LegalZoom is an online legal technology company seeking to reshape the legal industry by offering convenient, affordable, high quality legal solutions.
According to their website, LegalZoom was founded in 1999 and has launched over 4 million businesses. LegalZoom is well-known as an LLC formation services provider, offering LLC formation packages that include various legal documents as well as other LLC services.
For those looking to start a new business, like a Limited Liability Company (LLC), LegalZoom’s reputation and simple filing processes make using their LLC formation service seem like a no-brainer.
Warning! If you don’t live or do business in the state where LegalZoom forms your LLC, you’ll need to register your LLC as a Foreign LLC in your home state. This means you need to maintain two LLC filings, pay two state filing fees, and maintain two Registered Agents. Please see Best state to form an LLC to make sure you’re forming an LLC in the right state.
But should you form your LLC with LegalZoom?
There are some important factors to think about before you choose LegalZoom to help launch your business. The LLC University® team tested the LegalZoom website, talked to several customer service representatives, and read all the terms and conditions so you don’t have to.
Our LegalZoom LLC review will look at the features and LLC services LegalZoom offers. But we recommend you check out several LegalZoom reviews and read about other LLC filing companies before choosing a service provider.
Looking for a LegalZoom alternative?
We recommend Northwest ($39 + state fee)
Check out our Northwest Registered Agent review
LegalZoom LLC Formation Services
According to the LegalZoom website, their LLC formation process is as simple as:
- Answering a few easy questions, which will take a few minutes.
- Paying the state filing fees and LegalZoom’s charges.
- Waiting for LegalZoom staff to assemble all necessary documents and file them.
- Receiving a complete LLC package either uploaded to your account or by mail.
Though all customers follow these 4 basic steps, the final product you receive depends on the specific LLC formation services package you purchase.
Does LegalZoom mail or email my LLC approval documents?
It depends. When we asked, LegalZoom said that depending on the document you ask them to file, and which state you’re filing in, they will either send your approved documents to you in the mail or you will be able to download them online.
LegalZoom LLC Formation Prices
Note: The LegalZoom LLC formation prices discussed below can change, as they frequently test different pricing models. The features of each package usually stay the same, however.
The most popular LegalZoom LLC package is the Economy package. The Economy package costs $79 + state fees.
(For more information on LLC state fees, check out our page on LLC costs.)
In the Economy package, LegalZoom will:
- File your state LLC formation documents
- Generate custom Articles of Organization for your LLC
- Provide a financial account authorization letter
- Return your approved LLC documents within 6 weeks
There are two upgraded LegalZoom LLC packages: Standard ($329 + state fees) and Express Gold ($349 + state fees).
LegalZoom LLC Formation Packages
The LegalZoom LLC packages really aren’t that different from each other. Standard just adds fancy extras to what you get with Economy, and gets your completed filing to you a little sooner (15 business days instead of 30 days). Express Gold is LegalZoom’s fastest business formation service (7-10 business days), but offers the same extra features as Standard.
Both Standard and Express Gold packages provide everything in the Economy package we listed above, plus additions such as a customized company seal and document folder, and membership certificates.
Honestly… We don’t think those extras are worth the steep price difference from Economy at $79 to Standard at $329. You can make membership certificates for your LLC at home: Download our free LLC Membership Certificate template.
And if you want to order a business seal or other stationery items, we recommend Moo.com. You can design and customize everything you order from Moo.com, unlike the bundled items through LegalZoom.
What about customer support?
All of LegalZoom’s LLC formation packages come with customer support that is available by online chat or phone 7 days a week.
However, the LegalZoom representatives we talked to online and by phone had to ask for information about our business before they would answer our questions. And they seemed much more focused on funneling us into the LLC formation questionnaire (and convincing us to purchase a product) than answering the questions we asked.
Our preferred LegalZoom alternative to form an LLC is Northwest ($39 + state fee). Northwest doesn’t hire any sales reps. Instead, their entire staff are subject matter experts and they’re genuinely happy to answer any LLC questions you have. Check out our Northwest Registered Agent review for more info.
