Inc Authority Review 2024
Looking for the best LLC service online to help you start a business? We used Inc Authority to form an LLC, and explored the platform’s features.
In this Inc Authority review, we’ll go over the details of the company’s LLC formation services and explain how it compares to others on the market. Read on to find out if Inc Authority is the right business formation service for you.
We also recommend checking out our list of the 5 Best LLC Services.
Recommended Step Before Using Inc Authority to Form an LLC
It’s important to name your business before going through the LLC formation process with a service provider. TRUiC’s Free LLC Name Generator will help you to do the following:
- Discover the perfect business name for your company.
- Conduct a business name search to make sure your desired name is available in your state and not already taken.
- Help verify the availability and secure a domain name for your LLC.
Inc Authority Overview
Inc Authority (also known as Inc For Free) is an online business formation service that has been supporting small business owners since 1989. Inc Authority offers basic LLC formation services at an affordable price; however, there may be a better service out there for you. We’ll explore Inc Authority’s pricing and features, customer reviews, and rate their specific services.
Our Approach:
For our Inc Authority review, we focused on three main questions:
- Is Inc Authority a good deal?
- Is there a better deal?
- Who uses Inc Authority and how did they review their experience?
Inc Authority Summary
Inc Authority is a good option for new business owners seeking basic LLC formation services; however, we recommend checking out ZenBusiness for more comprehensive entrepreneurial services.
Inc Authority Pros
- Free LLC formation (plus state fees)
- A full year of free registered agent services
- Simple-to-use checkout process
- Responsive and supportive customer service
Inc Authority Cons
- Upsells that business owners can otherwise get for free (e.g., EIN)
- Premium startup bundles are pricier than other business formation services
Inc Authority Alternatives
Although Inc Authority is a decent choice when forming an LLC, we recommend checking out our review of the best LLC services to find out which one is right for you and your business. For instance, if you are an entrepreneur ready to get started on your business journey, we recommend forming an LLC with ZenBusiness for high-quality, affordable packages that are tailored to entrepreneurs. If you require ongoing legal services beyond LLC formation, we recommend that you hire Rocket Lawyer for comprehensive legal advice and support.
Inc Authority Pricing & Features
Free LLC Formation ($0 + State Fee) (Recommended)
Inc Authority is known for providing a basic LLC formation service for free. Please note that although it states that it’s free, you will still have to pay for the filing fee, which varies by state. Also, if you need LLC essentials such as an EIN (which you can get for free from the IRS website), you will need to pay extra. However, it’s an overall good deal considering all the features it includes.
Features:
- Preparation and filing of business documents
- Business name check
- Included registered agent service for one year
- S-election form
- Digital storage and delivery
- Tax planning consultation
- INC CARE Support
- Business Funding Analysis
- Business checking account (through Inc Authority partnership with Bank of America)
Who Should Purchase the Inc Authority Free LLC Formation Service?
If you are a small business owner or entrepreneur seeking an affordable filing service, Inc Authority’s free service is right for you. Not to mention, at the end of the process, they offer a 20% coupon if you choose some of their added services. If you want more features included, there are other affordable options available through our top-rated service, ZenBusiness.
Starter Business Bundle ($399 + State Fee)
The Inc Authority Starter Business Bundle includes everything from the free formation service, in addition to some other features.
Features:
- Operating Agreement
- Employer Identification Number (EIN)
- Record Book & Company Seal
- Initial Meeting Minutes & Resolutions
- Ownership Certificates
- 1 Year Inc Protection Advisor
Who Should Purchase the Inc Authority Starter Business Bundle?
Customers who want more LLC basics included in their formation service, like an EIN and Operating Agreement. Additionally, if you want extra support on legal issues (should any arise), Inc Protection Advisor, which offers unlimited online and phone support regarding issues around the following and more; IRS notifications, tax and accounting, business licenses, lawsuits, business funding, and business banking.
Executive Business Bundle ($499 + State Fee)
The Inc Authority Executive Business Bundle includes everything in Starter in addition to a couple more features.
Features:
- Business license report
- Website domain
Who Should Purchase the Inc Authority Executive Business Bundle?
We don’t really recommend purchasing this bundle; however, if you are not on a budget and would like to have a business license report and website domain, this could be the right package for you.
