Building its reputation for over 30 years, Inc Authority has formed over 130,000 businesses across all 50 US states. With over 28 years of experience in starting small businesses, this reputable LLC formation company makes the process easy and is 100% free.
Dive deep into this Inc Authority review, where we detail its services, features, online reputation, and pricing. We’ve also made a head-to-head comparison with its main competitors to find out where it stands.
Pros & Cons
Pricing Plans
1. Basic Plan
$0.00 + state fees
2. Starter Business Bundle
$399 + state fees
3. Executive Business Bundle
$499 + state fees
4. Tycoon Business Bundle
$799 + state fees
All About Inc Authority
Starting a business is complex, but you can trust Inc Authority formation packages to make the filing and formation process a breeze.
Founded in 1989 as a part of a family of companies, Inc Authority is one of the best LLC service companies. It offers a variety of services and dedicated support that can help you grow your business.
It’s also one of the few LLC companies that offer free formation services, including a full year of registered agent service for free.
We conducted a detailed Inc Authority review to help you determine whether they’re the right choice for you.
Inc Authority Services
Even the company’s free plan includes the basics — document filing, name check, free registered agent service for one year, and more. Below, we outline the company’s services to try and help you understand how it compares to its competitors.
Business Name Check
Before filing, the Inc Authority agents will conduct a business name search to check if the name you selected for your company is available. Only after they confirm there isn’t a registered business with the same name as yours can you proceed. While not crucial, this is one of the top Inc Authority features and a great addition that can save you a lot of time.
Preparation & Filing
Inc Authority takes care of the complete documentation needed for business formation. Once the Articles of Organization are prepared, the company files them with the state for processing.
As we already mentioned, this is one of the few companies that provide this service for free, unless you want other services included. In that case, you’d have to opt for one of the Inc Authority packages or buy add-ons separately.
Furthermore, Inc Authority will digitally deliver and store your company’s documents so you can easily access them on-demand via your online client portal.
Registered Agent
Inc Authority provides a registered agent service for one year. You’ll get a unique business address to ensure you never miss a legal notice and stay compliant with the law. The company will receive the legal correspondence on your behalf, scan it, and provide a digital copy. Moreover, our Inc Authority review confirmed that the service is free for the first 12 months. After that, it costs $99 a year, which is still a very competitive price.
Operating Agreement
The Operating Agreement service isn’t included in the Basic plan. The document is a compliance requirement in some states, and if you need it, you’ll have to pay $89 or choose one of the higher-tier plans. In addition, reviews for Inc Authority mention the document is personalized.
Upon closer analysis, we learned that the team customizes everything based on your specific business structure and outlines your company’s structure. So, even if it isn’t required in your state, this document can be helpful when needed to prove business ownership.
S-Election Form
Inc Authority can prepare and file the S-Election document Form 2553. This form is a must if you want to register your business as an S corp. It also comes with tax benefits that can save you a buck. The service is available in both free and paid Inc Authority formation packages.
EIN Application
Having a unique tax ID number is a must for filing business taxes, opening a business bank account, and recruiting employees. While it isn’t included in the Basic plan, Inc Authority offers an EIN application number application service for only $49. Also, the service is included in all paid packages.
Consultation Services
Inc Authority grants a free tax planning consultation to each client. This is a very useful service if you’re looking to save in the long run. Additionally, the business credit and funding experts will review the credit and financing needs for your business. During our Inc Authority review, we confirmed that these consultation services help you start your business in the right way.
Inc Authority Ease of Use
Inc Authority is a very simple and easy-to-use platform. As a new user, you get a personal dashboard to access the formation services and tools. The system also grants you access to digital copies of your compliance documents. In fact, navigating the system is easy on both PC and mobile. In addition, the platform has a straightforward interface and simple menu options.
Inc Authority Ordering
To gain access to Inc Authority’s free services, you need to undergo an Inc Authority application process. The three-stage application process will take you less than 10 minutes.
