ZenBusiness vs Bizee: Which LLC Formation Service Should You Pick?
Both companies will file your LLC for $0 in service fees (you still pay your state’s filing fee). The difference is what happens next: what’s included, what you’ll be asked to pay for later, and what it costs to keep your registered agent in year two. Here’s the full comparison.
Affiliate disclosure: Some links on this page are affiliate links. If you buy through them, LLC Guidance may earn a commission at no extra cost to you. It doesn’t change our opinions or the prices you pay.
Quick verdict
Bizee is the better value for most people forming a simple LLC. Its free Basic package includes a full year of registered agent service, and its $199 Standard package bundles an EIN filing and operating agreement without a yearly subscription.
ZenBusiness is the better fit if you want a polished all-in-one dashboard with rush filing, ongoing compliance tools, and extras like a logo builder and business document templates, and you don’t mind paying a yearly plan fee.
ZenBusiness vs Bizee: side-by-side
| Bizee | ZenBusiness | |
|---|---|---|
| Entry package | Basic: $0 + state fee | Starter: $0 + state fee |
| Mid package | Standard: $199 + state fee (one-time) | Pro: $199/year + state fee |
| Top package | Premium: $299 + state fee | Premium: $399/year + state fee |
| Registered agent, year 1 | Included free on every package | Not included on Starter or Pro ($199/yr add-on). Included on Premium. |
| Registered agent, year 2+ | $149/year | $199/year |
| EIN filing | Included from Standard | Included from Pro |
| Operating agreement | Included from Standard | Included from Pro |
| Fast filing | Standard processing by default; faster options available as an upgrade | 1-day processing included from Pro |
| Compliance tools | Compliance alerts on every package | Worry-Free Compliance (free year 1 on Starter, included on Pro/Premium) |
| Renewal traps to watch | Registered agent renewal after year 1 | Compliance renews at $199/yr after Starter’s free year; Pro and Premium renew every year |
| Extras | Tax consultation, business banking setup (Premium) | Logo builder, document templates, domain and email (Premium), business advisor (Premium) |
| Best for | Budget-focused first-time founders | Founders who want a full toolkit and a slick dashboard |
Prices shown were current when this page was written. Both companies change plans and promotions often, so confirm the final price at checkout.
Free first year of registered agent service
Check Bizee pricingRush filing and compliance tools included
Check ZenBusiness pricingBizee (formerly Incfile) packages
Bizee is the new name for Incfile, which has been filing businesses since 2004. The rebrand kept the same operations and customer base, so older Incfile reviews still describe the same company, though the package names have changed. Bizee’s three packages are Basic, Standard, and Premium.
Basic
- LLC filing
- 1 year registered agent
- Compliance alerts
- Tax consultation
- Online dashboard
Standard
- Everything in Basic
- EIN filing
- Operating agreement
- Banking resolution
- Phone and email support
Premium
- Everything in Standard
- Business banking setup
- Extra business tools
- Also supports S corp, C corp, nonprofit
What we like
- Free registered agent for the first year, even on the $0 package
- Standard package is a one-time fee, not a subscription
- Lower registered agent renewal than ZenBusiness
- Simple, step-by-step signup
What to watch
- Basic doesn’t include an EIN or operating agreement
- Checkout offers add-ons that can raise the total
- Registered agent renews at $149/year after year one
- Fewer built-in business tools than ZenBusiness
ZenBusiness packages
ZenBusiness is one of the best-known formation services in the U.S., with a modern dashboard and a wider set of business tools. Its packages are Starter, Pro, and Premium. Pro and Premium are yearly plans that renew, so the sticker price isn’t a one-time cost.
