According to ZenBusiness's LLC pricing page, the Starter tier costs $0 plus the state fee, Pro is $199/yr, and Premium is $299/yr. Registered agent service is a separate $199/yr on every tier, including Premium. It is discounted to $99 for the first year when you form with ZenBusiness.
What you are buying is time and convenience, not a better legal outcome. That trade makes sense if your state's forms are unfamiliar, you don't want your own address on file as the registered agent address, or you want someone else tracking reminders. Filing yourself is the better call if you are comfortable using your Secretary of State's online portal, can act as your own registered agent where your state allows it, and want to spend nothing beyond the state fee.
On either path, you should never pay for an Employer Identification Number (EIN). The IRS's EIN guidance says the number is free when you get it directly from the IRS, and it warns against paying a third party for one. You apply after the state has formed your LLC. FinCEN's beneficial ownership guidance also states that companies formed in the United States are exempt from federal BOI reporting, so a US-formed LLC has no BOI filing on either path.
This site earns a commission on some links. That does not change which option this page recommends for a given situation.
Fees, requirements and sources
| Item | Figure or requirement | Official source |
|---|---|---|
| EIN application | $0 (free) | IRS, Get an Employer Identification Number |
| Paying a third party for an EIN | Not necessary. The IRS issues EINs at $0 | IRS, Get an Employer Identification Number |
| When to apply for an EIN | After the entity is formed with the state | IRS, Get an Employer Identification Number |
| Federal BOI report for a US-formed LLC | Exempt | FinCEN, Beneficial Ownership Information |
| State filing fee | Varies by state. Same amount whether you file yourself or use a service | Your state's Secretary of State fee schedule |
| ZenBusiness Starter | $0 plus state fee | ZenBusiness LLC pricing page |
| ZenBusiness Pro | $199/yr | ZenBusiness LLC pricing page |
| ZenBusiness Premium | $299/yr | ZenBusiness LLC pricing page |
| ZenBusiness registered agent | $199/yr on every tier, including Premium. $99 for the first year when forming with ZenBusiness | ZenBusiness LLC pricing page |
What a formation service does, and what it doesn't
Forming an LLC comes down to a short sequence. You file formation documents with your state, name a registered agent, get an EIN once the state has approved the entity, and keep up with whatever ongoing filings your state requires. A service like ZenBusiness takes over the paperwork side of that sequence. It fills in the state's form from your answers, submits it, and, if you pay for it, receives legal mail as your registered agent.
A service does not change the result. Your state reviews the same document either way and charges the same fee. The LLC you end up with is identical to one you filed yourself.
Where ZenBusiness earns its fee
ZenBusiness fits best when you would rather not learn your state's process for a one-time filing. If you are forming in a state whose portal you have never used, or you are unsure how to answer questions about management structure or your registered agent, having the form prepared for you removes a step where people commonly stall.
The registered agent service is the clearer benefit for many owners. Your registered agent's address goes on the public record, and that agent needs to be reachable during business hours to accept legal papers. If you work from home and don't want that address published, or you travel, a paid agent solves a real problem. Budget for it separately. At $199/yr on every tier, with $99 for the first year when you form through ZenBusiness, it is not bundled into Premium, whatever older sources say.
If that describes you, ZenBusiness is a reasonable way to hand off the setup. Starter at $0 plus the state fee keeps the upfront cost the same as filing yourself.
When filing yourself is the better call
Many owners do fine on their own. If your state offers an online filing portal, you have a street address in the state, and you are at that address during business hours, you can generally serve as your own registered agent and pay only the state fee. The EIN costs nothing either way, and the IRS application is straightforward once the state has approved your LLC.
Doing it yourself also means you learn your own compliance calendar firsthand, which you need to know regardless of who files. If you are cost-sensitive and organized, the service mainly saves you an hour or two of reading.
DIY vs ZenBusiness at a glance
Listed alphabetically, not ranked.
| Option | Service cost | State filing fee | Registered agent | EIN | Speed at the state |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| DIY filing | None | Paid by you, amount set by your state | You, where state rules allow, or a separately hired agent | Free from the IRS | Same as any other filing |
| ZenBusiness | Starter $0, Pro $199/yr, Premium $299/yr | Paid by you, amount set by your state | $199/yr add-on on every tier, or $99 for the first year when forming with them | Free from the IRS if you apply yourself | Same as any other filing |
What to check before you buy
This page does not list what each ZenBusiness tier includes beyond its price. Read the tier descriptions on ZenBusiness's own pricing page before choosing Pro or Premium, and confirm that the features you are paying for are ones you would actually use. State filing fees, annual report requirements and their due dates vary by state and are set by your Secretary of State. Check that office's published fee schedule rather than relying on any third-party figure.
FAQ
ZenBusiness vs DIY LLC: what are the benefits?
ZenBusiness handles preparing and submitting your formation paperwork and can serve as your registered agent, which keeps your own address off the public record. DIY costs only the state fee, and the result at the state is identical. The service buys convenience, not a better or faster filing.
How much does ZenBusiness charge for LLC formation, registered agent service and annual compliance?
According to ZenBusiness's LLC pricing page, Starter is $0 plus the state fee, Pro is $199/yr, and Premium is $299/yr. Registered agent service is a separate $199/yr on every tier, discounted to $99 for the first year when you form with them. What each tier covers for ongoing compliance is described on ZenBusiness's pricing page and is not detailed here. State annual report fees vary and are set by your state.
Can I apply for an EIN for free from the IRS?
Yes. The IRS issues EINs at no cost and warns against paying third parties for one. Form your LLC with the state first, then apply directly with the IRS.
Do I need to file a BOI report for my new LLC?
Not if the LLC is formed in the United States. FinCEN states that US-formed companies are exempt from federal BOI reporting.
Sources
- Internal Revenue Service, “Get an employer identification number”
- Financial Crimes Enforcement Network, “Beneficial Ownership Information Reporting”
This is general information, not legal advice. Requirements vary by state and change over time.