Inc Authority vs File.Business: trademark registration
Choosing between Inc Authority and File.Business for trademark registration? 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.
Trademark Registration comparison at a glance
| Item | Inc Authority | File.Business |
|---|---|---|
| Entry-level price | Free | $0 |
| Trademark Registration 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.
- Trademark Registration included on Pro. We do not bill trademark registration 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 trademark registration
How does File.Business compare to Inc Authority for trademark registration?
Inc Authority is an established provider, and both Inc Authority and File.Business can handle trademark registration, which is searching and filing to register your brand name or logo as a trademark. 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 trademark registration involve?
Trademark registration means searching and filing to register your brand name or logo as a trademark. 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 trademark registration as part of a broader, organized approach to your entity rather than as a one-off. See trademark registration.
Is File.Business or Inc Authority cheaper for trademark registration?
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 trademark registration?
Inc Authority offers a range of formation and compliance services, so it is worth checking their current lineup for trademark registration specifically. File.Business includes trademark registration 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 trademark registration.
Why do people compare Inc Authority and File.Business?
Both serve small businesses that need trademark registration, so buyers naturally weigh them on price, service model, and whether the provider helps keep the entity compliant afterward. A trademark filing should start with a clearance search, since filing a name that conflicts with an existing mark risks refusal, so the search matters as much as the application. 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 trademark registration?
Look for transparent pricing including renewals, whether trademark registration 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 trademark registration.
What matters most for trademark registration specifically?
A trademark filing should start with a clearance search, since filing a name that conflicts with an existing mark risks refusal, so the search matters as much as the application. That is the substance behind the service, and it is where getting it right, not just cheaply, pays off. We handle trademark registration with that in mind and flag what actually matters for your situation rather than treating it as a checkbox. See trademark registration.
Can I switch to File.Business from Inc Authority?
Yes: if you currently use Inc Authority, you can move your trademark registration 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 trademark registration?
Yes: we handle trademark registration 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 trademark registration done correctly as part of an organized setup rather than a disconnected one. See trademark registration.