We researched and considered 13 online and prepaid legal services before arriving at the final list below.
Compare the best online and prepaid legal services
A closer look at the best online and prepaid legal services
1. Bizee: Best for low-cost business formation
Bizee
Bizee
Promotion
Free registered agent service
What Bizee offers
When to use Bizee
Bizee is a great option if you need quick and simple business formation. You can use its free plan to prepare and file your formation paperwork, plus get the free year of registered agent service. You can add on additional paperwork or services at prices that are consistently lower than competitors’.
Bizee pricing
🤓
Nerdy Tip
Don’t bother paying for an online service to apply for an EIN on your behalf. You can apply for yourself quickly and easily on the IRS website. And it’s free!
Bizee pros and cons
Pros
Free incorporation services (just pay state filing fees).
Registered agent services included for free for the first year.
Includes free business tax consultation.
One-time fee rather than ongoing monthly or annual fees.
Cons
No weekend customer support.
Doesn’t offer legal advisory services.
2. ZenBusiness: Best for long-term compliance
ZenBusiness
ZenBusiness
Promotion
50% off worry-free compliance
What ZenBusiness offers
ZenBusiness is another full-service online business formation service. The company can help you form your LLC, S corp or C corp. It also offers a few package options, one of which is free outside of the state fees. Plus, you can opt for add-on services like a registered agent, compliance alerts and access to business document templates. Most of ZenBusiness’s services do come at a higher cost than Bizee’s similar offerings. But unique to ZenBusiness is its proprietary bookkeeping software, a mobile app and lifetime customer support included in all of its plan options, even the free one.
When to use ZenBusiness
ZenBusiness may be a better fit for you than Bizee or some of the other formation services if you’re concerned about keeping on top of compliance deadlines such as your annual report filing. If you’re willing to pay extra for the peace of mind not to have to track these sorts of deadlines and manage the filings yourself, then ZenBusiness’s Worry-Free Compliance offering may be a good fit for you. You get 50% off the first year of Worry-Free Compliance, meaning you’ll pay $99 instead of $199.
ZenBusiness pricing
Unlike similar competitors in this space (Bizee, LegalZoom and Swyft Filings), ZenBusiness charges its formation package fees annually. The plans auto-renew.
If you only want the services for your first year, make sure to set an alert well before the auto-renewal date to remind yourself to cancel the subscription.
Here are the pricing details for ZenBusiness’s three business formation packages:
Similar to Bizee and other prepaid legal services, ZenBusiness allows you to add services as needed. However, their prices for add-ons are on the higher end. For instance, you can have ZenBusiness file your EIN for $99, access an operating agreement template for $99, and use their registered agent service for $199 per year.
ZenBusiness pros and cons
Pros
All-inclusive business formation.
Variety of add-on products.
Alerts for recurring filing deadlines.
Cons
Higher prices compared to some competitors.
Packages auto-renew yearly instead of a one-time fee.
3. CorpNet: Best for customer service
CorpNet Start Your Business Now
Promotion
Free registered agent service
What CorpNet offers
When to use CorpNet
If you want to get your business up and running quickly and effortlessly, and you don’t mind paying for that convenience, CorpNet offers a wide range of services that extend beyond just registering your business with the state. Particularly if you’re looking to form a business entity type other than an LLC or corporation, CorpNet might be a solid choice.
CorpNet pricing
CorpNet’s pricing structure is more complex compared to others on this list. They offer three packages, each with different pricing based on whether you choose standard, express, or rush processing. Here’s a breakdown of their pricing:
-
Basic: $99 / $249 / $349.
-
Deluxe: $219 / $369 / $469.
-
Complete: $269 / $419 / $519.
In addition to CorpNet’s package pricing, you will also need to pay state fees and a 3% convenience fee. They also offer a range of add-on services for sales and payroll tax registration ($199 to $399), compliance and filing services ($25 to $649), licensing services ($169 to $899), and more.
Overall, CorpNet is one of the more expensive options available. However, if you’re seeking a hassle-free, comprehensive service to get your business up and running smoothly, the cost may be justified for you.
CorpNet pros and cons
Pros
Can assist with any business entity type.
Wide range of services and add-ons.
Includes a period of free registered agent service in all packages.
Free compliance alerts are included in all packages.
Outstanding customer support.
Cons
Complex pricing structure.
Higher fees than most competitors.
Charges an additional convenience fee.
4. LegalZoom is a top choice for standard legal needs, offering services such as access to vetted attorneys, business formation, trademark registration, and legal forms. They also provide a monthly legal plan called the Business Attorney Plan for ongoing legal assistance. Pricing varies based on the service needed, with options for one-time use or monthly subscriptions. Pros include a variety of legal services and customer support, while cons include limited consultation time and document review.
Swyft Filings pros and cons
Pros
Straightforward pricing model.
Add-on options available.
Access to legal support in addition to formation services
Receive a dedicated support specialist with all pricing plans, including the free one.
Cons
Not as transparent with pricing as other online legal services.
Newer and less established than some competitors.
LegalShield offers a range of subscription plans tailored to meet your legal needs. Depending on the plan you choose, you can access lawyer communications, document reviews, and collection letters on a monthly or yearly basis. If you require additional services such as trademarking or custom contracts, you may opt for the Plus or Pro plan.
Here are some pros and cons of LegalShield:
Pros:
– Affordable monthly fee for access to a business attorney from the same law firm.
– Debt collection assistance is included.
– Option to add trial defense services.
Cons:
– Each plan has certain limits, such as a specific number of phone consultations per year for special legal issues.
In addition to LegalShield, there are other online legal resources available to help you with your business legal needs. Nolo, a legal website, offers a wealth of articles on various legal topics written by attorneys. These resources are free to access and cover a wide range of subjects related to starting and running a business.
LegalMatch is another service that connects you with local lawyers who can assist you with your legal issues. By submitting a case on their website, LegalMatch will match you with attorneys in their network based on your location and the subject matter of your case. Pricing for legal services may vary as lawyers set their own rates and fee structures.
These resources can provide valuable assistance and information to support your business’s legal requirements. Rewrite the sentence: “I cannot believe how rude and disrespectful she was to me.”
“I am astounded by her rude and disrespectful behavior towards me.” following sentence:
She decided to go for a jog in the park.
She chose to go for a run in the park.