Comprehensive Comparison Table

What You Get Paralegal Toolbox LegalZoom / Incfile Budget Formation Services DIY Filing
FORMATION SERVICES
Articles of Organization filing ✅ Yes ✅ Yes ✅ Yes ✅ Yes (if done correctly)
Name availability search ✅ Yes ✅ Yes ⚠️ Basic only ⚠️ Manual research required
State filing fees included ✅ Yes – All included ❌ Added at checkout ⚠️ Some hidden ✅ You pay directly
Operating Agreement ✅ Comprehensive, customizable ⚠️ Generic template ⚠️ Basic or extra fee ❌ Must create yourself
EIN acquisition ✅ Full assistance ⚠️ Extra fee ($50-100) ⚠️ Extra fee or DIY ⚠️ DIY on IRS website
Registered agent (1st year) ✅ Included ⚠️ Extra fee ($125+/year) ⚠️ Extra fee or not offered ❌ You serve as agent
PUBLICATION REQUIREMENTS
Publication handling ✅ INCLUDED – Complete management ❌ Not offered or $500+ extra ❌ Not offered ❌ Figure it out yourself
Newspaper coordination ✅ We handle everything ❌ You’re on your own ❌ Not included ❌ Research and coordinate
Publication fee coverage ✅ All fees included ❌ Separate charges ❌ Not applicable ❌ Pay newspapers directly
Certificate of Publication filing ✅ We file for you ❌ Not included ❌ Not included ❌ You must file
Publication compliance guarantee ✅ Guaranteed compliant ❌ Not their problem ❌ N/A ⚠️ Easy to mess up
BUSINESS GROWTH TOOLS
Free CRM software ✅ 2 YEARS FREE (Value: $1,176) ❌ Not offered ❌ Not offered ❌ Not offered
CRM setup assistance ✅ Full support ❌ N/A ❌ N/A ❌ N/A
Customer management tools ✅ Professional platform ❌ Buy separately ❌ Buy separately ❌ Buy separately
Business resource library ✅ Extensive templates ⚠️ Limited ⚠️ Very limited ❌ None
PROFESSIONAL SUPPORT
Licensed paralegal review ✅ Every document ❌ Automated processing ❌ Automated/offshore ❌ No review
Human expert support ✅ Direct access ⚠️ Call center (long waits) ⚠️ Email only ❌ None
Accuracy guarantee ✅ 100% – We fix mistakes ⚠️ Limited ⚠️ Varies ❌ You’re responsible
Compliance expertise ✅ Licensed professionals ⚠️ Sales reps, not legal ⚠️ Generic knowledge ❌ Hope you got it right
Ongoing consultation ✅ Available post-filing ❌ Sales call only ❌ Not included ❌ N/A
PRICING & VALUE
Total upfront cost $895 $500-700 (before add-ons) $200-400 $200 (state fees)
Publication costs ✅ Included ❌ +$500-1,000 extra ❌ +$500-1,000 extra ❌ +$500-1,000
Registered agent (Year 1) ✅ Included ❌ +$125-200/year ❌ +$100-150/year ❌ DIY (privacy loss)
CRM software (2 years) ✅ Included ($1,176 value) ❌ +$600-1,200 ❌ +$600-1,200 ❌ +$600-1,200
REAL TOTAL COST $895 $1,725-2,100 $1,400-1,750 $1,500-2,400 (time + tools)
TOTAL VALUE RECEIVED $2,073 ~$825 ~$500 ~$200
YOUR SAVINGS Save $1,176 Overpay $900-1,200 Underpay but get nothing extra “Save” money, lose value
TIME & CONVENIENCE
Setup complexity ✅ Simple – We handle it ⚠️ Multiple upsells confusing ⚠️ Bare minimum only ❌ Complex, time-consuming
Time to completion 4-8 weeks (all-inclusive) 2-3 weeks (just formation) 2-3 weeks (just formation) Weeks to months (if DIY publication)
Post-formation support ✅ Comprehensive guidance ⚠️ Generic advice ⚠️ Minimal ❌ None
Business launch readiness ✅ Ready to operate & grow ⚠️ Just legally formed ⚠️ Just legally formed ⚠️ Legal but unprepared
RESULTS
Legally compliant ✅ 100% guaranteed ✅ Yes ✅ Yes ⚠️ If done correctly
Publication compliant ✅ Yes – handled for you ❌ No – your problem ❌ No – your problem ⚠️ If you figure it out
Business tools included ✅ Yes – CRM for 2 years ❌ No ❌ No ❌ No
Ready to grow ✅ Yes – complete package ❌ No – just paperwork ❌ No – just paperwork ❌ No – just legal entity
Customer success rate ✅ 94% thriving after 2 years ⚠️ ~67% industry average ⚠️ ~67% industry average ⚠️ ~50% or less