Starting a business can be a complex and time-consuming process, especially when it comes to legal formalities such as forming an LLC.
Form your LLC quickly and easily with LegalZoom's comprehensive services, including preparation and filing of legal documents and access to legal advice.
In recent years, online legal services such as LegalZoom and Rocket Lawyer have emerged as popular options for entrepreneurs looking to form an LLC quickly and affordably. While both companies offer similar services, there are significant differences in their pricing, features, and customer support that may impact your decision. In this article, we will be comparing LegalZoom vs. Rocket Lawyer in various areas to help you decide which service is best for your particular needs.
Comparison Chart
| Product Name | Rocket Lawyer | LegalZoom |
 |  | |
| Price | Check Price | Check Price |
| Plans | Standalone LLC formation plan Monthly or yearly membership plan | Basic Pro Premium |
| Registered Agent | Add-on | Add-on |
| Articles of Organization | Yes | Yes |
| Annual Compliance | No | Add-On |
| Attorney Consultation | Yes | Yes |
| Customer Support | Phone, chat | Email, phone, chat |
Overview
LegalZoom and Rocket Lawyer are both online legal service providers that offer a wide range of legal documents and services to businesses and individuals. LegalZoom was founded in 2001, while Rocket Lawyer was founded in 2008.
Since its inception, Rocket Lawyer has served millions of customers and offers a variety of legal services, including business formation, legal documents, and online attorney consultations. In addition to its online services, Rocket Lawyer has also established partnerships with various organizations to provide legal assistance to underserved communities.
LegalZoom, on the other hand, has served over 4 million customers, and its services include business formation, registered agent services, trademarks, and patents. The company has been recognized as a leading provider of legal services and has received numerous awards for its innovation and customer service. LegalZoom has also expanded its services to include legal plans, which give customers access to on-demand legal advice and consultation from licensed attorneys.
Both LegalZoom and Rocket Lawyer have a strong reputation for providing reliable and affordable legal services. However, LegalZoom has been around longer and has more experience in the industry. That said, Rocket Lawyer has made significant strides in the legal tech space since its founding.
Plans, Pricing and Features
Rocket Lawyer and LegalZoom are two of the most popular online legal services that offer LLC formation services. Both companies offer a range of plans with different features, below is our comparison.
Rocket Lawyer
The standalone LLC plan costs a one-time fee of $99.99 and includes the filing of Articles of Organization and a business name. However, it doesn’t include many additional features such as a registered agent service or EIN, which can be purchased as add-on services at an additional cost. For instance, the registered agent service costs $149.99 per year.
The membership plan costs $39.99 per month or $239.99 per year. If you’re a new member, you also get their LLC formation service for free. For existing members, the service is discounted by 25%. With a membership, you get access to legal documents and attorney services. You also get discounts on a variety of services such as registered agent service, tax preparation and filing, trademark application, and more.
Rocket Lawyer’s standalone LLC plan is quite expensive for what it offers. There are plenty of LLC formation service providers that offer cheaper plans with more services. The membership plan, however, is an excellent option for those who want a more comprehensive package of legal services beyond just LLC formation. For $39.99 per month or $239.99 per year, users get access to legal documents and attorney services, as well as discounts on a variety of services. This is a great option if your business will be needing legal assistance regularly.
LegalZoom
The Basic package starts at $0 plus state fees, it includes basic services. Preparation and filing of the articles of organization, a business name availability check, and a step-by-step guide on what to do once the filing is complete are what you’ll be getting here. Small business owners who are just starting out and need a basic legal structure for their business will be served well by this plan.
For those who need a more comprehensive LLC formation service, the Pro package priced at $249 (excluding state fees) is their second option. It includes everything in the Basic package, plus an EIN, operating agreement, and tax & insurance consultation with a specialist.
The most expensive plan from LegalZoom is the Premium package priced at $299 + state fees. This package includes, in addition to those on the Pro package, unlimited 30-minute consultations with an attorney about legal issues for three months. Other services that you get with it are access to a full library of customizable legal forms, one copyright registration per month, and one entity amendment with rush service for 90 days. While some users may not require these additional services, the inclusion of attorney guidance and legal document review makes this package a valuable investment for businesses that anticipate needing legal assistance in the future.
LegalZoom’s basic package provides better value than Rocket Lawyer’s LLC formation plan since they are similar in what they offer but with LegalZoom, you pay only the state fees. The Pro package is a bit expensive for what it offers since for just $50 more, you can get the Premium package which offers more services, including consultations with attorneys and other legal services.
User Experience
In terms of website usability, both Rocket Lawyer and LegalZoom have user-friendly websites with easy-to-navigate interfaces. However, Rocket Lawyer’s website is slightly more user-friendly, with a more intuitive layout that makes it easier for users to find what they need quickly. Rocket Lawyer’s website also uses simpler language to minimize confusion.
On the other hand, LegalZoom’s website is a bit more cluttered, with many upsells and add-ons that can detract on the whole user experience. While LegalZoom’s website is still user-friendly, the design could benefit from some streamlining and a more minimalist approach.
Both Rocket Lawyer and LegalZoom offer customer support via phone and chat, but the latter also has email support. Rocket Lawyer’s customer support team is generally regarded as more responsive and helpful, with shorter wait times and more personalized support. Rocket Lawyer’s website also offers a comprehensive help center with FAQs, articles, and other resources that can help users resolve issues on their own.
LegalZoom’s customer support team is also reliable and responsive, but some users have reported longer wait times and less personalized support. While both are excellent at providing customer support, Rocket Lawyer edges out LegalZoom in this department.
Verdict
Form your LLC quickly and easily with LegalZoom's comprehensive services, including preparation and filing of legal documents and access to legal advice.
If you’re only interested in LLC formation, LegalZoom is the better option as it is cheaper. LegalZoom’s simple pricing structure makes it easy to understand what you’re getting for your money.
Rocket Lawyer’s LLC formation plan is a bit overpriced for what it offers, but the company excels when it comes to providing legal assistance. If your business will need legal assistance on the regular, both Rocket Lawyer and LegalZoom can provide that, but we are leaning more towards Rocket Lawyer in this case since they have a wider range of services available.