Compare CorpNet to Other Online Business Formation Service Providers

Choosing the right business formation service can mean the difference between a smooth business launch and a nightmare of misfiled government forms. We stake our reputation in providing you with the best business formation service possible. But with all of the other options available today, it’s worth asking whether or not CorpNet is always the best choice for your business.

Which Business Formation Service is Right for You?

We wanted to see how we stack up against the other guys and find out if we really do provide five-star quality service. So we compared the most complete business formation packages offered by the leading online providers. Then we dove into the data to help you understand exactly what your options are, and whether or not you’d be better off using a different provider. Here’s how CorpNet measures up against the competition.

Different companies have different names for their top-tier service packages, but they all include a more-or-less complete list of the services you need to incorporate a business, form a Limited Liability Company (LLC), or file a DBA (fictitious business name).

For evaluation purposes, we ran a side-by-side comparison of these top business formation packages:

• CorpNet – Complete Package
• BizFilings – Complete Package
• Incorporate.com – The Works Package
• Incfile – Platinum Package
• LegalZoom – Express Gold Package
• Rocket Lawyer – Business Incorporation Service
• Swyft Filings – Premium Package
• ZenBusiness – Pro Package

What We Discovered Surprised Even Us

The process of starting a business or forming a corporation is slightly different in every state. Considering that all of these providers offer business formation packages in all 50 states, you might expect to find that they all offer more or less the same services.

But we learned that there are tremendous differences from one provider to the next. Not only in the menu of services offered and the package pricing (which can vary by up to 44%), but especially in the overall customer experience.

Most providers require you to fill out a lengthy order form, up to 18 pages long in some cases. Hidden in the fine print is the fact that much of the information they collect on those order forms will be shared with third parties and used for marketing purposes.

CorpNet is the only provider that has a simple two-page order form that’s easy to fill out—and also the only provider that keeps your personal information private from third parties.

Our Head-To-Head Business Service Comparisons

When it comes to choosing a business formation service, it pays to know who you’re really dealing with. Would you rather work with a company that was founded by entrepreneurs just like you? Or one that’s operated by a huge foreign corporation? Some companies are in good standing with the Better Business Bureau, while others have nothing but one-star reviews. Here’s the inside story behind the leading providers.

• CorpNet – Founded by a husband-and-wife team in 2009, CorpNet offers comprehensive business incorporation services in all 50 states. The team at CorpNet has formed more than 100,000 businesses to date and offers the industry’s best 100% satisfaction guarantee. Based in Westlake Village, California, the company is accredited by the Better Business Bureau, with a BBB rating of A+.
• BizFilings – Started in 1997, BizFilings sells online business incorporation services to small business owners. This company is actually part of Wolters Kluwer Corporate Legal Services, a large portfolio of legal services companies headquartered in the Netherlands.
• Incorporate.com – Incorporate.com is a registered trademark of the Corporation Service Company, based in Wilmington, Delaware. The company has been accredited by the BBB since 2010, but as of December 2019, their reviews average less than two stars.
• Incfile – Founded in 2004 and headquartered in Houston, Texas, Incfile is a national document filing service. The company is accredited by the Better Business Bureau.
• LegalZoom – Launched in 1999, LegalZoom is based in Glendale, California. They do not specialize in business incorporation services but instead provide online general legal services. The company is accredited by the Better Business Bureau, but as of December 2019, their reviews average only one star.
• Rocket Lawyer – Launched in 2008, Rocket Lawyer is based in San Francisco, California. The company is accredited by the Better Business Bureau with a five star rating.
• Swyft Filings – Started in 2012 by a lawyer, Swyft Filings is based in Houston, Texas. They operate in all 50 states and provide incorporation services to small and medium-sized businesses. The company is not accredited by the Better Business Bureau.
• ZenBusinesss – Founded in 2015, ZenBusiness is a PBC (Public Benefit Corporation) located in Austin. Texas. The company is accredited by the Better Business Bureau with a four star rating.

