Jake Lawson here. You’re comparing ZenBusiness and Bizee (formerly IncFile) for your LLC formation, which tells me two things: you’re smart enough to shop around, and you’re probably getting overwhelmed by the marketing noise these companies throw at you.
After 15 years of testing formation services and helping entrepreneurs cut through the BS, I can tell you that both ZenBusiness and Bizee are legitimate companies that will get your LLC formed. But “legitimate” and “best choice for your business” are very different things.
I’ve personally used both services to form real businesses, dealt with their customer support during actual problems, and watched how they handle the follow-up service that separates good companies from marketing machines. Let me give you the straight story on what you’re actually getting with each company.
The Bottom Line Up Front: Neither ZenBusiness nor Bizee made my top recommendation list. They’re both decent options with significant flaws, but there are better choices for most entrepreneurs. I’ll explain why as we dig into the details.
The Real ZenBusiness vs Bizee Comparison
Formation Packages: What You Actually Get
ZenBusiness Formation Packages
Starter Package: $0 + state fee
- LLC filing with your state
- Basic registered agent service (first year)
- Operating agreement template
- Hidden Gotcha: Compliance service auto-renewals at $199/year
Pro Package: $199
- Everything in Starter
- Expedited filing
- EIN application
- My Take: Overpriced for what you get
Premium Package: $299
- Everything in Pro
- Contract templates
- Basic website tools
- My Take: Expensive add-ons you can get cheaper elsewhere
Bizee Formation Packages
Basic Package: $0 + state fee
- LLC filing with your state
- Free registered agent service (first year)
- Business name search
- The Reality: Actually free with useful inclusions
Standard Package: $199
- Everything in Basic
- Expedited filing
- EIN application
- Operating agreement
- My Assessment: Better value than ZenBusiness Pro
Premium Package: $299
- Everything in Standard
- Contract templates
- Domain name registration
- My Assessment: Still overpriced, but more comprehensive than ZenBusiness
Winner: Bizee – Better value across all package levels, though neither company offers exceptional value.
Pricing Transparency: The Hidden Costs Game
ZenBusiness Pricing Issues
- Auto-renewal traps: Compliance services renew automatically at full price
- Unclear subscription terms: Hard to determine what’s one-time vs. recurring
- State fee inflation: Sometimes lists state fees higher than actual costs
- Upsell pressure: Pushes expensive add-ons during checkout
Bizee Pricing Issues
- Confusing refund policy: Terms aren’t clearly explained
- Add-on confusion: Not always clear which services come from Bizee vs. partners
- Processing delays: Despite promises, some customers report slow service
Winner: Bizee – More transparent overall, fewer hidden gotchas.
Customer Service: When Things Go Wrong
ZenBusiness Customer Service
The Good:
- Multiple contact methods (phone, chat, email)
- Generally polite and professional
- No high-pressure sales tactics
The Bad:
- Representatives often lack deep knowledge
- Limited proactive guidance
- Can be slow to resolve complex issues
My Experience: Professional but not particularly helpful beyond basic questions.
Bizee Customer Service
The Good:
- Responsive phone and email support
- Honest about limitations
- Generally accurate information
The Bad:
- Limited business guidance
- Inconsistent quality between representatives
- Some reports of slow response times during busy periods
My Experience: Solid for basic formation questions, but don’t expect strategic business advice.
Winner: Tie – Both are adequate but not exceptional.
User Experience: Websites and Process
ZenBusiness Website Experience
Strengths:
- Clean, modern design
- Helpful chat guidance
- Good post-formation dashboard
- Clear step-by-step process
Weaknesses:
- Can be slow to load
- Too many pop-ups and offers
- Subscription terms buried in fine print
Bizee Website Experience
Strengths:
- Fast, streamlined process
- Real-time pricing updates
- Well-organized dashboard
- Minimal distractions
Weaknesses:
- Less guidance for beginners
- Basic design aesthetics
- Limited educational content
Winner: ZenBusiness – Better overall user experience, despite some annoyances.
Registered Agent Services: The Long-Term Relationship
ZenBusiness Registered Agent
- Cost: $199/year (expensive)
- Service: Mail scanning and digital delivery
- Dashboard: Integrated with formation platform
- Privacy: No address privacy protection
Bizee Registered Agent
- Cost: $119/year (industry average)
- Service: Mail scanning and digital delivery
- Dashboard: Clean, functional interface
- Privacy: No address privacy protection
Winner: Bizee – Significantly cheaper with equivalent service quality.
Processing Speed: Getting Your LLC Approved
ZenBusiness Processing
- Advertised: 7-10 business days for basic package
- Reality: Usually 2-3 business days based on customer reviews
- Expedited: 1 business day for premium packages
Bizee Processing
- Advertised: 1 business day processing
- Reality: Mixed reviews, some customers report delays
- Expedited: Included in higher-tier packages
Winner: Tie – Both deliver reasonable processing speeds, though neither is exceptionally fast.
