ZenBusiness - Specific Product

ZenBusiness Review

ZenBusiness offers a comprehensive LLC formation service that includes filing, accounting, web design, and compliance tools.

The online application process is straightforward, allowing you to either pick a plan or customize your service by selecting specific features. While ZenBusiness provides competitive pricing, many of its services, including LLC formation, are subscription-based, making it a great choice if you need continuous business support.

4.9

Ranked 1 from 17 LLC services

4.9

Pricing

Starter LLC ₹0
Pro LLC ₹16519
Premium LLC ₹28971

Server locations

Free plan ✓
Expedited option ✓
Registered Agent service ✓
EIN application ✓
Operating Agreement draft ✓

Ranked 1 from 17 LLC services

Performance: |4.9|

ZenBusiness offers a user-friendly LLC formation process with competitive pricing and valuable features, including a free website builder and automated tracking tools. While their live chat support is generally effective, minor glitches occasionally disrupt communication, and email support can be slow. Despite these issues, ZenBusiness provides comprehensive services and optional add-ons, making it a strong choice for ongoing business support.

Uptime: |4.9|

ZenBusiness maintains a reliable uptime for its website and services, ensuring consistent availability for users. While exact uptime statistics are not publicly detailed, user experiences generally report stable performance. However, occasional glitches and slowdowns have been noted, particularly with live chat and certain interactive features. Overall, ZenBusiness delivers dependable uptime, supporting its range of LLC formation and business services effectively.

Customer Service: |4.8|

ZenBusiness provides friendly and responsive customer service through live chat, phone, and email. Live chat support is efficient but occasionally disrupted by glitches, while email responses can be slow, sometimes taking until the next day. Despite these minor issues, support agents are knowledgeable and committed to resolving inquiries. Overall, ZenBusiness offers solid customer service with room for improvement in responsiveness and system reliability.

Pricing: |4.7|

ZenBusiness offers competitively priced LLC formation services with a free plan that includes essential features. Paid plans, billed annually, provide additional benefits like Worry-Free Compliance and a website builder. While initial costs are attractive, ongoing subscription fees for premium services can accumulate, potentially exceeding the cost of individual services. Careful consideration is advised to ensure the paid packages meet your specific needs and provide value.

Overview

Free plan (plus state fees)?	✔
LLC filing time on entry-level plan	2-3 weeks
Expedited option?	✔
One-off fees, annual subscription-based, or both?	Mainly subscription-based
Customer support	Live chat, phone, and email.
Funding	$200 million Series C in 2023, total funding over $300 million
Revenue	Over $45 million annual revenue run rate
Market Position	Focused on small businesses and solopreneurs; often referred to as the "Shopify of the Service Industry"

ZenBusiness is a platform designed to help entrepreneurs start and manage their businesses. It offers services such as LLC formation, compliance management, and branding tools like website creation and domain registration. The platform provides tiered pricing plans with different features, including tax and bookkeeping support. ZenBusiness is focused on making business formation and growth accessible, providing expert support, and offering additional resources like business grants and workshops.

A Comprehensive LLC Formation Service with Extensive Support

ZenBusiness, backed by well-known names like Mark Cuban, Forbes, Investopedia, NerdWallet, and Bizreport, appears impressive at first glance. Our review indicates it does, scoring highly in all our evaluation categories. Why? Beyond its sleek website and user-friendly LLC formation process, ZenBusiness’ subscription-based services stand out.

From the free LLC formation package to the added benefits in paid plans, ZenBusiness ensures you get good value for your investment. The company offers various services to help keep your business legally compliant, manage taxes, and file annual reports—though these come at an additional cost.

The price to file for an LLC, S-corp, or C-corp is the same, making ZenBusiness a solid option whether you’re starting a small side business or a large-scale venture.

However, the free Starter LLC package, excluding mandatory state filing fees, has a slow 2-3 week processing time. For faster service, you can choose standalone expedited processing or a premium package.

On the downside, those recurring subscriptions can accumulate over time. The ZenBusiness website, live chat, CTA buttons, and LLC formation form can occasionally be glitchy, requiring a page reload. Fortunately, the site’s caching feature ensures you don’t lose any entered data, like form answers or chat messages, during these glitches.

