Bizee vs ZenBusiness: Which Free LLC Service Is Better in 2026?

Two free LLC formation services walk into a comparison article. One used to be called Incfile. The other has been climbing review rankings since 2015. Both charge $0 plus state fees for basic formation. So what’s actually different? More than you’d think.

I’ve filed LLCs through both platforms, and while the price tags look identical, the experience and long-term costs diverge once you get past that initial formation page.

Bizee Overview

Bizee rebranded from Incfile in 2023, and the name change came with a facelift. The platform looks better than it used to, though some of the backend still feels like Incfile with a fresh coat of paint. That’s not entirely a bad thing — Incfile processed over a million formations, so the underlying infrastructure is proven.

Their $0 plan includes articles of organization and a year of registered agent service. What sets Bizee apart is their paid plans: the $199 Gold and $349 Platinum tiers include lifetime registered agent service at no additional cost. That’s not “free for the first year, then we’ll bill you $199.” It’s genuinely included for as long as you maintain the plan. Over five years, that saves you nearly $1,000 compared to services that charge $150-$250/year for registered agent renewals.

The dashboard is solid — not the best I’ve used, but it handles document storage, compliance tracking, and state filing management well enough. You can see your formation status, access filed documents, and get reminders about annual reports. It does the job.

Where Bizee falls short is processing speed. Standard filing times run 15-20 business days, which is slower than most competitors. If you need your LLC fast, you’re paying extra for expedited processing. The checkout flow also includes a fair number of add-on screens, though they’re not as aggressive as some competitors.

ZenBusiness Overview

ZenBusiness has earned its 4.8 rating. The platform is genuinely well-built, the formation process is straightforward, and their processing speed is the fastest I’ve seen in the free tier space. Standard filing typically takes 2-3 weeks, but I’ve had formations come through in under two weeks without paying for rush processing.

Their $0 Starter plan includes articles of organization, a registered agent for year one, an operating agreement template, and access to their compliance dashboard. The compliance features are where ZenBusiness really shines — the worry-free compliance tool tracks deadlines, sends reminders, and helps you stay on top of state requirements without hiring a lawyer or bookkeeper to babysit your calendar.

The Pro plan ($199/year) adds rush filing, EIN acquisition, and an operating agreement. Premium ($349/year) bundles in business documents, a website, and a domain name. Both are reasonable packages, though the registered agent renewal at $199/year after year one is a real cost that adds up.

ZenBusiness does push add-ons during checkout. Banking partnerships, website builders, and compliance upgrades all get screen time before you finish ordering. It’s not the worst I’ve seen, but it’s not a clean experience either.

Feature Comparison

Pricing Comparison

Both start at zero, but the long-term math tells different stories depending on what plan you choose.

Bizee pricing:

• Free: $0 + state fees (includes registered agent for year one)
• Gold: $199/year + state fees (includes lifetime registered agent, EIN, operating agreement)
• Platinum: $349/year + state fees (adds business tax consultation, expedited filing, business documents)

ZenBusiness pricing:

• Starter: $0 + state fees (includes registered agent for year one)
• Pro: $199/year + state fees (adds rush filing, EIN, operating agreement)
• Premium: $349/year + state fees (adds business documents, website, domain)
• Registered agent renewal (all plans): $199/year after year one

Here’s the real comparison. If you’re on a paid plan for three years:

• Bizee Gold (3 years): $199 x 3 = $597 (registered agent included)
• ZenBusiness Pro (3 years): ($199 x 3) + ($199 x 2 RA renewals) = $995

That’s a $398 difference over three years, entirely due to the registered agent cost. If you’re staying on the free tier and adding registered agent separately, the gap narrows — both charge around $199/year for standalone RA service.

But here’s the thing: that $398 savings only matters if Bizee’s platform serves your needs as well as ZenBusiness’s. For many people, ZenBusiness’s faster processing and better compliance tools are worth the premium.

Who Should Choose Which

Choose Bizee if:

• Long-term registered agent cost is your biggest concern
• You’re comfortable with slower standard processing times
• You’ve formed LLCs before and don’t need hand-holding on compliance
• You plan to stay on a paid plan for multiple years (where the RA savings compound)
• Budget is the primary decision factor

Choose ZenBusiness if:

• You want the fastest possible filing without paying rush fees
• A polished dashboard and proactive compliance reminders matter to you
• This is your first LLC and you want a platform that guides you through the process
• You’re willing to pay more for a better day-to-day experience
• Processing speed is critical for your launch timeline

Final Verdict

ZenBusiness is the better overall platform. The 4.8 rating isn’t marketing fluff — it reflects a genuinely faster, more polished, and more helpful LLC formation experience. The compliance dashboard alone saves you from the kind of missed-deadline mistakes that can cost hundreds in state penalties.

Bizee is the smarter financial play if you’re signing up for a paid plan and want to eliminate registered agent fees forever. That lifetime inclusion is a real differentiator, and over five or ten years of running your LLC, those savings are meaningful.

My recommendation: if you’re forming your first LLC and want the smoothest experience, go with ZenBusiness. If you’re a seasoned founder who knows exactly what you need and wants to minimize recurring costs, Bizee deserves serious consideration.