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ZenBusiness logo - ZenBusiness: form a US LLC as a freelancer
Starting a business
Freemium - From $0 plus state fees, paid plans at $199 and $299 per year

ZenBusiness: form a US LLC as a freelancer

US business formation service: LLC, S Corp and C Corp filing, with compliance add-ons

Try ZenBusiness

ZenBusiness is a US business formation service. It files your LLC or corporation with the state, then sells the services that usually come next, such as a registered agent, compliance filings and EIN help.

The service covers US companies only. Nothing on this page is legal or tax advice.

Who is ZenBusiness for?

Freelancers and small business owners who want a US company. ZenBusiness says that independent contractors, sole proprietors and LLC owners are all considered self-employed, and it presents the LLC as a way to protect your assets and build credibility. It sells that service, so treat this as a sales argument and not as advice.

One limit matters here: ZenBusiness does not form sole proprietorships. If you stay a sole proprietor and only want a trade name, it can register a DBA.

Features

  • Formation: LLC, S Corp and C Corp filing. ZenBusiness says it forms LLCs in all 50 states and Washington, D.C.
  • Compliance: ongoing filings and annual report support.
  • Business basics: registered agent, EIN help, operating agreement and DBA.
  • Online presence: domain, business email and website builder.
  • Velo: a free AI guide, included in every package according to ZenBusiness.

ZenBusiness pricing in 2026

Prices checked on the official site in October 2026, in US dollars. State fees are extra on every plan and vary by state.

  • Starter: $0 plus state fees, for the initial state filing.
  • Pro: $199 plus state fees, renewing at $199 per year.
  • Premium: $299 plus state fees, renewing at $299 per year.

Add-ons are listed separately, for example a registered agent at $199 per year. Check the site for your state fee and for what your plan includes.

Why we recommend ZenBusiness

We recommend it to freelancers who have already decided on a US LLC and want a filing service with published prices. The weak point to know about: the $0 entry price only covers the first filing. Once you add state fees, a registered agent or a renewing plan, the real cost is much higher.

ZenBusiness or another solution?

If you live outside the US, doola targets non-US founders. If you want attorney support alongside the filing, look at LegalZoom. Once your company exists, you will need a way to get paid: Wise Business is one option to compare.

Strengths and weaknesses

Strengths

  • Entry plan at $0 plus state fees for the initial state filing
  • LLC formation in all 50 states and Washington, D.C., according to ZenBusiness
  • Registered agent, EIN help, operating agreement and DBA available from the same provider
  • Prices for each plan and add-on are published on the site

Weaknesses

  • US companies only: no formation in any other country
  • It does not form sole proprietorships, only LLCs and corporations
  • Pro and Premium renew every year at $199 and $299
  • Add-ons such as a registered agent ($199 per year) can raise the real cost well above $0

Frequently asked questions about ZenBusiness

ZenBusiness is a US business formation service. It files LLCs and corporations with the state and sells related services such as a registered agent, compliance filings, EIN help and a domain with email.

The United States only. ZenBusiness says it forms LLCs in all 50 states and Washington, D.C. Its site does not offer company formation in any other country.

On the official site in October 2026: Starter at $0, Pro at $199 per year and Premium at $299 per year, all in US dollars and all plus state fees. State fees vary by state and ZenBusiness does not keep them.

No. ZenBusiness says it does not support sole proprietorship formations at this time, but it can create LLCs and other corporation types, and it can register a DBA if you want to trade under another name.

That depends on your situation, and this page is not legal or tax advice. ZenBusiness presents an LLC as a way to protect your assets and look more credible, but it sells that service, so ask a US accountant or attorney before you decide.