LegalZoom Review
The largest online legal services platform — documents, attorney consultations, and business formation
Last reviewed: 2026-05-27 · By GBBR Editorial Team
Affiliate disclosure: We earn a commission on qualifying purchases. Rankings are never for sale.
Our Top Pick · Silver Tier
LegalZoom
From $89/mo
The Bottom Line
LegalZoom earns Silver as the most recognized name in online legal services, with a broader service offering than pure document platforms — including attorney consultations, trademark filing, and ongoing legal plans. However, it's priced significantly higher than LawDepot for equivalent documents, and the upsell toward attorney review adds cost that defeats the purpose for straightforward documents. Best for business formation (LLC, corporation) where LegalZoom's processing network and state filing expertise add real value.
What is LegalZoom?
LegalZoom was founded in 2001 in Los Angeles by Robert Shapiro and Brian Lee. It went public in 2021 (NASDAQ: LZ) and is the best-known consumer legal brand in the US. LegalZoom differs from pure document platforms by offering attorney consultations, legal plans with ongoing access to lawyers, and managed business formation services — not just templates. This breadth comes at a premium price.
What does LegalZoom offer?
LegalZoom offers business formation (LLC, corporation, DBA), registered agent service, trademark and copyright filing, attorney consultations, estate planning (wills, trusts, power of attorney), and a Business Legal Plan ($25/month) for ongoing attorney access. Document prices vary: LLC formation starts at $0 + state fees, wills at $89–$209, trademark at $199–$329 plus fees.
Will (Basic)
$89
/one-time
LLC Formation
$0
/one-time
Business Legal Plan
$25
/month
Is LegalZoom worth the price?
Premium pricing vs. category peers — LLC formation is competitive; individual documents are 2–4x more expensive than LawDepot
LegalZoom will at $89–$209 vs. LawDepot Complete Access at $33/month; LegalZoom LLC formation at $0–$299 vs. filing directly or via LawDepot at a fraction of the cost
Worth it for business formation; overpriced for simple documentsHow we scored it
Overall score: 77/100
Comprehensive coverage of personal and business documents — fewer total templates than LawDepot but strong on business formation
Attorney-drafted documents and managed filing services — LegalZoom's business formation process is particularly well-vetted
Guided questionnaire similar to LawDepot but more complex for premium services; heavy upsell toward attorney review at each step
All 50 states for most document types; registered agent service in all 50 states is a unique competitive advantage
Individual documents are 2–4x more expensive than LawDepot for equivalent quality; attorney plan adds significant monthly cost
Attorney consultations and Business Legal Plan ($25/month for ongoing lawyer access) — the best support option in the category
Why LegalZoom is Silver Tier
LegalZoom earns Silver for its brand recognition and attorney consultation access, but the premium pricing vs. LawDepot and Rocket Lawyer for equivalent documents, combined with a history of aggressive upsell practices, prevents a Gold rating. The real value is in complex business services (trademark, registered agent) where the managed process justifies the cost premium.
Pros & Cons
Pros
- ✓Most recognized legal brand — customers already trust the name
- ✓Attorney consultations available — not just document templates
- ✓Managed business formation services (LLC, corp, trademark) with state filing handling
- ✓Registered agent service available in all 50 states
- ✓Business Legal Plan provides ongoing attorney access for $25/month
Cons
- ✗Individual documents are 2–4x more expensive than LawDepot
- ✗Aggressive upsell toward attorney review adds unexpected cost at checkout
- ✗The basic plan is fine for simple documents; the premium services often exceed what most users need
Ready to try LegalZoom? Plans start at $89/mo.
Get LegalZoom — from $89/mo →Frequently Asked Questions
Is LegalZoom worth it in 2026?
Premium pricing vs. category peers — LLC formation is competitive; individual documents are 2–4x more expensive than LawDepot Overall verdict: Worth it for business formation; overpriced for simple documents.
What is LegalZoom best for?
LegalZoom is best for: Small businesses forming an LLC or corporation who want managed state filing, Entrepreneurs filing trademarks or copyrights who need guided process support, Anyone who wants attorney consultation access in addition to documents.
Does LegalZoom have a free trial?
LegalZoom does not offer a permanently free plan. Paid plans start at $89/month.
Who should NOT use LegalZoom?
LegalZoom is not the right fit for: Users who just need a lease, NDA, or basic contract — LawDepot is cheaper and equivalent quality; High-volume document creators — monthly cost adds up vs. LawDepot Complete Access.
What are the best LegalZoom alternatives?
Top alternatives to LegalZoom include lawdepot, rocket-lawyer, nolo.
LegalZoom earns Silver for its brand recognition and attorney consultation access, but the premium pricing vs. LawDepot and Rocket Lawyer for equivalent documents, combined with a history of aggressive upsell practices, prevents a Gold rating. The real value is in complex business services (trademark, registered agent) where the managed process justifies the cost premium.
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