Kevin JohnsonLegalZoom is an online legal technology and services company headquartered in Glendale, California. Brian S. Lee, Brian Liu, Edward Hartman, and Robert Shapiro founded the company in 2001. Its core offerings include business formations, intellectual property, and estate planning services.
However, LegalZoom also offers professional expertise and legal and non-legal products to meet the needs of small businesses. As of May 2023, the company operated across 50 states and over 3,000 counties in the US. [1]
LegalZoom is a well-known online platform for legal and compliance solutions. The company expanded its offering through strategic acquisitions, including Beaumont Legal in 2015 and Earth Class Mail in 2021. In 2022, LegalZoom acquired India-based document automation and form template company Revv. The platform now offers wills and living trusts, copyright registrations, trademark applications, compliance and tax filings, virtual mailbox solutions, attorney referrals, registered agent services, and estate plans.
In Q1 2023, LegalZoom rolled out its new lineup and refreshed its marketing messaging. This move helped the company increase its market share. However, LegalZoom faces stiff competition from Rocket Lawyer, Healy Consultants, Incfile, Corporate Creations, Corpnet, CSC, and Northwest Registered Agent. [2]
Here is an in-depth analysis of LegalZoom’s top competitors and alternatives:
1. Rocket Lawyer
Year founded: 2008
Headquarter: San Francisco, California
Rocket Lawyer is a digital legal technology company. It offers online legal documents and virtual attorney meetings to businesses and individuals in the US, the UK, and Europe. In Apr 2022, Rocket Lawyer raised $223 million in investor financing to support its international expansion. [3]
Rocket Lawyer started with a single form for a living will and later expanded its library to over 1,000 online documents. Since its founding, the company has helped over 20 million businesses, families, and individuals obtain legal help at an affordable price.
In Jan 2023, the company launched Rocket Tax which pairs customers with licensed tax pros. Rocket Lawyer is the top LegalZoom competitor and alternative. [4]
2. Healy Consultants
Year founded: 2003
Headquarter: Singapore
Healy Consultants is a business development service provider. The firm helps clients set up their companies in 200 countries. According to G2, Healy Consultants has a 4.8-star rating out of 5.
Healy Consultants offers company registration, accounting and tax, e-commerce, banking and crypto solutions, corporate advisory, international migration, and marketing services. It also provides operational insights to help businesses thrive in different markets.
In Feb 2023, the company released its Global Economic Outlook review to highlight discussions and forecasts on the worldwide economy. Healy Consultants is one of the best alternatives to LegalZoom. [5]
3. Incfile.com
Year founded: 2004
Headquarter: Houston, Texas
Incfile is a leader in digital business formation and startup services. The platform simplifies business filing and licensing. In 2022, Incfile was recognized in Inc. Magazine’s Inc. 5000 National Awards. The company was also honored in Inc. Magazine’s Regional 5000 Awards for 2023.
Incfile provides end-to-end service, from business formation and incorporation to ongoing compliance, banking, and bookkeeping. Since its founding, Incfile has served over 1 million entrepreneurs and SMB owners.
In Apr 2023, the company released Part 3 of its Small Business Trends Survey, highlighting the state of the nation for entrepreneurship in the US. Incfile is one of the best alternatives to LegalZoom for business filing and licensing. [6]
4. Corporate Creations
Year founded: 1993
Headquarter: Palm Beach Gardens, Florida
Corporate Creations is a registered agent and compliance service provider. It has thousands of clients, including Fortune 1000 and Global 2000 companies. According to G2, Corporate Creations has a 4.5-star rating out of 5. [7]
Corporate Creations offers business incorporation, document filing and retrieval, independent director and manager, registered agent, compliance, and litigation services. Accounting and legal professionals use the platform to simplify business filing and licensing. Corporate Creations is a worthy alternative to LegalZoom.
5. CorpNet
Year founded: 2009
Headquarter: Westlake Village, California
CorpNet is a family-owned company operated by entrepreneurs Philip and Nellie Akalp. The firm offers business formation and compliance services. Since its founding, CorpNet has helped over 100,000 entrepreneurs and startups across industries.
CorpNet helps entrepreneurs choose between LLCs, LLPs, and other business corporation types. It offers robust features, including name checks, registered agent services, filing articles of organization, and compliance tools.
Unlike LegalZoom, CorpNet doesn’t provide end-to-end service. Customers looking for legal assistance, like real estate contracts, will have to switch to LegalZoom or Rocket Lawyer. CorpNet is one of the best alternatives to LegalZoom for business formation services. [8]
6. CSC Business Services
Year founded: 1899
Headquarter: Wilmington, Delaware
CSC is a leading business, legal, tax, and digital brand services provider. It was founded as Corporation Service Company and rebranded to CSC in 2017. As of Feb 2023, CSC had over 2,500 employees and nearly 80 offices in more than 140 jurisdictions across Europe, Asia Pacific, the Americas, and the Middle East.
