By Jake Lawson | Updated January 2025
My honest take after testing Inc Authority: Their “free” LLC formation sounds amazing until you realize what’s actually included and what you’ll pay for later. After personally walking through their entire process and analyzing their business model, I can tell you exactly what you’re getting – and what you’re not.
I’ve now tested 25+ LLC formation services, and Inc Authority has one of the most unique pricing models in the industry. They give away LLC formation for free but make money on upsells and recurring fees. Whether this works in your favor depends on what you actually need.
Here’s my complete, unbiased Inc Authority review based on real testing and customer feedback.
Inc Authority Overview: The “Free” Formation Model
Inc Authority has been in business for over 30 years, making them one of the older players in the LLC formation space. Their big selling point is simple: completely free LLC formation (you just pay state fees).
But here’s what I learned after diving deep into their offering: “free” comes with some significant strings attached that might cost you more in the long run than paying upfront with other services.
What’s Actually Free:
- Business name availability check
- Preparation and filing of Articles of Organization
- One year of registered agent service
- Basic tax planning consultation
- Business funding analysis
What’s Not Free (And Required):
- You must accept their registered agent service (auto-renews at $179/year)
- No way to opt out of the registered agent during signup
- Many basic services other companies include are paid add-ons
Inc Authority Pricing: The Real Cost Analysis
Let me break down what Inc Authority actually costs over time:
Year 1 Costs:
- LLC formation: $0 (plus state fees)
- Registered agent: $0 (free first year)
- Total Year 1: Just state fees ($35-$500 depending on state)
Year 2+ Costs:
- Registered agent: $179/year (auto-renewal)
- Total ongoing: $179/year
Add-On Services:
- EIN filing: $49 (IRS provides free)
- Operating Agreement: $89
- Personal Banker service: $49
- Legal documents package: $99
- Minutes and resolutions: $99
- Inc Success Advisor: $197
Reality check: If you need an Operating Agreement ($89) and want to avoid the IRS EIN process yourself ($49), you’re paying $138 in Year 1 plus $179/year ongoing. Many competitors offer these services included for less total cost.
My Hands-On Testing Experience
I walked through Inc Authority’s entire signup process to see what the experience is really like:
The Good:
- Clean, professional website design
- Step-by-step guidance through the formation process
- Genuinely free basic formation (not a hidden fee trial)
- Responsive customer service during business hours
The Frustrating:
- Forced registered agent signup with no opt-out option
- Multiple upsell screens you must decline individually
- Confusing language on some decline buttons
- Hidden standard processing times until deep in the process
- Auto-renewal setup that many customers forget about
The Concerning:
- EIN service charges $49 for something that’s always free from the IRS
- Operating Agreement as a paid add-on when many competitors include it
- Aggressive upselling throughout the process
Inc Authority vs. Competitors: How They Stack Up
After testing 25+ services, here’s how Inc Authority compares:
Inc Authority vs. Northwest Registered Agent:
- Inc Authority: $0 Year 1, $179/year ongoing
- Northwest: $39 + state fees, lifetime registered agent included
- Winner: Northwest (better long-term value)
Inc Authority vs. ZenBusiness:
- Inc Authority: $0 Year 1, $179/year + add-ons
- ZenBusiness: $49 + state fees, includes Operating Agreement
- Winner: ZenBusiness (more inclusive package)
Inc Authority vs. LegalZoom:
- Inc Authority: $0 Year 1, limited inclusions
- LegalZoom: $149 + state fees, comprehensive package
- Winner: Depends on what you need (Inc Authority for minimal, LegalZoom for comprehensive)
The Hidden Costs Problem
Here’s what Inc Authority doesn’t make clear upfront:
Services You’d Expect to Be Included:
Most competitors include Operating Agreements, EIN assistance, and comprehensive support. Inc Authority charges extra for these basics.
The Auto-Renewal Trap:
That “free” registered agent service auto-renews at $179/year. Many customers forget and get surprised by the charge. While you can cancel, you need to remember to do so.
Upsell Fatigue:
By my count, there are 7+ separate upsell opportunities during the formation process. While you can decline them all, it’s exhausting and some decline language is confusing.
Customer Service Experience
I tested Inc Authority’s customer service multiple times:
Phone Support:
- Availability: 6 AM – 5 PM Pacific, Monday-Friday
- Response time: Usually under 2 minutes
- Quality: Professional but script-heavy
- Knowledge: Good for basic questions, less helpful for complex scenarios
Chat Support:
- Availability: Same as phone
- Response time: Usually under 1 minute
- Quality: Quick but basic responses
Email Support:
- Response time: 24-48 hours
- Quality: More detailed than chat/phone
Overall assessment: Adequate but not exceptional. They’ll answer your questions but don’t go above and beyond.