Starter
- LLC filing
- Worry-Free Compliance free for year 1
- Registered agent, EIN and operating agreement sold separately
Pro
- 1-day processing
- EIN
- Operating agreement
- Worry-Free Compliance
- Logo builder, templates
Premium
- Everything in Pro
- Registered agent, year 1
- Advanced compliance
- Business advisor consult
What we like
- Clean, easy-to-use dashboard
- 1-day filing included on Pro
- Strong compliance reminders and tools
- Handy extras: logo builder, templates, domain and email options
What to watch
- Registered agent isn’t included on Starter or Pro
- Starter’s free compliance year auto-renews at $199
- Pro and Premium renew every year
- More upsells during checkout
Registered agent costs: the biggest difference
Every LLC needs a registered agent, a person or company with a physical address in your state that receives legal and government mail. This is where the two companies differ the most.
| Bizee | ZenBusiness | |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | Free with every package | Included only on Premium. Otherwise $199/yr add-on (or $99 for the standalone service). |
| Year 2 onward | $149/year | $199/year |
| Five-year cost (agent only) | About $596 | About $995 |
Five-year math assumes the standard renewal rates above with no promotions: Bizee $0 + 4 x $149; ZenBusiness 5 x $199. You can always use a different registered agent, or act as your own if your state allows it.
What a typical first year really costs
Let’s price a common setup: a single-member LLC that wants an EIN, an operating agreement, and a registered agent. State fees are the same for both, so they’re left out.
| Setup | Bizee | ZenBusiness |
|---|---|---|
| Formation plan with EIN + operating agreement | Standard: $199 | Pro: $199 |
| Registered agent (year 1) | $0 (included) | +$199 |
| Year-1 total (service fees) | $199 | $398 |
| Year-2 total (plan + agent) | $149 (agent only) | $398 ($199 plan + $199 agent) |
Cheapest route on either service: take the $0 package and file your own EIN for free on the IRS website. It takes about 15 minutes, and Bizee’s Basic covers your first-year registered agent too.
Who should choose which?
Choose Bizee if you…
- Want the lowest first-year cost
- Need registered agent service from day one
- Prefer one-time fees over annual plans
- Only need formation and the basics
Choose ZenBusiness if you…
- Need your LLC filed quickly
- Want ongoing compliance handled in one dashboard
- Like having a logo builder, templates, and business tools bundled in
- Are fine paying an annual plan
Frequently asked questions
Is ZenBusiness or Bizee cheaper?
Bizee is cheaper for most people. Its free package includes a year of registered agent service, its mid-tier plan is a one-time fee, and its registered agent renewal is lower. ZenBusiness’s Starter plan is also $0, but you’ll typically pay extra for a registered agent.
Is Bizee the same company as Incfile?
Yes. Incfile rebranded to Bizee in 2023. Existing customers and services carried over.
Are the $0 plans really free?
The service fee is $0, but you always pay your state’s LLC filing fee, which ranges from about $35 to $500 depending on the state. Add-ons and renewals are extra.
Do I need a registered agent?
Yes. Every state requires an LLC to maintain a registered agent. You can hire a company, use a friend or family member with a physical address in the state, or, in many states, serve as your own agent.
Which is faster at filing my LLC?
ZenBusiness Pro includes 1-day processing on their end. Bizee also offers faster filing options, but on the lower tiers timing follows your state’s normal processing speed. In every case, the state’s own processing time is what you’ll wait on.
Can I cancel or switch later?
Yes. You can change registered agents at any time, and you can cancel recurring plans, but do it before the renewal date to avoid being charged again.
Do I need a service at all?
No. You can file directly with your state for just the filing fee. Services like these save time, prepare the paperwork, and add tools such as compliance reminders. Whether that’s worth it depends on how much you value your time.
Final verdict
For most first-time founders forming a straightforward LLC, Bizee is the better deal: a genuinely $0 starting point with registered agent service built in, and lower costs in year two and beyond. ZenBusiness is the better experience if you’d rather pay more for faster filing, compliance tools, and a bundled toolkit.
Best overall value
Start with BizeeBest for tools and speed
Start with ZenBusiness