- Least expensive service of our picks.
- Excellent customer reviews.
- No hidden fees.
- Customer service not available on weekends.
- No legal advice or attorney consultations available.
- Expensive bundled business formation and registered agent plans when compared to some competitors.
BetterLegal overview and facts
BetterLegal was established in 2016. Headquartered in Texas, the company is currently led by Chad Sakonchick. It offers one of the lowest registered agent rates in the industry and prides itself on speed and efficiency; it states it can help you get your business legal documents filed in just two business days, including state formation filing, operating agreements or bylaws and tax ID applications.
When it comes to client satisfaction, BetterLegal has a rating of 4.6 out of five stars on TrustPilot and an average of 4.67 out of five stars for user reviews with the Better Business Bureau (BBB). Most positive ratings and reviews about the company praise its fast filing process and knowledgeable customer service representatives. BetterLegal had 10 customer complaints filed with the BBB in the last three years, all of which have been resolved.
BetterLegal registered agent services pricing
Business entities, such as LLCs, need a registered agent to receive legal documents for the company and pass them on to the appropriate person in a timely manner. While a business can elect to be its own registered agent, it must have a physical address that’s not a P.O. box and its representative must be available to receive business documents during all regular business hours. For some businesses, it’s more convenient and efficient to outsource this service.
At $90 per year, BetterLegal’s registered agent service is not bundled with business formation services so you’ll need to purchase it as a standalone service or an add on. Each year, your subscription renews automatically and there are no hidden fees. Fees are clearly displayed on the website and are billed annually.
BetterLegal offers some of the lowest prices for registered agent services in the industry and, in carrying out the service, the provider will receive your company’s:
- Legal documents.
- Tax forms.
- Summons.
- Official government correspondence.
BetterLegal also has a public address to display for your business so people can know where to mail important documents. P.O. boxes cannot be used since states require a physical address when you register your business. Since registered agent addresses are publicly available, you don’t want to use your home address and potentially suffer security and privacy risks.
BetterLegal may not have the name recognition as some of its competitors, but it still stacks up well. This company can help with state formation filing, EIN (tax ID) procurement, operating agreement formation, express processing, free website procurement and business banking as part of its business formation package. Add-on services include registered agent services, state compliance assistance and permits and license searches.
BetterLegal customer support and experience
BetterLegal’s customer service can be accessed in a few different ways, including email, phone and chat. It currently does not offer a mobile app, but customers are given access to a private portal to view their account on the web browser of their choice.
For the most efficient response from customer service, it’s best to contact BetterLegal by phone during its regular operating hours of Monday to Friday from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. Eastern Standard Time (EST). There is an option to leave a voicemail if you can’t get a hold of a customer service representative right away.
BetterLegal also responds to email inquiries. However, if you email or call outside of operating hours, you should expect a response within the next business day.
Finally, you can use the live chat feature on the website if you have a quick question about the company’s services. With this feature, many of the responses seem automated and it’s not clear whether you’re talking to a live person or a machine that’s set up to send automatic responses to general questions.
BetterLegal vs. Northwest Registered Agent
If you need an affordable standalone registered agent service, at $90 per year, BetterLegal may be a better option than Northwest Registered Agent. Northwest Registered Agent costs more, but with one year free of registered agent services in its LLC formation or nonprofit plan, it is a better deal if you are looking for a bundled business formation and registered agent plan. In addition, Northwest Registered Agent covers state filing fees if you switch to its services.
Lyle Solomon, a principal attorney at Oak View Law Group says that cost and price shouldn’t always be the first thing on your mind when choosing a registered agent.
“Having a highly professional registered agent will not only help you in near-term compliance, it will also ensure that you can focus on the growth of your business without worrying too much about filings and documentation or any potential fines,” says Solomon.