If customer support is important to you, here’s something to think about: LegalZoom makes quite a bit of money by upselling you to their “call a lawyer” programs. So how good is the basic, free customer support going to be?
How much are you willing to pay?
LegalZoom’s total fees for forming your LLC can get quite expensive (especially with the upsells and additional products).
As an alternative, we recommend checking out Northwest ($39 + state fee) to form an LLC. They are more affordable, have better customer support, and don’t try to nickel and dime you with upsells.
Speaking of fees, one of the top complaints about services like LegalZoom is the use of upselling. Many LegalZoom reviews talk about the number of upsells, as well as the comparatively high cost of the products and services offered.
Beyond the features included in the Economy, Standard, or Express Gold packages, LegalZoom gives users multiple opportunities to sign up for additional services. If you signed up for every upsell product LegalZoom offers, you would be spending around $1,500. Yikes!
We break down each service and product below.
LegalZoom Review: Other LLC Services
Operating Agreement Packages
$99: LegalZoom will generate an LLC Operating Agreement.
- LLC University® Analysis: LegalZoom asks you some questions about your business and gives you a pre-filled Operating Agreement. If you don’t want to pay $99 for that, we provide a free LLC Operating Agreement template. You can fill out our template to create your own Operating Agreement. Plus you can easily update it when details of your business change.
$159: LegalZoom will generate an LLC Operating Agreement and get your LLC an EIN number.
- LLC University® Analysis: You can complete your LLC Operating Agreement at home for free. And you can request an Employer Identification Number (EIN number) from the IRS online for free. Learn more about getting an EIN for an LLC.
$199: LegalZoom will generate an LLC Operating Agreement, get your LLC an EIN number, and create a business license report.
- LLC University® Analysis: You can draft your own LLC Operating Agreement for free. You can also get your own EIN number for free. LegalZoom hires another company to research whether your business requires a license or permit to operate. Then, they send you a report that tells you what applications you need to file (if any), but don’t help you complete them or cover any of the fees.
- If you need help with this license and permit research, we recommend IncFile, where you can get this same feature for just $99.
Registered Agent Services
$299 per year: LegalZoom will be your LLC Registered Agent.
Learn more: What’s an LLC Registered Agent?
- LLC University® Analysis: There are many registered agent service providers on the market, and they all offer pretty much the same thing. You can get the same service, plus better privacy protection, from Northwest Registered Agent for a lot less.
Annual Report
$55 plus state fees per year: LegalZoom will file your LLC Annual Report. What’s an LLC Annual Report?
- LLC University® Analysis: Annual Reports are usually sent to you by the state and easy to file – you just verify your LLC information (business address and registered agent information), pay the fee, and you’re done. Why pay LegalZoom an extra $55 every year to do that?
Compliance Calendar
$69 per year: LegalZoom creates a Compliance Calendar for your LLC.
- LLC University® Analysis: LegalZoom claims the Compliance Calendar is “Loaded with information and deadlines specific to the filing requirements for your type of business”. But the only deadlines for an LLC are the LLC Annual Report and your federal, state and local taxes. It doesn’t make sense to pay $69 for a calendar that tracks 3 or 4 dates. Plus, you have to refer to a different calendar system instead of using your existing calendar.
Minutes Manager
$99 per year: LegalZoom gives you access to the Minutes Manager program, which contains templates and procedures for running business meetings.
- LLC University® Analysis: Formal meetings are a required part of corporate governance. But the law doesn’t require you to keep minutes of LLC meetings because LLCs are not corporations. The meetings for an LLC can be simple and informal – like a group video call or email chain.And meeting minutes don’t have to be kept in any specific format. Recording changes in control or structure are important, but can be done in a simple document as long as you are diligent.
Legal Forms
One of the most popular other services LegalZoom offers is their library of legal forms. Once you select a document, LegalZoom asks you questions in order to auto-complete the form. Then, you can pay for either the single document (usually $59) or purchase a monthly subscription that allows you to generate and download multiple documents as you need them.
