BetterLegal vs Incfile: Which Legal Service Suits Your Needs Best?

Last Updated on December 4, 2023 by Ewen Finser

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With the growing number of online legal documentation companies, it can be hard to know where to turn when you need help starting your business. As such, you need to consider many factors before making this decision – pricing, services offered, convenience – to name a few.

Online legal documentation services provide an excellent way to save money and help you prepare the legal paperwork required to start a business.

This article will compare BetterLegal vs Incfile, two of the most popular online legal documentation services, to help you find the best one based on your needs.

Main Differences Between BetterLegal vs Incfile

The main differences between BetterLegal vs Incfile are:

• BetterLegal has a faster turnaround with a same-day filing of your documents, whereas Incfile takes up to two business days for Gold and Platinum packages.
• BetterLegal’s starting price for its packages is high at $299 plus State fees, whereas Incfile is affordable, with its barebone Silver package starting at $0 plus state fees.
• Overall, BetterLegal enjoys excellent customer reviews, whereas Incfile has mixed reviews.
• BetterLegal does not offer free registered agent services, whereas Incfile offers its clients free registered agent services for the first year.
• BetterLegal does not provide some essential services like business contract templates, whereas Incfile provides the templates to its clients at a small fee. 

BetterLegal vs IncFile: A Comparison of Services Offered

While both these companies provide similar services, each has its unique method for providing clients with what they need to incorporate into their business. From price to customer service, here is how these two legal document services compare.

Feature / Service	BetterLegal	Incfile
Starting Price for Services offered	$299 plus state fees	$0 plus state fees
Filing time taken	Same day	Next day (for Gold and Platinum packages only)
LLC operating agreement	Available	Available at an additional cost
Employer Identification Number	Available	Available at an additional cost
Website formation	Available	Free for the first year
Online access	Available	Available
Registered agent services	Available at an additional cost	Available at no charge for the first year

Main Features of BetterLegal

Quick Turnaround

When forming a business, you may want the process expedited or done within a given timeframe. Once you submit your documents to BetterLegal, they forward them to the State authorities on the same day they receive them, provided that everything is in order. 

Once the State has processed your documents, you will receive the files within two business days. While other companies may take days or weeks to file your papers, BetterLegal has remained ahead of their competitors with their expedited services. 

Real-time Assistance

BetterLegal provides its clients with real-time assistance via a live dashboard. You can have your queries answered through the interactive platform and change your LLC or provide additional information. 

After raising your issues through the dashboard, you will immediately receive feedback showing you the paperwork you need to provide, the cost of the service, and the turnaround time.

Registered Agent Services

You will not get registered agent services directly from BetterLegal. However, they can hook you up with a third-party registered agent for an annual fee of $90 or $10 per month. This fee presents a considerable saving as compared to other service providers who charge more.

The registered agents will assist you by scanning your documents and uploading them to your online account. If your LLC operates in several States, you will need a registered agent in each one of them.

Additional Free Services

To sweeten your business relationship, BetterLegal offers several services for free, including a new website, business checking, tax analysis, and insurance valuation. Note that they offer a free website when starting your business and remain so until it grows. 

If you need more features or customization on the website, BetterLegal can provide the services for a fee. BetterLegal does not charge set up fees for business checking feature, a minimum deposit of balance, and overdraft fees.

Main Features of Incfile

Client Dashboard

Incfile has a client dashboard to manage your company, make relevant changes, complete annual reports, file paperwork, and check your compliance forms renewal dates. The dashboard also stores records of previously submitted documents so that you can access them anytime you want.

Through the dashboard, you receive email alerts and notifications on your compliance forms renewal dates. The reminders are crucial since they may help you avoid penalties for late payment of renewal fees.

Fast Turnaround Time

Incfile guarantees that your documents will be filed with the relevant State agency within one business day, no matter which pays package you choose. Once filed, the processing speed depends on the State. Alternatively, you can check how long it will take your State to process on the Incfile website. In addition, you can check how much you need to pay if you want expedited service in your State and how long it will take before approval. 

Affordable Pricing

Incfile does not charge you any filing fees when you are forming your LLC. You only need to pay the State fees and are good to go. This is in sharp contrast to BetterLegal, which charges a $299 filing fee on top of the State fee.

You can also choose between any of the three payment plans offered by Incfile – Platinum, Gold, and Silver. Incfile also provides additional business formation services such as DBA/Fictitious Business Name, Business research services, and Certificate of Authority as part of the pay packages. These payment plans are pretty affordable when compared to what their competitors charge for the same services. 

Foreign Qualification

If you want to expand your business operations to other States, Incfile can help you obtain a Certificate of Authority. To obtain this foreign qualification, Incfile enables you to get a Certificate of Good Standing from your State of origin, pay relevant State fees, and file the required documents.

A Certificate of Good standing shows that you are compliant in paying your taxes, loans, and renewing business licenses. To obtain a Certificate of Authority, Incfile will charge you $149 plus State fees. 

BetterLegal vs Incfile: A Comparison of the Price Packages

To determine which online legal service provider you will use for your business filing, you need to make sure they fit your needs, financially and otherwise. Here are the price comparisons of BetterLegal vs Incfile to help you make an informed decision about which company suits your financial needs best.