You’ll need to specify your business formation state and the entity you’re looking to form. In the next stage, you’ll have to provide your contact information, business details, and specifications. Before completing the order, you can choose to include any paid add-ons, like operating agreement or EIN. You can also choose express processing and a website domain name.
Inc Authority Turnaround Time
Inc Authority processes the orders within 1–3 weeks. We agree with Inc Authority reviews that this isn’t the fastest turnaround time you’ll find among the formation service providers. However, the company offers a premium rush service, which means your order will be prioritized and submitted within 24 hours.
Still, that doesn’t mean your business will be registered faster, as the turnaround time depends on the state. Many states offer expedited registration services, but you could also wait for a few weeks or even months.
Inc Authority Customer Service
The Inc Authority support team is available Monday through Friday from 9 AM to 5 PM. You can reach them via phone, email, or the contact form on their website. A potential downside is the limited working hours of customer support.
That said, the company provides high-quality service and support. When we contacted the team, the customer representative patiently walked us through the formation process and answered some questions regarding the company’s services.
By going through Inc Authority LLC reviews online, we learned that other clients also share our satisfaction with the company’s customer service. Many even thank agents by name, which further highlights the extent of the Inc Authority’s support and help.
We also tried emailing the company and received an answer within 24 hours. In our experience, the support team is knowledgeable and ready to assist with any problem that might arise in the future.
Inc Authority Pricing Packages
Besides free formation services, Inc Authority offers three paid packages. They are a bit pricey compared to some alternatives, especially considering that the higher-tier packages lack some advanced features you can find elsewhere.
Additionally, we must note that the company doesn’t disclose the prices on the website, which should be changed as clients (and us) appreciate transparency.
Basic Plan
The free formation service plan is the company’s main selling point. You’d be paying only the state filing fees as you’d normally do, but Inc Authority will handle everything.
Most reviews of Inc Authority praise this package and highlight it provides great value. After a closer analysis, we established that the service packs a few excellent features that can help you kickstart your business journey. A bonus is the entire year of registered agent service that is also provided in the free plan. Other services you’d be getting with the Basic plan are:
- A business name check
- An S-election form
- A tax planning consultation
- A Business Funding Analysis
- A business checking account
The Inc Authority packages allow numerous add-ons and upgrades you can add throughout the registration process. Here are some of the services you can consider adding:
- EIN ($49)
- An Operating Agreement ($89)
- A Record Book ($99)
- Minutes and Resolutions Forms ($79)
- Express Processing ($49)
- A Domain Name ($19)
- An Inc Protection Advisor ($197/year)
These services are great but keep in mind that the Inc Authority fees can pile up quickly if you add the services one by one. That’s why you might want to consider the pre-made bundles.
Starter Business Bundle
Starter costs $399 plus state filing fees, and the Starter bundle includes everything from the free formation services plus the following:
- An Operating Agreement
- A Record Book and Company Seal
- Initial Meeting Minutes & Resolutions
- Ownership Certificates
- EIN
- A Business Credit and Funding Evaluation
- A Tax consultation
- A One year Inc Success Advisor
Executive Business Bundle
The executive bundle costs $499 plus state fees. It ups Starter with:
- A business license report
- A website domain
Tycoon Business Bundle
The Inc Authority cost significantly jumps for the Tycoon business bundle. Priced at $799 (plus state fees), the package is a great option for businesses that aren’t on a budget. It packs everything in the Executive bundle plus a few additional bits and bobs, including:
- Express processing
- BizCredit express
- A Business credit coach
- A Multi-Tiered credit building system
- Business credit LaunchPad
- A D&B Credit Bureau Registration
Inc Authority Refund Policy
Inc Authority will issue a full refund if you cancel your order within 14 days. After the first two weeks, the payment is non-refundable. To cancel the order, you need to call customer service. Our cancellation process went smoothly; however, several user reviews mention issues with canceling and actually getting refunds.
