not available | ✓ Included in Pro/Premium |
| Customer Support Hours | ~ Mon-Fri, 9am-6pm CST | ✓ 7 days/week, extended hours |
| Money-Back Guarantee | ~ Order cancellation within 24hrs | ✓ 60-day satisfaction guarantee |
| Businesses Formed | ~ 1 million+ | ✓ 4 million+ |
Key Features Compared
Registered Agent Service
This is where Bizee pulls ahead significantly. Every LLC is required by law to have a registered agent, so this is not an optional expense.
- Bizee: Includes 1 full year of free registered agent service with every package, even the free Silver plan. After the first year, renewal is $119/year.
- LegalZoom: Charges $249/year for registered agent service with no free period. This is more than double Bizee renewal rate.
Over a 3-year period, you would pay approximately $358 total for registered agent service with Bizee ($0 year 1 + $119 x 2), versus $747 total with LegalZoom ($249 x 3). That is a $389 difference for the exact same legally required service.
Processing Speed
Bizee processes all orders on the next business day, regardless of which package you choose. LegalZoom standard processing takes 5 to 14 business days. If you need your LLC formed quickly, Bizee is the clear winner.
Legal Services & Attorney Access
This is LegalZoom strong suit. If you anticipate needing legal advice beyond formation, LegalZoom offers:
- 30-minute attorney consultations (included in Pro/Premium for 30 days)
- Business Attorney Plan for $39.09/month with unlimited consultations
- Document review by licensed attorneys
- Intellectual property filing (patents, copyrights, trademarks)
- 150+ customizable legal document templates
Bizee does not offer attorney consultations. Its focus is purely on business formation, compliance, and tax-related support.
Compliance & Ongoing Support
Both services help you stay compliant, but in different ways:
- Bizee: Lifetime company alerts for annual reports and state deadlines (included in paid plans). Annual report filing costs $99 + state fee.
- LegalZoom: Compliance calendar and annual report reminders. Annual report filing costs $199/year. Also offers a Worry-Free Compliance package.
Additional Business Tools
LegalZoom offers a broader ecosystem of business tools:
- Customizable website builder (Pro/Premium)
- Bookkeeping and invoicing tools (Premium)
- eSignature service (Pro/Premium)
- Business insurance quotes
Bizee keeps things simpler, focusing on formation, compliance, and tax support. It does offer business contract templates and a domain name with its Premium package.
Bizee Deep Dive
Bizee
1,000,000+ businesses formedBizee has built its reputation on one simple promise: free LLC formation that is actually free. Unlike competitors that advertise $0 formation but nickel-and-dime you for essentials, Bizee Silver package includes a genuinely useful set of features at no service cost.
The standout feature is the free registered agent service for the first year. Since every LLC needs a registered agent, this is not a bonus — it is a legally required service that Bizee gives you for free while others charge $100 to $300.
Bizee Pricing Tiers
| Plan | Price | Best For | Key Features |
|---|---|---|---|
| Silver | $0 + state fee | Budget-conscious founders | Articles of Organization filingUnlimited name searches1 year FREE registered agentBusiness tax consultationNext-day processing |
| Gold / Standard | $199 + state fee | Most entrepreneurs | Everything in SilverEIN / Tax IDOperating agreementBanking resolutionLifetime compliance alertsOnline dashboard |
| Platinum / Premium | $299 + state fee | Established businesses | Everything in GoldExpedited filingBusiness contract templatesDomain name + business emailFree business phone number (1 year) |
✅ Bizee Pros
- Genuinely free LLC formation (just pay state fees)
- 1 year of FREE registered agent service
- Next-business-day processing on all orders
- Lifetime compliance alerts (paid plans)
- Free business tax consultation
- Lower renewal costs ($119 vs $249)
- Over 1 million businesses formed
- User-friendly online dashboard
❌ Bizee Cons
- No attorney consultations or legal advice
- Limited document library (24 templates)
- Aggressive upsells during checkout
- No weekend customer support
- Phone support not available on free tier
- No bookkeeping or website builder tools
LegalZoom Deep Dive
LegalZoom
4,000,000+ customers servedLegalZoom is the most recognized name in online legal services. It has helped over 4 million customers with everything from LLC formation to estate planning. While its formation prices are competitive, LegalZoom real value lies in its extensive ecosystem of legal and business services.
