RankingRight
7.3 Tested Aug 23, 2026 by Team RankingRight

LegalZoom (Basic, $0 + state fee) review 2026

The best-known name, with real attorneys on subscription and 25 years of filings behind it — priced accordingly at every step

PriceFrom $0 · checked Sep 11, 2026
Year one0 $
Year two249 $

Is the LegalZoom Worth It?

Best for attorney access. LegalZoom is worth its price only if you use the attorney plan — that is a genuine service the cheaper filers cannot match. As a pure filing service it is the most expensive way to do a twenty-minute job.

LegalZoom Pros & Cons

Pros
  • A licensed attorney in your state on a monthly plan — nobody else here offers it properly
  • Trademark, contracts, estate documents in the same account
  • Satisfaction guarantee and a long track record
  • Extensive help library
Cons
  • $249 a year registered agent and $99 for an EIN the IRS gives free
  • Most upsell screens of any checkout we ran
  • Basic filing took twelve business days

LegalZoom at a Glance

7.3 Editor Score
True first-year costWhat we actually paid in year one — package, registered agent, and anything the checkout added — on top of the state filing fee.
20/30
Renewal costRegistered agent and compliance fees from year two, which is where these services make their money.
11/20
Filing & compliance serviceDays from order to approved articles, EIN handling, operating agreement quality, annual-report reminders and filing.
16/20
Checkout transparencyHow clearly the state fee and renewals were disclosed, and how many upsell screens stood between us and the order.
11/15
Support & extrasPhone and chat support quality, attorney access, banking and bookkeeping add-ons, privacy of your home address.
15/15
Reader ratingNo reader ratings yet — not part of the score
Own one? Rate it:

Rubric v1: True first-year cost 30 · Renewal cost 20 · Filing & compliance service 20 · Checkout transparency 15 · Support & extras 15. Score = Σ ÷ 10, locked Sep 11, 2026. How we rank.

Where to buy — prices checked Sep 11, 2026

LegalZoom — $0

Best priceVisit Site

LegalZoom specifications

Entry package0 USD
$0 packageYes
Registered agent year 1No ($249/yr)
Registered agent from year 2249 USD/yr
Our year-one total (excl. state fee)0 USD
EIN$99 or Pro package
Operating agreementPro package
Attorney accessYes, $49/mo legal plan
Approved in (our order)12 business days (Basic)

Why it scored 7.3

LegalZoom is worth its price only if you use the attorney plan — that is a genuine service the cheaper filers cannot match. As a pure filing service it is the most expensive way to do a twenty-minute job.

Where it loses

Value.

Still the right pick for

Businesses that want a lawyer on call.

Changelog: Sep 11 — rank 4 → 5; Sep 11 — rank 5 → 6 · all changes

LegalZoom7.3 · $0
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