Best free LLC service, which $0 filing plan actually saves you money?

Founders hunting for the best free LLC service usually end up with three names: Inc Authority, ZenBusiness, and Bizee (formerly Incfile). All three have a $0 base tier, so you just cover the state fees.

But "free" means different things to each company. The real question is what you're giving up, or paying for later, when you choose one over the other.

If you're new and trying to get the big picture, our Inc Authority vs ZenBusiness comparison digs into how they really measure up.

Inc Authority's model is volume-driven: free filing + free registered agent, with optional upsells.

Inc authority, the volume play

Inc Authority's been around since 1989. So they're one of the oldest players in the game, and their model shows it. They make money through volume, forming thousands of LLCs each month. Then they cash in on upsells like EIN filing, operating agreements, and faster processing.

The free plan covers your Articles of Organization and a full year of registered agent service. That’s a $125-$199 value ZenBusiness charges for on its own. You also get a dedicated business consultant who walks you through filing.

On the downside, the upsell pressure is real. You’ll get offers for premium packages at checkout. But you can just say no and still use the core service for free. That’s pretty rare among the “free” filing services.

For a detailed look at how the pricing works, check out our is Inc Authority really free article. We break down exactly what you get and what you don't.

Zenbusiness, the saas ecosystem

ZenBusiness does things differently. They’ve got venture capital backing, and they’re building a full business operating system. The free Starter plan covers the state filing prep, but you’ll pay extra for registered agent service, which runs $199 a year.

What you get for free: a modern dashboard, document storage, and compliance reminders. Want automated compliance filing? That's their "Worry-Free Compliance" feature, and it's a separate subscription.

ZenBusiness is great if you want a polished experience and plan to use their ecosystem of tools. But the total cost of ownership is higher than Inc Authority or Bizee for the same core services.

For a breakdown of what's actually included, our ZenBusiness review covers the features and pricing in detail.

ZenBusiness has a polished dashboard, but you'll pay extra for registered agent service.

Bizee, the lean utility

Bizee (formerly Incfile) has a free Silver plan. It covers the state filing and gives you a full year of registered agent service, no charge. That's basically the same core deal as Inc Authority.

Where they differ is the experience. Bizee's dashboard works fine, but it's not as polished as ZenBusiness. They go for à la carte add-ons instead of a huge software suite. Need a virtual address? That'll cost you. Want a trademark filing? Same deal.

Bizee’s a solid pick when you just want to get filed without the fuss. Upsell pressure’s lighter than Inc Authority, though the dashboard doesn’t feel as slick as ZenBusiness.

To see how Bizee stacks up against other services, our Inc Authority vs Bizee comparison shows where they differ.

Free plan comparison table

As you can see, Inc Authority and Bizee give you the most bang for your buck on the core stuff. ZenBusiness costs more for registered agent coverage, and you can’t skip that for your LLC.

For a broader look at pricing across all services, our pricing comparison research gives you detailed tables and analysis.

The hidden costs of "free"

When you sign up for a free LLC service, you're not getting free legal representation or free tax advice. You're getting document prep and filing help. That's it.

State fees aren’t included. You’ll still cover the state filing fee, which runs from $40 to $500 based on where you’re registering. That’s a pass through cost every service charges.

Expedited processing is also a paid add-on with every service. if you're looking for your LLC formed in 24 to 48 hours, expect to pay an extra $50 to $100.

For a breakdown of the real costs, our every cost of starting a LLC article covers the whole thing.

Which free LLC service should you choose?

If you’re a first-time founder and just want your LLC set up without the headache or surprise costs, Inc Authority’s your best bet. That free registered agent alone saves you $199 in year one versus ZenBusiness.

If you care about a modern dashboard and want business banking, website tools, and automated compliance, ZenBusiness is worth the extra cost. Just know that "free" isn't really free, you'll pay for registered agent coverage and other stuff.

If you want something in between, with free filing and a free registered agent, but you don't need a fancy dashboard, Bizee is a solid pick over Inc Authority.

For a deeper look at the best overall options, our best value LLC service article covers the top contenders across all price points.