If you anticipate needing ongoing legal support — whether for contract review, intellectual property protection, or attorney consultations — LegalZoom is the better long-term partner. Its 150+ legal document templates and attorney access programs are unmatched by Bizee.
LegalZoom Pricing Tiers
| Plan | Price | Best For | Key Features |
|---|---|---|---|
| Basic | $0 + state fee | DIY entrepreneurs | Name availability checkArticles of Organization filingDigital welcome packetTax consultation (1-800Accountant)Business insurance quote |
| Pro | $249 + state fee | Entrepreneurs wanting legal support | Everything in BasicOperating agreementEIN / Tax ID30-day attorney consultations150+ legal document templates (1 year)Website buildereSignature (1 year) |
| Premium | $299 + state fee | Businesses wanting full tool suite | Everything in Pro6-month bookkeeping subscriptionIncome/expense trackingAutomatic mileage captureInvoicing and proposals |
✅ LegalZoom Pros
- Strong brand recognition and long track record
- Access to attorney consultations
- 150+ customizable legal document templates
- Intellectual property services (patents, copyrights)
- 7-day-a-week customer support
- 60-day money-back satisfaction guarantee
- Bookkeeping and website builder tools
- 4 million+ customers served
❌ LegalZoom Cons
- No free registered agent service
- Higher registered agent renewal ($249/year)
- Aggressive upselling during checkout
- Slower standard processing (5-14 days)
- Pro/Premium add-ons auto-renew at high rates
- More expensive for basic formation needs
Customer Support Comparison
Both Bizee and LegalZoom offer customer support, but their availability and approach differ significantly.
| Support Feature | Bizee | LegalZoom |
|---|---|---|
| Phone Support | ✓ Mon-Fri, 9am-6pm CST (Not available on free tier) | ✓ 7 days/week, extended hours |
| Email Support | ✓ Yes | ✓ Yes |
| Live Chat | ✗ No longer offered | ✓ Yes |
| Weekend Availability | ✗ No | ✓ Yes (reduced hours) |
| Response Time | ~ 24 hours (email) | ~ 24-48 hours (email) |
| Knowledge Base | ✓ Yes | ✓ Yes |
Verdict: LegalZoom wins on support availability with 7-day-a-week coverage and live chat. Bizee phone support is limited to paid plans, and they no longer offer live chat. However, Bizee representatives are generally praised for being knowledgeable about formation specifically, while some LegalZoom users report that support agents are more focused on upselling than answering questions.
Customer Reviews & Ratings
Both services have strong overall ratings, but customer experiences vary depending on expectations and needs.
| Review Platform | Bizee | LegalZoom |
|---|---|---|
| TrustPilot | ||
| Better Business Bureau | C Rating | A+ Rating |
| Consumer Affairs | Not rated | |
| Forbes Advisor | Not specifically rated |
What Customers Say About Bizee
Bizee users consistently praise the platform for its transparent pricing and genuinely free formation. Entrepreneurs appreciate that the Silver package delivers exactly what is advertised without hidden fees. Common positive themes include:
- Fast processing and next-day filing
- Free registered agent service is a major money-saver
- Easy-to-use dashboard and order tracking
- Helpful compliance alerts
Common complaints center on aggressive upsells during checkout and the lack of phone support on the free tier. Some users also note that standard processing can take 3-4 weeks in certain states without paying for expedited filing.
