LegalZoom Review: Is the Brand Name Worth It? (2026)

LegalZoom: Overview

LegalZoom is the most well-known name in online legal services, founded in 2001 by attorneys who wanted to make legal filings accessible to everyone. The company has helped form millions of businesses and is publicly traded on the Nasdaq. Their brand recognition is unmatched in the LLC formation space.

Unlike competitors that focus exclusively on LLC formation, LegalZoom offers a full suite of legal services: trademark registration, contract templates, intellectual property protection, estate planning, and access to licensed attorneys. This ecosystem approach is LegalZoom's core differentiator.

However, that brand premium comes at a cost. LegalZoom's registered agent service ($249/year add-on) is the most expensive on our list, and their standard processing time (14 business days) is the slowest. For founders who only need basic LLC formation and maintenance, LegalZoom is significantly more expensive than alternatives like Bizee ($119/yr) and Northwest ($125/yr) without offering proportionately more value for that specific use case.

Pricing Breakdown

LegalZoom offers three tiers: Basic, Pro, and Premium. The Basic plan ($0 + state fee) covers LLC formation with standard processing at 14 business days. It includes a name availability search and digital welcome packet but does not include a registered agent, operating agreement, or EIN filing.

The Pro plan ($249 + state fee) adds an operating agreement, EIN filing, attorney consultations, and a business compliance calendar. This is the tier LegalZoom pushes most aggressively. Registered agent service is a separate $249/year add-on on all plans.

The Premium plan ($299 + state fee) adds bookkeeping tools, rush processing (5 business days), unlimited changes to your operating agreement, and priority support. The bookkeeping tools are LegalZoom's newer value-add — helpful for founders who want financial tracking built into their formation service.

Registered agent service costs $249/year regardless of plan — the most expensive on our list. Over 3 years, that is $747 in registered agent fees alone, compared to $375 for Northwest ($125/yr) and $238 for Bizee (free first year, then $119/yr x 2). The cost premium is justified only if you actively use LegalZoom's legal services beyond basic LLC formation.

Features & What You Get

$0 LLC Formation: LegalZoom files your Articles of Organization with your state for free on the Basic plan. Standard processing takes approximately 14 business days — the slowest on our list. This means your LLC will take longer to become official compared to competitors.

Legal Services Marketplace: LegalZoom's standout feature. You can access trademark registration ($199+), contract templates, intellectual property advice, and 30-minute attorney consultations (included in Premium, or available a la carte). No other formation service offers this breadth of legal services.

Business Compliance Calendar: The Pro plan includes a compliance calendar that tracks annual reports, franchise taxes, and other state-specific deadlines. It sends email reminders before filing deadlines, helping you maintain your LLC in good standing.

Operating Agreement & EIN (Pro and above): The Pro plan includes a customizable operating agreement and EIN filing. The operating agreement templates are professionally reviewed and cover single-member and multi-member LLC structures.

Customer Support

LegalZoom offers phone, email, and chat support with extended business hours. As a publicly traded company, they have invested in customer service infrastructure. Support agents can handle a wide range of questions beyond just LLC formation, including trademark, compliance, and general legal inquiries.

The downside is that support interactions frequently include upsell pitches. Multiple customer reviews note that calls to resolve basic questions often turn into sales conversations about additional LegalZoom services. This sales-oriented approach drags down their customer satisfaction scores.

On independent review platforms, LegalZoom carries a 4.3 rating — the lowest on our list. The most common complaints are about aggressive upselling, slower-than-expected processing times, and difficulty canceling services. The most common praise is for the breadth of services available and the quality of legal documents.

Who It's Best For

Founders who need legal services beyond formation: If you anticipate needing trademark registration, contract review, attorney consultations, or IP protection, LegalZoom's ecosystem is unmatched. The ability to handle formation, trademark, and legal questions in one place has genuine value.

Founders who value brand recognition: Some founders feel more comfortable using a well-known, publicly traded company for their legal filings. If trust and brand familiarity matter more to you than saving money, LegalZoom's 20+ year track record provides that reassurance.

Complex businesses with multiple legal needs: If your business involves intellectual property, partnerships, contracts, or compliance across multiple states, LegalZoom's combination of formation services and attorney access can simplify managing all of these needs through one provider.

How It Compares to Other Services

LegalZoom vs. ZenBusiness: Both offer $0 formation, but ZenBusiness is cheaper on registered agent ($199/yr vs. $249/yr) and faster on processing (7 days vs. 14 days). LegalZoom's edge is legal add-ons (attorneys, trademarks). For basic LLC formation, ZenBusiness is the better value. For ongoing legal needs, LegalZoom is worth the premium.

LegalZoom vs. Northwest: Northwest is significantly cheaper ($125/yr vs. $249/yr for registered agent) with faster processing (5 days vs. 14 days) and better-rated customer support. LegalZoom's advantages are brand recognition and legal services. For most LLC owners, Northwest is the better choice.

LegalZoom vs. Bizee: Bizee is the cheapest option at $119/yr registered agent vs. LegalZoom's $249/yr. Over 3 years, Bizee saves $390 in registered agent fees alone. Unless you need LegalZoom's attorney consultations or trademark services, Bizee delivers the same core formation service for far less.