StartGlobal vs LegalZoom

Looking for a LegalZoom Alternative?

See why founders from 150+ countries choose StartGlobal for their US LLC instead of dealing with LegalZoom's upsells and hidden fees.

No hidden fees • 100% money-back guarantee • Non-resident friendly

StartGlobal vs LegalZoom at a Glance

Compare features, pricing, and what's actually included

Feature StartGlobal LegalZoom
Base LLC Formation $599 (all-inclusive) $0-$299 + state fees
Registered Agent Included (1st year) $249/year extra
EIN Filing Included $79 extra
Operating Agreement Included Pro plan only ($299)
Bank Account Setup Included Not offered
Total Year 1 Cost $599 + state fees $328-$627+ + state fees
Non-Resident Support Full support, 150+ countries Limited
Upsells None Aggressive
Cancellation Easy, anytime 2+ hours reported
Money-Back Guarantee 100% satisfaction Complex process
Common Complaints

Why Founders Are Leaving LegalZoom

Real issues reported by LegalZoom customers

Aggressive Upselling

"After years as a loyal customer, I'm done with LegalZoom. They've turned into a predatory upsell machine."

LegalZoom is notorious for constantly pushing additional services during checkout and after purchase.

Hidden Fees & Surprise Charges

"LegalZoom charged my credit card for fees that were not authorized. This company is unethical and hides these fees in docs."

Many customers report unexpected charges appearing on their credit cards without clear authorization.

Impossible to Cancel

"The only way to cancel and get my money back was to call... The cancellation process was over 2 hours."

Cancelling LegalZoom services requires lengthy phone calls, with many customers reporting wait times of hours.

Services Left Incomplete

"I paid for a full LLC formation package... They only completed part of the services I paid for."

Customers report paying for packages but not receiving all promised services, with support becoming unresponsive.

Charges for Free Services

"LegalZoom charges $79 for EIN which you can get free from the IRS."

LegalZoom charges premium prices for services that are free directly from government agencies.

Not Built for Non-Residents

"LegalZoom is designed for US residents. Non-residents face extra hurdles and limited support."

LegalZoom's processes assume US residency, making it difficult for international entrepreneurs.

The StartGlobal Difference

How StartGlobal Solves These Problems

Built from the ground up for a better experience

Instead of "Aggressive Upselling"

StartGlobal offers all-inclusive $599 pricing. No upsells, no surprise add-ons, ever.

Instead of "Hidden Fees & Surprise Charges"

Transparent pricing at StartGlobal. What you see is exactly what you pay, with no hidden fees buried in fine print.

Instead of "Impossible to Cancel"

Easy cancellation at StartGlobal. Plus our 100% money-back guarantee means you can leave worry-free.

Instead of "Services Left Incomplete"

StartGlobal doesn't stop until your LLC is fully operational: formation, EIN, and bank account all completed.

Instead of "Charges for Free Services"

EIN filing is included free with StartGlobal. We handle the IRS paperwork at no extra cost.

Instead of "Not Built for Non-Residents"

StartGlobal was built specifically for non-residents. No SSN required, non-resident EIN filing included.

What You Actually Pay: Full Breakdown

See the real cost when you add LegalZoom's "optional" services

Recommended

StartGlobal

$599

+ state filing fees

  • LLC Formation & Filing
  • Registered Agent (1st year)
  • EIN / Tax ID Filing
  • Business Bank Account Setup
  • Operating Agreement
  • 100% Money-Back Guarantee
Total Year 1: $599

LegalZoom

$0-$299

Base price (add-ons below)

  • LLC Formation & Filing
  • Registered Agent +$249/yr
  • EIN / Tax ID +$79
  • Bank Account Setup: Not offered
  • Operating Agreement: Pro plan only
  • Refund: Complex process
Total Year 1: $328-$627+

*Varies based on plan and add-ons selected

Trusted by Founders Worldwide

Join 5,000+ companies from 120+ countries who chose StartGlobal

5,000+
Companies Formed
120+
Countries
$300M+
Revenue Generated
24hr
Support Response

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about switching from LegalZoom to StartGlobal

Is StartGlobal better than LegalZoom for LLC formation?

For most entrepreneurs, especially international founders, StartGlobal offers better value. Our all-inclusive $599 price includes everything LegalZoom charges extra for (registered agent, EIN filing, bank account setup) without any upsells or hidden fees.

Why is LegalZoom so expensive with all the add-ons?

LegalZoom's business model relies on upselling additional services. Their base price looks attractive, but essential services like registered agent ($249/year) and EIN ($79) quickly add up. StartGlobal includes everything in one transparent price.

Can I switch from LegalZoom to StartGlobal?

Yes! If you've already formed your LLC with LegalZoom, we can take over as your registered agent and handle all ongoing compliance. Contact our team to discuss transferring your LLC management to StartGlobal.

Does StartGlobal work for non-US residents like LegalZoom?

Better than LegalZoom. StartGlobal was specifically built for international entrepreneurs. We've helped founders from 150+ countries form their US LLC, and our process doesn't require a US address, SSN, or ITIN.

What's included in StartGlobal's $599 that LegalZoom charges extra for?

Our $599 includes: LLC formation and filing, first year of registered agent service ($249 value at LegalZoom), EIN/Tax ID application ($79 at LegalZoom), bank account setup assistance (not offered by LegalZoom), and operating agreement (requires $299 plan at LegalZoom).

Ready to Switch to StartGlobal?

Join thousands of founders who made the smart choice. All-inclusive pricing, no hidden fees, and a 100% money-back guarantee.

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