Looking to form an LLC but don't know what service to go with? Here's a review of Incfile vs LegalZoom vs doola to help you make a decision!

Incfile vs LegalZoom vs doola: Which is better for LLCs?

Forming an LLC requires a lot of paperwork and technical know-how. That’s where online incorporation services like Incfile, LegalZoom, and doola come in. These companies offer packages to make LLC formation easier, faster, and more affordable than doing it yourself or hiring an attorney.

But when it comes to choosing Incfile vs LegalZoom vs doola, there are different factors that you need to put in mind. These company formation services differ in many ways including the services they offer, features, and pricing. The one you choose will depend on what features you need and your budget.

Let’s compare LegalZoom vs Incfile vs doola side by side to determine which is better for LLC formation.

Types of companies you can form

Whether you’re a small business or an upcoming entrepreneur, you need to form a company to operate a legal business. There are different types of companies you can form with each of these formation services. Some common companies to form include;

LLC

An LLC is the most common type of business entity and allows you to protect your personal assets from the liabilities of the business. All three services offer LLC formation packages for a flat fee.

If you want to form an LLC in multiple states, all three services have different offerings tailored to LLC formation. They’ll help you put together all the LLC formation legal documents as well as the legal requirements.

S Corporation

A S Corp is similar to an LLC but it allows for certain tax advantages. Both Incfile and LegalZoom offer services tailored towards the formation of S Corporation. For example, Incfile offers an S Corp filing package for a flat fee.

C Corporation

A C Corp is the most complex type of business entity and requires a lot of paperwork. Incfile and LegalZoom both offer C Corp formation packages. All you have to do is choose one that aligns with your business needs and budget.

It doesn’t matter what kind of business you’re forming, Incfile, LegalZoom, doola have the bases covered with the best package. Incfile lets you form LLCs, C Corporations, S Corporations, Nonprofits, and more. LegalZoom offers LLCs, Limited Liability Partnerships (LLPs), and other types of entities. doola only specializes in forming LLCs. So, just select the one that meets your specific needs.

Forming a company with Incfile

Incfile LLC formation service

If you search for how to form a company, Incfile is one of the entities that will come to your mind. It claims to be the “easiest and most affordable” way to form an LLC. But does it live up to its promise?

What is Incfile?

Incfile is a company that was founded in 2004 with the aim of helping entrepreneurs start their own businesses with as little hassle as possible. The company is based out of Houston Texas and aims at making company formation as stress-free as possible.

Incfile helps entrepreneurs by providing them with a number of services, including forming LLCs and filing taxes. The company also offers ongoing support to its clients in the form of customer service and access to a library of resources.

To date, Incfile claims to have helped more than 500,000 small business owners form their LLCs.

Other benefits that you get if you choose to work with Incfile include;

  • Unbeatable pricing for LLC formation
  • Easy-to-use website
  • The ability to form LLCs in all 50 states
  • Free registered agent service for the first year
  • Ongoing customer support and access to a library of resources

Incfile costs

Incfile offers four packages, starting at $0 plus state fees. The package includes company formation services and one year of registered agent service.

Incfile also provides ongoing compliance services to help you stay in good legal standing with the IRS and your state government.

The pricing plans that Incfile offers are based on the type of services you need.

Silver Plan

If you want to try out this formation service without spending a fortune, you can try with the lowest package and upgrade once you know how it works. The lowest plan is the silver plan which is a 0 package fee and covers;

  • Preparation and filing of Articles of Organization
  • A business name availability check
  • Ongoing agent support for up to a year

Gold Plan

The gold plan is the next tier up, which costs $199 and covers:

  • Everything covered in the silver plan
  • One hour of ongoing consultation with an Incfile business expert
  • Lifetime company alerts
  • The ability to use the Incfile app to manage your LLC
  • Employer Identification Number
  • Business account
  • Tax consultation
  • Operating Agreement

Platinum Plan

The Platinum plan is the top tier which costs $299 and includes;

  • Everything offered in the silver and gold plan
  • Domain name
  • Business email
  • Expedited filing

Incfile extra services

Incfile also offers extra services that can be added to any of their plans. It offers filing services which they advertise as a six-week filing time.

However, if you want the filing done soon enough, you can pay an extra $50 and have the filing completed in 5 business days. You can also take advantage of the Ad-ons that Incfile offers.

Forming a company with LegalZoom

LegalZoom is another great option for LLC formation services. It has been around since 2001 and claims to have helped over six million customers form their own businesses. LegalZoom assures its customers that they’ll be there to offer the assistance and confidence to start their dream company.

So, what does LegalZoom has to offer that makes it stand out from other formation services?

What Is LegalZoom?

LegalZoom LLC formation

LegalZoom is an online legal service provider offering a variety of products, including LLC formation services. The company provides support from experienced attorneys who can help you navigate the process of forming your LLC, filing paperwork, and understanding the legal requirements of owning and operating a business.

The best thing about LegalZoom is that it’s a DIY platform that allows you to easily carry out all the activities you need without leaving your home. The interface offers a user-friendly experience so you can do everything from start to finish.

If you compare LegalZoom vs Zenbusiness vs doola, you’ll find out that the difference is mainly in the services offered. Some of the benefits that entrepreneurs and small businesses get from using LegalZoom include;

  • They offer a diverse range of legal services
  • Their self-service platform is easy to use
  • They offer help with setting up business bank accounts and merchant services
  • Affordable filing fees
  • Access to experienced attorneys for advice and guidance
  • Excellent customer and email support with extended hours

LegalZoom costs

Because LegalZoom’s main aim is to help entrepreneurs prosper, it offers some of the most affordable packages. Well, their packages are not the cheapest on the market but considering all the services they offer, they’re definitely worth spending on.

