ZenBusiness LLC Service Review (2024)

Zenbusiness offers great value with their $0 (plus state fees) LLC formation package. Yes, you’ll need to forgo a few options and upsells to get that package. For example, the $0 package does not include an operating agreement or immediate processing (expect 2-3 weeks), and it does not include a free year of registered agent services (though it is offered at a discounted first year rate at $99. As long as you don’t need any of these services, then it is actually possible to get your LLC filed at no charge other than fees charged by the state you form your LLC with.

Zen offers a lot of services, which you will definitely learn all about during the signup process, but they do not hit you with a ton of confusing language about it, or make it easy to accidentally signup for services you did not intend to. We also received minimal spam from ZenBusiness after we signed up.

Zenbusiness advertises a standard processing time of 2-3 weeks. They offer an expedited processing service for $49. When we formed an LLC using Zenbusiness, our articles of incorporation were filed 2 business days later.

We put Zen’s Customer Service Department to the test and were mostly impressed. Zen’s customer service reps are informed and helpful.

• No hold time

Question 1: I heard Delaware is a good state to start my LLC in. Is that true?

Response: Lots of people start LLCs in DE, we’re not a tax firm so I can’t speak to the…

Question 2: If I live in Illinois, are there any complications with starting my LLC in Delaware?

Response: Delaware does not record a business address. So you would just need a registered agent.

Question 3: I heard one of the cool things about having an LLC in Delaware is that all lawsuits run through the Court of Chancery. What is that and is it actually good?

Response: I’ve never heard of that.

Is it Easy to Cancel Subscription to Zenbusiness Services?

No, Zenbusiness makes it very easy to cancel services. We had the worry-free compliance service for two years, and when it came time to cancel, we were pleased to find it took only a couple of clicks to do so. There was no need to talk to anyone or dig for the cancellation button. Zen placed the cancel services button in plain site on the subscriptions page.

Signup by chat

Zenbusiness has recently changed the user interface for their website so that it resembles a texting experience.

This is a highly specific approach, which we think a person could either love or hate. 

Getting Zen’s $49 formation deal is a little tricky. You’ll need to decline their Registered agent service (you actually have to decline twice). Next you’ll need to defer their recommended package, which $199 per year. Instead, select “other options” and scroll past the premium packages until you get to their “starter Package”.

Even their starter package renews at $199/yr. What do you get for that $199/yr? We had trouble figuring that out, too. This means that ZenBusiness sends you a reminder with a simple link to file your annual report. They also allow you to make two amendments per year. You will have the option of canceling this service before it renews.

ZenBusiness Lacks Signup Transparency

We hate it when websites design their signup forms so that you can’t see what sensitive information you’ll need to divulge to complete your order until your already halfway through the signup process. Zenbusiness does this and we just had to say something about it.

Overall, customer reviews for ZenBusiness are favorable. Trustpilot reports 87% of customers rate Zen as excellent, while only 2% rate them badly. The chief complaint among ZenBusiness customers involves unexpected fees, which we are not surprised by. Zen’s push for simplicity comes at a cost of clarity. Those who were most surprised seem to be unclear that when they formed a business with Zen, they also signed up for the annual registered agent service. This is not a valueless service. In fact it is a required component of LLC ownership, but if you haven’t done your homework and are blasting through the formation process, it would be easy to miss.

Other complaints come from people charged for additional services they did not request. Be sure when signing up to read each page carefully. Many optional services are offered and clicking “yes” on one you don’t want could be an easy mistake to make.

Below are a few examples of ZenBusiness customer reviews:

Besides business formation and registered agent services, ZenBusiness also offers:

• Bank resolution ($30)
• Business domain ($25/yr)
• Website creation ($100/yr)
• Business folio ($70)
• Mailing address ($15/mo)
• Business license report ($99)
• Business document templates ($100)
• Tax filing with auto expenses ($15/mo)
• In addition to these paid services, Zen also offers a host of free business guides on topics ranging from “how to create a business plan” to “estimating your business costs.” They have also partnered with businesses like LendingClub to offer banking and insurance services.