Starting a business is exciting. But paperwork? Not so much. That’s where online business formation services come in, making it easy to set up an LLC, corporation, or nonprofit without needing to figure out legal jargon or government websites.

Two of the biggest names in this space are LegalZoom and Bizee. LegalZoom is the more well-known brand, while Bizee (formerly IncFile) is famous for being budget-friendly and fast.

In this deep dive, we’ll break down every important difference between the two—pricing, features, turnaround times, customer service, reputation, and more. Whether you’re starting your first company or you’re a seasoned entrepreneur looking to scale, this guide will give you clarity.

1. Company Backgrounds

LegalZoom

LegalZoom was founded in 2001. It’s based in the United States and is now publicly traded. The idea behind the company was to make legal services more affordable and accessible to regular people and small business owners.

Over the years, LegalZoom has built a large suite of services. It doesn’t just offer business formation—you can also get help with wills, trademarks, copyrights, divorce papers, real estate documents, and more. LegalZoom works with a network of independent attorneys in all 50 states, and it offers subscription-based legal advice for both individuals and businesses.

Because of its size and scope, LegalZoom has a more traditional and formal structure. It’s often viewed as a one-stop shop for legal services.

Bizee (formerly IncFile)

Bizee started in 2004 under the name IncFile. The company quickly gained popularity for one reason: it offered free LLC formation—you just had to pay the state filing fee. That pricing model attracted thousands of entrepreneurs, and the company has since helped form over a million businesses.

In 2023, IncFile rebranded as Bizee. The change was part of a modernization effort, but their core services, pricing, and approach remained the same.

Unlike LegalZoom, Bizee focuses almost entirely on business formation and compliance. You won’t find personal legal services or complex legal representation. What you will find is an efficient, streamlined process for getting your business off the ground with minimal hassle.

2. Pricing and Value

Let’s look at how each company structures its pricing.

LegalZoom Pricing

LegalZoom offers three main packages for business formation:

• Basic Plan: $0 + state fee. Includes business name check, articles of organization, and customer support. Does not include an Operating Agreement, EIN, or Registered Agent.
• Pro Plan: $249 + state fee. Adds Operating Agreement and EIN filing.
• Premium Plan: $299 + state fee. Adds access to a network of attorneys, plus legal advice.

LegalZoom charges $299 per year for Registered Agent service, and it is not included for free in any package.

Other services like Operating Agreements, EINs, compliance alerts, and licenses cost extra unless bundled into the more expensive tiers.

Bizee Pricing

Bizee also has three main packages:

• Silver Plan: $0 + state fee. Includes name search, articles of organization, customer dashboard, one-year free Registered Agent service, and a free tax consultation.
• Gold Plan: $199 + state fee. Adds EIN, Operating Agreement, banking resolution, IRS form 2553 filing, and lifetime company alerts.
• Platinum Plan: $299 + state fee. Adds expedited filing, a business contract template library, and free domain and email for a year.

After the first year, Bizee charges $119 per year for Registered Agent service.

Verdict on Pricing

When it comes to value, Bizee clearly comes out ahead for most new businesses. The free plan includes more essentials right out of the box. LegalZoom’s basic plan looks free, but most must-have features require upgrades or extra payments.

If your main goal is to form an LLC quickly and affordably, Bizee gives you more bang for your buck.

3. Formation Speed and Processing Time

Bizee

Bizee offers next-business-day processing on all orders—even the free ones. That means your paperwork is submitted to the state within 24 hours. The total time it takes to get your business formed depends on your state’s speed, but Bizee acts fast on their end.

In higher-tier packages, Bizee also includes expedited state filing if the state allows it.

LegalZoom

LegalZoom’s basic processing time is slower—usually 10 to 15 business days unless you pay for rush processing. If you upgrade to the Pro or Premium plans, you’ll get faster service, but even then, it’s not as fast as Bizee’s baseline.

Verdict on Speed

Bizee is the clear winner. If time is important to you, Bizee’s faster turnaround could be the difference between launching this week or next month.

4. Registered Agent Services

Both companies offer Registered Agent services, which is legally required for most businesses.

LegalZoom

• Cost: $299 per year.
• Not included in any package.
• Must be purchased separately unless you buy a business legal plan.

Bizee

• Cost: $119 per year after the first year.
• Included for free for the first year in every package—even the free Silver plan.

Verdict on Registered Agent

Bizee offers a much better deal. The one-year free period alone saves you nearly $300 compared to LegalZoom. Even after renewal, Bizee’s rate is significantly lower.

5. EIN (Employer Identification Number)

An EIN is like a Social Security number for your business. You need it to open a business bank account, hire employees, and file taxes.

LegalZoom

• Cost: $79–$99 unless included in the Pro or Premium plan.

Bizee

• Free in Gold and Platinum plans.
• Not included in the free Silver plan, but still cheaper than LegalZoom overall if you upgrade.

