I'm starting a small consulting LLC (just me, no employees) in Colorado. Both ZenBusiness and Bizee look similar on the surface, but I can't tell which is actually the better value once you factor in registered agent fees, compliance alerts, and hidden upsells. Anyone have firsthand experience with either? I'm not looking for the cheapest possible option, but I also don't want to get nickel-and-dimed after the first year.
LLC Services
Zenbusiness vs bizee, which one offers better value?
Used Bizee for my LLC back in 2021. The $0 formation is real, but the registered agent service is $119/year and they auto-renew without much warning. Also, their compliance alerts are basiccally email reminders you could set yourself. Fine if you just want the filing done.
ZenBusiness has been fine for me. I paidd for the mid-tier package just to get the EIN done faster. Probably didn't need to, but no surprise charges since. Their dashboard is cleaner than Bizee's, which felt like it was designed in 2008.
Value is subjective. If you only care about formation cost, Bizee wins. If you care about not having to think about annual reports, ZenBusiness's reminders are slightly better. But honestly, either way you're paying for a registered agent you could get cheaper elsewhere.
Yeah, that's the thing. After year one, the 'value' evaporates because you're locked into their RA pricing unless you remember to cancel and switch. Colorado's annual report fee is only $25 anyway, so the compliance part isn't exactly rocket science.
I went with ZenBusiness because they had a promo for $49 formation. Then found out the registered agent was extra. Felt a bit bait-and-switchy, but the actual filing was quick. No complaints about the service, just the marketing.
Wait, you guys are paying for registered agents? I just use my home address and hope for the best. Kidding. Sort of.
That'll come back to bite tou if you ever get sued. But for a solo consultant with no physical presence, it's low risk. Still, I sleep better with a real RA.
The real hidden cost with both is the 'compliance' upsell. ZenBusiness wanted like $199/year for their worry-free compliance thing. I passed. Their basic dashboard still shows deadlines.
Bizee's basic dashboard shows deadlines too. I think people overpay because they don't realize the state sends you reminders for free. The only real value is the RA service, and even that's marked up.
Avoid ZenBusiness.They charged me for a service I never signed up for and took three calls to get a refund. Bizee isn't great either, but at least they didn't pull that.
Interesting mix of experiences.So it sounds like the formation itself is a wash and the real differentiator is how annoying the RA renewal and compliance upsells are. I'll probably just go with the cheaper RA and set my own calendar reminders.