LegalZoom vs File.Business: EIN application
Choosing between LegalZoom and File.Business for EIN application? Here's the honest comparison. LegalZoom typically charges $249 for entry-level service plus higher renewal fees. File.Business charges $0 service fee and uses transparent pass-through state fees.
Ein Application comparison at a glance
| Item | LegalZoom | File.Business |
|---|---|---|
| Entry-level price | $249 | $0 |
| Ein Application service fee | $249+ | $0 |
| RA renewal fee (year 2+) | $159/yr | $99/yr |
| Penalty-free guarantee | No | Yes |
| Compliance calendar | Partial / add-on | Included with Pro |
| SOC 2 certified | Varies | Yes (Type II) |
| Founded | 1999 | 2017 |
Where LegalZoom wins
Oldest brand, large law firm partnerships.
Where File.Business wins
- Lower total cost. Expensive add-ons, opaque pricing, slow customer service adds up over years.
- Modern platform. Mobile app, public API, document vault, integrations built in.
- Penalty-free guarantee. If we miss a state deadline, we cover the late fee.
- Ein Application included on Pro. We do not bill EIN application separately.
- $0 service fee always. The state fee is your only formation cost.
3-year total cost (sample comparison)
For a single-state LLC over 3 years (formation + 2 RA renewals + annual reports):
- LegalZoom: $667 (entry-level + 2 RA renewals + state fees)
- File.Business: $298 (RA free year 1, $99/yr after + state fees)
- You save: $369 over 3 years
Migration playbook: switch from LegalZoom to File.Business
We make the switch easy. Steps:
- Sign up for File.Business and choose your service plan.
- We file a change of registered agent with your state (free in year 1).
- We pull your filings from LegalZoom and add them to your document vault.
- Your compliance calendar starts tracking deadlines automatically.
- Cancel your LegalZoom subscription with the cost savings.
FAQ: LegalZoom vs File.Business for EIN application
Is File.Business cheaper than LegalZoom for EIN application?
Yes. LegalZoom typically charges $249 for entry-level service plus higher renewal fees. We charge $0 service fee and $99/year RA after year 1.
Can I switch from LegalZoom to File.Business mid-year?
Yes. We file a change of registered agent for your entity and import your existing records. No interruption to your business.
Does LegalZoom have anything File.Business does not?
Oldest brand, large law firm partnerships. We address these gaps through our partner network.
What is the catch with $0 formation at File.Business?
No catch. We make money on optional add-ons (banking referral fees, partner attorney referrals, premium tiers) which you do not need to use to get value.
Recommended add-ons
Most customers add these to keep their business compliant year-round.
Same-day EIN filing
FastestPremium tier - we file within business hours. Confirmation typically same day.
S-Corp Election (Form 2553)
Cut self-employment tax. We prepare and file Form 2553 within IRS deadlines.
BOI Beneficial Ownership Report
RequiredFinCEN-required filing. We collect data securely and submit on time.
Compliance Monitoring
Catch every BOI update, annual report, and license deadline across your entities.
Premium compliance, no service-fee markup.
Trust you can verify
SOC 2 Type II audited platform. 220,000+ businesses served. 60-day money-back on service fees. State fees passed through at cost with no hidden markup. Explicit AUP on restricted industries.
A compliance partner, not a transaction
Most providers go quiet after checkout. We auto-track every annual report, registered agent renewal, and license deadline across your entities. The Business OS dashboard keeps your compliance score visible year-round.
Premium experience competitors cannot match
Premium positioning, transparent pricing, no service-fee markup on state or federal filings. Premium positioning, transparent pricing, no service-fee markup on state filings.