Reviews that line up five or six companies side by side are useful, but they can also blur together – it is easy to lose track of who you are actually comparing. So once you have narrowed the field to two, a straight head-to-head makes sense. When it comes to choosing a registered agent service, this one is Swyft Filings versus ZenBusiness.
About Swyft Filings
Swyft Filings, as the name suggests, is built around speed. You can get on and off their website in under ten minutes – we managed it in five, though after reviewing so many of these services we may move faster than most. Swyft Filings is ideal for people who already know what they are doing and simply want the paperwork filed with a minimum of fuss.
About ZenBusiness
ZenBusiness positions itself as an all-in-one service for anyone who wants to start a business or LLC but has not figured out every step yet. It is a natural fit for first-timers who would appreciate a little guidance along the way.
What They Have in Common
Most registered agent services cover the same core ground, and Swyft Filings and ZenBusiness are no exception. Both will:
- Help with company name searches.
- Act as your registered agent.
- File your formation paperwork with your state government.
Where They Differ
If they are both so capable, why bother with a head-to-head? Because once you get past the basics, the differences are significant.
What Swyft Filings offers that ZenBusiness does not:
- Speed, from the very first page of the website.
- Low upfront cost.
- Clear side-by-side pricing.
What ZenBusiness offers that Swyft Filings does not:
- A comprehensive website builder for your business.
- A guided setup experience for newcomers.
- A Worry-Free Compliance package.
And the Winner Is…
Pricing: Swyft Filings
Swyft Filings is inexpensive up front, but read the fine print – a registered agent fee (around $149) is added when your paperwork is filed with the state. Even with that fee, it still comes in cheaper than ZenBusiness.
Experience: ZenBusiness
ZenBusiness holds an A rating with the Better Business Bureau, which speaks to both its track record and the experience of its customers.
Customer Support: ZenBusiness
This edge also comes through in that BBB rating. ZenBusiness backs its work with an accuracy guarantee: if the paperwork it files is not correct, you get your money back.
Turnaround Time: Swyft Filings
Swyft Filings is not just the faster of these two – it is the fastest filing and registered agent company we have reviewed. The website is fast, checkout is fast, and it can turn paperwork around from the state in under a week.
Overall: ZenBusiness
We liked a great deal about Swyft Filings, but for a first-time business owner it is probably not the one to choose.
It is fast – arguably a little too fast – and it is easy to overlook, amid the low headline price, that a registered agent fee of around $149 lands later on. The education and added services that ZenBusiness bundles in are hard to beat, which makes it the better all-round pick.
And the winner is – ZenBusiness
- Low starting price (from around $39)
- Great customer reviews
- Registered agent service included
- Excellent customer support
