ZenBusiness Review (2026)
ZenBusiness is an online incorporation service and LLC formation service. It helps expedite and simplify the process of registering a new business entity.
With ZenBusiness, entrepreneurs can form new limited liability companies (LLCs), corporations, and sole proprietorships. They can also register additional Doing Business As (DBA) names. ZenBusiness works for companies in all US states. They cooperate with the Secretary of State’s office in each state to help get new companies formed.
In essence, ZenBusiness is a middle-man between you and the state you are forming a business in. They take a complex, often outdated system, and make it simpler using modern technology.
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Pros
- An easy way to start a new business
- 100% online process
- Compatible with rules in every state
- Choice of corporation, LLC, or sole proprietorship
- One of the very few services to support sole proprietorships
- Business formation plans starting at just $49
- Help with EIN
- Valuable perks, like business website builder
- Customizable plans
Cons
- Annual pricing structure, rather than a one-time fee
- State filing fees are charged separately (this is standard in the industry)
- Processing speeds are slower than some competitors
Our verdict: ZenBusiness is a solid LLC formation service with a modern interface and a $0 Starter plan. However, the total cost rises quickly when you add registered agent service ($199/year) and their compliance package. Best for those who want a polished dashboard experience and don’t mind paying more for convenience features.
| Category | Rating |
|---|---|
| Overall | 4.3 / 5 |
| Pricing | 4.0 / 5 |
| Features | 4.5 / 5 |
| Customer Support | 4.0 / 5 |
| Ease of Use | 4.5 / 5 |
ZenBusiness Pricing (2026)
| Plan | Year 1 Price | Renewal | Key Features |
|---|---|---|---|
| Starter | $0 + state fee | $199/year (Worry-Free Compliance) | Formation filing, name search, compliance alerts (1st year free) |
| Pro | $199 + state fee | $199/year | Rush processing, operating agreement template, document templates |
| Premium | $349 + state fee | $399/year | Registered agent, business advisor consultation, ZenBusiness Money Pro trial |
Important: The Starter plan’s “Worry-Free Compliance” is free for year 1 but auto-renews at $199/year. Registered agent service costs $199/year extra on Starter and Pro plans.
Pros and Cons
Pros
- $0 Starter plan — Cheapest upfront cost for formation only
- Modern dashboard — Clean interface for managing your LLC documents
- Compliance reminders — Helpful alerts for annual reports and deadlines
- Mobile app — Manage your LLC from your phone
- Fast processing — Rush filing available on Pro and Premium plans
Cons
- Expensive after year 1 — Worry-Free Compliance auto-renews at $199/year, which many customers don’t realize
- Registered agent not included — $199/year extra on Starter and Pro (only included in $349 Premium)
- Total cost higher than Northwest — $199-$349/year vs Northwest’s $125/year after year 1
- Upsells during checkout — Multiple add-ons offered during the formation process
- Data sharing — May share your info with marketing partners
Who Is ZenBusiness Best For?
- Budget-conscious first-year filers — $0 upfront is hard to beat for formation only
- Owners who want compliance tracking — Dashboard and alerts help stay organized
- People who prefer modern interfaces — Best-looking dashboard in the industry
ZenBusiness vs. Competitors
| ZenBusiness | Northwest | Bizee | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Formation | $0 | $39 | $0 |
| RA (Year 1) | $199 | Free | $199 |
| Total Year 1 | $199 | $39 | $199 |
| RA Renewal | $199/yr | $125/yr | $199/yr |
Frequently Asked Questions
Is ZenBusiness really free?
The Starter plan formation is $0 + state fee. However, Worry-Free Compliance auto-renews at $199/year, and registered agent service is $199/year extra. The true cost is higher than the “$0” headline suggests.
Is ZenBusiness better than Northwest?
ZenBusiness has a better dashboard and mobile app. Northwest offers better total value ($39 first year vs $199), better privacy, and lower ongoing costs. For most people, Northwest is the better overall value.
How long does ZenBusiness take to file?
Standard processing: 2-3 weeks. Rush processing (Pro and Premium plans): 4-6 business days.
Bottom line: ZenBusiness is a good service with a modern experience, but the total cost is higher than it appears. If you want the cheapest overall option, Northwest Registered Agent is a better value.
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