Inc Authority vs File.Business: compliance suite
Choosing between Inc Authority and File.Business for compliance suite? Here's the honest comparison. Inc Authority typically charges Free for entry-level service plus higher renewal fees. File.Business charges $0 service fee and uses transparent pass-through state fees.
Compliance Suite comparison at a glance
| Item | Inc Authority | File.Business |
|---|---|---|
| Entry-level price | Free | $0 |
| Compliance Suite service fee | Free+ | $0 |
| RA renewal fee (year 2+) | $399/yr | $99/yr |
| Penalty-free guarantee | No | Yes |
| Compliance calendar | Partial / add-on | Included with Pro |
| SOC 2 certified | Varies | Yes (Type II) |
| Founded | 1989 | 2017 |
Where Inc Authority wins
Free formation tier.
Where File.Business wins
- Lower total cost. Aggressive sales calls, highest ra renewal adds up over years.
- Modern platform. Mobile app, public API, document vault, integrations built in.
- Penalty-free guarantee. If we miss a state deadline, we cover the late fee.
- Compliance Suite included on Pro. We do not bill compliance suite separately.
- $0 service fee always. The state fee is your only formation cost.
3-year total cost (sample comparison)
For a single-state LLC over 3 years (formation + 2 RA renewals + annual reports):
- Inc Authority: $898 (entry-level + 2 RA renewals + state fees)
- File.Business: $298 (RA free year 1, $99/yr after + state fees)
- You save: $600 over 3 years
Migration playbook: switch from Inc Authority to File.Business
We make the switch easy. Steps:
- Sign up for File.Business and choose your service plan.
- We file a change of registered agent with your state (free in year 1).
- We pull your filings from Inc Authority and add them to your document vault.
- Your compliance calendar starts tracking deadlines automatically.
- Cancel your Inc Authority subscription with the cost savings.
FAQ: Inc Authority vs File.Business for compliance suite
How does File.Business compare to Inc Authority for ongoing compliance?
Inc Authority is an established provider, and both Inc Authority and File.Business can handle ongoing compliance, which is tracking and filing the reports, agent, and deadlines that keep your entity current. The differences come down to pricing model, whether the service is tied to ongoing compliance, and support. We publish our pricing openly on pricing so you can compare it against Inc Authority's current offering directly.
What does ongoing compliance involve?
Ongoing compliance means tracking and filing the reports, agent, and deadlines that keep your entity current. It is a specific, well-defined task, but doing it correctly, and knowing when it is required, is where a provider adds value. We handle ongoing compliance as part of a broader, organized approach to your entity rather than as a one-off. See compliance.
Is File.Business or Inc Authority cheaper for ongoing compliance?
Pricing changes over time, so the fair way to compare is to check each provider's current rates rather than rely on a claim, and Inc Authority's pricing is on their site. File.Business shows its service pricing on pricing and passes state fees through at cost, so what you pay is transparent. We flag total cost, including renewals, so the comparison is real.
Does Inc Authority offer ongoing compliance?
Inc Authority offers a range of formation and compliance services, so it is worth checking their current lineup for ongoing compliance specifically. File.Business includes ongoing compliance as part of an integrated approach, so it connects to the rest of your entity's compliance rather than sitting alone. We flag how it fits your overall setup. See compliance.
Why do people compare Inc Authority and File.Business?
Both serve small businesses that need ongoing compliance, so buyers naturally weigh them on price, service model, and whether the provider helps keep the entity compliant afterward. Ongoing compliance is where most providers differ: the question is whether reports, agent, and deadlines are tracked continuously or left to you to remember each year. Comparing them on those terms, rather than headline price alone, leads to a better fit. We make our approach transparent so the comparison is straightforward.
What should I look for when choosing a provider for ongoing compliance?
Look for transparent pricing including renewals, whether ongoing compliance connects to ongoing compliance, the quality of support, and no surprise upsells, criteria that apply whether you choose Inc Authority, File.Business, or another provider. We flag these openly so you can judge us on the same terms you judge anyone else. See compliance.
What matters most for ongoing compliance specifically?
Ongoing compliance is where most providers differ: the question is whether reports, agent, and deadlines are tracked continuously or left to you to remember each year. That is the substance behind the service, and it is where getting it right, not just cheaply, pays off. We handle ongoing compliance with that in mind and flag what actually matters for your situation rather than treating it as a checkbox. See compliance.
Can I switch to File.Business from Inc Authority?
Yes: if you currently use Inc Authority, you can move your ongoing compliance and related compliance to File.Business, and changing a registered agent or provider is a routine process. We handle the transition so switching is smooth and nothing lapses in the handoff. See pricing to compare first.
Can File.Business handle my ongoing compliance?
Yes: we handle ongoing compliance and keep it connected to your entity's broader compliance, with pricing shown openly on pricing and state fees passed through at cost, so you get ongoing compliance done correctly as part of an organized setup rather than a disconnected one. See compliance.