The cost to form an LLC with LegalZoom depends on the package you choose which usually ranges between $79 to $379. There are different packages that you can choose from including;

The Economy Package

The cheapest package for LegalZoom is the economy package which costs $149 plus state fees. With this package, you get access to;

  • Name check
  • Preparation and filing of your certificate of partnership
  • Articles of Organization
  • Peace of mind Review
  • Lifetime customer support
  • Financial account authorization letter

The Standard Package

The standard package is slightly more expensive, costing $259 plus state fees. This package includes everything in the economy package as well as;

  • Business operating agreement,
  • EIN (Employer Identification Number)
  • Financial statements
  • Official certificates and seal
  • Business tax consultation.
  • LegalZoom VIP processing time

The Express Gold Package

TheExpress Gold is the complete package which is the most expensive, costing $379 plus state filing fees. This package includes everything in the other packages as well as an expedited filing service, legal advice, and domain name registration.

Additional services

LegalZoom also offers additional business formation services such as the filing of annual reports and registered agent services which are not included in any of the packages. These services come at an additional cost. You can also pay low fixed rates for legal services including consultations with attorneys and legal reviews.

Other services that you can get from LegalZoom include:

  • Power of Attorney
  • Wills
  • Copyright
  • Patents
  • Trademarks
  • Estate planning

Forming a company with doola

doola LLC formation service

If you’re looking forward to forming a US company even if you don’t live there, doola gets you covered. You probably know how hard it can be to form a company in the US and keep it compliant. All the paperwork and legal requirements can be overwhelming.

doola takes the stress of registering a company off your back by handling everything from company formation to accounting and payroll. But what really is doola and why should you choose it over other company formation services?

What is doola?

doola is an online platform that helps non-U.S residents from companies in the U.S. with ease and convenience. It is a New York-based company formed by Arjun Mahadevan and JP Pincheira.

doola provides support from experienced attorneys who can guide you through the process of forming your LLC. doola process includes filing paperwork, understanding the legal requirements for US companies, and more.

The best part of doola is that it’s a one-stop shop for all your startup needs. It offers a wide range of services including tax filing, accounting assistance, and payroll management. In addition, it offers immigration visas such as the E2 visa, compliance maintenance, and virtual office support.

The owners of doola believe that they should take off the burden of setting up a business off your shoulders by handling all the legal requirements for you. You can use the extra time to grow your business and achieve your long-term goals.

Try to compare Stripe Atlas vs Clerky vs doola to see how this formation service stands out. Some of the features and benefits you get from working with doola include:

  • Affordable pricing for company formation
  • Secure and reliable online platform
  • Highly experienced and knowledgeable team
  • 24/7 customer support
  • Comprehensive packages that cater to every business need.

doola costs

Of course, all the amazing services that doola offers to various entrepreneurs are not free of charge. Like other company formation services, doola has different packages aimed to suit different needs. The package you choose will depend on the services you need and the time it will take to set up your company.

The cost of forming an LLC through doola starts from $197. With this pricing, you get most of the services you need which includes:

  • U.S business formation
  • Name and logo
  • Trademark check
  • Bank account setup
  • EIN registration
  • Custom operating agreement

Additional services such as immigration visas, virtual office support, and accounting assistance don’t come at an additional cost unlike what you get when you compare LegalZoom vs Incfile. You can also choose a package with all the bells and whistles at an additional fee. The price for these services will be clearly stated on the website.

doola extra services

doola also offers extra services such as legal advice and consultation, software development, immigration law services, and business partnerships. These services come at an additional cost.

Final overview: Incfile vs LegalZoom vs doola

The comparison of these three company formation services reveals that the choice of which one to use depends on your needs, budget, and the features you are looking for. Some of the features that differentiate each one of them include;

Affordability

When it comes to affordability, doola is the cheapest option to form. Even though Incfile offers packages from as low as $0, it comes with limited features. doola offers some of the best packages for forming an LLC in the US without breaking the bank.

Features

LegalZoom provides a wide range of services from filing taxes to trademarks and patents. On the other hand, Incfile offers basic features such as name search and registered agent services for no cost. doola is great for those looking for more extensive features including virtual office address, mail forwarding, and payroll services.

Ease-of-use

All three companies provide easy-to-use platforms to get your LLC up and running. However, Incfile offers a more simplified process with its user-friendly dashboard. doola requires you to go through different steps in order to finish the formation process which may take longer, but it’s more efficient.

Time frame

When it comes to the time frame, Legalzoom is the fastest option. It will only take a few days for the company formation process to complete and you can start operating your business in no time.

Additional services

Incfile does not offer additional services such as legal advice or registered agent services; this is where LegalZoom and doola come in. LegalZoom offers legal services such as consultations with attorneys and patent applications. doola provides immigration visas, payroll management, and accounting assistance.

Bottom line

In conclusion, it is up to you as an entrepreneur to decide which company formation service suits your needs the best. You should consider factors such as affordability, features, and ease-of-use when making this decision.

Doola is backed by the prestigious venture firm, Y Combinator. So, if you want to form a company in the US and comply with all the legal requirements even without living there, doola is your best choice.

With doola, you can form your LLC with a minimum amount of effort for a very reasonable price. That is why doola is the best option for entrepreneurs looking for a reliable, budget-friendly service.

doola's website is for general information purposes only and doesn't provide official law or tax advice. For tax or legal advice we are happy to connect you to a professional in our network! Please see our terms and privacy policy. Thank you and please don't hesitate to reach out with any questions.

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