FB
File.Business
$0 formation + paid compliance plans starting $99/yr.
5Wins
4.9★8,200+ reviews
220KFormed
Head-to-head comparison
$442 saved over 3 years on the same services
File.Business vs LegalZoom: all-in pricing, real specialists, one platform.
LegalZoom is the most recognized name in online business formation. File.Business launched to do what most LegalZoom customers wish their experience was: honest pricing, real specialists, and a real platform instead of a checkout funnel.
Pay only the state fee
60-day money-back
Free migration
LegalZoom
Brand-name service with premium pricing and aggressive add-on upsells.
vs
File.Business
Honest pricing, included compliance, full operating platform, real specialists.
File.Business vs LegalZoom
Compared across the seven dimensions that matter to a US founder: pricing transparency, compliance automation breadth, international-founder support, API and builder access, customer support depth, brand recognition, and mobile experience. File.Business leads on the first four; LegalZoom leads on brand recognition (2M+ customers), legal-document subscription library, mass-market awareness. The full line-by-line breakdown is below.
LE
LegalZoom
$249 + state
1Wins
, Public reviews
, Customers
DimensionFile.BusinessLegalZoom
Formation cost$0 + state$249 + state
Registered agentYear 1 free$159/yr
Annual reportsAuto-filed in 51 jurisdictionsAdd-on +$280/yr
BOI compliance (foreign)$99/yr included on Standard+$199/yr
Compliance dashboardYesLimited
Customer supportSOC 2, phone + chatPhone + chat
Brand recognition220K formed2M+ formed
The short version
When each one is the right pick.
Based on publicly listed pricing and feature pages as of 2026. Competitor names are trademarks of their respective owners.
Feature by feature
Every category that matters.
| LegalZoom | File.Business | |
|---|---|---|
| Formation | ||
| LLC formation service fee | $0 to $249 + state fee | $0 |
| State filing fee | pass-through | pass-through, at cost |
| EIN obtained for you | paid add-on (~$79) | available as add-on or included on Growth |
| Operating agreement | sometimes paid | included |
| BOI report filing | ~$149 paid | available as add-on or included on Growth |
| Ongoing services | ||
| Registered Agent, first year | ~$249/yr | free year 1 |
| Annual report monitoring | paid | included |
| Compliance calendar | limited | every state, federal, local |
| Multi-state foreign qualification | paid | available, single workflow |
| Platform features | ||
| Custom-domain email | no | included on Growth |
| Document vault, encrypted + audit-trailed | no | free on every plan |
| Books and finance tool | no | free on Growth |
| E-signature | add-on | free |
| Mobile app + desktop apps | limited | web, with native mobile in development |
| Support | ||
| Real human specialists | tiered | on every plan |
| Phone support | limited hours | Mon to Fri, 8 am to 8 pm ET |
| Live chat | paid tier | every plan |
| Dedicated specialist | enterprise tier | on Scale |
| Trust + transparency | ||
| Pricing transparency | tier-locked | flat, posted |
| SOC 2 Type II certified | varies | yes |
| Renewal price increases | common | none |
| 60-day money-back | no | yes |
Switching
Moving from LegalZoom to File.Business
We handle the migration end to end. You give us your existing entity name, state, EIN, and current Registered Agent. We file the change of Registered Agent in every state where you operate, sync your compliance calendar, and import your documents into the vault.
You stay on your LegalZoom services until each one ends naturally (so nothing gets dropped). Most customers complete the full move within a billing cycle.
What we move for you, free
- Existing entity record (state, EIN, articles)
- Registered Agent in every state you operate
- BOI report status and beneficial owner records
- Annual report calendar and renewal dates
- Documents you upload from your existing provider
Most customers complete migration in 1 to 3 business days. We coordinate the Registered Agent handoff with your current provider and confirm with each state.
FAQ
Common questions.
How does File.Business compare to LegalZoom?
LegalZoom is an established provider that many businesses know, and both LegalZoom and File.Business handle formation and compliance. The differences are the pricing model, whether services connect to ongoing compliance, and support. We publish pricing openly on pricing so you can compare it against LegalZoom's current offering directly rather than guessing.
Is File.Business cheaper than LegalZoom?
Pricing changes, so the fair comparison is each provider's current rates rather than a stale claim, and LegalZoom's pricing is on their site. File.Business shows its service pricing on pricing, passes state fees through at cost, and flags renewal costs, so what you pay over time is transparent and easy to weigh against LegalZoom.
What does File.Business do that LegalZoom might not?
We focus on keeping your entity compliant after formation, tracking annual reports, your agent, and deadlines, rather than treating formation as a one-time sale. LegalZoom offers its own mix of services, so compare each provider's ongoing compliance approach, which is where the long-term value sits.
Does LegalZoom offer registered agent service?
LegalZoom offers a range of services and you should check its current lineup, but registered agent service is core to what File.Business provides, with a real in-state address and reliable document forwarding. We flag how our agent service works so you can compare it feature by feature.
Can I switch to File.Business from LegalZoom?
Yes: if you currently use LegalZoom, you can move your registered agent, compliance, and filings to File.Business, and changing providers is a routine process. We handle the transition so nothing lapses in the handoff. Compare first on pricing so the switch is a deliberate choice.
Why do people compare LegalZoom and File.Business?
Both serve small businesses that need formation and compliance, so buyers weigh them on price, service model, support, and whether the provider helps keep the entity compliant afterward. LegalZoom is a known name, and comparing on those substantive terms, not brand alone, leads to a better fit. We keep our approach transparent.
What should I look for when choosing a formation provider?
Transparent pricing including renewals, whether formation connects to ongoing compliance, quality of support, and no surprise upsells, criteria that apply whether you choose LegalZoom, File.Business, or another provider. We flag these openly so you can judge us on the same terms you judge anyone else.
Does File.Business handle the same services as LegalZoom?
We cover the core needs, formation, EIN, registered agent, annual reports, and ongoing compliance, and you should compare our lineup against LegalZoom's for any specific service you need. We flag what we do and do not handle so the comparison is honest rather than overstated.
Why choose File.Business over LegalZoom?
Ready to make the switch?
Migration is free. Most customers move in 1 to 3 business days. Cancel anytime within 60 days.
Free migration
60-day money-back
Pay only the state fee
SOC 2 Type II audited
220,000+ businesses. 60-day money-back. State fees passed through at cost.
Your operating system, not a transaction
Every deadline auto-tracked across your entities. Compliance Score visible year-round.
Transparent pricing
No hidden fees. No upsells at checkout. State fees disclosed upfront.