LegalZoom Review (2026)
LegalZoom is broader than a formation-only service. Its current LLC lineup starts at $0 plus state fees, but the value depends heavily on whether you actually need the included legal/document tools—and whether you separately add its $249/year registered agent service.
Is LegalZoom worth it for an LLC?
It can be, but not for every buyer. LegalZoom makes the most sense if you value a broad legal-services platform and may use its attorney/document ecosystem. If your goal is simply to form an LLC and keep registered-agent costs low, LegalZoom's separate $249/year registered agent fee materially changes the comparison.
LegalZoom Review: The Quick Verdict
LegalZoom's current LLC pricing is more competitive at the entry level than its older reputation suggests: the Basic plan is $0 plus state filing fees. The tradeoff appears when you move into paid packages, subscriptions or registered-agent service.
Our review standard: we separate the headline formation price from recurring services and auto-renewing subscriptions. A $0 formation offer is useful only if the buyer understands which features are temporary, which renew automatically, and which services remain separate.
LegalZoom Pricing: Basic vs. Pro vs. Premium
| Plan | Current price | What matters | Best fit |
|---|---|---|---|
| Basic | $0 + state fees | Formation filing plus currently listed bundled tools such as legal documents/eSignatures and partner services; verify current term lengths. | DIY-oriented buyer who mainly wants filing help. |
| Pro | $249 + state fees | Adds an operating agreement, EIN and currently advertised attorney-consult access/subscription terms. | Buyer who wants more launch documents/support bundled. |
| Premium | $299 + state fees | Includes Pro plus additional operating/bookkeeping features currently shown by LegalZoom. | Buyer likely to use the broader operating-tool bundle. |
| Registered Agent | $249/year | Separate service; auto-renews unless canceled under current terms. | Buyer who wants LegalZoom to receive official mail. |
Important 2026 correction: the old page described Premium as the plan that uniquely adds attorney consultation access. LegalZoom's current LLC page shows attorney consultation access within the Pro package, while Premium is positioned around additional operating/bookkeeping features. This is exactly why provider reviews must be re-verified rather than copied year to year.
The Registered Agent Cost
LegalZoom currently lists registered agent service at $249 per year. The service includes official-mail alerts, digital document access, compliance reminders and help switching registered agents.
The number matters because it is separate from the LLC formation tiers. A customer choosing the $0 Basic plan and adding LegalZoom registered-agent service is no longer comparing a $0 package to another provider's formation package; they are comparing a recurring $249 service plus state fees and any other add-ons they choose.
Where LegalZoom Is Strong
LegalZoom offers business formation alongside attorney plans and other legal services rather than focusing only on formation.
Current packages advertise access to customizable legal documents and eSignature tools.
LegalZoom markets access to a nationwide attorney network through its current plan structure and separate attorney plans.
Useful for buyers who prefer formation, documents and legal-service access under one brand.
What to Watch Before Checkout
- Registered agent service is separate: currently $249/year.
- Subscription renewals: LegalZoom's current plan pages show certain attorney/bookkeeping benefits as limited subscriptions that can auto-renew.
- EIN value: an EIN is free from the IRS if you are eligible to apply directly, so paying for a package should be justified by the total bundle—not the EIN alone.
- Operating agreement value: Enjoys-life provides its own free operating agreement resources, so this should not be treated as a reason by itself to buy a higher plan.
- State fees remain separate: LegalZoom's plan prices do not replace the state's formation fee.
LegalZoom vs. Northwest Registered Agent
| Feature | LegalZoom | Northwest |
|---|---|---|
| Entry formation service | $0 + state fees | $39 + state fees |
| Registered agent in formation offer | Separate | 1 year included |
| Registered agent standalone / renewal | $249/year | $125/year |
| Broader attorney/legal-service ecosystem | Major strength | More formation/compliance focused |
| Best fit | Buyer valuing one broad legal platform | Buyer prioritizing formation + RA value/privacy workflow |
Neither service is universally “better.” LegalZoom's strongest case is breadth. Northwest's strongest case in this comparison is the formation + registered-agent value structure. Choose based on the services you will actually use.
LegalZoom True-Cost Explorer
$249 + state filing fee
Basic formation plus one year of LegalZoom registered agent service.
Who LegalZoom Is Best For
Best fit: a business owner who values a recognizable, broad online legal-services platform and expects to use more than the formation filing itself.
Less compelling fit: someone who mainly wants inexpensive LLC filing plus ongoing registered-agent coverage and does not expect to use LegalZoom's broader tools.
A Lower-Cost Registered-Agent Comparison
Northwest Registered Agent
Northwest currently advertises LLC formation for $39 + state fees with one year of registered-agent service included; its standalone registered-agent price is $125/year. If registered-agent cost is central to your decision, that makes Northwest a relevant comparison to LegalZoom's $249/year service.
See Northwest's current offer →Affiliate disclosure: Enjoys-life may earn a commission if you use this link. Verify current provider terms before purchasing.
Primary Sources & Review Methodology
Methodology: we evaluate headline formation price, what each package actually includes, recurring services, auto-renewing subscriptions, registered-agent cost and the practical alternative cost of doing common tasks yourself. We do not score a provider using unverified “best in industry,” customer-count or checkout-behavior claims.
This review was refreshed against LegalZoom's and Northwest's official provider pages. Pricing and bundle terms can change, so future updates should re-check the provider pages before changing the Master Fact Registry.