Still undecided? Check out our full ZenBusiness review below, where I explore the pros and cons of this service in detail.

How ZenBusiness Works

ZenBusiness ranks highly among LLC services for its affordability, user-friendliness, and distinctive features. The company operates on a straightforward model: helping entrepreneurs establish and manage their business entities, such as LLCs or corporations. Their service model is based on tiered plans, starting with a $0 fee for basic LLC formation (plus state fees). This entry-level option is ideal for new entrepreneurs, offering essential services without significant costs.

For those needing more than the basics, ZenBusiness offers annual plans ranging from $199 to $349. These higher-tier plans provide additional services and are tailored to support businesses at various growth stages. They include state filing assistance, compliance alerts, and additional support, ensuring smoother business operations.

Evaluate your business’s current stage and needs carefully. The basic plan may be sufficient for startups, but as your business grows, the more comprehensive plans can offer valuable support, making the investment worthwhile.

ZenBusiness Services

ZenBusiness provides an extensive range of services tailored to both business registration and ongoing operations, depending on the package you choose. Here’s an overview of their offerings:

Business Formation: LLCs, corporations, and more

Name Reservation: Includes availability search and reservation

Worry-Free Compliance: Ensures adherence to legal requirements

Operating Agreements

Registered Agent Services

EIN Registration

Business Document Templates Library

Faster Filing Speeds

Business License Reports

Amendment Filings

Certificates of Good Standing

Name Availability Search

When forming your business, ZenBusiness helps you choose a unique name for your state registration. They conduct a name search and can reserve it for you. While this service adds convenience, selecting a meaningful and brand-appropriate name remains your responsibility.

Business Formation Service

ZenBusiness simplifies the formation of LLCs and corporations, handling complex paperwork and legal requirements. Their expertise ensures that everything is done correctly, although strategic decisions and personal research are still needed.

Registered Agent Services

ZenBusiness offers registered agent services to handle legal notices and communications on your behalf. This service is valuable for managing administrative tasks and ensuring confidentiality.

Online Document Access

ZenBusiness provides easy online access to business formation documents and offers a document templates library for a fee. This ensures that important documents are secure and readily available.

Articles of Organization

ZenBusiness prepares your Articles of Organization, essential for LLC registration. Their expertise helps ensure these documents meet state requirements.

Business Operation Services

In addition to formation services, ZenBusiness offers tools for running your business, including:

Domain name registration and privacy

Business email addresses

Website creation

Business banking

Online payments

Tax savings consultation

Our Take:

ZenBusiness offers a cost-effective and versatile range of services, catering to both new entrepreneurs and established businesses. Its tiered plans address various business needs, making it a practical choice for those seeking comprehensive and affordable support.

FEATURES |4.9|

ZenBusiness offers a range of features designed to help entrepreneurs start and manage their businesses. Here are some key points:

Business Formation Services: ZenBusiness helps with forming LLCs, corporations, and other business entities, handling paperwork and filing requirements.

Registered Agent Services: Provides a registered agent to handle legal documents and official correspondence.

Compliance Monitoring: Offers services to ensure businesses stay compliant with state regulations, including annual report filing and other compliance requirements.

Business Name Registration: Assists in choosing and registering a business name, including trademark search and protection.

Operating Agreements: Provides templates and guidance for creating operating agreements, bylaws, and other foundational documents.

EIN (Employer Identification Number) Acquisition: Helps businesses obtain an EIN from the IRS, which is essential for tax purposes.

Bank Account Setup: Assists in setting up a business bank account, often in partnership with financial institutions.

Website and Domain Services: Offers tools for creating a business website and securing a domain name.

Business Licenses and Permits: Helps in identifying and obtaining the necessary licenses and permits for operating legally in various jurisdictions.

Ongoing Support: Provides ongoing support and resources for business growth, including access to legal and financial advice.

Customer Support: Offers customer support to help with any questions or issues that arise during the business formation and management process.

Customizable Plans: Offers various service plans that can be tailored to different business needs and budgets.

