LegalZoom is one of the biggest names in online legal services. If you are starting a business, protecting a brand, or just trying to keep paperwork from turning into a weekend long headache, it is designed to feel like a guided path with optional upgrades along the way.
The short version: LegalZoom is convenient, reputable, and broad. It is not always the cheapest once you add the extras most real businesses end up needing. If you want one place to form an LLC, get an EIN, set up a registered agent, and add attorney access for quick questions, it can be a solid pick.
Below is the first half of the full review, covering what LegalZoom offers, who it fits, and the exact pricing for its most common business services. I will cover deeper pros and cons, refunds, and a side by side competitor comparison in the second half.
What LegalZoom actually does
LegalZoom is a legal services platform. It helps people complete legal tasks in two main ways:
So instead of hiring a local attorney upfront, you can start with a fixed package price, then add what you need.
Who LegalZoom is best for
LegalZoom tends to work best for:
It is usually not ideal for:
LegalZoom pricing (exact numbers)
LegalZoom pricing depends on the service, but the most common starting point is LLC formation. The LLC packages below are clearly listed on LegalZoom’s LLC overview page.
LLC formation packages
LegalZoom’s LLC plans start at $0 plus state filing fees for Basic, then jump to paid tiers for Pro and Premium.
LLC package LegalZoom price
What you still pay
Important note on the Pro and Premium packages: both include a 30 day subscription to the Business Attorney Plan. After 30 days, it auto renews at $49 per month unless you cancel.
Premium also includes book keeping tools for 6 months, and then it auto renews at $9.99 per month unless you cancel.
Registered agent service pricing
LegalZoom lists its registered agent service at $249 per year, auto renewing until you cancel.
Registered agent - $249 Per year, auto renews
Trademark registration pricing
LegalZoom’s trademark registration package is listed at $899 plus federal filing fees.
LegalZoom also notes the USPTO base filing fee as $350 per class on its trademark page.
Trademark registration package - $899 USPTO fees apply
What you get in each LLC package
LegalZoom’s three LLC tiers are best understood like this:
Basic (good for simple, confident filers)
Basic is essentially the minimum to get official. LegalZoom says it includes filing the articles of organization and a name check service.
Basic is best if:
Pro (the practical upgrade most new LLC owners actually want)
Pro includes the Basic package, plus an operating agreement and an EIN.
It also includes access to attorney consultations for a limited time, but remember it can convert into the $49 per month plan after the included period unless you cancel.
Pro is best if:
Premium (Pro plus bookkeeping trial value)
Premium includes everything in Pro, and adds bookkeeping tools for 6 months, then it can auto renew at $9.99 per month unless canceled.
Premium is best if:
A quick look at LegalZoom’s refund and guarantee rules
LegalZoom has an “LZ Guarantee” page that spells out refund windows.
Two highlights that matter for business buyers:
This is fair, but it also means you should decide early whether you are keeping or canceling add on subscriptions.
LegalZoom pros and cons in real world use
By this point, you probably understand what LegalZoom sells. The bigger question is how it actually feels once you are inside the platform and running a real business.
Here is a grounded look at the strengths and tradeoffs.
Pros
Strong brand trust
LegalZoom has been around for years and is one of the most recognized names in online legal services. For first time founders, that familiarity reduces hesitation. You feel like you are working with a system that has processed millions of filings, not a startup tool that may disappear next year.
Wide service ecosystem
Most competitors focus heavily on LLC formation. LegalZoom goes much broader:
This matters if you want a single dashboard for multiple legal needs instead of stitching together different providers.
Guided experience
The onboarding is structured and beginner friendly. Each step explains what you are filing, why it matters, and what information you need. That clarity is valuable if you are not comfortable navigating government paperwork alone.
Attorney access option
The Business Attorney Plan is one of LegalZoom’s standout features. Instead of hunting for local legal help every time a question pops up, you get structured access to independent attorneys. For founders making frequent decisions, this can reduce friction and anxiety.
Compliance reminders
LegalZoom includes alerts and reminders for deadlines and filings. While not unique, it helps prevent missed reports that could cause penalties or administrative dissolution.
Cons
Higher long term cost
LegalZoom is rarely the cheapest option. The entry level package is affordable, but most real businesses add:
That combination can cost more than competitors that bundle similar services.
Auto renewing subscriptions
Several packages include trial periods that convert into paid subscriptions. This is not hidden, but many founders overlook it. If you are not intentional about cancellations, your monthly costs can creep up.
Upsell heavy flow
The checkout path includes multiple add ons. Some are useful, others are optional convenience upgrades. New founders can feel pressured to say yes to everything without fully understanding what is essential.
Positioning differences
LegalZoom vs Northwest Registered Agent
Northwest is privacy focused and known for customer support. It appeals to founders who want fewer upsells and a more service oriented approach. LegalZoom wins on ecosystem size and attorney access.
LegalZoom vs ZenBusiness
ZenBusiness is often more budget friendly and bundles compliance tools attractively. LegalZoom offers broader legal service depth and attorney integration.
LegalZoom vs Bizee
Bizee focuses on affordability and streamlined formation. LegalZoom is more robust for long term legal needs but costs more when subscriptions are added.
LegalZoom vs Rocket Lawyer
Rocket Lawyer emphasizes legal document access and membership value. LegalZoom is more formation centric with optional attorney plans layered on top.
How LegalZoom feels for ongoing business use
Once your LLC is formed, LegalZoom becomes more of a management hub than a one time filing tool.
You can:
For founders juggling multiple responsibilities, having everything in one interface reduces friction. You are not logging into five different services to manage basic compliance tasks.
The tradeoff is cost. You are paying for convenience, structure, and brand reliability rather than bare minimum filing.
Customer experience and support expectations
LegalZoom provides phone and online support, plus guided help articles. The platform is built for non lawyers, so explanations tend to be plain language.
Attorney access, when included in a plan, is structured around scheduled consultations rather than unlimited casual messaging. This keeps expectations realistic and prevents misuse of the service.
Response quality depends on the specific attorney and your question, but the system is designed to route you toward relevant expertise.
Is LegalZoom worth it?
LegalZoom is worth considering if you value:
It is less attractive if your only goal is the cheapest possible LLC filing.
A practical way to think about it:
Final verdict
LegalZoom is not just an LLC filing service. It is a layered legal support platform built for people who want structure, brand trust, and optional professional guidance.
You pay more than bare bones competitors, but in exchange you get:
For first time founders or business owners who want a predictable, guided system, LegalZoom remains a strong option. For cost focused entrepreneurs comfortable managing filings independently, leaner alternatives may be a better fit.
The right choice comes down to how much you value convenience, legal access, and long term support versus upfront savings.
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