Bizee vs LegalZoom 2026: Free Formation vs Big Brand
By Frédéric Deltour, Entrepreneur and Business Consultant, 22+ years forming and operating companies.
Published: May 1, 2026 · Last updated: May 5, 2026
| Bizee | LegalZoom | |
|---|---|---|
| Formation fee | $0 Basic / $199 Standard / $299 Premium | $0 Basic / $249 Pro / $299 Premium |
| Year-1 RA | Free (all plans) | $249/year (not included in any plan) |
| RA renewal | $119/year | $249/year |
| Year-1 total (cheapest) | $0 + state fee | $249 + state fee (Basic + RA) |
| Processing speed | 1 business day (all plans) | Up to 30 days (Basic) |
| Operating agreement | $30 add-on | $99 on Basic; included in Pro/Premium |
| Attorney access | Not offered | $49/month after 30-day trial |
| 5-year RA total | $476 (free yr 1 + 4 x $119) | $1,245 (5 x $249) |
What's on this page
5-Year Cost: The $769 Difference
| Year | Bizee (Basic + RA) | LegalZoom (Basic + RA) |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | $0 + state fee (RA free) | $0 + $249 RA = $249 + state fee |
| Year 2 | $119 | $249 |
| Year 3 | $119 | $249 |
| Year 4 | $119 | $249 |
| Year 5 | $119 | $249 |
| 5-year total | $476 | $1,245 |
Bizee costs $769 less than LegalZoom over 5 years for functionally identical registered agent service. Year 1 alone: Bizee $0 vs LegalZoom $249 for the RA, a $249 immediate saving. From year 2 onward, Bizee saves $130/year ($249 minus $119). The case for paying LegalZoom's premium exists only if you actively use their attorney access or other legal services that Bizee does not offer.
Features Compared
| Feature | Bizee | LegalZoom | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| Formation + year-1 RA | $0 + state fee | $249 + state fee (RA extra) | Bizee ($249 cheaper yr 1) |
| RA renewal | $119/year | $249/year | Bizee ($130/year cheaper) |
| 5-year total | $476 | $1,245 | Bizee ($769 cheaper) |
| Processing speed | 1 business day (all plans) | Up to 30 days (Basic) | Bizee |
| Operating agreement | $30 add-on | $99 on Basic; included in Pro | Bizee ($69 cheaper as add-on) |
| EIN | $70 add-on (or free at IRS.gov) | $79 on Basic; included in Pro | Bizee ($9 cheaper as add-on) |
| Attorney access | Not offered | $49/month (30-day trial) | LegalZoom |
| Trademark registration | Not offered | $649+ plus filing fees | LegalZoom |
| Estate planning documents | Not offered | Available ($89+) | LegalZoom |
| Auto-renewal risk | RA renewal only; disclosed | Attorney plan, LZ Books, RA | Bizee |
| Brand recognition | Moderate (1M+ formations) | Highest in industry | LegalZoom |
When LegalZoom Is Worth It Over Bizee
LegalZoom makes sense over Bizee in one specific situation: you plan to actively use LegalZoom's legal services platform, not just their LLC formation. If you need federal trademark registration through the same platform as your LLC, if you want ongoing attorney access for business legal questions, or if you need personal estate planning documents alongside your business formation, LegalZoom's platform consolidation has genuine value.
In all other situations, particularly for straightforward LLC formation with ongoing registered agent service, Bizee delivers the same core service at a fraction of the cost. The $769 five-year saving from Bizee versus LegalZoom could pay for a dedicated business attorney consultation multiple times over, which is a more targeted and flexible use of that budget than LegalZoom's subscription services.
Who Should Choose Which
Choose Bizee if:
You want $0 formation with free year-1 registered agent. You want the lowest possible long-term RA cost ($119/year). You want fast 1-day processing without paying extra. You do not need attorney access, trademark services, or estate planning. You want to avoid LegalZoom's auto-renewing subscription traps.
Choose LegalZoom if:
You need federal trademark registration and want formation on the same platform. You expect to need attorney consultations multiple times per year. You are forming a business and simultaneously need personal legal documents. LegalZoom's brand is specifically requested by a partner, investor, or advisor.
Best Overall Value: Northwest Registered Agent
$39 formation, registered agent year 1 included, $125/year ongoing. Privacy protection. Operating agreement template included. No data selling. Better than both Bizee and LegalZoom for privacy and long-term value.
Form Your LLC with Northwest for $39 →
After forming 3 LLCs myself and helping clients through the process, I keep coming back to Northwest Registered Agent. Here is why:
- Remarkable Customer Support: Quick, human responses every time.
- Caring & Privacy-Focused: Genuine service with full respect for your privacy.
- Lightning-Fast Formation: Often faster than promised.
- Incredible Value: Prices far below the premium service quality.
- Clear & Transparent: No hidden fees or surprises.
Ready to form your business? Choose Northwest today!
FAQ
Does Bizee include registered agent on the free plan?
Yes. Bizee includes free registered agent service for the first year on all plans, including the $0 Basic plan. After year 1, it renews at $119/year. LegalZoom does not include registered agent in any formation plan; it costs $249/year as a separate service. This single difference makes Bizee $249 cheaper than LegalZoom in year 1 alone.
Is LegalZoom worth paying for over Bizee?
Only if you plan to use LegalZoom's legal services platform beyond LLC formation. For pure LLC formation and registered agent service, LegalZoom costs $769 more than Bizee over 5 years for functionally identical core services. The attorney access subscription ($49/month, $588/year) and trademark services ($649+) are LegalZoom's genuine differentiators. If you need those services, LegalZoom's platform has value. If you do not, paying the premium makes no financial sense.
Related Guides
- Northwest vs LegalZoom 2026
- Bizee Review 2026
- Cheapest LLC Formation Service 2026
- LLC Formation Services: Side-by-Side Comparison
- Bizee vs Inc Authority 2026
Frédéric has founded and operated businesses across multiple countries, including 3 LLCs formed using Northwest Registered Agent. He holds certifications as a holistic coach and therapist trainer, is a published author, and has been featured in Le Parisien, IMDb, Goodreads, and international encyclopedias.
FTC Disclosure: OnlineLLCGuide.com earns affiliate commissions when you use our links. These commissions do not affect our ratings, rankings, or editorial positions. We independently evaluate each service. , OnlineLLCGuide.com
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