CSC specializes in business administration and compliance services, including domain name system management, digital brand, fraud protection, and corporate tax software solutions. It serves over 90% of the Fortune 500 and over 90% of the 100 Best Global Brands.
In Feb 2023, CSC won a Top Workplaces USA national award in the 2,500-plus employee category. CSC is one of the top competitors for LegalZoom. [9]
7. Northwest Registered Agent
Year founded: 1998
Headquarter: Spokane, Washington
Northwest is an American company that offers registered agent and business filing services. Entrepreneurs rely on the platform to establish businesses and file all paperwork with the relevant state authorities. According to G2, Northwest Registered Agent has a 5.0-star rating out of 5.
The main competitive advantage of Northwest Registered Agent is its $39 LLC formation package, which offers good value for small businesses and entrepreneurs. In Apr 2023, Better Business Advice released its review of Northwest Registered Agent’s LLC services. The report praised the firm’s easy-to-use platform, excellent customer support, and data privacy. Northwest Registered Agent is a worthy alternative to LegalZoom. [10]
8. MyCorporation
Year founded: 1997
Headquarter: Calabasas, California
MyCorporation is a business service firm owned by Intuit and Deluxe Corporation. It provides online document filing to help entrepreneurs and real estate investors incorporate their businesses. Since its founding, MyCorporation has served over 1 million companies.
MyCorporation and LegalZoom are LLC formation service providers, but LegalZoom is more affordable than MyCorporation.
However, MyCorporation offers annual report services with its higher-tier packages, charging $133 for the Basic package, $158 for the Standard, $258 for the Deluxe, and $358 for the Premium. Customers pay $120 annually to use its registered agent service. MyCorporation is one of the best alternatives to LegalZoom for LLC formation. [11]
9. ZenBusiness
Year founded: 2015
Headquarter: Austin, Texas
ZenBusiness is an online business registration platform and also offers other services to help entrepreneurs launch side hustles or small businesses. In 2023, ZenBusiness served customers in all 50 US states and the District of Columbia.
The main competitive advantage of ZenBusiness is its affordable packages which start at $0 plus the filing fees for the client’s state. Customers pay $5/month for business banking with free tax savings consultations.
The customers of ZenBusiness can also access affordable compliance services, operating agreements, registered agent services, EIN registration, business document templates, license reports, and certificates of good standing. According to Forbes, ZenBusiness has a 4.5-star rating out of 5. ZenBusiness is one of the best alternatives to LegalZoom for launching LLCs. [12]
10. Swyft Filings
Year founded: 2015
Headquarter: Houston, Texas
Swyft Filings is a business formation firm specializing in SMB incorporation. It streamlines company setup and operation processes by offering comprehensive services. Since its founding, Swyft Filings has helped entrepreneurs establish over 300,000 new businesses.
Swyft Filings caters to the needs of startups and small businesses. The company provides several services, including business creation, registered agent services, yearly reports, and tax filings.
However, the main benefit of using Swyft is its competitively priced LLC formation package. This service includes tax identity acquisition, compliance alerts, and customized company kits. Swyft Filings is one of the top competitors for LegalZoom. [13]
11. Firstbase.io
Year founded: 2019
Headquarter: New York City, New York
Firstbase.io is a Y Combinator-backed entrepreneurship startup. It helps founders globally launch US-based businesses online. Since its founding, Firstbase.io has incorporated over 5,000 companies for entrepreneurs in 160 countries. [14]
Firstbase.io simplifies launching and incorporating a US-based business, from filing paperwork to opening bank accounts. One of Firstbase.io’s fastest-growing segments is Africa, with a 110% year-over-year growth.
According to Firstbase.io founder and CEO Mark Milastsivy, the company has helped Nigerian, Egyptian, Kenyan, and other African entrepreneurs launch thousands of startups. Firstbase.io is a fast-growing LegalZoom competitor. [15]
12. BetterLegal
Year founded: 2017
Headquarter: Austin, Texas
BetterLegal is an online formation service. Customers can create and register an LLC or corporation. According to Forbes, BetterLegal has a 3.4-star rating versus 4.5 stars for LegalZoom.
BetterLegal files clients’ business formation documents with the state on the same day it receives the order. It offers a single flat-fee pricing package with no upsells and confusing options.