Service offered:

ZenBusiness provides comprehensive services for entrepreneurs looking to start and manage their businesses. Their offerings include business formation services, such as creating LLCs, corporations, and other entities, along with handling necessary paperwork and filings. They also offer registered agent services, compliance monitoring, and support with obtaining an Employer Identification Number (EIN). Additionally, ZenBusiness assists with business name registration, operating agreements, and setting up business bank accounts.

Beyond initial setup, ZenBusiness provides ongoing support to help businesses stay compliant with state regulations and secure the necessary licenses and permits. They offer tools for building a business website, managing domains, and accessing legal and financial advice. With customizable service plans and dedicated customer support, ZenBusiness aims to streamline the process of starting and running a business while addressing both foundational and growth-related needs.

Valuable Features – But Only a Few Are Completely Free

ZenBusiness covers all your business needs, though you might need to pay extra depending on the package you select. The service offers numerous add-ons, including some noteworthy freebies included in its free LLC formation package.

Free Tax Savings Consultation

Regardless of which ZenBusiness package you choose, from free LLC formation to premium, you can benefit from a free tax savings consultation. A tax professional from ZenBusiness’ partner, 1-800Accountant, will provide a complimentary 30-minute call to discuss your tax expectations.

Streamlined Finance, Tax, and Compliance Tracking

All ZenBusiness plans, including the free Starter LLC package, offer automated tools for tracking expenses, deductions, and tax liabilities. This service, known as ZenBusiness Money Essential, provides basic but effective features to help you manage your accounting and taxes with ease. You can activate this free service directly from your ZenBusiness dashboard once your LLC is set up.

For more advanced accounting needs, you’ll need to upgrade. Fortunately, ZenBusiness offers a 1-month free trial of ZenBusiness Money Pro. This premium software allows you to manage invoicing, taxes, and online payments, with the ability to connect your business bank account for seamless transactions.

Additionally, all ZenBusiness LLC formation packages include the Worry-Free Compliance add-on, which handles your annual filing reminders. While the Starter package provides this service for only one year, it’s a valuable addition considering it usually costs $199 per year. Getting it as part of any package, even for a year, is a solid deal.

Website, Domain Name, and Email Address

ZenBusiness stands out among top LLC formation companies by offering a website and email accounts directly through its service. Unlike many formation services that redirect customers to third-party website builders, ZenBusiness provides its own proprietary website builder.

The ZenBusiness website builder resembles platforms like Wix or Elementor, featuring drag-and-drop elements and a user-friendly interface. While it’s not designed for creating or hosting a full e-commerce site, you can still integrate PayPal or other third-party payment solutions. Currently, ZenBusiness does not offer custom website design services.

The ZenBusiness website builder is only included with the Premium LLC formation plan, where it’s bundled at a slightly reduced cost. Otherwise, the service costs $129 per year. Despite the price, it offers over 200 GB of storage, access to numerous modern website templates, and built-in features like backups, security, and SEO.

While you can register a domain name with ZenBusiness, the cost is about 2.5 times higher than most domain registration providers, so it might be worth skipping. ZenBusiness partners with Tucows for domain registration and hosting, and these services, along with a free email account, are included in the ZenBusiness Premium LLC package.

Registered Agent Service & Additional Optional Add-Ons

ZenBusiness provides a variety of optional paid add-ons and subscriptions to enhance your free LLC formation package.

These include:

A Registered Agent service

Expedited filing (1-2 business days)

EIN registration and retrieval

Operating Agreement documents

Business license report and annual report filing

While you can choose to act as your own Registered Agent or handle EIN registration on your own, ZenBusiness offers these services for a fee to help you save time.

Popular LLC Services

PROS AND CONS OF ZENBUSINESS

Pros of ZenBusiness

Free company formation service (state filing fee applies)

Extensive range of services for both new and established businesses

Excellent customer support availability and performance

Positive customer reviews

Cons of ZenBusiness

Registered agent service is an optional add-on

Website builder features are less advanced compared to specialized platforms

EASY OF USE |4.9|

Beginner-Friendly, But With Minor Glitches

Filing your LLC with ZenBusiness is generally quick and easy, taking just under 15 minutes. However, I encountered a few minor glitches during the process, including in the live chat interface.

Getting Started with ZenBusiness

To begin, simply go to the Formation Services page, click “Start Now” under your chosen LLC package, and complete the form.

