FB
File.Business
$0 formation + paid compliance plans starting $99/yr.
5Wins
4.9★8,200+ reviews
220KFormed
Head-to-head comparison
$442 saved over 3 years on the same services
File.Business vs LegalZoom: all-in pricing, real specialists, one platform.
LegalZoom is the most recognized name in online business formation. File.Business launched to do what most LegalZoom customers wish their experience was: honest pricing, real specialists, and a real platform instead of a checkout funnel.
Pay only the state fee
60-day money-back
Free migration
LegalZoom
Brand-name service with premium pricing and aggressive add-on upsells.
vs
File.Business
Honest pricing, included compliance, full operating platform, real specialists.
$0
Formation
vs $0+upsells
$99
Annual Report
vs $199
$149/yr
Reg. Agent
vs $299/yr
51
Jurisdictions
same coverage
51 Jurisdictions220,000+ Formed4.9 · 8,200+ reviewsSOC 2 Type II · 2025 reportE&O Insured · carrier on request
File.Business vs LegalZoom
Compared across the seven dimensions that matter to a US founder: pricing transparency, compliance automation breadth, international-founder support, API and builder access, customer support depth, brand recognition, and mobile experience. File.Business leads on the first four; LegalZoom leads on brand recognition (2M+ customers), legal-document subscription library, mass-market awareness. The full line-by-line breakdown is below.
LE
LegalZoom
$249 + state
1Wins
, Public reviews
, Customers
DimensionFile.BusinessLegalZoom
Formation cost$0 + state$249 + state
Registered agentYear 1 free$159/yr
Annual reportsAuto-filed in 51 jurisdictionsAdd-on +$280/yr
BOI compliance (foreign)$99/yr included on Standard+$199/yr
Compliance dashboardYesLimited
Customer supportSOC 2, phone + chatPhone + chat
Brand recognition220K formed2M+ formed
The short version
When each one is the right pick.
Pick LegalZoom if
You want a brand name people recognize and you do not mind paying for it.
- You want a brand customers recognize.
- You only need a one-time filing.
- You prefer phone support during their limited hours.
- Pricing is not the deciding factor.
Pick File.Business if
You want honest pricing, a real platform, and a single bill for everything.
- You want $0 service fee on formation.
- You want one platform for filings, banking, payroll, books.
- You expect 60-day money-back and no renewal price hikes.
- You want a real specialist responding to email in hours.
Feature by feature
Every category that matters.
| LegalZoom | File.Business | |
|---|---|---|
| Formation | ||
| LLC formation service fee | $0 to $249 + state fee | $0 |
| State filing fee | pass-through | pass-through, at cost |
| EIN obtained for you | paid add-on (~$79) | available as add-on or included on Growth |
| Operating agreement | sometimes paid | included |
| BOI report filing | ~$149 paid | available as add-on or included on Growth |
| Ongoing services | ||
| Registered Agent, first year | ~$249/yr | free year 1 |
| Annual report monitoring | paid | included |
| Compliance calendar | limited | every state, federal, local |
| Multi-state foreign qualification | paid | available, single workflow |
| Platform features | ||
| Custom-domain email | no | included on Growth |
| Document vault, encrypted + audit-trailed | no | free on every plan |
| Books and finance tool | no | free on Growth |
| E-signature | add-on | free |
| Mobile app + desktop apps | limited | web, with native mobile in development |
| Support | ||
| Real human specialists | tiered | on every plan |
| Phone support | limited hours | Mon to Fri, 8 am to 8 pm ET |
| Live chat | paid tier | every plan |
| Dedicated specialist | enterprise tier | on Scale |
| Trust + transparency | ||
| Pricing transparency | tier-locked | flat, posted |
| SOC 2 Type II certified | varies | yes |
| Renewal price increases | common | none |
| 60-day money-back | no | yes |
Switching
Moving from LegalZoom to File.Business
We handle the migration end to end. You give us your existing entity name, state, EIN, and current Registered Agent. We file the change of Registered Agent in every state where you operate, sync your compliance calendar, and import your documents into the vault.
You stay on your LegalZoom services until each one ends naturally (so nothing gets dropped). Most customers complete the full move within a billing cycle.
What we move for you, free
- Existing entity record (state, EIN, articles)
- Registered Agent in every state you operate
- BOI report status and beneficial owner records
- Annual report calendar and renewal dates
- Documents you upload from your existing provider
Most customers complete migration in 1 to 3 business days. We coordinate the Registered Agent handoff with your current provider and confirm with each state.
"I paid LegalZoom $640 in year-two add-ons I had not authorized. Switched, ported eight LLCs, and our bill dropped from $1,800 to $400 a year for better tools."
MD
8LLCs migrated
$1,400annual savings
1dashboard
60day promise
The File.Business Promise
If we miss a deadline on a service you pay us to manage, we cover the penalty. If you change your mind within 60 days, we refund our fee in full. Your data stays yours, always.
60-day money-back
Penalty-free filings
Cancel anytime
No surprise fees
FAQ
Common questions.
Is LegalZoom bad?
LegalZoom is a real company that has formed millions of businesses. The trade-off is brand-name pricing and a service model designed to upsell. For founders who care about price, scope, and platform features, there are better options now.
Will I lose anything by switching?
No. Your entity stays the same entity in the same state with the same EIN. You change service providers, not your legal status.
How long does migration take?
1 to 3 business days for the Registered Agent change. Compliance calendar populates same day. Document import is on you (we provide a guided import flow).
Is there a cancellation fee?
From us, no. LegalZoom's cancellation terms are in their service agreement; most month-to-month services can be canceled at the renewal date without penalty.
What about ongoing subscriptions I have with LegalZoom?
Cancel them when each one renews. We replace them with our included features.
Are you as established as LegalZoom?
LegalZoom IPO'd in 2021 and is older. We are SOC 2 Type II, A+ BBB, 220,000+ businesses, 4.9/5 from 8,200 reviews. The point is no longer "who is older" but "who delivers more for the same money."
Phone support?
Yes. Mon to Fri, 8 am to 8 pm ET. Live chat available outside business hours.
What if I formed through LegalZoom recently and used their attorney services?
Attorney-client relationships are between you and your attorney, not LegalZoom. If you continue with the attorney, no change. If you want to switch to our Attorney Network, we can introduce you to comparable partners.
Will my registered LLC name carry over?
Yes. The entity does not change; only the service provider supporting it changes.
Can I keep some LegalZoom services and use File.Business for others?
You can. Most customers eventually consolidate, but you can run side by side for a billing cycle to compare.
Ready to make the switch?
Migration is free. Most customers move in 1 to 3 business days. Cancel anytime within 60 days.
Free migration
60-day money-back
Pay only the state fee
SOC 2 Type II audited · $5M E&O · GLBA privacy
Built for accountants, attorneys, and the businesses they file for.
Audit-grade security. Real privacy controls. A live compliance score, status tracker, and calendar that surface every deadline before it costs you a late fee.