The Services You Don’t Need (But They’ll Try to Sell You)
Overpriced Add-Ons to Avoid
Operating Agreement ($99-199)
- Reality: You can download free templates online
- My Recommendation: Use free templates unless you have complex ownership structures
EIN Application ($99)
- Reality: Free directly from the IRS
- My Recommendation: Takes 15 minutes to do yourself online
Banking Resolution ($29-49)
- Reality: Banks provide their own forms
- My Recommendation: Complete waste of money
LLC Membership Certificates ($49-99)
- Reality: Not required by any state
- My Recommendation: Create your own if you want them
Business License Research ($99-199)
- Reality: Most can be researched online for free
- My Recommendation: Only pay if you have complex licensing needs
Services That Might Be Worth It
DBA Filing ($99-149)
- Reality: Can save time on paperwork
- My Recommendation: Worth it if you need multiple business names
Trademark Application ($199-299)
- Reality: Complex process that benefits from professional help
- My Recommendation: Consider it if you have a unique brand to protect
Annual Report Service ($149-199)
- Reality: Simple filing you can do yourself
- My Recommendation: Only worth it if you’re extremely busy
The Real Cost Comparison
ZenBusiness Total First-Year Costs
- Basic formation: $0 + state fee
- Registered agent: Included first year, then $199/year
- Hidden renewals: $199/year for compliance service
- Realistic total: $400-600 first year with useful add-ons
Bizee Total First-Year Costs
- Basic formation: $0 + state fee
- Registered agent: Included first year, then $119/year
- Useful add-ons: $200-400 depending on needs
- Realistic total: $300-500 first year with useful add-ons
Winner: Bizee – Lower ongoing costs and fewer hidden fees.
What Each Company Does Well
ZenBusiness Strengths
- User Experience: Best-in-class website and guidance
- Dashboard: Excellent post-formation management tools
- Educational Content: Good resources for business beginners
- Professional Presentation: Polished brand and communications
Bizee Strengths
- Value Pricing: More affordable across all service levels
- Speciality Services: Good selection of specialized business filings
- Straightforward Approach: Less marketing fluff, more substance
- Industry Experience: Longer track record in business formation
What Each Company Does Poorly
ZenBusiness Weaknesses
- Expensive: Overpriced for the value delivered
- Hidden Fees: Auto-renewal subscriptions and unclear pricing
- Marketing Heavy: Lots of flash, less substance
- Limited Privacy: No address privacy protection
Bizee Weaknesses
- Customer Service: Adequate but not exceptional
- Website Design: Functional but not inspiring
- Marketing Claims: Sometimes overpromises on processing times
- Limited Guidance: Less hand-holding for beginners
My Honest Assessment: Neither Is Best-in-Class
Here’s what most comparison articles won’t tell you: both ZenBusiness and Bizee are middle-tier services that do an adequate job but don’t excel in any particular area. They’re the Honda Civics of LLC formation—reliable, affordable, but not particularly exciting or exceptional.
If You Must Choose Between Them
Choose ZenBusiness If:
- You’re a complete beginner who needs lots of guidance
- You prioritize user experience over cost
- You plan to use their ongoing compliance services
- You don’t mind paying premium prices for polished presentation
Choose Bizee If:
- You want the lowest ongoing costs
- You need specialized business filings (DBAs, trademarks)
- You prefer straightforward service without marketing fluff
- You’re comfortable with basic user experience
Why I Recommend Neither for Most Entrepreneurs
After testing dozens of formation services, I’ve learned that most successful entrepreneurs need one of two things:
- Premium service with address privacy protection (for serious businesses)
- DIY formation (for budget-conscious entrepreneurs)
Both ZenBusiness and Bizee fall into the uncomfortable middle ground—more expensive than DIY but without the premium features that justify professional service costs.
My Top Recommendation: Northwest Registered Agent
Why Northwest Beats Both ZenBusiness and Bizee:
- Address Privacy: Use their address throughout your filing to keep personal information private
- Honest Pricing: $39 + state fee with no hidden renewals
- Exceptional Service: 20+ years of experience with genuine customer support
- Real Value: Includes registered agent service free for first year
Get Northwest’s formation service: Special discount for llciyo.com readers – $39 + state fee with address privacy protection.
Budget Alternative: DIY Formation
If you’re truly budget-conscious and don’t need professional service:
- Form your LLC directly with your state (costs only the state filing fee)
- Handle registered agent duties yourself (saves $100-200/year)
- Use free resources for operating agreements and business guidance
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is better for beginners: ZenBusiness or Bizee?
ZenBusiness has better educational resources and user guidance, making it slightly better for complete beginners. However, Bizee’s straightforward approach can be less overwhelming.
Can I switch registered agents later?
Yes, you can change registered agents at any time by filing the appropriate paperwork with your state. Most states charge $20-50 for this service.
Do I really need an LLC formation service?
Not necessarily. If you’re comfortable with basic paperwork and research, you can form your LLC directly with your state and save money. Formation services mainly provide convenience and support.
What about privacy protection?
Neither ZenBusiness nor Bizee offers address privacy protection, which is a significant limitation. Your personal address will appear on public business records with both services.
How do these compare to LegalZoom?
Both ZenBusiness and Bizee offer better value than LegalZoom, which charges premium prices for average service. However, none of these three made my top recommendations list.
The Bottom Line: Choose Based on Your Priorities
If you’re determined to choose between ZenBusiness and Bizee, Bizee wins based on better value, lower ongoing costs, and fewer hidden fees. However, I’d encourage you to consider whether either service truly meets your needs.
For Most Entrepreneurs: Northwest Registered Agent offers better value with address privacy protection and honest pricing.
For Budget-Conscious Startups: DIY formation saves money and isn’t as complicated as formation services want you to believe.
For Complex Businesses: Work with a local attorney who understands your specific needs and local requirements.
The LLC formation decision affects your business for years to come. Don’t let flashy marketing or “free” offers distract you from choosing the service that truly supports your long-term business goals.
Remember: the best formation service is the one that aligns with your business strategy, not the one with the biggest advertising budget.
About Jake Lawson: I’ve spent 15 years testing business formation services and helping entrepreneurs make informed decisions about their business structure. My recommendations are based on real-world experience, not affiliate relationships or marketing partnerships. When I recommend a service, it’s because I’d trust them with my own business formation.
Need help choosing the right formation service for your specific situation? Contact our team for personalized guidance based on your business goals and budget.