The application process includes several upsell offers, which might be beneficial if you need additional paid services. ZenBusiness clearly outlines the purpose, terms, and pricing of each add-on. You can also take advantage of bundled deals on multiple services at this stage, such as combining the EIN application with Business Documents for discounted rates.

Although I initially applied for the free ZenBusiness Starter LLC package, I was offered the option to upgrade to a paid plan during the process, with detailed information about the benefits and features of each plan.

However, my experience with ZenBusiness was somewhat affected by a few glitches. I encountered issues when trying to send replies or messages in the form or via live chat with an agent. At one point, the form froze and wouldn’t proceed after I answered a question.

Additionally, I faced occasional problems with certain CTA buttons and website navigation, where nothing happened when clicked. Fortunately, reloading the page or live chat box resolved these issues without any loss of connection or the data I had entered.

Automatic Name Availability Check

Before initiating your LLC formation with ZenBusiness, the form will prompt you to check the availability of your chosen name. Just enter the name and select your formation state to quickly see if it is available.

Although ZenBusiness’ built-in name checker helps you avoid selecting a name that is already in use, it doesn’t guarantee that the name will be reserved while you complete your order. To ensure your preferred name remains available, you might consider reserving it with ZenBusiness in advance while you finalize the details.

Chatbot-Style Web Forms with Autosave

ZenBusiness uses chatbot-style forms in its LLC formation application process, making it feel more like a conversation with a chat agent rather than filling out a traditional form.

You can save your progress during the application process, allowing ZenBusiness to remember the information you’ve already entered. To use this feature, you’ll need to provide your full name and email address.

This information will be used to send you reminders via email (unless you opt out). Interestingly, one of the emails included an offer for a free $10 Amazon gift card if I completed my LLC formation application, which was a nice touch.

LLC Formation Order Total & Review

Forms can simplify the LLC formation process, though mistakes in entering information can still occur. Fortunately, ZenBusiness allows you to review your entire order at the end of the process, where you can also add or remove any additional paid services.

Throughout the application, you can monitor your total order cost in the top right-hand corner, helping you keep track of your expenses. ZenBusiness even notes that some of these expenses might be deductible from your tax liability.

Once you’re ready to finalize, you can pay for your ZenBusiness order using a debit or credit card, though other payment options like PayPal are not available at this time.

Why ZenBusiness?

ZenBusiness stands out for several reasons:

Ease of Use: ZenBusiness simplifies the process of starting and managing a business with user-friendly tools and a streamlined interface, making it accessible even for those with limited experience.

Comprehensive Services: The platform offers a wide range of services, from business formation to ongoing compliance and support, all in one place. This integrated approach helps save time and effort.

Affordability: ZenBusiness provides competitive pricing with transparent costs and no hidden fees. Their plans are designed to fit various budgets and business needs.

Customer Support: ZenBusiness offers strong customer support with options for chat, email, and phone assistance, ensuring that users can get help whenever needed.

Compliance Monitoring: The platform includes tools for tracking important deadlines and compliance requirements, helping businesses avoid penalties and stay up-to-date with regulations.

Customization: With customizable plans and additional services, ZenBusiness allows users to tailor their package to their specific needs, whether they require basic formation services or more comprehensive support.

Ongoing Resources: Beyond initial formation, ZenBusiness provides resources and tools for business growth, including website building, domain registration, and legal document templates.

Reputation: ZenBusiness has a strong reputation for reliability and customer satisfaction, backed by positive reviews and testimonials from many users.

Overall, ZenBusiness is designed to simplify and support the entrepreneurial journey, making it a compelling choice for those looking to start and manage their businesses effectively.

SUPPORT |4.9|

1. Multi-Channel Support:

Live Chat: Provides real-time assistance through a live chat feature on their website, allowing you to get quick answers to your questions.

Email Support: You can reach out to ZenBusiness via email for support on more detailed inquiries or issues.

Phone Support: Offers phone support for more direct and personalized assistance, depending on your service plan.

2. Help Center:

Resource Articles: The Help Center contains a library of articles and guides that cover a wide range of topics, from business formation to compliance and beyond.

FAQs: Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) sections provide answers to common questions and issues that users might encounter.