A Comparison of Business Formation Packages

Clearly, CorpNet provides an easier ordering experience, higher privacy control, and better customer service, not to mention a total business formation solution.

But what happens if we dig down into the details of each service package to find out exactly what’s included, and what costs extra? Does CorpNet still come out on top? We’ve already done the hard work for you. Here’s an in-depth, point-by-point comparison of the services and options available from all of the major providers.

The Core Components of Business Formation

• Types of Formation Packages – All of the companies we surveyed offered some variation of Basic, Standard, and Complete packages, under different names. It’s important to note that state fees are additional and not included in package pricing.
• Name Availability Check – This is a fundamental part of the business formation process and is included in all packages from all providers.
• Articles of Organization (LLC) Preparation and Filing – This is only relevant if you are forming a Limited Liability Company, but preparation and filing of Articles of Organization are included in all packages.
• Articles of Incorporation (Corporation) Preparation and Filing – Like the LLC service, you can expect the creation of the Articles of Incorporation to be included in all incorporation packages.
• Free Registered Agent Services – Only two services offer a full year of free registered agent services in their top-tier packages: CorpNet and Incfile. The others offer only a few months or nothing at all.
• Initial Incorporator Resolutions – CorpNet and BizFilings are the only two providers who offer these for free (although BizFilings tacks on a $39 fee if you only have the Basic package). The other providers charge a fee or don’t offer initial incorporator resolutions at all.
• Bylaws – LegalZoom charges an extra $99 fee for bylaws, even if you purchase their top-level Express Gold package. All other providers include bylaws in their premium packages, and charge a fee to add bylaws to a basic package.
• Custom LLC Operating Agreement and Minutes – Here again, LegalZoom tacks on an extra $99 fee for a custom LLC Operating Agreement and minutes, even if you have their top-level package. All other providers include this at the top level, and only charge a fee (between $25 and $99) to add it to a lower-tier package.
• Obtaining an EIN – An Employee Identification Number (EIN) in most top-tier packages, except LegalZoom (which charges up to $159 extra for an add-on package).
• S-Corporation Election Form Preparation – An S-Corporation election is free from several providers (CorpNet, Incfile, Incorporate.com, and Swyft Filings), but BizFilings charges up to $45 extra, and LegalZoom charges $60 extra.
• Business License and Permit Research – Business license and permit research is generally considered an add-on service, so you can expect to pay anywhere from $99 to $249 extra.
• State Payroll Tax Registration -CorpNet and BizFilings are the only providers reviewed that can register your business for state payroll taxes. Our specialists manage the process of registering your new business for State Unemployment Insurance Tax (SUI) and State Income Tax (SIT) in all 50 states, so you can start hiring employees with ease.
• Expedited Document Preparation, Filing, and Processing – The pricing and availability of expedited service depend partly on your state. It may be included in some packages, otherwise, fees range from $50 to $139.
• LLC Kit or Corporate Kit and Company Seal – Kits and company seals are included in all top-tier service packages from all of the major providers. At lower tiers, you can expect to pay an additional fee, typically $99.
• Shipping and Handling Fees – These fees vary widely. Some packages include standard shipping, while others may charge extra.
• Online Access to LLC or Incorporation Documents – All of the providers we compared offer online access with every service package (even Basic).

The Best Price is Just Part of the Package

Choosing the right business formation service is crucial for getting your new venture up and running smoothly. That’s why we set out to find out exactly how we stack up against the competition–and the winner is clear.

CorpNet is more than just business formation. Our goal is to help you through the entire life of your business – from business name checks and entity formation to EIN creation, payroll tax registration, and business license research – we want to be your trusted advisor and your on-call expert in all things business.

And we’re proud of our work with customers and our successful track record. We offer the industry’s best 100% satisfaction money-back guarantee, unsurpassed customer service, and the easiest ordering experience in the business. And unlike many companies, you’ll always find a helpful human available to pick up the phone and provide personalized, live assistance.

But don’t just take our word for it. Try CorpNet and see the difference for yourself.