CorpNet vs ZenBusiness: pricing and features compared
Data last updated: Apr 21, 2026CorpNet starts at $99 plus state fees. ZenBusiness starts at $0 plus state fees. Sticker-price differences between LLC formation services rarely tell the full story, since the cheapest tier usually excludes the EIN filing and operating agreement most filers need.
The registered agent renewal is the line item that actually matters over time: CorpNet is $149 per year, ZenBusiness is $199. Over five years that delta adds up to $200, which is typically a larger swing than the formation-tier sticker price.
ZenBusiness offers a genuine $0 formation tier; CorpNet does not. The free tier is meaningful if you only need state filing and are comfortable applying for an EIN yourself on irs.gov. It stops being free the moment you bundle the basic documents most LLCs need.
ZenBusiness has 28,984 Trustpilot reviews compared to CorpNet's 1,205. The volume gap is usually about review solicitation rather than quality, but the higher-volume score tends to be the more statistically stable signal.
For most filers, the decision between two services is decided by three things: whether you need a $0 tier or can absorb a mid-tier to get the EIN and operating agreement bundled, how much the registered agent will cost you in year two and onward, and whether the support quality matters to you (it matters more if you're paying $200+ for the service in the first place).
Key differences at a glance
- ZenBusiness is $99 cheaper at the starting tier (one of them has a free tier).
- CorpNet has the cheaper registered agent renewal ($149/yr vs $199/yr). Over five years that is a $200 difference.
- ZenBusiness has a genuine $0 formation tier. The other does not.
- ZenBusiness offers live chat support; the other relies on phone and email only.
Where each service fits
Pick CorpNet when
Pick CorpNet when you're optimizing for lower long-term cost (RA renewal is cheaper).
Pick ZenBusiness when
Pick ZenBusiness when you want the lowest possible day-one sticker price; you want a genuine $0 formation tier (and don't need the add-ons); you want live chat support; you want a high-volume review history (28,984 Trustpilot reviews vs 1,205).
What each service offers that the other does not
Only ZenBusiness
- Free $0 formation tier
- Banking partner integration
- Live chat support
Both services
- Compliance dashboard
- Phone support
What it costs under your specific situation
Running the same LLC through three common scenarios. Year-1 and 5-year totals exclude state fees, which are identical for both services.
| Scenario | CorpNet Year 1 | ZenBusiness Year 1 | CorpNet 5-year | ZenBusiness 5-year |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Just the basics: state filing, RA year 1, nothing else You file the EIN yourself at irs.gov and skip a written operating agreement. | $99 | $0 | $695 | $796 |
| You want EIN and operating agreement handled too Most new LLCs end up here. Assumes $70 EIN and $99 OA add-ons where the service charges for them. | $268 | $169 | $864 | $965 |
| Standalone registered agent only (no formation) You already formed the LLC elsewhere. Just swapping to this service's RA. | $149 | $99 | $745 | $495 |
Full feature comparison
| Dimension | CorpNet | ZenBusiness |
|---|---|---|
| Starting price Cheapest tier, excludes state fees | $99 | Free |
| Registered agent year 1 | Not included | Not included |
| Registered agent renewal Year 2 onward, annual | $149/yr | $199/yr |
| Free $0 tier | No | Yes |
| EIN application | Paid add-on | Paid add-on |
| Operating agreement | Paid add-on | Paid add-on |
| Compliance dashboard | Yes | Yes |
| Mail scanning | No | No |
| International founders | No | No |
| Banking partner | None | Thread Bank |
| Phone support | Monday-Friday 7am-5pm PT | Monday to Friday 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. CT, Saturday and Sunday 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. CT |
| Live chat | No | Yes |
| Trustpilot rating | 4.9/5 (1,205 reviews) | 4.8/5 (28,984 reviews) |
Pricing tiers side by side
CorpNet
- Basic — $99
- Deluxe — $219
Includes RA year 1 · renews $149/yr - Complete — $269
Includes RA year 1 · renews $149/yr
ZenBusiness
- Starter — Free
- Pro — $199 · renews $199/yr
- Premium — $399 · renews $399/yr
Includes RA year 1 · renews $199/yr
Support and ratings, interpreted
CorpNet offers phone, email. ZenBusiness offers phone, email, live chat. ZenBusiness is the only one of the two with live chat, which matters if you anticipate back-and-forth questions during filing. Trustpilot: CorpNet is 4.9 across 1,205 reviews; ZenBusiness is 4.8 across 28,984. A high-volume sample with a 4.5+ rating is the strongest signal; a small sample with either extreme rating is the weakest.
