Starting a business is an exciting venture, but navigating the maze of business formation, branding, and ongoing compliance can be challenging. Choosing the right platform to guide you through these steps can be even more overwhelming.
Two names often mentioned in the LLC formation world are Tailor Brands and ZenBusiness. While they share some similarities, they cater to different needs and offer a range of unique services.
In this comprehensive comparison, we’ll dive deeper into what each company offers, their pricing structures, features, customer reviews, and why Tailor Brands may ultimately be the better choice for many entrepreneurs.
1. Overview of Tailor Brands and ZenBusiness
Tailor Brands
Tailor Brands launched in 2015 with a vision to revolutionize the way businesses approach branding. They focus on using AI technology to streamline the process of creating logos, business cards, websites, and other branding materials.
While many business formation services focus on legal filings and compliance, Tailor Brands aims to provide an all-in-one branding solution, making it easier for business owners to create a strong online presence.
Tailor Brands offers a combination of LLC formation and branding tools, which sets it apart from traditional formation services. In addition to legal services, it provides a suite of design tools, including logo creation, business card design, and social media content tools.
Entrepreneurs looking to get their business off the ground quickly and with a professional brand identity are often drawn to Tailor Brands’ ability to combine legal and branding needs in one platform.
ZenBusiness
Like Tailor Brands, ZenBusiness was founded in 2015, but it is primarily focused on LLC formation and legal compliance services. ZenBusiness helps entrepreneurs start their businesses by providing services like state filings, EIN registration, registered agent services, and more.
Its main goal is to simplify the often complex legal processes involved in starting and maintaining a business, allowing entrepreneurs to focus on running their business.
ZenBusiness is ideal for those who prioritize legal and business compliance services. Their platform helps ensure that your business stays compliant with state regulations by offering tools like annual report filings, business license tracking, and reminders for critical filing deadlines.
While ZenBusiness excels at handling the legal side of business, it doesn’t offer the same depth of branding or marketing tools that Tailor Brands does.
2. Features Breakdown: Tailor Brands vs ZenBusiness
Let’s dive into the core features of each platform. While both services cater to entrepreneurs, the type of features they provide can influence which one you should choose for your business.
Tailor Brands Features
- LLC Formation: While Tailor Brands is better known for its branding tools, it offers LLC formation services as part of its platform. The service covers the essential legal filings required to get your business up and running. You’ll get your LLC formed in your state, along with an EIN and an Operating Agreement.
- AI-Powered Logo Generator: One of the standout features of Tailor Brands is its AI-driven logo maker. By answering a few questions about your business, industry, and design preferences, Tailor Brands generates unique logo designs that are fully customizable. You can tweak the design, fonts, and color palette to match your vision.
- Branding Tools: Beyond logos, Tailor Brands provides a wide range of branding tools. These include customizable business cards, letterheads, and social media templates that ensure your business maintains a consistent brand identity across multiple platforms.
- Website Builder: Tailor Brands also features a website builder designed for entrepreneurs who want to create a professional website without needing to know coding. The platform provides beautiful, mobile-friendly website templates that are customizable, so you can get your website up and running quickly and professionally.
- Social Media Tools: Tailor Brands doesn’t just stop at branding; it offers social media design tools as well. You can create consistent and eye-catching posts and templates that align with your brand identity, ensuring your marketing stays professional and cohesive.
- Customer Support: Tailor Brands provides both email and live chat support, so entrepreneurs can get the help they need when navigating the platform.
ZenBusiness Features
- LLC Formation: ZenBusiness offers a full suite of LLC formation services. This includes filing your Articles of Organization with your state, obtaining an EIN, creating an Operating Agreement, and more. These services come with each of ZenBusiness’ packages.
- Registered Agent Service: ZenBusiness includes a free registered agent service for the first year, which is an essential service that businesses need to stay compliant with state laws. After the first year, there’s a yearly fee to maintain this service.
- Compliance and Legal Services: ZenBusiness is focused on keeping your business compliant. The platform offers annual report filings, reminders for important deadlines, and business license reports to help you stay on top of your business’s legal obligations.
- Tax & Accounting: ZenBusiness offers tax consultation services as part of its premium package, giving entrepreneurs access to a 30-minute consultation with a tax expert. This can be incredibly valuable for new business owners unfamiliar with their tax obligations.
- Customer Support: ZenBusiness offers email, phone, and chat support. They are known for providing responsive and knowledgeable customer service, ensuring entrepreneurs can quickly solve any issues that arise.