Verdict on EIN

Bizee again comes out ahead if you choose the Gold plan. LegalZoom treats this as an expensive add-on unless you’re in the top tier.

6. Operating Agreement

An Operating Agreement isn’t legally required in all states, but it’s a best practice. It outlines ownership percentages, management roles, and internal rules.

LegalZoom

• Not included in Basic plan.
• Available in higher-tier packages or as an additional purchase.

Bizee

• Included in Gold and Platinum packages.

Verdict on Operating Agreement

Bizee includes it sooner, and at a better price point.

7. Tax and Compliance Support

LegalZoom

LegalZoom offers a business legal plan that includes:

• 30-minute attorney consultations
• Document reviews
• Legal form templates

However, this comes as a monthly subscription starting at around $39. Compliance alerts are available through upgrades or subscription.

Bizee

Every user gets lifetime company alerts. In the free plan, you also get a one-time tax consultation with a real accountant. Higher-tier plans come with more tools, but not ongoing legal or tax advice.

Verdict on Tax & Legal Help

If you need actual legal advice from an attorney, LegalZoom has the edge. But for most startups just needing basic compliance and tax pointers, Bizee’s included support will be enough.

8. Customer Support and Satisfaction

LegalZoom

• Support is available by phone and email.
• Reviews are mixed—some praise their professionalism, while others complain about slow response times and pushy upsells.

Bizee

• Support is available via phone and email during business hours.
• Reviews generally praise Bizee for being responsive and helpful. However, some users mention delays with EIN delivery or inconsistent service during peak seasons.

Verdict on Support

Bizee seems to do a better job of keeping customers happy, especially among first-time business owners. That said, if you want hands-on legal guidance, LegalZoom’s attorney access can be helpful.

9. User Interface and Experience

LegalZoom

LegalZoom has a more corporate feel. The interface is clean, but the upsell process can make checkout feel overwhelming. Their dashboard includes progress trackers, but it can feel less intuitive for newer users.

Bizee

Bizee’s dashboard is simple, beginner-friendly, and designed with entrepreneurs in mind. It offers lifetime access to your documents and lets you monitor deadlines and compliance alerts easily.

Verdict on Experience

Bizee is generally easier to use, faster to navigate, and more tailored to entrepreneurs who want to get up and running without a learning curve.

10. Reviews and Reputation

LegalZoom

LegalZoom is the older, more established brand. It has served millions of users, but its TrustPilot score tends to hover around 4.2 out of 5. Common complaints include high fees, long processing times, and aggressive upsells.

Bizee

Bizee consistently scores 4.7 or higher out of 5 across review platforms. It has tens of thousands of verified positive reviews. Customers often highlight the low cost, quick processing, and ease of use. However, a small number of customers report issues with document delivery or delayed EINs.

Verdict on Reputation

Bizee has a better reputation for customer satisfaction, especially for new business owners on a budget.

11. Additional Features and Extras

LegalZoom

LegalZoom offers a wider variety of legal services, including:

• Trademark and copyright registration
• Estate planning
• Divorce and family legal services
• Legal plan subscriptions

If you want to keep all your personal and business legal needs under one roof, LegalZoom may be the better fit.

Bizee

Bizee focuses solely on businesses. Additional services include:

• Business banking setup
• Website and domain creation (Platinum plan)
• License research
• Annual report filing

Bizee doesn’t handle personal legal matters.

12. Summary of Key Differences

Feature	LegalZoom	Bizee
Starting Price	$0 + fees	$0 + fees
EIN	Paid or Premium	Free in Gold+
Registered Agent	$299/year	Free 1st year, $119 after
Speed	10–15 days	1 business day
Tax Consultation	Only with legal plan	Included even in free plan
Attorney Access	Premium only	Not included
Reputation	Mixed	Very positive
User Experience	Upsell-heavy	Streamlined

Final Verdict

If you’re a first-time entrepreneur looking for the fastest, cheapest way to start your business and stay compliant, Bizee is likely your best choice. It gives you the core services you need—like filing, registered agent, and EIN—without burying you in hidden fees or upsells.

If, however, you’re starting a more complex business or want easy access to legal advice for both personal and business matters, LegalZoom may be a better long-term partner—just be prepared to pay a bit more.

Both services work. It just depends on what kind of support you want and how much you’re willing to pay for it.

FAQ’s

Is Bizee really free?

Yes, Bizee’s Silver plan is free—you only pay your state’s filing fee.

Does LegalZoom include a registered agent in its plans?

No, LegalZoom charges separately for registered agent services starting at $299/year.

Which is faster for forming an LLC, LegalZoom or Bizee?

Bizee is faster, offering next-business-day filing even in its free plan.

Can I get legal advice with Bizee?

No, Bizee does not provide legal consultations, only basic tax support.

Which is better for ongoing legal needs?

LegalZoom is better if you need continued access to attorneys or personal legal services.