CorpNet
Phone: Monday-Friday 7am-5pm PT.
Email: yes.
No live chat.
Trustpilot: 4.9/5 from 1,205 reviews.
ZenBusiness
Phone: Monday to Friday 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. CT, Saturday and Sunday 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. CT.
Email: yes.
Live chat: Monday to Friday 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. CT, Saturday and Sunday 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. CT.
Trustpilot: 4.8/5 from 28,984 reviews.
Before you pick either service
A few things apply no matter which one you choose. These catch enough first-time filers to be worth stating plainly.
The state fee is identical. Whether you use CorpNet, ZenBusiness, or neither, your state charges the same formation fee. Nothing a service does lowers that number. The fee ranges from $35 in Montana to $500 in Massachusetts depending on where you form. See the state-by-state guide for exact numbers.
You can get an EIN for free at irs.gov in five minutes. Both CorpNet and ZenBusiness either bundle EIN filing or sell it as a paid add-on. You're never required to pay for EIN filing; the IRS charges nothing and the online form takes about five minutes. If a service is pitching "we'll handle your EIN" as a headline feature, that's convenience pricing, not necessity.
The registered agent renewal is what matters long-term. The formation fee is a one-time cost. The registered agent is what recurs every year for as long as you keep the LLC open. Over five years, the RA renewal cost usually exceeds the formation fee. Compare on that number, not just the day-one sticker.
Operating agreements are separately priced at most services. Any LLC with more than one member, and any LLC relying on its liability shield, should have a written operating agreement. It governs ownership percentages, profit splits, management structure, and dissolution. California, Maine, Missouri, and New York require it by statute; every other state treats it as strongly recommended. Don't skip it to save $99.
Frequently Asked Questions
-
Which is cheaper, CorpNet or ZenBusiness?
ZenBusiness is cheaper at the starting tier ($0 vs $99). Over 5 years including RA renewals, the gap is about $101.
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Does CorpNet or ZenBusiness have better support?
CorpNet offers phone, email. ZenBusiness offers phone, email, live chat. ZenBusiness is the only one of the two with live chat, which matters if you anticipate back-and-forth questions during filing. Trustpilot: CorpNet is 4.9 across 1,205 reviews; ZenBusiness is 4.8 across 28,984. A high-volume sample with a 4.5+ rating is the strongest signal; a small sample with either extreme rating is the weakest.
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Is ZenBusiness's free tier really free?
The $0 tier covers state filing and typically includes year one of registered agent service. It does not include EIN filing (you can still get one for free from the IRS directly) or an operating agreement, which most filers need. Once you add those, ZenBusiness's free tier ends up around $169, which is very close to what CorpNet charges for its bundled mid-tier package. Pick the free tier if you're comfortable doing the add-ons yourself; pick a bundled service if you want everything in one place.
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Should I just file the LLC myself instead of using CorpNet or ZenBusiness?
You can. The state fee is identical whether you use a service or not. What these services sell is convenience: a handled registered agent (which you can also buy standalone), a bundled operating agreement, compliance reminders, and in some cases banking and tax integrations. If your time is worth more than $50 an hour and you would rather not research your state's specific filing quirks, a service pays for itself. If you like DIY administrative work, file directly at your state's Secretary of State portal.
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How much does the registered agent cost with each service from year 2 onward?
CorpNet renews at $149/yr. ZenBusiness renews at $199/yr. This number matters because it recurs every year for as long as you keep the LLC. Over a five-year window, the registered agent renewal cost typically exceeds the formation fee, so it's worth more attention than most reviews give it.
