By Jake Lawson, LLC Formation Strategist
IncFile rebranded to “Bizee” in 2023, but it’s the same company with the same services. After using them for 40+ client LLC formations over the past 5 years, I’m going to give you my honest assessment: they’re decent, but not great.
Here’s the bottom line: IncFile/Bizee works fine for simple LLC formations if you don’t need much hand-holding. Their “free” service is actually legitimate, and their customer service, while not amazing, will get the job done. But there are better options for most entrepreneurs.
Let me break down exactly what you need to know, including the gotchas they don’t advertise.
IncFile/Bizee Overview: What You’re Actually Getting
Founded: 2004 (20+ years in business)
Headquarters: Houston, Texas
Rebranded: To “Bizee” in 2023 (same company, same services)
Best for: Budget-conscious entrepreneurs with simple LLC needs
Not ideal for: Complex business structures or those wanting premium service
The Good:
- Genuinely free basic service (you only pay state fees)
- Free registered agent for first year ($119 value)
- Fast processing (submit to state within 1 business day)
- Decent online dashboard and user experience
- No aggressive upselling during checkout
The Not-So-Good:
- Customer service is hit-or-miss
- Strict refund policy (24-hour window)
- Some misleading website language
- Additional services are overpriced
- Less expertise than specialized companies
IncFile/Bizee Service Packages: The Real Breakdown
Basic Package – $0 + State Fee
What you actually get:
- LLC formation filing with your state
- Free name availability search
- One year of registered agent service ($119 value)
- Basic customer support
What you don’t get:
- Operating agreement
- EIN assistance
- Business banking guidance
- Compliance reminders
- Priority customer service
Jake’s take: This is actually a legitimate deal. You’re getting professional LLC formation and a year of registered agent service for just the state filing fee. The catch? You’ll need to handle everything else yourself.
Best for: DIY entrepreneurs who just need the paperwork filed correctly.
Standard Package – $199 + State Fee
Additional services included:
- Operating agreement template
- EIN number assistance
- Banking resolution document
- Compliance email alerts
- Unlimited phone/email support
- Financial consultation (one session)
Jake’s reality check: Most of these services you can get free elsewhere:
- Operating agreement: Download free templates online
- EIN number: Apply directly with IRS (takes 15 minutes)
- Banking resolution: Your bank will provide this
- Compliance alerts: Set calendar reminders
The financial consultation is outsourced and often feels like a sales pitch for other services.
Premium Package – $299 + State Fee
Additional premium services:
- Business contract templates
- Expedited state filing
- Domain name registration
- Business email setup
Jake’s honest assessment: Not worth it. The business contract templates are generic and you should hire an attorney for real contracts. Domain registration costs $10-15 elsewhere. This package is poor value for money.
Reality Check: Here’s what IncFile won’t tell you upfront—if they form your LLC in some “tax haven” state where you don’t actually live or operate, you’re walking into an expensive trap. You’ll be forced to register that out-of-state LLC as a Foreign LLC back in your home state anyway.Now you’re stuck maintaining two LLCs, bleeding money on two state filing fees every year, and paying for two registered agents who basically forward mail.
Do yourself a favor—check out my guide on choosing the right state for your LLC before you create a compliance nightmare. Nine times out of ten, your home state is the smartest choice. Boring? Yes. Correct? Also yes.
My Real-World Experience with IncFile/Bizee
I’ve used IncFile/Bizee for 40+ client formations. Here’s what actually happens:
The Formation Process:
Timeline: They do submit to the state within 1 business day as promised
Accuracy: Never had a filing rejected due to their errors
Communication: Basic email updates, nothing fancy
Problems: Minimal issues with the actual formation process
Customer Service Experience:
Phone support: Long hold times (10-15 minutes typical), mixed knowledge levels
Email support: Slow responses (2-4 days), generic answers
Chat support: Faster but limited to basic questions
Expertise: Reps can handle routine questions but struggle with complex situations
Real Customer Story:
A Denver client used IncFile’s basic service in 2023. The formation went smoothly, but when they had questions about converting to S-Corp taxation 8 months later, customer service couldn’t provide helpful guidance. They ended up hiring a CPA anyway.
IncFile/Bizee’s Hidden Gotchas
1. The “Free” Service Limitations
While the basic service is truly free, you’ll quickly realize what you’re missing:
- No guidance on business structure decisions
- No help with post-formation requirements
- Limited customer service priority
- Self-service for everything beyond basic filing
2. Strict Refund Policy
You have essentially 24 hours to cancel before they file your documents. After that, no refunds. This is stricter than most competitors.
3. Auto-Renewal of Services
The registered agent service auto-renews at $119/year. While clearly disclosed, some clients forget and are surprised by the charge.
4. Misleading Website Language
Some service descriptions are vague about what’s included. The “financial consultation” sounds more comprehensive than it actually is.
5. Outsourced Additional Services
Many add-on services (accounting, tax consultation) are provided by third-party partners, not IncFile directly.
