
Is ZenBusiness Right for Your LLC?
Best Overall Value
ZippyLLCs Verdict
Best overall value with unmatched compliance tools and genuine $0 starter plan
Last reviewed: August 23, 2025
Why Consider ZenBusiness?
ZenBusiness stands out as our top pick for LLC formation services thanks to its unbeatable combination of value, features, and support. With formation starting at $0 plus state fees, you can rest easy with their worry-free compliance service, award-winning customer support, and 100% accuracy guarantee. The Pro and Premium packages add even more value with 1-day processing, an employer ID number, operating agreement, and services to get your business online like domain name registration, AI business website builder, and more.
Perfect Match If You're:
Entrepreneurs who want comprehensive support and compliance tools at an affordable price
Simple, Transparent Pricing
Choose the ZenBusiness package that fits your business needs
Starter
- Basic LLC formation
- Preparation & filing of Articles
- Next business day processing
- Lifetime company alerts
Pro
- Everything in Starter
- Operating Agreement
- EIN/Tax ID Number
- Banking resolution
- Worry-free compliance (1 year)
Premium
- Everything in Pro
- Domain name & email
- Business website
- Expedited filing
- Business contract templates
✓ All plans include lifetime support • ✓ 100% accuracy guarantee • ✓ Secure checkout
The Good and The Not-So-Good
Our honest assessment of ZenBusiness based on hands-on testing
What We Love
- • Starter package is $0 plus state fees
- • Registered agent and compliance services
- • Free worry-free compliance for 1 year
- • Fast 1-day processing time available
- • 100% accuracy guarantee
- • Award-winning customer support
Room for Improvement
- • Some features require upgraded plans
- • More expensive Registered Agent service
Why ZenBusiness Stands Out
We’ve helped thousands of entrepreneurs form their LLCs, and one question keeps coming up: “Which service should I actually use?” After extensive testing of every major formation service, ZenBusiness consistently delivers what matters most - reliability, value, and peace of mind.
Their $0 starter package isn’t a gimmick. You genuinely pay nothing beyond state fees, with no surprise charges or forced upgrades. But what really sets them apart is their Worry-Free Compliance service, included free for the first year with paid packages.
The Formation Experience
Starting your LLC with ZenBusiness takes about 10 minutes. The process feels refreshingly straightforward:
Your Business Basics
Enter your LLC name and ZenBusiness instantly checks availability across all state databases. Their system catches potential trademark conflicts and suggests alternatives if needed.
Registered Agent Selection
Every LLC needs a registered agent. ZenBusiness offers their service at $199/year - not the cheapest, but their digital document handling and instant notifications justify the price.
Choose Your Package
Three clear options without confusing add-ons. The Pro package at $199 hits the sweet spot for most businesses, including your EIN and operating agreement.
Submit and Relax
Review everything, submit, and ZenBusiness handles the rest. You’ll get email updates at each step, from state submission to approval.
Real Customer Support That Actually Helps
Here’s something refreshing - when you call ZenBusiness, you talk to someone who actually knows LLC formation. No scripts, no runaround.
Phone Support: Available weekdays 8am-8pm CT. We’ve never waited more than 5 minutes.
Live Chat: Typically responds in under 2 minutes during business hours.
Email Support: Detailed responses within 24 hours, often much faster.
Knowledge Base: Over 200 articles covering state-specific requirements and common questions.
During our testing, we asked deliberately complex questions about multi-member LLCs and foreign qualifications. The support team provided accurate, detailed answers every time.
Pricing That Makes Sense
Starter Package ($0 + state fees)
Perfect if you just need the basics:
- Articles of Organization filing
- Next business day processing
- Lifetime company alerts
- Online dashboard access
Pro Package ($199 + state fees)
Our recommendation for most businesses:
- Everything in Starter
- Operating Agreement customized for your state
- EIN/Tax ID from the IRS
- Banking resolution template
- Worry-Free Compliance (first year free)
Premium Package ($299 + state fees)
Best if you want everything handled:
- Everything in Pro
- Domain name and professional email
- Business website with AI builder
- Expedited state filing
- Business contract templates
The Compliance Advantage
This is where ZenBusiness truly shines. Their Worry-Free Compliance service monitors:
- Annual report deadlines for your state
- Business license renewals
- Tax filing deadlines
- State-specific requirement changes
You get notifications 60, 30, and 7 days before any deadline. No more scrambling or late fees.
Processing Speed
Standard processing takes 5-15 business days depending on your state. Need it faster? Premium includes expedited filing, or add it for $79.
Our Nevada LLC was approved in 3 business days. Wyoming took just 2. California, predictably, took the full 15.
Beyond Formation
ZenBusiness grows with your business:
- Annual Reports: They’ll file it for $199
- Business Licenses: Research report for $199
- DBA Registration: From $99 + state fees
- Foreign Qualification: $299 + state fees
- Amendment Filing: $149 + state fees
Who Should Choose ZenBusiness?
Perfect For:
- First-time business owners who want guidance
- Anyone who values ongoing compliance support
- Businesses that need fast, reliable formation
- Entrepreneurs who appreciate responsive support
Consider Alternatives If:
- You only need absolute minimum filing (go directly through your state)
- You require complex legal structures (hire an attorney)
- You’re forming multiple entities regularly (look for bulk discounts)
How ZenBusiness Compares
vs. LegalZoom
ZenBusiness costs about 60% less while offering better compliance tools. LegalZoom includes attorney consultations, but at 3x the price, it’s hard to justify.
vs. Incfile (Bizee)
Similar pricing, but ZenBusiness has superior customer support and doesn’t bombard you with upsells during checkout.
vs. Northwest Registered Agent
Northwest is slightly cheaper for basic formation but lacks ZenBusiness’s compliance monitoring and additional services.
The Bottom Line
After forming dozens of test LLCs, ZenBusiness remains our top recommendation. The combination of genuine value, excellent support, and comprehensive compliance tools makes them the smart choice for most entrepreneurs.
Yes, you can find cheaper options. But the peace of mind from their compliance monitoring and the quality of their customer support makes the small price difference worthwhile.
The only reason to look elsewhere? If you literally just need the minimum filing with zero support, go directly through your state. For everyone else, ZenBusiness delivers exactly what you need to start and maintain your LLC with confidence.
How It Stacks Up
See how this service compares to other top LLC formation options
Service | Price | Rating | Processing | Registered Agent |
---|---|---|---|---|
![]() | $0 | ★ 4.9 | 7-10 days | $199/year |
![]() | $0 | ★ 4.6 | 3 weeks | $119/year |
![]() | $49 | ★ 4.3 | 3 weeks | $119/year |
![]() | $0 | ★ 4.4 | 7-10 days | $119/year |
Is ZenBusiness the Right Choice?
Start your LLC journey with confidence. ZenBusiness makes it simple and affordable.
Plans start at $0 + state fees