Form an LLC in Texas
EVERYTHING YOU NEED. ALL IN ONE PLACE.
Launch Your Side Hustle or Dream Business
Set up and grow your business with our worry-free platformand expert support. Starts at $0 plus state fees.
Make it official
Form your LLC to make your business official and protect your personal assets. Choose worry-free compliance and rest easy. We’ll make sure you’re always in good standing with your state.
Get customers
Set up your online presence and attract customers with streamlined marketing tools. Create a professional website in just a few clicks, add an e-commerce shopping cart, and use our easy logo builder to make your mark.
Manage finances
Open a business bank* account and connect it with Money Pro bookkeeping to track your invoices, expenses, mileage, and tax deductions in real time. Get a free 30-minute tax consultation and you’ll be prepared to file without any surprises.
* ZenBusiness is a financial technology company and is not a bank. Banking services provided by Thread Bank, Member FDIC.
Compare our packages
Our customized LLC packages meet the compliance, filing speed, and support needs of your new business, all in one place.
starter
Covers all required filings with the state, accuracy guaranteed.
$0
+ state fees
- Standard filing service
- 100% accuracy guarantee
- Worry-Free Compliance offer**
Pro
Everything to start your LLC and keep it compliant year-round.
$199/yr
+ state fees
- Rush filing service
- 100% accuracy guarantee
- Worry-Free Compliance
- Operating agreement
- ID required to file taxes
Premium
Get tools and expert support to grow your business online.
$299/yr
+ state fees
- Rush filing service
- 100% accurate filing guarantee
- Worry-Free Compliance
- Worry-Free Compliance
- ID required to file taxes
- Business document template library
- Domain name with privacy
- AI website builder
- Business email address
- Premium Support
*Processing times are based on receiving complete information. ZenBusiness processing times do not include Secretary of State processing times, which can vary.
**SPECIAL OFFER – Starter includes one optional free year of Worry-Free Compliance (renews at $199/yr).
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Be Sucessful with our all-in-one platform and expert support.
Most Popular States to Form an LLC
When it comes to compliance, costs, and other factors, these are popular states for forming an LLC.
Start an LLC in Georgia
Start an LLC in Michigan
Start an LLC in North Carolina
Form an LLC in California
Start an LLC in Florida
Services
- Formation Plans
- Registered Agent
- Beneficial Ownership Information (BOI)
- Worry-Free Compliance
- Operating Agreement
- Annual Reports
- Money Pro
- LLC Costs
- Register a DBA
- Amendment Filing
- Certificate of Good Standing
- Operating Agreement
- Domain Name Privacy
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- Grants
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- Visit the Blog
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- Affiliate Program
- Refer friends, get $50
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ZenBusiness Review: Streamlining Your Business Setup with Ease
Starting a business is exciting, but let’s be real—it’s also a paperwork nightmare. From filing legal documents to staying compliant with state regulations, the process can feel like wading through quicksand. That’s where ZenBusiness comes in, promising to simplify the chaos of business formation with affordable plans and a user-friendly platform. But does it live up to the hype? I’ve scoured the web, dug into customer reviews, and analyzed ZenBusiness’s offerings to bring you an in-depth, conversational review. Let’s break it down and see if ZenBusiness is the partner your small business needs in 2025.
What Is ZenBusiness?
Founded in 2015 in Austin, Texas, ZenBusiness is an online business formation service designed to help entrepreneurs start and manage their companies with ease. Whether you’re launching a Limited Liability Company (LLC), corporation, or sole proprietorship, ZenBusiness offers tools and services to handle the legal heavy lifting. Their mission? To make entrepreneurship accessible to everyone, regardless of budget or experience. As a Public Benefit Corporation (PBC), they also emphasize social good, supporting small businesses owned by women and minorities through grants and partnerships with organizations like Kiva.org.
ZenBusiness has helped over 500,000 businesses get off the ground, earning a 4.8-star rating on Trustpilot from more than 22,000 reviews. Their platform consolidates everything from LLC formation to registered agent services, compliance tools, and even website-building features. Think of it as an all-in-one hub for small business owners who want to focus on growth, not red tape.
What Does ZenBusiness Offer?
ZenBusiness provides a wide range of services, tailored to both new entrepreneurs and established businesses. Here’s a breakdown of their core offerings:
1. Business Formation Services
ZenBusiness specializes in forming LLCs, corporations (S-Corps and C-Corps), DBAs, and sole proprietorships. Their process is streamlined: you answer a few questions about your business, and they handle the paperwork, including filing Articles of Organization with your state. They also perform a name availability search to ensure your chosen business name is unique.
