Affiliate disclosure: we may earn a commission when you sign up through our links. It never changes our rankings.We may earn a commission from partner links. It never changes our rankings.How we test and make moneyHow we make money

Updated November 5, 2026

Inc Authority vs ZenBusiness (2026 Comparison & Review)

As a new business owner, it is advisable to employ an LLC formation service to efficiently establish your company.

Jon MorganBy Jon Morgan, Co-Founder & Chief Editor · Fact-checked by Jon Tobin, Business Attorney · How we test

Our overall pick for a first LLC is Northwest Registered Agent: $39 + state fee, with the first year of registered agent service included (then $125/yr). Form my LLC for $39 (opens in a new tab)

Prices checked November 5, 2026. State filing fees are extra.

On this page

Finding the right provider would entail research and comparison as to which company is the right fit for your business.

Our team of business and legal experts has personally tested and evaluated numerous LLC formation services firsthand, giving us direct insight into how these platforms actually perform.

Drawing from our hands-on experience vetting these services, we will evaluate Inc. Authority and ZenBusiness based on crucial factors such as pricing, turnaround time, features, and customer care, and help you gain valuable insights to make an informed choice and pave the way for your business's success.

At a Glance: Inc Authority and ZenBusiness

Comparing features of Zenbusiness vs IncAuthority

From 2010 to 2015, the filing of new LLC tax returns experienced a significant growth of 20.3%, surpassing the growth rates of more traditional business structures such as C Corporations and S Corporations [1].

This surge underscores the growing preference among entrepreneurs for the LLC structure, making the choice of formation service more crucial than ever.

In a span of 32 years, Inc Authority helped over 250,000 entrepreneurs form their businesses. As a full-service business formation specialist, the company offers comprehensive features designed to maintain and grow a business.

ZenBusiness is an Austin, Texas-based, venture-funded public benefit company established in 2015.

It is a genuine business formation service that has already made a name for itself as a reliable, user-friendly choice with adaptable packages and a positive user experience.

1. Inc Auhtority LLC Highlights

  • Complete Incorporation Services 
  • Articles of Organization Preparation and Filing 
  • Operating Agreement
  • Annual Report 
  • 24-hour Delivery

2. ZenBusiness LLC Highlights

  • Free Basic LLC Formation Plan
  • Filing the Articles of Organization
  • Annual Compliance
  • Registered Agent service
  • Annual Reports

3. How Inc Authority and ZenBusiness Stack Together

Both companies offer $0 basic LLC formation packages and additional services designed to meet the specific needs of clients.

With Inc Authority, you have the option to avail of Business Credit and Business Funding. However, the cost of their packages is not transparent.

Side-by-Side LLC Plan Comparisons

Pricing plans for Zenbusiness and incauthority

Inc Authority and ZenBusiness offer the following LLC formation packages:

1. Basic Plan Comparison: Inc Authority Basic Package vs ZenBusiness Starter

  • Inc Authority’s Basic Package ($0 + state fees): This Inc Authority’s free service plan includes a name availability search, preparation and filing of Articles of Organization, EIN registration, digital storage, business funding analysis, and a full year of registered agent service. A client of mine found it helpful that the plan includes state and federal tax planning consultation [2].
  • ZenBusiness’ Starter ($0 + state fees): Includes a comprehensive LLC formation service package that encompasses various valuable features. This includes business name verification, preparation of articles of organization, and filing documents with the Secretary of State. The process takes 7-10 days backed by a 100% accuracy guarantee. For your convenience, worry-free compliance is available for the first year as an optional feature, which renews at $199/year [3].

2. Mid-Level Plan Comparison: Inc Authority Starter Business Bundle vs ZenBusiness Pro

  • Inc Authority’s Starter Business Bundle: Includes a one-year registered agent service, custom state-filed articles, bylaws, ownership or stock certificates, annual compliance notifications, a business license report, professional tax consultation, EIN and a web domain with five emails [4].

Pricing information for all plans is only available by calling the company during regular business hours and speaking to a representative.

  • ZenBusiness’ Pro ($199 + state fees): Besides the existing starter package features, you can also benefit from the fastest "rush" filing speed, completing registrations within 1-5 business days on average. Moreover, you'll get an LLC operating agreement template, andan Employer Identification Number (EIN).

3. Top-Level Plan Comparison: Inc Authority Fast Track vs ZenBusiness Premium

  • Inc Authority’s Fast Track/Executive Business Bundle: Includes services from the previous plan plus personalized business advice, expedited state delivery, private banking specialist, and an INC success advisor package [5].
  • ZenBusiness’ Premium ($299 + state fees): Includes everything in the pro plan plus a business website, domain name, business credit, email, and business document templates. If the finances of the company allow, I usually recommend this plan to new business owners because of its comprehensive additional features.

Registered Agent Service

Pointing at a monitor talking about registered agent service

Inc Authority provides a 1-year free registered agent service, regardless of your business formation package. You pay an additional $249 a year for the succeeding years to continue using the service.

ZenBusiness's registered agent service costs $199 first year, then $199/yr, and is available only as an add-on.