How IncFile/Bizee Compares to Competitors
vs. ZenBusiness:
ZenBusiness wins on: Customer service, transparency, educational resources
IncFile wins on: Truly free basic option, faster state submission
vs. Northwest Registered Agent:
Northwest wins on: Premium service, expertise, no upselling, privacy protection
IncFile wins on: Free option, more add-on services available
vs. LegalZoom:
IncFile wins on: Price, value, less aggressive upselling
LegalZoom wins on: Brand recognition (though not necessarily better service)
IncFile/Bizee Add-On Services: What’s Worth It?
Worth Considering:
Annual Report Filing ($99/year): If you’re likely to forget deadlines, this provides peace of mind
Business License Research ($99): Decent value compared to competitors ($150-300 elsewhere)
Skip These:
Operating Agreement ($40): Get free templates online
EIN Service ($70): Apply directly with IRS for free
Trademark Service ($199): Use specialized trademark attorneys
Business Contract Templates ($150): Hire a lawyer for real contracts
Overpriced:
Domain Registration: $30/year vs. $10-15 elsewhere
Business Address Service: $29/month vs. $15-20 elsewhere
Customer Reviews: The Real Story
Trustpilot Rating: 4.7/5 stars (but read the details)
BBB Rating: 4.87/5 stars (not BBB accredited)
Common Positive Reviews:
- Fast, efficient formation process
- Good value for the basic service
- Helpful basic customer service
Common Complaints:
- Difficulty getting refunds
- Long customer service wait times
- EIN processing delays
- Misleading service descriptions
Jake’s Review Analysis: The ratings are generally accurate for the basic formation service. Problems arise when customers need more complex assistance or try to use additional services.
When IncFile/Bizee Makes Sense
Good Fit If You:
- Have a simple LLC with 1-2 members
- Are comfortable handling most tasks yourself
- Want to minimize upfront costs
- Don’t need extensive customer support
- Understand exactly what you’re getting
Poor Fit If You:
- Need guidance on business structure decisions
- Want premium customer service
- Have a complex business situation
- Prefer comprehensive, full-service providers
- Value extensive educational resources
IncFile/Bizee vs. My Top Recommendations
ZenBusiness – My #1 Pick for Most People
Price: $0 + state fee (basic) or $149/year (with registered agent)
Why I prefer them:
- Better customer service and education
- More transparent pricing and policies
- Superior online platform and mobile app
- No misleading language or hidden gotchas
Northwest Registered Agent – Premium Option
Price: $225 + state fee
Why they’re worth the premium:
- Exceptional customer service and expertise
- Address privacy protection throughout formation
- No upselling or sales pressure
- I use them for my own businesses
When to Choose IncFile/Bizee:
If you truly want the cheapest possible option and understand you’re getting minimal service for that price.
The Registered Agent Service: Separate Assessment
Price: $119/year (after free first year)
Service Quality: Adequate but not exceptional
Pros:
- Reliable document receipt and scanning
- Decent online dashboard
- Email notifications when documents arrive
- Physical offices in all states
Cons:
- Higher price than some competitors ($99-150 is typical)
- Less responsive customer service than specialized companies
- No premium features (priority handling, enhanced security)
Jake’s take: Their registered agent service is fine but unremarkable. You’re paying average prices for average service.
My Final IncFile/Bizee Recommendation
After using them for 40+ formations, here’s my honest assessment:
IncFile/Bizee is adequate for simple LLCs when budget is the primary concern. Their basic service delivers what it promises, but don’t expect more than that.
Choose IncFile/Bizee if:
- You want the absolute cheapest option
- You have a simple, straightforward LLC
- You’re comfortable being mostly self-service
- You understand the limitations of what you’re buying
Choose someone else if:
- You want guidance and education during the process
- You prefer responsive customer service
- You have any complexity in your business structure
- You value transparency and clear communication
Better Alternatives:
- ZenBusiness: Better service for the same price
- Northwest Registered Agent: Premium service worth the extra cost
- DIY: If you’re comfortable with self-service, just file yourself
The Bottom Line
IncFile/Bizee isn’t bad—they’re just mediocre. In a market with excellent alternatives like ZenBusiness (same price, better service) and Northwest (premium service, worth the cost), there’s little reason to choose mediocre.
Their “free” service is legitimate, and they’ll get your LLC formed correctly. But formation is just the beginning of your business journey. Choose a provider that will support your long-term success, not just process your paperwork.
My recommendation: Start with ZenBusiness for most situations, or Northwest if you want premium service. IncFile/Bizee should be your choice only if you’ve specifically decided that rock-bottom price is more important than service quality.
Jake Lawson has used IncFile/Bizee for 40+ client formations and reviewed their services extensively. His assessment is based on real client experiences and direct comparison with competing services. For more LLC formation guidance and unbiased reviews, visit llciyo.com.
Ready to form your LLC? While IncFile/Bizee is adequate, I recommend starting with ZenBusiness for better service at the same price, or Northwest Registered Agent for premium service and privacy protection.