Their formation packages start at $0 (plus state filing fees), which is a game-changer for budget-conscious entrepreneurs. Higher-tier plans include extras like expedited filing, Employer Identification Number (EIN) applications, and operating agreement templates.
2. Registered Agent Services
Every LLC needs a registered agent to receive legal documents on behalf of the business. ZenBusiness offers this service for $199 per year, ensuring timely correspondence and compliance with state requirements. While some competitors include this for free in the first year, ZenBusiness’s flat rate is competitive over time.
3. Worry-Free Compliance
Staying compliant with state regulations can be a headache. ZenBusiness’s Worry-Free Compliance service (included free for the first year in some plans, then $199 annually) handles annual report filings, up to two amendments per year, and sends alerts for upcoming deadlines. This is a lifesaver for busy entrepreneurs who might miss critical filings otherwise.
4. Additional Tools and Add-Ons
ZenBusiness goes beyond formation with tools to help your business grow:
- Money Pro: A financial management tool ($30/month) for tracking expenses, invoicing, and maximizing tax deductions.
- Website Builder: Create a professional website with pre-built templates, no coding required.
- Domain Name Registration: Secure a private domain that matches your brand.
- Business Banking: Connect a business bank account with no minimum balance fees.
- Operating Agreements: Templates or custom agreements to outline your business’s structure ($125 standalone).
- EIN Filing: Obtain a federal tax ID for $99 (included in Pro and Premium plans).
These add-ons make ZenBusiness a one-stop shop, though some features come at an extra cost, which we’ll discuss later.
5. Customer Support
ZenBusiness prides itself on responsive customer service, available via phone, email, and live chat for 12 hours a day. Reviews consistently praise their team’s attentiveness, with reps like Nic B., Justine A., and John F. earning shoutouts for resolving issues quickly.
ZenBusiness Pricing: What’s the Cost?
ZenBusiness offers three main pricing tiers—Starter, Pro, and Premium—plus optional add-ons. Here’s a detailed look at what each plan includes and how they stack up. Note that state filing fees (ranging from $50 to $500 depending on the state) are not included in the base prices.
Starter Plan ($0 + State Fees)
- What’s Included: LLC or corporation formation, name availability search, standard filing speed (7–10 business days), free accounting assessment, ZenBusiness Money Essential (expense tracking), and one year of free Worry-Free Compliance (renews at $199/year).
- Best For: Entrepreneurs on a tight budget who need basic formation services.
- Catch: You’ll need to pay extra for an EIN ($99), operating agreement ($125), or registered agent ($199/year). Standard filing can also take longer depending on the state.
Pro Plan ($199/year + State Fees)
- What’s Included: Everything in the Starter plan, plus expedited filing (1–3 business days), EIN filing, operating agreement template, and Worry-Free Compliance (including annual report filing and up to two amendments).
- Best For: Business owners who want faster processing and compliance support without breaking the bank.
- Catch: The operating agreement is a template, not a custom document, so you’ll need to fill in the details yourself.
Premium Plan ($299/year + State Fees)
- What’s Included: Everything in the Pro plan, plus rush filing (1–2 days), a business website, domain name with privacy, and a business email address.
- Best For: Entrepreneurs who want a comprehensive package with marketing tools and the fastest filing times.
- Catch: Some features, like the website builder, may not match the quality of specialized providers like Wix or Squarespace.
Add-Ons
ZenBusiness offers à la carte services to customize your plan:
- Expedited Filing: $79 (Starter plan only).
- Registered Agent: $199/year.
- Operating Agreement: $125.
- Annual Report Filing: $100.
- EIN Filing: $99.
- Worry-Free Compliance: $199/year (after the first year).
Verdict on Pricing: ZenBusiness’s $0 Starter plan is a standout, making it one of the most affordable options for basic LLC formation. The Pro and Premium plans are competitively priced, but the add-on costs can add up if you need features like a registered agent or EIN. Compared to competitors like LegalZoom ($79–$399) or Northwest Registered Agent ($39 + state fees), ZenBusiness strikes a balance between affordability and value.
The Pros: Why Choose ZenBusiness?
ZenBusiness has earned its reputation as a top LLC formation service for good reason. Here are the biggest advantages based on my research and user feedback:
1. Affordable and Transparent Pricing
The $0 Starter plan is a major draw, especially for first-time entrepreneurs. Even the paid plans are reasonably priced, and ZenBusiness is upfront about costs, including state filing fees. This transparency builds trust, unlike some competitors who hide fees until checkout.
2. User-Friendly Platform
ZenBusiness’s website is clean, intuitive, and easy to navigate, even for tech novices. Their digital dashboard lets you track your formation status, access documents, and manage compliance tasks in one place. Customers love the step-by-step guidance, which simplifies complex processes like LLC formation.