In this category, we agree that the top registered agent services from Inc Authority are more fairly priced than that of ZenBusiness.

Additional Services

Additional Features of two business

Apart from the features included in their plans, you can avail of the following additional services:

1. Business Financing

Inc Authority provides financing to qualified entrepreneurs in two forms.

Business Credit includes a multi-level credit-building system, loan access, and working capital, while Business Funding offers personal loans and credit lines.

With ZenBusiness, you have the option to pick a credit card you personally qualify for, to gain purchasing power and get rewards [6].

2. Trademark

The number of trademark applications worldwide reached approximately 15.5 million, marking an increase from the previous year, which saw around 13.9 million applications [7].

This trend shows an escalating competition among companies to secure their trademarks and safeguard their brand identity across various markets.

Inc Authority offers a Trademark Registration Program designed to increase the value of your company. They will apply on your behalf and provide status reports and guidance during the process.

In my experience, Inc Authority does not include the cost of their services on the website but you can contact the company to avail of a pricing quote.

ZenBusiness does not offer trademark registration service.

3. DBA Registration

ZenBusiness offers DBA registration only in selected states as long as the company is compliant and in good business standing. You may visit the website to get a quote.

Inc Authority does not offer DBA registration service.

4. Business License Report

I advise clients new to the industry to avail of a business license report to legally operate their company.

ZenBusiness will provide a summary of the necessary licenses and permits based on the line of business and location of your company for $149.

The business license report is included in Inc Authority’s Starter Business Bundle.

5. Business Banking

ZenBusiness will handle your business banking and manage your bookkeeping and taxes with Money Pro for $30 a month.

No deposit or maintaining balance is necessary and the process is simplified because all your LLC documents are already with the company.

Inc Authority does not offer business banking services.

Customer Service

Inc Authority offers prompt and professional customer support from 6 am – 5 pm (PST) Monday through Friday.

During our Inc Authority trial, we called them at 1 pm, and one of the specific customer service representatives picked up immediately.

The rep was professional and knowledgeable, and they responded to our queries exhaustively.

ZenBusiness offers excellent customer service via email, phone, and live chat, regardless of your selected bundle.

You may immediately speak with a customer support agent and get your questions addressed.

"There is only one boss. The customer. And he can fire everybody in the company from the chairman on down, simply by spending his money somewhere else."

- Sam Walton, Founder of Walmart & Sam's Club

Related Articles:

Customer Reviews

Here are a few online reviews of the Inc Authority and ZenBusiness LLC services, as of our latest review.

Both companies maintain active customer feedback across multiple platforms, which can provide valuable insights into their service quality and customer support responsiveness.

Customer reviews for Zenbusiness and IncAuthority

FAQs

Do Inc Authority and ZenBusiness Offer Ongoing Legal Services?

No, Inc Authority and ZenBusiness don’t offer ongoing legal services. However, ZenBusiness offers worry-free compliance with their packages, a feature that might help you meet all legal requirements and solve potential issues.

Which Is More Affordable, ZenBusiness or Inc Authority?

Both ZenBusiness and Inc Authority are affordable since they offer a free LLC formation service plan.

ZenBusiness vs. Inc Authority: Our Recommendation

ZenBusiness wins this matchup. Its Starter plan was $0 plus the state fee, and on first login Velo AI checked our formation status, EIN and compliance.

Both checkouts show a 60-day money-back guarantee. Pick Inc Authority if you want either a free EIN or free 24-hour express filing and can accept its $249 agent renewal.

Beyond these two, our overall pick for a first LLC is Northwest Registered Agent. A full year of registered agent service is included, then it costs $125 a year from year two.

Your home address stays off the public filing (Privacy by Default), and a basic operating agreement is included. Domain, website, business email and phone line come at no charge while the agent service is active.

We formed a real LLC with Northwest in June 2026 for $289 all in ($39 plus Alaska's $250 state fee). Forming yours costs $39 plus the state fee.

References:

  1. https://www.chivmen.com/current-us-llc-formation-statistics/
  2. https://www.incauthority.com/free-llc
  3. https://www.zenbusiness.com/pricing-products/
  4. https://www.incauthority.com/downloads/Inc_Authority-Starter_Business_Bundle.pdf
  5. https://www.incauthority.com/downloads/Inc_Authority-Fast_Track_Business_Bundle_2022.pdf
  6. https://www.zenbusiness.com/credit-cards/
  7. https://www.globallegalpost.com/news/global-decrease-in-trademark-filings-wipo-reports-but-continued-rise-in-patents-2064412801
Northwest Registered Agent logo

Our verdict

Northwest Registered Agent is our overall pick for a first LLC

$39 + state fee with the first year of registered agent service (then $125/yr) and business identity tools included. 90-day money-back guarantee.

Form my LLC for $39 (opens in a new tab)

Prices checked November 5, 2026. State filing fees are extra.

Jon Morgan

About the author

Jon Morgan · Co-Founder & Chief Editor
Jon Morgan is the co-founder and chief editor of Venture Smarter. He leads the hands-on testing of LLC formation and registered agent services: every service ranked here was bought and used with real filings.
Fact-checked by Jon Tobin, Business Attorney