However, the main benefit of using BetterLegal is its excellent turnaround time. Users can pay an additional fee for expedited doc filing services. BetterLegal is a worthy alternative to LegalZoom. [16]
13. Inc Authority
Year founded: 1989
Headquarter: Reno, Nevada
Inc Authority is an LLC formation service. The company simplifies paperwork filing and helps founders meet legal requirements. Since its founding, Inc Authority has started over 250,000 businesses and over 25,000 LLCs annually. [17]
Inc Authority has over 30 years of experience with small businesses. Customers can access Inc Authority’s Entry LLC Formation Package for $0 plus state fees, Starter Business Bundle for $399, LLC Executive for $499, and Tycoon LLC for $799.
The company also offers an A la carte menu with add-ons, including trademarks, website domains, marketing, business plans, operating agreements, and EIN registration. Inc Authority is one of the top competitors for LegalZoom.
14. Filenow
Year founded: 2018
Headquarter: New York City, New York
Filenow is a business development service provider. It offers LLC filings and works with tax experts, lawyers, entrepreneurs, and business professionals to help customers set up their companies quickly and easily. Since Mar 2019, Filenow has been accredited with an A rating by the Better Business Bureau.
The main selling point of Filenow is its competitive premium LLC filing plan that outshines the competition. This option costs $199 plus state fees and provides EIN, registered agent service, an operating agreement, a banking resolution, over 15 business contract templates, and 24-hour order processing. Customers can use its Starter plan for $49 plus state fees. Filenow is one of the best alternatives to LegalZoom. [18]
15. UpCounsel
Year founded: 2012
Headquarter: San Francisco, California
UpCounsel is a digital marketplace for legal services. The platform helps entrepreneurs and businesses find and hire attorneys. In Mar 2020, Enduring Ventures acquired UpCounsel and installed new leadership. Under Enduring Ventures, UpCounsel achieved profitability, tripled revenues, and saved users over $12 million in legal fees.
UpCounsel connects businesses with over 10,000 experienced independent attorneys. In Dec 2021, UpCounsel raised over $3.9 million in a crowdfunding campaign on Wefunder. The company released a new suite of subscription products for startups and attorneys in 2022.
As a subsidiary of Enduring Ventures, UpCounsel has enough resources to compete and poach some customers from LegalZoom. [19]
References & more information
- LegalZoom.com, Inc. (2023, May 9). LegalZoom Reports First Quarter 2023 Financial Results. Globe Newswire
- Volkman, E. (2023, May 10). Why LegalZoom Stock Rocketed 25% Higher Today. The Motley Fool
- LE Desk (2022, Sep 3). Legal tech startup Rocket Lawyer raises $223 million for expansion. LegitEye
- Rocket Lawyer (2023, Jan 19). Don’t do your taxes this year. Instead, let Rocket Tax professionals do them for you. Globe Newswire
- Razak, H. (2023, Feb 1). Global Economic Outlook 2023. HealyConsultants.com
- Incfile (2023, Apr 27). 2023 Incfile Small Business Trends Survey Reveals Millennial-owned Businesses Are Growing the Most. Business Wire
- G2 (2023, Feb 10). What is Corporate Creations? G2.com
- COC Staff (2023, Jun 20). Corpnet Review 2023. Chamber of Commerce
- CSC (2023, Feb 6). CSC Named a 2023 Top Workplace in the USA. Business Wire
- Better Business Advice (2023, Apr 12). Northwest Registered Agent LLC Formation Review 2023 Published by Better Business Advice. Business Wire
- Cuban, M. (2023, Jun 15). MyCorporation vs. LegalZoom. ZenBusiness
- White, J. (2023, Jun 23). ZenBusiness Review 2023: Features, Pros, and Cons. Forbes
- Waseem, A. (2023, Jun 30). Swyft Filings Review 2023: Best LLC Service? 10News.com
- io (2022, Mar 22). Y Combinator-Backed Firstbase.io Is Helping Entrepreneurs in 160 Countries Start Companies in the US. Business Wire
- Lebrau, C. (2023, Jan 24). Meet the founder helping thousands of African startups go global. Business Insider
- Cusson, N. (2023, Apr 28). BetterLegal Review 2023: Features, Pricing & More. Forbes
- VS Staff (2023, May 24). Inc Authority Review: Is it legit? Venture Smarter
- Walrack, J. (2023, May 1). Filenow LLC review 2023: Cost, plans, features, and more. USA Today
- UpCounsel (2021, Dec 10). UpCounsel Raises $3.9M from Retail Investors, Makes History as Wefunder’s Highest Regulation Crowdfund for Female CEO. Business Wire
- Featured Image by Gabrielle Henderson
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Ava Abbott
Brianna Parker
S.K. Gupta
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