- LLC University® Analysis: LegalZoom doesn’t sell templates or blank forms. You complete the questionnaire, pay their fees, and they generate a document already completed with your information. The documents are always PDFs, never a Word document or other editable format.This means if you need the document again later with different information, you have to fill out the questionnaire again and pay the fee again. You can’t just make changes to the document you already have.
Legal Forms Payment Plans
Be careful which monthly subscription you choose. The free 7-day trial subscription automatically becomes a $40 per month plan if you don’t cancel during the trial.
And the $7.95 per month plan is a 12-month obligation which is charged as a lump sum for the year (total charge of $95.40).
LegalZoom Review: Upsells
During the LLC formation process on LegalZoom, you will be offered two LLC service packages. They both have enticing but vague names, so we did some extra research to figure out what you really get in each one.
Legal Protect Plan
LegalZoom offers a “Legal Protect Plan” during the LLC formation process, but they make declining the product confusing. You have to scroll down past the offer to find the “No thanks” link below the big “sign up” button.
The Legal Protect Plan is free for the first 10 days (which is pointless, because your LLC won’t be approved and formed for at least 10 business days, even if you use LegalZoom’s Express Gold LLC formation service). After that, it’s $40 per month.
What is the Legal Protect Plan?
LegalZoom’s Legal Protect Plan offers two things:
- 30-minute calls with an attorney
- documents like HR policies, legal forms, etc. from LegalZoom’s library
But, there are limits. The Legal Protect Plan contract says your calls with an attorney can’t discuss taxes or your business operations. You have to buy a different upgraded plan in order to get advice about your business. Basically you can discuss general legal issues like contract law or liability, and employment law concerns.
And you only get one free 30-minute call for each issue – so if you have further questions about something you called about already, you can’t use the Legal Protect Plan. You would have to pay to get another attorney to help you.
As for the “Legal and HR Documents” included in the Legal Protect Plan, we discuss the LegalZoom library of forms and documents in more detail below.
Total Compliance
Another upsell – and again LegalZoom makes it confusing how to evade it (you have to scroll past the offer to find the “No thanks” link below the big “sign up” button).
The Total Compliance is free for the first 10 days (which is pointless, because your LLC won’t be approved and formed for at least 10 business days even if you use LegalZoom’s Express Gold LLC formation service). After that, it’s $280 per year.
What is the Total Compliance package?
Overpriced! Basically, Total Compliance is a package that gets you 3 LegalZoom services in a bundle. Usually bundles come with a discount, but we can’t find any extra value in the Total Compliance package.
LegalZoom’s description of the Total Compliance product is pretty vague, and is written to make it sound like it’s important for your new business. We called LegalZoom to get all the details on what’s included, and here’s what we found out:
You get LegalZoom’s Annual Report, Minutes Manager, and Compliance Calendar services – which would cost $223 per year if you purchased them separately. Total Compliance is $280 per year for the package.
Warning: There’s a glitch on the Total Compliance screen. The link to read the Total Compliance package contract leads to the LegalZoom Registered Agent contract. However, the Registered Agent service is not included in the Total Compliance package.
So even if you were thinking of purchasing these other LegalZoom services, you don’t save any money by falling for the scary language on this Total Compliance screen.
Note: None of the Total Compliance package products are legal services. These LLC services don’t give you legal advice or any relationship with an attorney.
Banking Offers
LegalZoom partners with various financial institutions and financial services providers. The last phase of upsells is usually offered from those partners.
In order to offer these deals, LegalZoom sells your contact information to these companies. And often, the financial institutions and service providers also sell your information. So signing up for these deals is potentially a privacy nightmare.
In this example image, the first offer is a promotion (potentially up to $500 in statement credits, not cash) when you open a business bank account and a business credit card at the specific bank.
The other offer waives some fees when you sign up to process customers’ payments through the specific payment processor.
How quickly do you need your LLC?
Tip: Check out our article on How long does it take to get an LLC in every state.
Processing times for paperwork at state offices can vary from a day to a few months. Most states offer a “rush filing” option that sometimes requires walk-in, hand delivery.