Similar to BetterLegal, you can contact Northwest Registered Agent by phone or email. Its live chat feature is only available to businesses with an existing account. BetterLegal, in contrast, offers its live chat feature for existing and shopping customers. Northwest Registered Agent’s service includes features such as same-day local document scanning, mail forwarding and annual report reminders.
BetterLegal vs. IncFile
In terms of services, IncFile wins over BetterLegal. IncFile offers registered agent and business formation services for S-Corps, C-Corps, LLCs and nonprofits while BetterLegal only helps form S-Corps and LLCs. At $119 per year, IncFile does cost a little more than BetterLegal, but you get the first year of registered agent services for free when you use its LLC business formation services.
In terms of customer experience, both companies offer Monday to Friday customer support (with similar operating hours of 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. EST and 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. CST, respectively) and an online client dashboard. BetterLegal has had only 10 BBB complaints while IncFile has had 273 complaints in the last three years. Both BetterLegal and Incfile earn high Trustpilot ratings, with BetterLegal receiving a 4.6 and IncFile a 4.7 out of five star rating.
Is BetterLegal right for your business?
BetterLegal is a great option for companies needing straightforward and affordable pricing and an easy customer experience. With an annual price point of $90 per year and no hidden fees, it is cost-effective for companies looking for a stand-alone registered agent service. This company’s customer satisfaction rating speaks for itself if you’re looking for a straightforward service to handle your business mail.
If you’re looking for an all-in-one service to form your business and obtain a registered agent, BetterLegal may not be the best option. In addition, if you’re not forming an LLC or S-Corp, consider another provider since these are the only business structures with which BetterLegal can help.
For example, Northwest Registered Agent offers assistance with forming a nonprofit, in addition to LLC formation services. In its LLC formation plans, you also get free registered agent services for one year. With pre-filled state forms, same-day local scans and annual report reminders, Northwest Registered Agent may check several of your boxes even though the annual fee is slightly higher at $125 per year.
Both BetterLegal and Northwest Registered Agent operate in all 50 U.S. states. This means that, if you move your business, you won’t necessarily need to switch agents. “If you have growth in mind, then taking the services of a registered agent that has presence in multiple states will help you to easily branch out, while staying with the same registered agent,” says Solomon.
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We extensively research the key competitors within an industry to determine the best products and services for your business. Our experts identify the factors that matter most to business owners, including pricing, features and customer support, to ensure that our recommendations offer well-rounded products that will meet the needs of various small businesses.
We collect extensive data to narrow our best list to reputable, easy-to-use products with stand-out features at a reasonable price point. And we look at user reviews to ensure that business owners like you are satisfied with our top picks’ services. We use the same rubric to assess companies within a particular space so you can confidently follow our blueprint to the Best LLC Services of 2023.
Frequently asked questions (FAQs)
BetterLegal’s registered agent services are available in all 50 U.S. states. However, each state has its own rules with which registered agents need to comply.
BetterLegal’s website does not state that it provides a guarantee or refund for registered agent services. Its terms of service state that BetterLegal is not liable for any loss or injury arising from negligent acts or omissions on the provider’s behalf beyond the amount of the services paid for registered agent services.
BetterLegal is very transparent with fees and makes it clear that registered agent services are an add-on service if you paid for LLC or S-Corp filing or can be purchased as a stand-alone service. If you need registered agent services, you can expect to pay $90 per year billed annually. The company displays a list of specific fees on the website including a fee ranging from $5 to $30 to change the registered agent’s address.
In general, BetterLegal will not grant a refund and all sales are final due to the quick turnaround times. However, if the company has to terminate your registered agent service and resign (if given proper notice by your state), you will be refunded any prepaid fees you paid on a prorated basis.
You can cancel your BetterLegal registered agent services by calling customer service, emailing [email protected] or through your online portal. At this time, you must also assign another registered agent to take over this responsibility. After cancellation, you are responsible for all expenses incurred by the use of your registered agent, including shipping charges.
Yes, BetterLegal offers business formation services for LLCs and corporations as well as state compliance services and permit and license research.
