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Neither Harvard Business Services nor ZenBusiness are the only reliable LLC services, but each excels in different areas.
Startups that are looking for best formation services may need to compare them along with other options available in the market before making a decision about which best LLC services to hire/use.
Our Featured Choices
| Formation Services | Key Features | Value | Learn More |
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The Best Overall Formation Service
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High-Quality Customer Support
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The Most Cost Effective & Affordable
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There are many LLC formation companies to choose from when the DIY method is not working for you. However, finding the best formation service is a hell of a task.
You, like many other entrepreneurs, might have gone through multiple alternatives available in the market but ended up with Harvard Business Services and ZenBusiness. Well, it is tough to reach a final decision having both in front of you.
In this ZenBusines vs Harvard Business Services, we’ll analyze how they differ from one another and analyze their similar features so that choosing between these two won’t be burdensome anymore. So let’s start.
ZenBusiness vs Harvard Business Services: A Quick Overview
| Features | ZenBusiness | Harvard Business Services |
| Company’s Reputation | 4.6/5 | 4.3/5 |
| Customer Support | 4.8/5 | 4.6/5 |
| Affordability | 4.9/5 | 4.3/5 |
| Ease of Use | 4.6/5 | 4.4/5 |
| Registered Agent Services | 4.7/0 | 4.0/5 |
| Customers’ Review and Feedback | 4.7/5 | 4.4/5 |
How We Review & Compare LLC Services
Before we go into details, let us discover how we review and compare LLC services. In this comparison, we’ll walk you through the six main factors including some others you need to consider when choosing between ZenBusiness and Harvard Business Services. The following 6 review points are what we set up for our stress test:
- Company Reputation
- Customer Service
- Affordability (Prices & Packages)
- Registered Agent Service
- Ease of Use
- Customers Review & Feedback
Detailed Comparison: ZenBusiness vs Harvard Business Services
1. Company’s Reputation
Importance of company reputation is critical when it comes to choosing business services. A company’s reputation can be damaged if any service it offers fails the clients, so reputation management is a must. This can be crucial from the long-term perspective of a company as well as its clients.
When it comes to best formation services, a company’s reputation is crucial as it will set the tone for future engagements with other companies. Thus, if a service is looking for a good reputation, it has to be backed by a reliable and competent team.
ZenBusiness
ZenBusiness is a trusted LLC formation platform that was featured in 2015 for the first time. Within 3 years, ZenBusiness started to have 240-350% annual revenue growth. Only in 2021, ZenBusiness has helped more than 200,000 business owners to form their entities. There is no one in the industry who can beat ZenBusiness in this.
Despite this booming customer load, ZenBusiness has excellent feedback available on 3rd party review platforms which proves they do not compromise on the quality.
Harvard Business Services
Harvard Business Services is a trusted business formation company in Delaware since 1981. They say they’ve formed over 170,000 companies with quality services to the local economy. They have gained the customer’s trust with their dedication and nearly all reviews are perfect across the internet from thousands of people who have used them before.
The only drawback with Harvard Business Services is that its services are only available in the state of Delaware. If you are seeking assistance in LLC formation outside Delaware, Harvard Business Services is not for you.
So, in terms of company reputation and profile, both companies have a close competition with Zenbusiness a slight edge.
2. Customer Support
Customer support is another important aspect that businesses should consider when choosing business services. This can be in the form of customer service, technical support, or both.
While both Harvard Business Services and ZenBusiness offer customer support, it’s worth noting that the former offers 24/7 support compared to the latter’s support hours of 9am-5pm CST. This may be an important consideration if the business needs help at night or on weekends.
ZenBusiness
ZenBusiness’ customer support team is available to guide you from Monday to Friday from 8 am – 8 pm CT. Moreover, their availability on Sundays from 10 am – 7 pm CT has made them distinguished in the industry as hardly any other competitor provides customer support on weekends.
This is very convenient for the customers who are busy during the whole week. So, you do not need to stress yourself to manage time to connect with the ZenBusiness support team during your busy hours. You can chat, have a phone call, or email their customer care representative during their business hours.
ZenBusiness does not have a hit or miss policy despite the large customer volume and their customer care is consistent on a high-quality end.
Harvard Business Services
The Harvard Business Services team provides top-notch customer service with any purchase. Their knowledgeable staff members resolve any issue and answer the toughest LLC questions. Their Business hours extend from 9 am to 5 pm EST Monday through Thursday. On Friday, the customer representatives are available from 9 am to 4 Pm EST.
You can access them via phone, email, live chat, and skype to resolve any issue you’re experiencing regarding LLC formation in Delaware.