For those in a hurry to get their LLC up and running but who don’t live close to the Secretary of State office, LegalZoom has a courier located nearby that is able to submit the rush filing and have the legal forms processed more quickly. But you will have to pay extra for the courier, and the fee is nonrefundable even if your filing doesn’t get approved as fast as you hoped. (Read more in Satisfaction Guarantee below)
Express Gold Package
LegalZoom’s Express Gold package offers a 10 business day turnaround, with expedited filing with the state (if your state offers it) and express shipping of your documents. If you need to form an LLC right away, this might be worth it. But first, you should check to see whether your state offers expedited filing.
Then think about whether it’s worth paying LegalZoom $349 plus the state filing fee plus the state expedited fee. And even if the state expedited option is a same-day turnaround, LegalZoom still only gets your LLC to you in “about 10 business days” with the Express Gold package.
Express Gold LLC Filing: How much does it really cost?
For example: What if you used LegalZoom to file an LLC in North Carolina?
File your own LLC: In North Carolina, the LLC filing fee is $125. And you can get 24-hour processing for an extra $100. If you filed your LLC yourself and expedited the filing, you would pay $225 total online. You would get your approved LLC documents back the next day if you filed online.
File with LegalZoom: If you purchase LegalZoom’s Express Gold package in North Carolina, you will pay the $125 state LLC filing fee, plus the $100 state expedited filing fee, plus the $349 Express Gold LegalZoom fees. So you would pay $574 total. And you will get your approved LLC documents back in 10 business days – not the next day. You do also get the extra features LegalZoom adds to their upgraded packages, but as we mentioned – these aren’t really worth it.
Does LegalZoom provide legal forms?
Not exactly. LegalZoom uses an interactive questionnaire to help you form an LLC. They don’t give you the Articles of Organization form directly. Similarly, LegalZoom asks you questions in order to generate the Operating Agreement for your LLC. They don’t directly provide you with legal forms that you can re-use later or modify.
Is using LegalZoom like having an attorney?
It can be, if you pay to hire one of LegalZoom’s attorneys. If the company you are trying to create is so complicated that you couldn’t complete the paperwork yourself, LegalZoom’s template documents are likely too simple to do the job well, anyway. LegalZoom does provide more sophisticated customer support by connecting you with their staff attorneys, but this – of course – costs extra.
But LegalZoom gives legal advice, right?
No, they don’t. Unless you pay for an attorney’s advice, LegalZoom emphatically does not provide legal or tax advice.
LegalZoom tries to make it sound like they offer legal advice, while explicitly disclaiming it at the same time. Let’s look at LegalZoom’s Peace of Mind Review™ program. This might sound like a service where a business attorney will look over your documents and evaluate them.
Unfortunately, it’s just an automated computer program that looks for typographical or completion errors.
It’s basically the same feature on most websites where it will warn you that you forgot to put in the City in your address. Or that you typed “Rodriguez” in one place and “Rodrigues” in another. No live person – definitely not a licensed attorney – is looking at your filing before they send it to the state. You are still responsible for the accuracy (or any errors) of your filing.
What’s the Financial Account Authorization Letter?
Each of LegalZoom’s LLC formation service packages include a financial account authorization letter. This is just a document that indicates who is authorized to open a bank account for the LLC.
That’s nice, but you don’t need to have it in order to open a bank account for your LLC.
Check out our instructions here: LLC bank account.
Basically, the financial account authorization letter would replace the Operating Agreement to tell the bank that the person opening the account is allowed to do so. LegalZoom charges $99 to make an Operating Agreement for your LLC, which is why they offer the financial authorization letter for free.
LegalZoom’s own article on opening a business bank account confirms that the financial account authorization letter isn’t necessary. All you need to open a bank account for your LLC is:
- your approved Articles of Organization
- your LLC EIN number (CP575 or 147C)
- your LLC Operating Agreement
- your driver’s license or passport
What questions do you have about forming an LLC?
Though the LegalZoom website has an extensive area dedicated to “Common Questions,” the answers provided are general and mostly focus on getting you to use different parts of LegalZoom’s site and features.
