If you’re considering starting a limited liability company (LLC), you might be wondering about the various services available to help you navigate the formation process. BizFilings is one of the many online business formation providers that offer LLC formation services. In this review, we’ll dive into what BizFilings brings to the table by examining their LLC formation packages, pricing, and customer experiences as well as how they stack up against the competition.
What Is BizFilings?
BizFilings is an online business formation and compliance services provider that has been assisting entrepreneurs, small business owners, and legal professionals since 1996. The company offers a range of services, including LLC formation, corporation formation, registered agent services, and ongoing compliance support.
BizFilings aims to simplify the process of starting and maintaining a business by providing user-friendly online tools, comprehensive guides, and expert support to help clients navigate the complexities of business formation and compliance.
Jump Ahead:
Pros and Cons of BizFilings
Pros
- Packages offer a high level of customization.
- Payroll and sales tax registration services available.
- Three months of free registered agent services.
Cons
- Higher cost than most competitors.
- Few features included in the Basic plan.
BizFilings Alternative: Northwest
Northwest offers affordable and reliable LLC formation services with one year of free registered agent services.
Get StartedBizFilings Pricing and Features
BizFilings offers three LLC formation packages: Basic, Standard, and Complete. Each of these packages includes three months of registered agent services. In addition to these packages, BizFilings offers other business services like sales and payroll tax registration and business license research for an additional cost per service. Here is a breakdown of each plan, its pricing, and the features included:
Basic ($99 + State Fees)
The Basic plan includes LLC formation, business name availability verification, and three months of free registered agent services.
Standard ($229 + State Fees)
The Standard plan includes all the features offered in the Basic plan as well as Operating Agreement and other customizable LLC forms, expedited processing, and an LLC kit with helpful information about running your new LLC.
Complete ($359 + State Fees)
The Complete plan offers all the features included in the Basic and Standard plans as well as Employer Identification Number (EIN) obtainment, a certified copy of state-filed documents, overnight shipping, and a compliance DVD.
BizFilings Reviews
BizFilings has a high score on Trustpilot, boasting a 4.4 out of five stars. Many positive reviews mention an easy formation process and excellent customer service. However, there are only 54 reviews available — considerably fewer than competitors.
Negative reviews cite closures of accounts without notice and misfiled forms. BizFilings has not responded to positive or negative reviews on Trustpilot.
Here are some verified reviews from Trustpilot by people who used BizFilings to help launch their businesses:
“I’ve never formed a business before, so it was really helpful to have BizFiling[s’] folks walk me and my wife through the process and answer our beginner questions. We’ve had a few follow-up questions and [the] service was very helpful.”
“The folks at BizFilings are amazing. [I] was able to contact a real person with relative ease that was [knowledgeable] and professional. Simply a joy to work with!”
“Awesome company. Very efficient. I’ve formed many companies with BizFilings and never had anything other than outstanding service.”
BizFilings’ customer reviews are overall positive with 81% of reviews on Trustpilot earning a five-star rating. However, there aren’t an extensive number of reviews to read through. That makes it difficult to get a comprehensive overview of customers’ experience overall.
BizFilings Alternatives
Before settling on any LLC formation service, it is important to compare the top LLC formation services to ensure you’re getting the best deal for your business. Northwest, LegalZoom, and ZenBusiness are three of the top LLC formation services to choose from, and here’s how they compare to BizFilings in terms of price and features.
BizFilings vs. Northwest
Northwest Registered Agent is our recommended LLC formation service. At just $29 plus state fees, Northwest offers the most value for the price with one free year of registered agent service, free Operating Agreement creation, and unparalleled data privacy protection.
BizFilings vs. LegalZoom
LegalZoom boasts strong brand recognition and is a trusted name in business formation. The company offers a free formation package, requiring only the payment of state fees to form an LLC. However, to gain registered agent services, customers must pay extra because this isn’t included in the package price.
BizFilings vs. ZenBusiness
ZenBusiness is another popular formation service that also offers a free LLC plan. With ZenBusiness, customers gain access to a plethora of add-on features to customize their formation plan, allowing them to pay only for what they need.
To provide you with a clearer visual on how these competitors measure up side-by-side, we’ve compiled the top LLC formation costs from each provider in the table below. Keep in mind, you are able to obtain an EIN from the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) for free. However, if you choose to use a professional service, we’ve included this cost below as well.
| Service | BizFilings | Northwest | LegalZoom | ZenBusiness |
| LLC Filing | $99 + state fee | $29 + state fee | $0 + state fee | $0 + state fee |
| Registered Agent | 3 months free (then $220) | Free for 1 year | $249/year | $199/year |
| Operating Agreement | $39 | Free | $99 | $99 |
| EIN | $79 | $50 | $79 | $99 |
| Total First-Year Cost | $437 + state fee | $79 + state fee | $427 + state fee | $397 + state fee |
The Bottom Line
Business owners who want to bundle additional services, such as sales and payroll tax registration and business license research, into their formation plan and don’t mind paying extra are best suited to this provider. BizFilings offers decent LLC formation services, however, their pricing is much higher than competitors.
Additionally, their registered agent services are only free for three months while many competitors offer one year free. Overall, we recommend entrepreneurs looking for more value opt for a formation service like Northwest Registered Agent.
Review Methodology
To provide a comprehensive and honest review of BizFilings, we considered several key factors:
Pricing and Value
We assess not only the price of the services offered, but also the value included in each package to ensure our readers are presented with the best value — not just the lowest price.
Ease of Use
A user-friendly platform is crucial — especially during the formation process. We review each platform to identify the platforms with the highest level of usability.
Customer Support
During the formation process, excellent customer support is non-negotiable. Our process involves assessing the method of support provided, the duration of the services offered, and the value of that support.
Customer Reviews and Reputation
Customer reviews allow us to gain a better understanding of the customer experience from verified users. We review these as well as research the reputation of each platform to ensure we promote and share platforms that value their clients.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is BizFilings?
BizFilings is an online business formation service that helps entrepreneurs start LLCs, corporations, and nonprofits.
Is Wolters Kluwer and BizFilings the same thing?
BizFilings is a service offered by parent company Wolters Kluwer.
How much does BizFilings cost?
BizFilings offers three pricing plans for LLC formation: Basic ($99 plus state fees), Standard ($229 plus state fees), and Complete ($359 plus states fees). For additional features and services, customers may have to pay additional fees.
What is the difference between a sole proprietorship and an LLC?
A sole proprietorship is an informal business structure that offers no personal liability protection. A limited liability company (LLC) is a formal business structure that offers personal liability protection through the separation of personal and business assets, tax flexibility, and brand credibility.