Tycoon Business Bundle ($799 + State Fee)
The Inc Authority Tycoon Business Bundle includes everything in Executive in addition to several more features.
Features:
- Express Processing
- BizCredit Express
- Business Credit Coach
- Multi-Tiered Credit Building System
- Business Credit LaunchPad
- D&B Credit Bureau Registration
Who Should Purchase the Inc Authority Tycoon Business Bundle?
Business owners who are not on a budget. We don’t really recommend purchasing this bundle, as it is expensive. If you are seeking business formation services, we recommend either choosing Inc Authority’s free service, or exploring other options.
Inc Authority Customer Reviews
Inc Authority has more than 4,000 reviews on TrustPilot, with a sparkling 4.8 rating — To be honest, it’s not easy to find negative reviews for Inc Authority in general. Here are a few examples of Inc Authority reviews from customers who have used the LLC service:
“Great company to work with. Easy and transparent paperwork. Would definitely recommend.”
“So glad I came here to start my LLC. In the beginning, I wanted to spend as little money as possible. However, using all the services Inc Authority has offered has made my life so much easier in the short and long term, and am now looking forward to working with Inc Authority in the future as well.”
“I recommend Inc Authority! This process has been very smooth and laid out through email, phone calls and the nice binder sent to you with "next steps" and documents.”
Many of the Inc Authority reviews mention the name of a specific person who helped them throughout the business formation process; it seems that their customer support is personalized and top-notch. If you place a high value on great customer service, Inc Authority may be right for you!
Inc Authority Review Ratings
Cost Value - 4/5
The Inc Authority free formation service offers basic LLC features at an affordable price.
If you are an entrepreneur or small business owner, Inc Authority’s free (plus state fees) LLC formation service is a good option to help you get started on your business journey.
The Inc Authority Start-up Bundles are more expensive than similar LLC formation services available.
Inc Authority’s Startup Bundles start at $399 plus state fees, which is not reasonable for business owners on a budget. We recommend exploring other more affordable options, such as ZenBusiness and their LLC formation packages created for entrepreneurs.
Customer Service - 5/5
Inc Authority excels at providing high-quality customer service and support.
According to Inc Authority reviews online, customers are incredibly pleased with the support they receive from Inc Authority representatives. Some customers even personally thank them by name.
Customer service hours are Monday - Friday, 8am-5pm, PT.
If you have any questions or concerns, you can contact Inc Authority through an online form, or at (877) 462-6366 or Info@IncAuthority.com.
Ease of Use - 4/5
The checkout process is fairly straightforward and simple to use.
When we formed an LLC through the Inc Authority free formation service, there were only three steps; however, the checkout process did include several upsells through sub-steps. All in all, the process was quick and easy.
Included Features - 4/5
The Inc Authority free formation service includes a decent number of LLC features.
For only $0 plus state filing fee, Inc Authority will take care of the business document filing, name, check, and more.
Inc Authority includes a full year of registered agent service in their free formation service.
Inc Authority’s registered agent service will help you stay compliant with the law and provide you with peace of mind so you can focus solely on running your new business.
Inc Authority does not include an EIN or Operating Agreement in its free formation service.
If you would like Inc Authority to help you with these services, you will need to pay an additional $138 (EIN: $49, Operating Agreement: $89). If you would like to save money on an Operating Agreement, ZenBusiness includes one in its basic LLC formation package.
Final Thoughts on Inc Authority
All things considered, Inc Authority has both its advantages and disadvantages when it comes to LLC formation. If you do choose Inc Authority when forming an LLC, we recommend going with their free LLC formation service, since their premium start-up bundles can get pretty expensive.
If you would like to explore other options, you can check out our review of the top 5 LLC formation services.
FAQ
You can learn everything about starting an LLC — and form one on your own — by following the steps outlined in our comprehensive state-based guides!
Inc Authority is a good service for small businesses; however, there are other more high-quality options available, such as ZenBusiness.
Inc Authority’s basic LLC services start at $0, but note that this does not include the state filing fee, which you will be responsible for paying.
Inc Authority’s free LLC formation service is worth it; it includes basic LLC services, a full year of registered agent service, and other features. However, we don’t recommend their more expensive start-up bundles, unless you are not on a strict budget.
