LegalZoom alternatives are online services that form your company, prepare legal documents or connect you with a lawyer. They split three ways: filers that submit your formation paperwork, memberships that put an attorney on call, and specialists for Delaware companies or startup paperwork. Ten options follow in no particular order.
People who search for another online legal service rarely want the same thing. Some only need an LLC filed this week, some want a lawyer they can ring when a contract lands, and some are raising money and need startup paperwork done right.
The ten services below are listed alphabetically and in no particular order, and every description comes from each provider's own website, read as of Oct 2026. None of this is legal advice.
LegalZoom alternatives at a glance
| Tool | Type | Good for |
|---|---|---|
| Bizee | LLC formation service | Formation with registered agent and address |
| Clerky | Startup legal paperwork | Incorporation, fundraising and hiring documents |
| Cogency Global | Statutory representation and compliance | Registered agent and compliance across borders |
| Firstbase | All-in-one startup operating system | Incorporation, compliance, bookkeeping and taxes |
| Harvard Business Services | Delaware formation specialist | Forming a Delaware LLC or corporation |
| Inc Authority | Free LLC formation service | A free LLC filing where state fees apply |
| LegalNature | Online legal documents | DIY legal documents and business forms |
| Rocket Lawyer | Legal membership | Attorney access alongside legal documents |
| Swyft Filings | Online formation service | Formation plus access to independent attorneys |
| Tailor Brands | Formation and business tools | LLC formation with compliance and taxes |
Ten formation and online legal services
Bizee
Best for: New owners forming an LLC who want their first year of registered agent service and first month of a virtual address included.
Clerky
Best for: Startup founders who need formation, fundraising, hiring and commercial paperwork done online, from a service built around startups.
Cogency Global
Best for: Law firms, paralegals and international companies needing statutory representation, formation and compliance across the US and other regions.
Firstbase
Best for: Founders forming an LLC or C-Corp who want incorporation, compliance, bookkeeping, taxes and a mailroom address in one place.
Harvard Business Services
Best for: Owners set on Delaware who want an LLC or corporation formed there, with registered agent service and domestic or international packages.
Inc Authority
Best for: Founders who want a free LLC formation service, with the state's own filing fees still to pay.
LegalNature
Best for: Individuals and small businesses who want on-demand legal documents, business formation and a tax ID service, with guides explaining each one.
Rocket Lawyer
Best for: Businesses wanting one membership for legal documents and attorney consultations, with attorneys hand-picked for their needs and location.
Swyft Filings
Best for: Owners forming an LLC or corporation who'd like access to independent attorneys through a legal plan subscription.
Tailor Brands
Best for: Solo founders who want their LLC filed, then help staying compliant, with taxes, bookkeeping and banking from the same provider.
Filer, attorney membership or specialist?
Here's what I found reading the provider pages. Swyft Filings says it provides access to independent attorneys through legal plan subscriptions, and Rocket Lawyer sells an AI-native legal membership that connects you with an attorney. Inc Authority leads with a free LLC service where state fees still apply, while Bizee, Tailor Brands and Firstbase bundle formation with compliance, bookkeeping or taxes.
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The specialists are clear about their lane. Clerky is startup legal paperwork, Harvard Business Services pitches forming a Delaware LLC or corporation, and Cogency Global offers statutory representation and corporate compliance. So the choice isn't really about brand names. It's whether you need a filer, a lawyer on call or a specialist.
What these services usually include
- Formation filing. They prepare and submit your LLC or corporation paperwork to the state. The state's own filing fee is separate from what the service charges.
- Registered agent. The person or company that receives official legal papers for your business. Some include a year, some sell it on its own.
- Compliance help. Reminders and filings for annual reports and other state requirements after formation.
- Attorney access. A subscription or membership that lets you consult a lawyer. This is the part a filing-only service doesn't offer.
- Startup documents. Founder stock, fundraising and hiring paperwork, which matters if you're raising investment.
Questions for an online legal or formation service
- Do you need a filing, a lawyer, or both?
- Which state are you forming in, and does the service handle it?
- Is registered agent service included, and for how long?
- What happens after formation: annual reports, tax registration, bookkeeping?
- If you're raising money, does it handle startup paperwork such as founder stock?
- Does the provider say it's a law firm or not? Many say plainly they can't give legal advice.
Not sure an LLC is the right structure? My comparison of an LLC vs a sole proprietorship covers the basics.
Do you make formation or legal document software? Tool makers can ask to be considered for a featured place on this list.
My plain advice on choosing a LegalZoom alternative
Work out the job before you compare anyone. If you only need an LLC formed in your home state, a formation filer is enough, and you should check exactly what's included beyond the filing. If you expect contracts and questions all year, a membership with attorney access may suit you better. If you're forming in Delaware or raising investment, go to a specialist. Whatever you choose, read the provider's own page for what's included, and speak to a lawyer for anything specific to your situation.
Comparing structures as well? My guide to S corp vs LLC for a small business explains the tax side, and my guide to setting up a US LLC as a non-US resident covers founders based abroad.
Want your tool on this list? Featured spots and reviews here are paid partnerships. Here's how to partner with me.
Frequently asked questions
What's a good alternative to LegalZoom?
It depends on the job. Formation filers suit a simple LLC, attorney memberships suit ongoing legal questions, and specialists suit Delaware companies or startup paperwork. Check each provider's own page for what's included.
Can I form an LLC for free?
Some services offer free formation, but the state's own filing fee still applies. Check the state's official page for what it charges.
Is an online legal service the same as a law firm?
Usually not. Many say plainly that they're not a law firm and can't give legal advice, though some offer access to independent attorneys through a subscription.
Which service is best for a Delaware company?
Some providers on this list specialise in Delaware formation and registered agent service. Compare what each includes and check the state's own requirements.
Do I need a registered agent for an LLC?
Most states require one. Several formation services include registered agent service for a period or sell it separately.
What do startups need beyond formation?
Startups raising money often need founder stock paperwork, fundraising documents and hiring agreements, which specialist startup services handle.