LegalZoom has plenty of articles on LLC formation topics too, but they are written by LegalZoom staff that may or may not be attorneys.
These resources are okay if you just want to know more about the costs of LegalZoom, or if you’re wondering whether LegalZoom offers specific services.
However, for the aspiring business owner with tougher questions like, “Is an LLC the best business structure option for my needs?” or “How do I minimize my risks as an employer?” LegalZoom suggests seeking a licensed and independent attorney. So even if you have a basic question about LLC formation, LegalZoom wants you to pay an attorney for an answer.
LLC University® offers a variety of articles on LLC formation in our Knowledge Library.
Satisfaction Guarantee
LegalZoom does offer a satisfaction guarantee on their business formation services. If you pay for the LegalZoom LLC formation service and are unhappy with the results – maybe a clerical mistake was made, or documents were filed later than you wanted – you can request a refund.
But LegalZoom will only refund you the amount you paid for the LegalZoom services, not the amount you paid to LegalZoom for state filing fees. For example, if you bought the LegalZoom Economy LLC Formation Package, you paid LegalZoom $79 for its services, and then the filing fee required by the state where you formed your LLC. Under the Satisfaction Guarantee, LegalZoom will refund the $79.
The bottom line
Using LegalZoom saves aspiring business owners lots of time spent completing paperwork, and could potentially save them money. As a company, LegalZoom has a stellar 20 year history of success with clients. The website is user friendly, and customer service reviews are generally very positive.
However, LegalZoom is not an adequate substitute for legal representation and cannot offer the same protections provided by an authorized business attorney.
Note: Check out our Northwest Registered Agent review to compare some LegalZoom alternatives.
LegalZoom LLC Review FAQs
Is LegalZoom better than Incfile?
We compared the LegalZoom versus IncFile in 2023 based on their LLC formation packages, Registered Agent services, customer support, upsells, extras, and pricing.
While both companies are popular options with a lot in common, our favorite of the two was IncFile. To see why, check out our IncFile vs LegalZoom review.
Alternatively, our ultimate favorite – and the service we use ourselves – is Northwest Registered Agent. Northwest has the best customer service agents who are LLC experts, excellent package pricing, and useful extras. They also offer address privacy.
Check out our Northwest Registered Agent review for more about why they’re our favorite.
What is the difference between LegalZoom and Rocket Lawyer?
LegalZoom and Rocket Lawyer both offer LLC formation services as well as legal forms.
However, while LegalZoom focuses more on business formation services, Rocket Lawyer is more of a legal services company that also offers LLC formation services.
Check out our Rocket Lawyer vs LegalZoom review for more details.
What is the best LLC formation service?
We’ve reviewed the top LLC formation services in the industry and think the best are:
Northwest Registered Agent- Our #1 recommendation for privacy
- ZenBusiness
- MyCompanyWorks
- IncFile
- Rocket Lawyer
- LegalZoom
To learn more about how these companies compare against each other, check out Best LLC Services.
Note: If you want to save money, you can start your LLC yourself using our free step-by-step guides.
Matt holds a Bachelor's Degree in business from Drexel University with a concentration in business law. He performs extensive research and analysis to convert state laws into simple instructions anyone can follow to form their LLC - all for free! Read more about Matt Horwitz and LLC University.
My business partner and i would like to start a multi member LLC and cannot find this option within the legal zoom web site. every option shows single LLC option. recommendations?
Hi Russell, I’m not sure exactly where it is on their site, but I’m sure it’s there somewhere. If you can’t find it, check out how to start an LLC guides if you want to file yourself. Or if you want to hire a company to form the Multi-Member LLC, we recommend Northwest Registered Agent.
Hey quick question. I have an EIN number can you help me get a llc
Hi Tiffany, the LLC will need its own EIN. We don’t offer LLC formation services, however, we have instructions here: how to form an LLC. If you’d like to hire someone for help, we recommend Northwest Registered Agent. Hope that helps.