BetterLegal Pricing Plans

Formation of an LLC 

If you need LLC formation services, BetterLegal will charge you $299 plus relevant State fees. BetterLegal offers several services in this plan, including filing documents, EIN registration, banking resolution, and drafting an operating agreement.

The plan is quite comprehensive, and it also includes a free website, tax analysis, insurance valuation, and a business checking account which BetterLegal’s partners offer. In addition, they can recommend where to get payroll, benefits, and HR services for your business.

Formation of a Corporation

In this plan, when you pay $299 plus State fees, you will get all the services offered in the LLC formation plan and get assistance in drafting your company’s bylaws. The turnaround time depends on the state you are filing in, meaning that you can start your operations as soon as your application is approved.

BetterLegal’s Additional Services 

• Registered Agent Services: Although BetterLegal does not offer these services themselves, they can connect you with a registered agent at the cost of $90 per year or $10 per month.
• Permit and License Search: Through this service, you do not have to go through the hassles of trying to find a suitable business license for you. For $125, BetterLegal will assist you with searching your license and permits and send the forms to you with instructions on how to fill them.
• State Compliance Services: Ensuring that you comply with all the State requirements can be a tedious process. BetterLegal will assist you in filing your paperwork, such as the annual report for $90 annually or $10 per month.
• Filing services: Charged from $25 plus State fees
• Amendment and research of documents: The service is offered free to all formation customers

Incfile’s Pricing Plans

Incfile offers a choice of three payment plans, with the final charges for each package depending on your State fees. Here is how the pricing packages compare.

Silver Plan: ($0 Plus Applicable State Fees)

This plan is Incfile’s most affordable package. They offer standard services such as business tax consultation, filing your Articles of Organization, name availability searches, and accessing your online documents. In addition, you get to enjoy the services of Incfile’s registered agent for free for one year.

Gold Plan: ($149 Plus Applicable State Fees) 

The Gold plan is Incfile’s most popular plan and is perfect for new business owners. Under this plan, you get all the services offered in the Silver package and a host of other services, which include;

• Drafting of an operating agreement
• Filing of your Employer Identification Number (EIN)
• Drafting your banking resolutions
• Business tax consultation
• Setting up a business banking account
• Filing of IRS form 2553 (for those forming an S-corporation)
• Offering unlimited support through email or the phone
• Access to an online dashboard
• Receiving lifetime company alerts – such as your license renewal dates and filing dates

Platinum Plan: ($299 Plus Applicable State Fees)

Although this plan is costly compared to Gold and Silver plans, it presents the best value regarding its services. In this plan, you will get all services provided under the Gold package plus a few extras such as;

• A free domain name and email services
• Free business contract templates
• Express shipping
• Expedited filing

Incfile’s Additional Services

Besides the LLC formation plans discussed above, Incfile offers you formation services for nonprofit organizations, C corporations, and S corporations. Below are some of the additional services and their charges.

• Registered agent services: $119 per annum (No charges for the first year)
• Registration of EIN: $70
• Change of registered agent: $49 plus State fees
• Amendments in your LLC: $99 plus State fees
• Dissolution: $149 plus State fees
• Doing Business As (DBA)/Fictitious Business Name: Charges depend on the State
• Filing annual report: $99 plus State fees
• Foreign qualification: $149 plus State fees
• Certificate of Good Standing: $49 plus State fees
• Business license research: $99 
• Trademark name searching: $199 plus $275 federal fees
• Corporate/Limited Liability Company kit: $99 per kit
• Filing your business taxes: $599

Better Legal vs. Incfile: Pros and Cons

BetterLegal Pros

• Affordable registered agent services
• Fast turnaround time
• Excellent user experience on the website
• Enjoys a lot of positive reviews from previous users
• Offers one-shot pricing for the formation of LLC or Corporation
• Have a straightforward website – No upselling of services on their site
• They have an online resource center that provides you with helpful information about your business
• Customers enjoy convenience through BetterLegal’s partnership with other service providers
• Offers free business name search

BetterLegal’s Cons

• Their website lacks an “about us” page and contact information
• There is no refund policy
• BetterLegal’s name may mislead clients because they don’t offer legal services
• Tends to charge higher fees compared to Incfile

Incfile’s Pros

• You can use Incfile to incorporate several business entities such as LLCs, Corporations, and nonprofits
• Provides excellent customer support through their online dashboard
• Offers free registered agent services for one year
• You can choose between their three price plans according to your needs and budget
• They provide lifetime support to their customers
• Online documents are easily accessible

Incfile’s Cons

• There are few customer support platforms
• Some charges for a number of their additional services are pretty high
• Do not have clear refund and cancellation policies
• Mixed customer reviews compared to BetterLegal, which enjoys excellent reviews
• Provide free services for one year only.

 

FAQs

BetterLegal vs Incfile Conclusion

When you need to hire an online legal document provider, BetterLegal vs Incfile are the two most popular choices. But which one is the better option? 

BetterLegal LLC’s formation service is renowned for its friendly prices and fast turnaround – making it ideal for someone who wants to start their business immediately. Customers rate it highly for its superior services and customer satisfaction.

On the other hand, Incfile offers one of the most affordable online legal documents services. Their prices are hard to beat, and they offer their clients a full year of free registered agent service with any of their three package plans.

After comparing the services offered, turnaround time, and overall customer satisfaction and rating, BetterLegal is my choice for business formation services.