The Short Answer
Choose LegalZoom if
You are bootstrapping, forming an LLC, or running a service business, and you want more than formation: business advisors for setup and compliance, a general document library, and an attorney and accountant available with Expert Service.
Choose Clerky if
You plan to raise venture capital and want a Delaware C-Corp with SAFE and Series A documents that investors already recognize.
Side by Side
| Feature | LegalZoom | Clerky |
|---|---|---|
| Best for | Bootstrapped founders, small businesses | VC-backed startups raising institutional capital |
| Entity types | LLC and corporation | Delaware C-Corp |
| Formation price | LLC: $0 / $249 / $299 + state fees | $399 Delaware C-Corp (per our May 2026 ranking) |
| Operating agreement / EIN | Included in Managed Service ($249) | Standard founding documents included |
| Ongoing support | LLC packages: business advisors for setup and compliance (Managed Service); advisor, attorney & accountant (Expert Service) | Not the core product; outside counsel for non-standard deals |
| SAFE issuance | Not listed in formation packages | $350 per financing (per our May 2026 ranking) |
| Series A documents | Not listed in formation packages | $799 (per our May 2026 ranking) |
| General document library | 150+ customizable documents with Managed Service (while the plan is active) | Focused set of startup documents |
| Filing guarantee | 100% Accurate Filing Guarantee | See clerky.com |
LegalZoom figures verified on legalzoom.com, October 1, 2026. Clerky figures are from our May 2026 legal tools ranking; confirm current pricing on clerky.com. See our Best Legal Tools for Startups ranking. State filing fees are extra with LegalZoom.
How to Decide
The deciding question is whether you expect to raise venture capital. If yes, start as a Delaware C-Corp and use tooling built around that path, so the documents investors ask for later are already in the right shape. If no, LegalZoom's LLC packages and ongoing support are a sensible fit, and you avoid paying for financing workflows you will not use.
LegalZoom's support subscriptions renew after the first 30 days ($49 per month for Managed Service's advisors, $99 per month for Expert Service's team) unless cancelled, and state filing fees come on top of any package.
Read the full LegalZoom review, or compare LegalZoom with Stripe Atlas or Rocket Lawyer.
FAQ
Is LegalZoom or Clerky better for a startup?
Clerky is built around the Delaware C-Corp and financing path used by venture-backed startups, including SAFEs and Series A documents. LegalZoom is broader and more small-business oriented, with LLC formation, business advisors for setup and compliance, and a general document library. Bootstrapped founders often prefer LegalZoom; founders planning to raise venture capital usually prefer Clerky.
How much does LegalZoom cost compared to Clerky?
LegalZoom's LLC packages are $0, $249, and $299 plus state filing fees (verified October 1, 2026). Clerky's Delaware C-Corp incorporation was listed at $399 in our May 2026 legal tools ranking; confirm current Clerky pricing on clerky.com.
Can I use LegalZoom and Clerky together?
Some founders form an entity with one provider and use another for financing documents. If you plan to raise venture capital, forming as a Delaware C-Corp from the start avoids having to convert later.