Counting only what ZenBusiness charges on top of the state, the three likely setups work out like this. Starter with ZenBusiness as your registered agent costs $99 in the first year and $199 each year after. Pro with the agent costs $298 in the first year ($199 plus $99) and $398 each year after. Premium with the agent costs $398 in the first year ($299 plus $99) and $498 each year after. If you act as your own registered agent and take Starter, the extra cost is $0.
The state's charges sit outside these numbers. They are the same whichever path you choose, they are set by each state's published fee schedule, and this page does not add them to ZenBusiness's prices. Two other costs are zero on either path. The IRS issues an Employer Identification Number free (per its EIN page, read September 28, 2026), and it says to form the entity with the state before applying. FinCEN states that companies formed in the United States are exempt from federal beneficial ownership (BOI) reporting.
Fees and requirements at a glance
| Item | Amount or requirement | Source |
|---|---|---|
| State LLC formation fee | Varies by state. Paid to the state on either path. | Your state's Secretary of State (or equivalent) published fee schedule. Note the date you read it. |
| State annual or renewal fees | Varies by state | Your state's published fee schedule |
| State late-filing penalties | Varies by state | Your state's published fee schedule |
| EIN | $0 (free) | IRS, Get an Employer Identification Number, read September 28, 2026 |
| Paying a third party for an EIN | Not necessary. The IRS says never to pay for one. | IRS, Get an Employer Identification Number, read September 28, 2026 |
| Order of steps | Form the entity with the state before applying for an EIN | IRS, Get an Employer Identification Number, read September 28, 2026 |
| Federal BOI reporting | US-formed companies are exempt | FinCEN, Beneficial Ownership Information, read September 28, 2026 |
| ZenBusiness Starter | $0 plus state fee | ZenBusiness LLC pricing page, read September 28, 2026 |
| ZenBusiness Pro | $199 per year | ZenBusiness LLC pricing page, read September 28, 2026 |
| ZenBusiness Premium | $299 per year | ZenBusiness LLC pricing page, read September 28, 2026 |
| ZenBusiness registered agent | $199 per year on every tier. $99 for the first year when forming with ZenBusiness. | ZenBusiness LLC pricing page, read September 28, 2026 |
Where the difference actually comes from
The formation filing itself is not where you pay extra. The state charges its fee whether you submit the form yourself or a service submits it for you. The real question is whether you want anything beyond that filing, and how many years you plan to keep paying for it.
This matters because two of ZenBusiness's charges recur. Pro and Premium are priced per year, and after the discounted first year the registered agent fee is $199 every year. A first-year comparison makes the service look cheaper than it is over the life of the business. If you expect to run the LLC for several years, compare against the ongoing figures, which are $199, $398 or $498 a year depending on setup, not only the first-year ones.
The state's ongoing charges are a separate matter. Most states charge something after formation, such as an annual report or renewal fee, and many charge penalties when a filing is late. Those amounts differ by state and change over time, so this page does not state them. Check your state's own published schedule and note the date you read it. A service may help you track those deadlines, but it does not replace the state's fees.
DIY versus ZenBusiness, side by side
Listed alphabetically, not ranked. Figures are service charges only, from ZenBusiness's LLC pricing page, read September 28, 2026. State fees are paid on every path and are not included.
| Option | Plan charge | Registered agent charge | State fees |
|---|---|---|---|
| File it yourself | $0 | $0 if you serve as your own agent | Paid directly to the state, varies |
| ZenBusiness Premium | $299 per year | $99 first year, then $199 per year | Paid to the state, varies |
| ZenBusiness Pro | $199 per year | $99 first year, then $199 per year | Paid to the state, varies |
| ZenBusiness Starter | $0 | $99 first year, then $199 per year (optional) | Paid to the state, varies |
When filing yourself is the better call
If you are comfortable filling out a state form online, have an address in the state where you can receive legal mail during business hours, and are willing to track your own annual deadlines, filing directly gets you the same LLC for only the state's fees. For a single-owner business with simple needs, that is often the cheapest reasonable route, and nothing about the LLC itself is weaker for having been filed by you. Check your state's rules on who may serve as a registered agent before deciding to act as your own.
The same logic applies to the EIN. Whichever path you take, you can get one from the IRS for $0 once the state has formed your LLC. The IRS says plainly that you should never pay a third party for an EIN.
When ZenBusiness is worth paying for
ZenBusiness makes the most sense when your time or privacy is worth more to you than the fee. If you do not want your home address listed as the registered agent address, travel often, or simply do not want to manage state filings and reminders, paying for the agent service and a plan can be a reasonable trade. For that reader, ZenBusiness is a sensible choice, and its Starter plan with the $99 first-year agent is the lowest-cost way in. Each tier includes different extras, so read the plan comparison on ZenBusiness's own page and decide whether those extras are things you would otherwise pay for or do yourself. If you would not use them, Pro and Premium add cost without adding value.
This site earns a commission on some links, including ZenBusiness. That does not change the recommendation: if filing yourself fits your situation, it is the better call.
FAQ
How much more does ZenBusiness cost than filing an LLC yourself?
On Starter alone, $0 more, because Starter is $0 plus the same state fee you would pay directly. With ZenBusiness as your registered agent, the extra is $99 in the first year and $199 a year after. Pro adds $199 a year, and Premium adds $299 a year.
What are the ZenBusiness LLC pricing tiers compared with filing yourself?
Filing yourself costs only the state's fees. ZenBusiness Starter is $0 plus the state fee, Pro is $199 a year, and Premium is $299 a year. The registered agent is extra on all three.
What is ZenBusiness's official LLC formation pricing for 2026?
Per ZenBusiness's LLC pricing page, read September 28, 2026: Starter $0 plus state fee, Pro $199 per year, Premium $299 per year, and registered agent $199 per year on every tier, discounted to $99 for the first year when you form with ZenBusiness.
What do the ZenBusiness Starter, Pro and Premium plans cost?
Starter is $0 plus the state fee. Pro is $199 per year. Premium is $299 per year. None of the three includes the registered agent, which is a separate $199 a year ($99 for the first year when forming with ZenBusiness).
Do I need to pay for an EIN or BOI filing?
No. The IRS issues EINs free, after the LLC is formed with the state. FinCEN states that companies formed in the United States are exempt from federal BOI reporting.
Sources
- Internal Revenue Service, “Get an employer identification number”
- Financial Crimes Enforcement Network, “Beneficial Ownership Information Reporting”
This is general information, not legal advice, and requirements vary by state and change over time.