Hence ZenBusiness is the clear winner here, as their customer support is also available on Sundays showing their dedication to help the clients who can not reach out to them during weekdays.
3. Affordability
Companies may want to consider the costs associated with a service in order to make a decision about which best llc services to hire. An affordable service is more likely to attract a significant number of customers, especially in this economy.
ZenBusiness
The basic plan of ZenBusiness starts from $0, with free registered agent service for the 1st year of incorporation, operating agreement, account consultancy, and virtual business guide. Having that many features at this price is truly something that ZenBusiness can offer while many competitors charge double for all these features.
Harvard Business Services
Harvard Business Services offers a year of free registered agent service with any LLC formation and ongoing compliance notifications in the Green formation package that costs $89. The compliance alert dashboard helps you keep track of important filing deadlines is a valuable feature that most entrepreneurs seek while forming an LLC with professionals.
Unfortunately, their Basic plan for $229 and Standard package for $329 both are not good bargains. On the other hand, ZenBusiness has a price advantage over Harvard Business Services in all packages.
4. Ease of Use
Another factor that businesses should consider when choosing best formation services is the ease of use. A service that is easy to use will save the business time and money.
ZenBusiness is known for its easy-to-use interface, while Harvard Business Services is a little more difficult to use. This may be a consideration for businesses that are not tech-savvy. Let us dig out in detail.
ZenBusiness
ZenBusiness website is easier to use because it doesn’t show you numerous upsells while ordering their services. ZenBusiness embraced technology that allowed them to automate large portions of the business formation process and ongoing compliance services.
Their well-designed websites take you through the process of purchasing a suitable plan and separate features step by step. This technology advancement helps to form businesses faster than most competitors. Hence, they pass that time savings on to their customers in the form of monetary discounts.
Harvard Business Services
Customers usually complete their entire order form in ten minutes at Harvard Business Services website. They also avoid third-party partnerships and upsells for the most part.
However, they do have one minor upsell late in the ordering process but this is not that bothersome compared to the bombardment of third-party offers that many competitors have. In this category, Harvard Business Services and ZenBusiness have equal weightage.
5. Registered Agent Services
A registered agent is a vital part of any company, and it’s important to choose a service that offers quality registered agent services. A registered agent is important because they are the point of contact for official state and federal mailings, as well as legal notices. Moreover, registered agents are required by state laws to accept service of process documents on behalf of the company.
If a business has multiple offices, having registered agent services in all of those states can be expensive and time-consuming. Harvard Business Services offers registered agent services in all 50 states, while ZenBusiness offers registered agent services in only 27 states. Which Service is Right for You? Let us learn.
ZenBusiness
All of the three packages of ZenBusiness Starter, Pro, and Premium, include the free registered agent service for the first year of incorporation with them. After this duration, you can renew your registered agent service for $119.
Many reputable LLC companies offer registered agent services as a part of their formation plan or as a standalone service at a cheaper rate. If you are to subscribe to this service as a separate feature, you can also compare the prices of top-rated registered agent services before making a final decision.
Harvard Business Services
Harvard Business Services includes 1 year of free registered agent service with their all LLC formation packages. After the initial term is up with Harvard Business Services, you will have to pay $50 per year for registered agent service, the lowest rate in the industry.
If you are in need of a registered agent service in the state of Delaware, Harvard Business Services is cheaper than ZenBusiness. We gave 4.0/5 to Harvard Business Services in this category, as they only have this service in only one out of 50 states in the U.S.
6. Customers’ Review and Feedback
It is always better to check the customer reviews and feedback of a service before availing its services. This will give you an idea about the quality of services offered by the company. In addition, it will also help you to understand the customer satisfaction level of the company.
ZenBusiness
ZenBusiness has thousands of positive customer reviews on third-party platforms. You can find ZenBusiness reviews online where entrepreneurs, startups, and small business owners rave about their experiences.
7,620 customers have shared their experience with this company during the formation process for a new venture at Trustpilot. They have given it 4.8/5 stars for its outstanding services. We found 107 reviews at BBB with a 4.3/5 rating.
Harvard Business Services
Harvard Business Services is a company that specializes in providing services for startups and shines in the feedback realm. They have more than 3,500 reviews and their average rating scores are extremely high at 4.8 out of 5 stars.
When looking through client feedback about the quality of work, it’s clear why so many people choose it as an LLC formation service. Harvard Business Services has gotten 4.8/5 stars from 3,323 reviews on Trustpilot and 4.98/5 stars from 49 reviews on BBB. So again, both LLC websites have a tie here.
Some More Features to Look At
In addition to our 6 point litmus test, you should consider some more features before making a final decision.