3. Excellent Customer Support
With a 4.8-star Trustpilot rating and glowing reviews, ZenBusiness’s customer service is a standout. Users frequently mention reps like Nic B. and Jerel S. for their patience and expertise. Extended support hours (12 hours daily) mean you’re not left hanging when you need help.
4. Worry-Free Compliance
The Worry-Free Compliance service is a game-changer, especially for new business owners who aren’t familiar with state regulations. Automatic annual report filings, amendment support, and deadline alerts help you avoid costly penalties.
5. Social Responsibility
As a Public Benefit Corporation, ZenBusiness gives back through grants and partnerships. This resonates with socially conscious entrepreneurs who want to support a company with a mission beyond profit.
6. Comprehensive Add-Ons
From website builders to financial tools like Money Pro, ZenBusiness offers extras that help your business grow. While some features aren’t as robust as specialized providers, the convenience of having everything under one roof is a big plus.
The Cons: Where ZenBusiness Falls Short
No service is perfect, and ZenBusiness has its share of drawbacks. Here’s what to watch out for:
1. Add-On Costs Can Add Up
While the $0 Starter plan is enticing, essential features like an EIN, registered agent, or operating agreement come at an extra cost. For example, if you need a registered agent ($199) and EIN ($99), your “free” plan could cost nearly $300. Competitors like Northwest Registered Agent include some of these features at a lower base price.
2. Cancellation Issues
Some Better Business Bureau (BBB) complaints highlight difficulties canceling services or stopping auto-renewals. Customers have reported being charged for unwanted services, with one user noting ZenBusiness’s lack of an online cancellation option, which violates the FTC’s “Click to Cancel” rule. While these issues seem to affect a minority, they’re worth noting.
3. Template-Based Operating Agreements
The operating agreement included in the Pro and Premium plans is a template, not a custom document. You’ll need to fill in the details yourself, which could be a hassle if you’re not familiar with legal documents. For a custom agreement, you’ll pay $99 standalone or $199 bundled with formation.
4. Processing Times Vary
Standard filing (Starter plan) can take 7–10 business days, plus additional state processing times, which vary widely. While expedited and rush options are available, they come at a cost, and state-specific delays are out of ZenBusiness’s control.
5. Complementary Services Aren’t Best-in-Class
While ZenBusiness’s website builder and Money Pro are convenient, they don’t match the quality of dedicated platforms like Wix (for websites) or QuickBooks (for bookkeeping). If you need top-tier tools, you might prefer to shop elsewhere for these features.
Who Is ZenBusiness Best For?
ZenBusiness is a fantastic fit for:
- First-Time Entrepreneurs: The $0 Starter plan and user-friendly platform make it easy for beginners to form an LLC without a big budget.
- Small Business Owners: Worry-Free Compliance and add-ons like Money Pro help busy owners stay organized and compliant.
- Tech-Savvy Users: The digital dashboard and online tools appeal to those who prefer managing their business digitally.
- Socially Conscious Entrepreneurs: ZenBusiness’s PBC status and community grants align with mission-driven businesses.
It’s less ideal for:
- DIY Enthusiasts: If you’re comfortable filing paperwork yourself, you might save money by skipping ZenBusiness.
- Complex Businesses: Large companies or those needing custom legal documents may need a specialized attorney over ZenBusiness’s templates.
- Cost-Cutters: If you want all features (EIN, registered agent) included in one low price, Northwest might be a better pick.
Final Thoughts: Is ZenBusiness Worth It?
After diving into ZenBusiness’s offerings, pricing, and customer feedback, I can confidently say it’s one of the best LLC formation services in 2025—especially for small business owners and first-time entrepreneurs. The $0 Starter plan is a steal, making business formation accessible to almost anyone. The platform’s ease of use, responsive customer support, and Worry-Free Compliance service take the stress out of starting and running a business. Plus, their commitment to social good adds a feel-good factor that’s hard to beat.
That said, it’s not flawless. Add-on costs can creep up, and cancellation issues reported by some users raise a red flag. If you’re on a razor-thin budget or prefer to DIY, you might explore other options or handle filings yourself. But for most entrepreneurs, ZenBusiness’s balance of affordability, convenience, and support makes it a smart choice.
My Recommendation: If you’re ready to launch your LLC or corporation and want a reliable, budget-friendly partner, give ZenBusiness a try. Start with the Starter plan to keep costs low, and add services like Worry-Free Compliance or a registered agent as your business grows. Just double-check your subscription settings to avoid unwanted renewals.
Ready to get started? Visit ZenBusiness.com to form your business for as little as $0 plus state fees. Have you used ZenBusiness or another formation service? Drop your thoughts below—I’d love to hear your experience!
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