Processing Times and Delivery
This is where Inc Authority has some issues:
Standard Processing:
- Inc Authority processing: 5-7 business days (slower than competitors)
- Total time: State processing time + Inc Authority delay
- Document delivery: Electronic only (physical copies cost $29.95)
Expedited Processing:
- Cost: $49 (may be included with orders)
- Inc Authority processing: Next business day
- State expediting: Separate fees apply
Bottom line: Inc Authority is slower than most competitors for standard processing, which is frustrating when you’re already saving money by using their free service.
Who Should Use Inc Authority
After testing their complete service, Inc Authority makes sense for:
Ideal Inc Authority Customers:
- Budget-conscious entrepreneurs who need bare-minimum formation
- DIY-oriented business owners comfortable handling most tasks themselves
- Short-term businesses where the registered agent auto-renewal isn’t a concern
- People who already have Operating Agreements and don’t need hand-holding
Skip Inc Authority If You:
- Want comprehensive service with everything included
- Forget about subscriptions easily (the auto-renewal will get you)
- Need fast processing for time-sensitive launches
- Prefer premium customer service and support
- Want an Operating Agreement included
Inc Authority’s Registered Agent Service
Since you’re forced to use their registered agent service, let me evaluate it:
Service Quality:
- Mail forwarding: Both physical and scanned digital copies
- Compliance monitoring: Basic alerts for important documents
- Price: $179/year after first free year (industry average)
- Reliability: No major complaints in customer reviews
Comparison to Competitors:
- Northwest: Lifetime registered agent included with formation
- ZenBusiness: $149/year ongoing
- Inc Authority: $179/year
Assessment: Their registered agent service is adequate but not exceptional, and the pricing is higher than some competitors.
The Real Value Proposition
Here’s my honest assessment of Inc Authority’s value:
If You Only Need Basic Formation:
- Year 1 cost: Just state fees
- Ongoing cost: $179/year (if you keep registered agent)
- Value: Good if you handle everything else yourself
If You Need Standard Services:
- Year 1 cost: State fees + $89 (Operating Agreement) + other add-ons
- Ongoing cost: $179/year
- Value: Poor compared to comprehensive competitors
3-Year Cost Comparison:
- Inc Authority: $0 + $179 + $179 = $358 (plus add-ons)
- Northwest: $39 (lifetime registered agent included)
- ZenBusiness: $49 + $149 + $149 = $347
My Recommendation
After extensive testing, here’s my honest recommendation:
Choose Inc Authority If:
- You need absolute minimum cost in Year 1
- You’re comfortable with DIY approach for most tasks
- You remember to cancel subscriptions you don’t want
- You don’t need comprehensive customer support
Choose a Competitor If:
- You want everything included in one package
- You prefer long-term value over short-term savings
- You need fast processing times
- You want premium customer service
- You forget about auto-renewals easily
Specific Alternatives I Recommend
Based on testing 25+ services, here are better options for most people:
For Best Overall Value:
Northwest Registered Agent – $39 + state fees, lifetime registered agent included, excellent customer service
For Comprehensive Packages:
ZenBusiness – $49 + state fees, includes Operating Agreement, good ongoing support
For Premium Service:
LegalZoom – $149 + state fees, white-glove service, comprehensive support
For Privacy-Focused:
Wyoming Corporate Services – Specializes in privacy and asset protection
Final Verdict: 3/5 Stars
Inc Authority delivers on their promise of free LLC formation, but the overall value proposition is questionable for most entrepreneurs.
What They Do Well:
✅ Actually free formation (not a trial) ✅ 30+ years in business (established company) ✅ Clean, professional website ✅ Adequate customer service
Where They Fall Short:
❌ Forced registered agent with auto-renewal ❌ Basic services as expensive add-ons ❌ Slower processing than competitors ❌ Aggressive upselling throughout process ❌ Poor long-term value compared to competitors
The Bottom Line:
Inc Authority’s “free” formation is legitimate, but once you add the services most people actually need, you’re paying more than comprehensive competitors while getting less value and service.
For most entrepreneurs, paying a small upfront fee for a complete package from Northwest or ZenBusiness provides better value, faster service, and less hassle than Inc Authority’s à la carte approach.
My recommendation: Unless you truly need only bare-bones formation and are highly DIY-oriented, choose a competitor that includes more value upfront.
Looking for better LLC formation alternatives? I’ve tested every major service and created detailed comparisons. See my complete LLC service rankings here.
Need help choosing the right LLC formation service? I personally respond to questions about service selection and can recommend the best option for your specific situation. Contact me directly.
Ready to form your LLC with a top-rated service? Based on extensive testing, I recommend Northwest Registered Agent for their excellent value and lifetime registered agent service.
Jake Lawson has personally tested 25+ LLC formation services and guided over 1,200 entrepreneurs through business formation. He founded llciyo.com to provide unbiased, experience-based reviews and recommendations for business formation services.