Full reviews
Sources
- Pricing: www.corpnet.com/about/pricing/ · verified April 21, 2026
Pricing page lists three LLC packages with standard/express/24-hour rush columns. LLC row: Basic $99/$249/$349, Deluxe $219/$369/$469, Complete $269/$419/$519. Footer note: 'Prices do not include state fees, shipping and handling, or our 3 percent convenience fee.' - Features: www.corpnet.com/about/pricing/ · verified April 21, 2026
Basic includes name check, Articles prep, compliance tool, and 60-day free RA. Deluxe adds EIN and free first-year RA. Complete adds certified copy, custom operating agreement, custom kit and seal, and lifetime customer support. - Registered agent only: www.corpnet.com/start-business/registered-agent/ · verified April 21, 2026
Registered agent landing page quotes $149/year retail with volume-tiered discounts starting at 20 units. - Features: www.corpnet.com/about/pricing/ · verified April 21, 2026
Online formation confirmed, phone signup also available. Pricing page lists annual report filing ($99), EIN filing ($69 online), DBA, change of RA, and many other post-formation services. No banking partner, mail scanning, or dedicated non-US founder program surfaced on public pages. - Support: www.corpnet.com/contact/ · verified April 21, 2026
Toll-free 1-888-449-2638 and local 805-449-2638. Monday-Friday 7am-5pm PT. Email info@corpnet.com, sales@corpnet.com, customerservice@corpnet.com. No live chat surfaced on contact page. Homepage top nav also shows 1.866.813.0637. - Founded: www.corpnet.com/about/ · verified April 21, 2026
About page states 'Founded in 2009, CorpNet is a family-owned, Westlake Village, California business run by serial entrepreneurs Philip and Nellie Akalp.' - Headquarters: www.corpnet.com/contact/ · verified April 21, 2026
Contact page lists 'CorpNet, Incorporated, 31416 Agoura Rd. Suite 118, Westlake Village, CA 91361.' - Ratings: www.trustpilot.com/review/www.corpnet.com · verified April 21, 2026
Trustpilot profile shows 4.9 out of 5 stars across 1,205 total reviews as of 2026-04-21. - Pricing: www.zenbusiness.com/ · verified April 21, 2026
Homepage 'Compare and select a package' section lists Starter at $0 plus state fees, Pro at $199 plus state fees renewing at $199 per year, and Premium at $399 plus state fees renewing at $399 per year. Only Premium bundles Registered Agent Service in the formation package. - Registered agent: www.zenbusiness.com/registered-agent/ · verified April 21, 2026
Page headline 'SPECIAL OFFER: 50% OFF REGISTERED AGENT' with fine print '$99 + state fees for the first year. Renews at $199/yr.' The $199 figure is treated as the regular annual rate. - Features: www.zenbusiness.com/ · verified April 21, 2026
Package comparison table confirms online filing, free formation tier, paid EIN and Operating Agreement at Pro and above, ongoing state-required filing compliance, and an online dashboard with compliance tracking. - Banking partner: www.zenbusiness.com/ · verified April 21, 2026
Homepage and footer disclaim: 'ZenBusiness is a financial technology company and is not an FDIC-insured bank. Banking services provided by Thread Bank, Member FDIC.' - Velo: www.zenbusiness.com/velo/ · verified April 21, 2026
Homepage 'Say Hello to Velo' section introduces Velo, the ZenBusiness AI assistant that automates filings, tracks deadlines, and builds a website. - Founded: www.zenbusiness.com/about/ · verified April 21, 2026
About page: 'In 2015, Ross Buhrdorf and Shanaz Hemmati founded ZenBusiness.' - Headquarters: www.zenbusiness.com/contact-us/ · verified April 21, 2026
Contact FAQ states 'The ZenBusiness headquarters are in Austin, Texas, and we offer services in all 50 states and the District of Columbia.' The company is fully remote. - Support: www.zenbusiness.com/contact-us/ · verified April 21, 2026
Contact page lists phone (844) 493-6249 and a chat option with matching hours: Monday to Friday 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. CT, Saturday and Sunday 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. CT. - Ratings: www.trustpilot.com/review/www.zenbusiness.com · verified April 21, 2026
Trustpilot profile shows 4.8 stars across 28,984 reviews on the date of verification.