3. Pricing Comparison
Pricing is always a critical factor when choosing between services. Both platforms offer free plans for LLC formation (excluding state fees), but their pricing models vary based on the added features they offer.
Tailor Brands Pricing
- Basic Plan: Free (state fees apply). Includes LLC formation services and essential tools.
- Essential Plan: $199/year. This includes additional branding tools, such as a logo maker, business card design, and social media templates.
- Elite Plan: $249/year. This plan provides all the features from the Essential plan plus additional website features and premium branding tools.
ZenBusiness Pricing
- Basic Plan: Free (state fees apply). Includes the essential LLC formation service.
- Pro Plan: $199/year. Includes LLC formation, EIN filing, and a registered agent service for one year.
- Premium Plan: $299/year. Includes all Pro Plan features plus annual report filings and a business license report.
Winner: Tailor Brands wins in pricing due to its affordable and flexible plans, starting at $0 (plus state fees) for basic LLC formation. Its Essential Plan at $199/year offers a comprehensive suite of services, including logo design, business card creation, and a customizable website builder—great value for entrepreneurs looking to establish their brand.
4. Customer Reviews and Satisfaction
Tailor Brands Reviews
Tailor Brands generally receives high marks for its user-friendly interface and AI-driven logo design tool. Entrepreneurs love the ease of use and the ability to create a professional brand quickly. Customers often note how tailored the platform is for entrepreneurs who need quick, effective branding solutions without hiring an expensive designer.
However, some users do mention that the platform could benefit from more comprehensive legal services. While it excels in branding and website building, Tailor Brands does not offer as many compliance tools or business tax services as other platforms like ZenBusiness.
ZenBusiness Reviews
ZenBusiness has earned a reputation for being a top choice for business owners who need comprehensive LLC formation and compliance services. Users appreciate the simplicity and transparency of the platform, as well as the helpful customer support. Entrepreneurs especially love the registered agent service, which is free for the first year.
On the downside, some users feel that ZenBusiness’ branding and design tools are not as robust as those offered by Tailor Brands. If you’re looking for an all-in-one branding solution, ZenBusiness may feel lacking in that area.
5. Tailor Brands: Why It Wins for Branding
Tailor Brands shines in several areas, especially if your main goal is to build a strong, consistent brand. Let’s break down why Tailor Brands is the ideal choice for many entrepreneurs.
Comprehensive Branding Solution
While both platforms provide LLC formation services, Tailor Brands takes it a step further by offering an entire branding suite that includes logo design, business card design, social media templates, and a customizable website builder. These tools ensure that entrepreneurs not only get their business started legally, but also look professional and cohesive from day one.
AI-Powered Tools
The AI logo generator is a standout feature, enabling users to create a unique, professional logo within minutes. This is a significant time-saver for entrepreneurs who may not have the budget to hire a professional designer but still want a polished brand identity.
Ease of Use
Tailor Brands offers an intuitive interface that makes it easy for entrepreneurs with no design or tech experience to create and customize their business materials. The website builder and branding tools are designed to be as user-friendly as possible, making it a one-stop-shop for all your branding needs.
Affordability
Tailor Brands’ plans are reasonably priced, especially when you consider the amount of branding and marketing support you get for the price. The Essential Plan at $199/year is a great value, offering a comprehensive suite of tools that can help new businesses create a strong online presence.
Conclusion
Tailor Brands wins because it offers a comprehensive all-in-one solution for both LLC formation and branding at an affordable price. With plans starting at $0 and the Essential Plan priced at just $199/year, entrepreneurs get not only legal services but also tools like AI-powered logo creation, a customizable website builder, and social media templates.
These features give businesses a professional look and feel from the start. Unlike ZenBusiness, which focuses primarily on legal services, Tailor Brands allows you to create a cohesive brand while managing legal requirements—making it the superior choice for new businesses.
FAQ’s
What is the difference between Tailor Brands and ZenBusiness?
Tailor Brands offers an all-in-one branding and design suite, while ZenBusiness specializes in LLC formation and legal compliance.
Does Tailor Brands provide registered agent services?
Yes, Tailor Brands offers registered agent services as part of its premium plans.
Which platform is better for legal services, Tailor Brands or ZenBusiness?
ZenBusiness is better suited for entrepreneurs seeking comprehensive legal and compliance services.
Can I create a website with Tailor Brands?
Yes, Tailor Brands includes a website builder that allows you to design and launch a professional-looking website.
Are the pricing plans for Tailor Brands and ZenBusiness similar?
Yes, both platforms offer free basic plans, but paid plans range between $199 to $299 per year depending on the features.