3. Dedicated Support:

Priority Support: Available with higher-tier plans, offering expedited response times and more personalized assistance.

Premium Support: For premium plans, ZenBusiness offers enhanced support options, including dedicated support representatives for more complex needs.

4. Onboarding Assistance:

ZenBusiness provides onboarding support to help you get started with their services, including setting up your account and navigating their tools.

5. Status Tracking:

Dashboard Notifications: Users can track the status of their business formation and compliance tasks through their account dashboard, with notifications and updates on progress.

Overall, ZenBusiness aims to provide comprehensive and accessible support to ensure users can effectively manage their business needs and resolve any issues that arise.

Review:

Friendly & Responsive – With Some Room for Improvement

ZenBusiness offers several ways to reach their support team:

Live chat: Available from 8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. (Central Time) Monday to Friday, and 9:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. on Sundays

Phone: Available from 8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. (CT) Monday to Friday, and 9:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. on Sundays

Email: Available 24/7, though responses may not be immediate

You can also access a wealth of resources on the ZenBusiness website, including FAQs, business planning and management articles, and interactive tools like the state filing fee checker and name checker, which suggests names and domain names based on your input.

Live chat support is a strong option for contacting ZenBusiness. After a few preliminary questions from a bot, I was quickly connected with a ZenBusiness agent. Although responses were a bit slower due to thorough research, the agent provided detailed and accurate answers to my questions.

There was a minor inaccuracy regarding the ability to upgrade ZenBusiness website specs, which was promptly corrected. Overall, the support team was friendly and demonstrated a commitment to providing accurate information. However, there were a few notable issues that could be improved.

Although the ZenBusiness platform is user-friendly and easy to navigate, I encountered a few glitches with the live chat feature. Specifically, there were times when neither the Enter key nor the Send button worked to send my message. I had to close and reopen the chat window to resolve these issues. Additionally, the fact that clicking Enter or the Send button sometimes produced different results led to confusion, particularly if an incomplete message was sent prematurely.

My experience with ZenBusiness’ email support was less impressive. While I received a confirmation email with a case number right after sending my message, I had to wait until the following day for a response, despite sending the email early in the morning.

PRICING |4.9|

Tools:

ZenBusiness offers several tools to support entrepreneurs in managing their businesses. Key tools include:

Business Formation Tool: Guides users through the process of forming an LLC, corporation, or other business entity with step-by-step instructions and automated filing.

Registered Agent Service: Provides a digital platform for managing legal documents and official correspondence.

Compliance Monitoring: Tool for tracking important deadlines and ensuring compliance with state regulations, including annual report filings.

EIN Acquisition Tool: Helps users apply for and obtain an Employer Identification Number (EIN) from the IRS.

Operating Agreement Generator: Provides customizable templates for creating operating agreements and other essential business documents.

Website Builder: Simple tools for creating a professional business website, including domain registration and hosting options.

Business License Guide: Helps identify and apply for necessary licenses and permits for operating legally in different locations.

Document Storage: Secure online storage for important business documents and records.

Business Name Search: Tool for checking the availability of business names and conducting trademark searches.

Customer Support Portal: Access to support resources, including chat, email, and phone support for assistance with various aspects of business management.

Competitively Priced – But Subscription Costs Can Add Up!

ZenBusiness offers competitive pricing compared to other leading LLC formation services, both paid and free. Their free LLC formation plan is already more comprehensive than many competitors, including features like Worry-Free Compliance, ZenBusiness Money Essential, and a free tax consultation, whereas others often provide only basic filing services.

However, it’s important to note that ZenBusiness’ paid LLC formation packages are billed annually. This is because these packages include valuable add-ons such as Worry-Free Compliance, and a free website, domain name, and email.

While the initial pricing is competitive, the cost of annual renewals can be substantial, potentially exceeding the cost of purchasing these services separately. You’ll only save with a paid ZenBusiness LLC formation package if you truly need all the included discounted services.

Alternatively, you can customize a free package with only the services you need to manage costs. For example, if you just need faster processing for the ZenBusiness Starter LLC package, you can opt for Expedited Processing once, rather than upgrading to a full plan.

ZenBusiness
STARTER LLC
₹0
/One Time Free

Filing Speed: 2-3 weeks