Inc Authority Customer Reviews & Ratings
Inc Authority has stellar ratings and raving client reviews online. On Trustpilot, it maintains a sparkling 4.8-star rating out of 5,300+ reviews. In fact, the majority (96%) of users have rated it with four or five stars. On Google, the company has a 4.6-star rating from over 670 reviews. Users generally praise the quick and easy process, customer support, and competitive pricing.
Among the few negative Inc Authority reviews we found, people have complained about not being able to cancel the order within the first 24 hours. In addition, a few have mentioned the pushy upsells, and a small number of users reported having issues with reaching out to customer service. However, it should be noted that we found a significantly lower number of negative reviews compared to the overwhelmingly positive feedback, so we took them with a grain of salt.
Inc Authority Alternatives
If you don’t think Inc Authority is the best choice for you, dozens of service providers offer LLC formation services online. We compared Inc Authority with its main competitors to help you spot the similarities and differences and decide which service suits your needs best.
Inc Authority vs. LegalZoom
Both Inc Authority and LegalZoom are well-known in the LLC formation service industry. However, Inc Authority reigns supreme in terms of overall services and pricing. The company also has a better reputation than LegalZoom.
Our LegalZoom review showed the company doesn’t have a lot of client feedback and has a lower rating than Inc Authority. That said, LegalZoom is a premium-level LLC company that provides well-rounded services and ongoing legal assistance.
Inc Authority vs. Incfile
Incfile is among the top Inc Authority competitors. It provides a broader range of services, including business accounting and foreign qualification. Moreover, both companies offer free plans. As seen in our comprehensive Incfile review, the Silver plan provides better value than Inc Authority’s Basic plan. Incfile also provides next business day filing, regardless of the package you choose.
Inc Authority offers a more affordable registered agent service ($99/year compared to $119/year). Overall, both companies are great, but Inc Authority might be a better option for small business owners or startups on a budget.
Inc Authority vs. Rocket Lawyer
Both Rocket Lawyer and Inc Authority are affordable LLC formation service options. In addition, they share many similarities like professional customer support and great service offering. That said, Inc Authority offers free LLC formation, whereas the cheapest option at Rocket Lawyer is $99.99.
The latter doesn’t include a free registered agent service. Instead, it costs $149, but you can score a 25% discount if you subscribe to the legal service plan. Ultimately, it depends on your needs — if you need ongoing legal assistance, Rocket Lawyer can help you save in the long run.
Inc Authority Pros and Cons
Pros
- Free LLC formation — Inc Authority’s Basic package is free, and you’ll only have to pay the state filing fees.
- A full year of free registered agent service — with any package you choose, a full year of the free registered agent is included; the service renews at $99.99.
- An easy ordering process — the ordering process at Inc Authority consists of only three steps; the platform is intuitive, and you’ll need less than 10 minutes to get it done.
- Responsive customer support — we were pleased to learn that the company offers fast, responsive, and caring customer support.
Cons
- Pricey premium packages — the Inc Authority LLC fees for the higher-tier packages are pricier than some alternatives.
- No clear pricing structure — there isn’t a dedicated pricing page on the company’s website, and you can only learn the pricing options in the middle of the ordering process.
- Lack of knowledge base — the company is yet to add its knowledge base. So far, if you have questions, you can resort to the quite limited FAQ page or contact customer support.
- Lack of advanced compliance services — Inc Authority doesn’t offer compliance services like annual report filing or lifetime alerts.
Final Verdict — Should You Trust Inc Authority to Form Your Business?
Considering everything we’ve shared in this Inc Authority review, we can say that the company is a great choice if you want to form an LLC or an S-corporation.
It’s one of the two service providers that offer a free plan, which means you get to pay only for add-ons you need and save on services you don’t need. As a result, the ordering process is quick and easy, and the turnaround is solid. The Inc Authority customer service is great, and reps are always happy to help and guide you in the right direction.
Now, if you’re looking for more advanced features, you should probably look elsewhere. For example, the higher-tier Inc Authority plans are pricey, yet they lack some services, like annual report filing and lifetime alerts.