What Customers Say About LegalZoom
LegalZoom customers value the brand trust and comprehensive legal ecosystem. The ability to access attorney consultations and a vast document library is frequently cited as a major advantage. Common positive themes include:
- Strong reputation and peace of mind
- Excellent legal document library
- Helpful attorney consultations (paid plans)
- 7-day-a-week customer support
Common complaints include aggressive upselling throughout the checkout process, higher total costs compared to competitors, and slower processing times. Some users also report that customer support representatives seem more focused on selling additional services than answering questions.
Final Verdict: Which Should You Choose?
Choose Bizee If:
- You want the best overall value and lowest first-year cost
- You need a free registered agent for the first year
- You want fast processing (next business day)
- You are comfortable handling basic business needs without attorney access
- You want lower ongoing costs ($119 vs $249 for registered agent renewal)
- You are a first-time entrepreneur who wants a simple, affordable formation process
Choose LegalZoom If:
- You want access to attorneys and legal consultations
- You need a large library of legal documents and templates
- You anticipate needing intellectual property services (patents, copyrights)
- You want 7-day-a-week customer support
- You value brand reputation and a 60-day money-back guarantee
- You need additional business tools like a website builder or bookkeeping
Our Recommendation: For the vast majority of entrepreneurs forming a standard LLC, Bizee offers better value. The free formation, complimentary registered agent service, and lower renewal costs can save you hundreds of dollars in the first year alone. However, if you anticipate needing ongoing legal support, attorney consultations, or intellectual property services, LegalZoom is worth the premium.
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, Bizee Silver package is genuinely free. You pay $0 in service fees and only cover the mandatory state filing fee (which varies by state, typically $40 to $500). The package includes LLC formation filing, unlimited name searches, and a full year of free registered agent service. You only pay extra if you choose add-ons like an EIN or expedited filing.
LegalZoom Basic package is also free of service fees, with you paying only the state filing fee. However, unlike Bizee, LegalZoom does not include registered agent service in its free package. Since a registered agent is legally required, you will need to add $249/year for this service, making the true first-year cost significantly higher than Bizee.
Bizee is cheaper, especially in the first year. Bizee includes a free registered agent for year 1 (saving you $249 compared to LegalZoom). Over a 3-year period, Bizee registered agent costs total approximately $358 ($0 year 1 + $119 x 2), while LegalZoom costs $747 ($249 x 3). That is a $389 difference for the same legally required service.
LegalZoom offers attorney consultations as part of its Pro and Premium packages (30 days included, then auto-renews at $49/month). They also offer a standalone Business Attorney Plan for $39.09/month. Bizee does not offer attorney access — its focus is on formation, compliance, and tax support rather than legal advice.
Bizee processes all orders on the next business day, regardless of package. LegalZoom standard processing takes 5 to 14 business days. Both services offer expedited filing for an additional fee, but Bizee base speed is significantly faster. Keep in mind that state processing times vary and are separate from the service processing time.
Yes. Your LLC is a legal entity registered with your state, not with the formation service. You can switch registered agents, compliance services, or document providers at any time. If you start with Bizee and later need LegalZoom legal services, you can sign up for LegalZoom attorney plan independently. Similarly, you can move your registered agent service from LegalZoom to Bizee (or any other provider) when renewal time comes.
Yes, both services handle state filing fees as part of the checkout process. The state fee is a mandatory cost that goes directly to your state government and is the same regardless of which service you use (or if you file yourself). Both Bizee and LegalZoom clearly separate their service fees from state fees so you know exactly what you are paying for.
Both score well, but in different areas. On TrustPilot, Bizee scores 4.7/5 versus LegalZoom 4.6/5. However, LegalZoom has an A+ BBB rating compared to Bizee C rating. Bizee users praise value and speed, while LegalZoom users praise brand trust and legal support. The best choice depends on which factors matter most to you.
Ready to Form Your LLC?
Whether you choose Bizee for unbeatable value or LegalZoom for comprehensive legal support, the most important step is getting started. Form your LLC today and protect your personal assets.