Hello Matt,
I’m interested in filing an LLC in Pennsylvania. Based on your website, I can simply file the Certificate of Organization and Docketing Statement myself online. What would be the advantages of having Legal Zoom file these documents for me if I can submit these forms to the state myself? If I’m simply trying to create/file the LLC, is there a reason I should consider paying Legal Zoom’s fee in addition to the state filing fee? I understand that I’d have to eventually apply for an EIN myself if I go the DIY route, but from what I understand, that’s easy enough and free as well. I also understand that I will need to create a Keystone Login and a PENN File account, but you outline the steps to do that. Am I missing something here? I’m not seeking additional legal help, I simply want to get the LLC filed. Is the Keystone Login/Penn File account set up so difficult that I should consider paying Legal Zoom to do this for me? I’m not certain I’m understanding what the benefit of using Legal Zoom would be if I can do all of this myself. Thanks for your help!
Hi Melanie, no, you are not missing anything at all! In fact, you sound very educated and have gathered all the information about forming an LLC in Pennsylvania. Some people just want someone else to do it for them and others don’t spend the time learning about the steps. But we have all the steps listed on our website. Just follow the “Detailed Lessons” in order and you’ll be fine :) You’re very welcome.
I want to have LLC in Colorado. How much it will cost and how long it will take to register LLC?
Hi Kainat, the Colorado state filing fee is $50 (see Colorado LLC Articles of Organization). The Articles of Organization is approved instantly via the Colorado LLC online filing. If you hire someone to form your LLC, it may take a few days before you get your LLC approval. Your Colorado LLC also needs to file a Periodic Report every year and pay $10 (please see Colorado LLC Periodic Report). Hope that helps.
Hi… I want to start a LLC in CT legal zoom seems exorbitant… However I want to make sure it’s all done properly… Can you help direct me to other options? Thank you
Hi Beth, sure thing. We recommend checking out Northwest Registered Agent. Hope that helps :)
Does legal zoom file with the registry of deeds? If so, what is the process and is the fee part of the legal zoom fee? Or is it additional?
Hi Kimberly, we’re not sure if they file with the Registry of Deeds. You’ll need to reach out to their support. Feel free to leave an update after you find out. Thank you.
Hi Matt I’m Fernando Martinez and I want sell on Amazon FBA and I need a LLC with EIN Number I live in California can you help me with that and i want to know how much it costs? And what services is more fast and the price thank you
Hi Fernando, a California LLC costs $70 to form and then is $800 per year. The EIN is free from the IRS. If you want to file yourself, our instructions will walk you through the process: forming a California LLC. Just follow the “detailed lessons” in order. If you want to hire someone to form your LLC for you, we recommend Northwest Registered Agent LLC. Hope that helps.
veryyyy helpful, thank you so much :)
Hey Azara! You’re very welcome :)
Ty for the infi n advice. Om so excited to start this process. By spring I’ll be ready to go.Ty Matt!!
You’re very welcome Jennifer! So happy to hear we could help :)
Does legalzoom, as well as its competitors automatically put you in google search and other engines?
Hi Carl, it’s not the filing company that puts you in google searches, but instead when you form an LLC, that information goes on public record with the Secretary of State’s office. Then certain websites – not google – “scrape” (usage of software to grab information in bulk) the records and put them on their website. And there are many of these websites. Google indexes content on the web. So if someone googles “Bob’s LLC + (state name)” google returns the web search results which were listed on those websites that scrape the data… which originally came from the Secretary of State website… which is the information that you list on your LLC filing document (Articles of Organization, Certificate of Organization, or Certificate of Formation). One solution around all of this is to hire a Commercial Registered Agent that allows you to use their address throughout your LLC filing form. This will keep your address off of public records. And depending on the state where you form your LLC, they may not ask for owner (Member) information, so that’s a plus. Hope that helps!
My name is Wayne Davis how much is a LLC for Missoula Montana 59802 with the EIN number and do yr take payments at all
Hi Wayne, we have instructions here on how to form an LLC in Montana. Currently, the state filing fee is $70. Hope that helps.
V helpful thank you !!
Fantastic! You’re very welcome Kris.