Turnaround Time
Harvard Business Services process formations with their fast and efficient services – completing all necessary paperwork and -formation process within three to five business days with the standard package. In the expedited option, they provide a same-day turnaround if purchased before 1 pm ET on weekdays for a $150 upcharge.
ZenBusiness offers three different options for LLC formation:
- Their Basic plan has a 2-3 week turnaround time
- Middle package takes 1 week
- The top packages take 3-5 business days to form your LLC
They also offer an expedited option to speed up the formation process. We really appreciate ZenBusiness for giving such a range of options for turnaround time and entrepreneurs can pick whatever suits them the most.
Features Included in their Packages
The low-tier package (standard plan) of Harvard Business Services files your article of organization with registered agent service and compliance alerts. Higher packages include an operating agreement, 10 Membership/Stock Certificates, company seal, etc. However, to get the Federal Tax ID Number (EIN), or to file your state franchise tax you have to pay extra.
ZenBusiness in addition to filing your LLC, offers 1 year of free registered agent service, operating agreement, and tax consultation in the basic plan. In advanced packages, you expect an LLC kit and seal, Federal Tax ID Number (EIN), expedited processing service, worry-free compliance, sample operating agreement and other customizable LLC forms, company domain, and website, etc.
In this category, we give ZenBusiness a superior position. As the high tire packages of Harvard Business Services have fewer valuable features than ZenBusiness.
Is There Any Alternative to Consider?
If you’re is not happy with the services offered by Harvard Business Services or ZenBusiness, it should explore its other options in the market.
Although, in our opinion and experience, there is no one in the industry that can beat ZenBusiness’. The company has high-quality features at an economical price. Yet you can compare the 6 best LLC services available online to have a better overview of top-rated LLC companies.
Price Comparison | Inc Authority vs ZenBusiness
Basic Plan
| Features | ZenBusiness | Harvard Business Services |
| Price | $0 + state fee | $89 + $90 Delaware state filing fee |
| Turnaround Time | 2-3 weeks | 3-5 business days |
| Registered Agent | Yes | Yes |
| Tax Consultation | Yes | No |
| Operating Agreement | Yes | No |
| Annual Report | No | Yes |
| Digital Corporate Seal | No | Yes |
| Virtual Business Guide | Yes | No |
Middle Plan
| Features | ZenBusiness | Harvard Business Services |
| Price | $199 + state fee | $229 (state fee included) |
| Turnaround time | 1 week | 4-6 Business days |
| Compliance Alerts | Yes | Yes |
| Registered Agent, | Yes | Yes |
| Tax Consultation | Yes | No |
| Federal Tax ID Number (EIN) | Yes | No |
| Operating Agreement and Bylaws | Yes | Yes |
| Banking Resolution | Yes | Yes |
| Deluxe Organizer | No | Yes |
| 100% Accuracy Guarantee | Yes | No |
Top Plan
| Features | ZenBusiness | Harvard Business Services |
| Price | $299 + state fee | $329 (state fee included) |
| Turnaround time | 3-5 business days | 3 – 5 Business days |
| Registered Agent | Yes | Yes |
| Federal Tax ID Number (EIN) | Yes | No |
| Website Domain | Yes | No |
| Business License Report | No | Yes |
| Operating Agreement and Bylaws | Yes | Yes |
| Annual Compliance | Yes | Yes |
| Official Certificates and Seal | No | Yes |
| Business Email | Yes | No |
| Company Website | Yes | No |
Which LLC Service Is Better?
There are several things to consider when deciding which formation company you want for your new LLC. As mentioned earlier, in this quest, there is no right and wrong choice.
ZenBusiness and Harvard Business Services offer quality services. That will get the job done, but each has its own unique selling point. The final decision only depends upon your specific business situation. Let us make a final note on that.
Choose ZenBusiness:
If you value company reputation and want more features at a cheaper price, ZenBusiness is a better. From order placing to completion and ongoing services, ZenBusiness outranks Harvard Business Services in many aspects.
Moreover, ZenBusiness has experience of forming in multiple states, so it may guide you better.
Choose Harvard Business Services:
If you prefer the experience while forming an LLC in Delaware, Pick Harvard Business Services.
As it exclusively operates in Delaware, it knows every minor detail and procedure to run your Business successfully. However, outside Delaware, Harvard Business Services can’t help you.
Aisha Noreen is an owner of a small business with more than 9 years of experience in the marketing industry. With the wisdom of an old soul, she always seeks innovation and mind-blowing ROI techniques. Her unique approach helped many small businesses thrive and she can surprise you in many ways as well. Believe it or not, her energy, passion, and creativity are contagious enough to transform your business and take it to another level.
