Comparison
ein.so vs LegalZoom Compared
ein.so files Form SS-4 for non-US residents at $49. LegalZoom is an LLC formation company that adds EIN service. Compare price, speed, and non-resident focus.
Last updated: June 2, 2026
ein.so files IRS Form SS-4 for non-US residents at $49 and delivers the EIN by email in 4-7 business days. LegalZoom is an LLC formation company that adds EIN service for a higher fee. Both services submit the same federal application, so the 9-digit EIN is identical. The IRS charges $0 for the EIN itself. You pay for accurate filing, IRS submission, and delivery. ein.so Express costs $97 and takes 2-3 business days.
LegalZoom is one of the most recognized legal-services brands in the United States. It serves US founders with LLC formation, registered agent service, trademarks, estate documents, and EIN add-ons. ein.so does one thing: it gets EINs for non-US residents who cannot use the IRS online tool. This page compares the two on price, speed, non-resident support, and scope, so you can pick the right service for your situation. Both deliver a real IRS-issued EIN. The difference is cost, focus, and how the application reaches the IRS.
| Factor | ein.so | LegalZoom |
|---|---|---|
| Core focus | Non-resident EIN filing | US LLC formation and legal services |
| EIN Standard price | $49 | EIN add-on (confirm on legalzoom.com) |
| EIN Express price | $97 | Confirm on legalzoom.com |
| Standard speed | 4-7 business days | Confirm on legalzoom.com |
| Express speed | 2-3 business days | Confirm on legalzoom.com |
| SSN required? | No | EIN add-on built around US founders |
| IRS submission method | Fax to 855-215-1627 | Varies |
| IRS EIN fee | $0 | $0 |
Pricing
How Much Do ein.so and LegalZoom Charge for an EIN?
ein.so charges $49 for Standard EIN filing and $97 for Express. LegalZoom is an LLC formation company that sells EIN service as a paid add-on, which costs more than ein.so's flat $49. The IRS charges $0 for the EIN, so both fees pay only for filing assistance.
Price matters most when the deliverable is identical. The EIN is a 9-digit number assigned by the IRS. No service can make it "better." You are buying accurate Form SS-4 preparation, reliable submission, and delivery. ein.so keeps a single flat rate with no bundle.
ein.so Standard — $49
ein.so Express — $97
LegalZoom EIN add-on
Free DIY route
Speed
How Fast Does Each Service Deliver Your EIN?
ein.so delivers a Standard EIN in 4-7 business days for $49 and an Express EIN in 2-3 business days for $97. LegalZoom's EIN timing depends on the package and order volume, so confirm current speed on legalzoom.com before ordering against a deadline.
The IRS sets the real processing floor. A correctly completed Form SS-4 faxed to 855-215-1627 returns an EIN assignment letter within 4-7 business days. Errors restart the clock. The biggest delay for non-residents is a malformed international address, which the IRS rejects without warning. ein.so reformats foreign addresses to an IRS-accepted style before filing.
| Speed tier | ein.so | What you get |
|---|---|---|
| Standard | 4-7 business days | $49, Form SS-4 + fax + email delivery |
| Express | 2-3 business days | $97, priority handling |
| DIY fax | 4-7 business days if error-free | $0 IRS fee, you handle every step |
| IRS phone | Same call if you reach an agent | Requires a US business hours call; hard from abroad |
Speed only helps if the application is accurate the first time. A rejected SS-4 sent by an inexperienced filer can add weeks. See the SS-4 form guide for the exact fields that trigger rejections.
Non-Resident Focus
Which Service Is Built for Non-US Residents?
ein.so is built specifically for non-US residents who do not have an SSN. LegalZoom is a broad US legal-services company whose EIN add-on is designed around US-based founders. If you apply from outside the US without an SSN, the non-resident path is the only path that works.
The IRS online EIN tool requires an SSN. Most non-residents do not have one, so the online tool is blocked. The fallback is Form SS-4 filed by fax to 855-215-1627, with a passport number on Line 7b in place of the SSN. This is the exact workflow ein.so runs every day.
What the non-resident EIN path requires
- A valid, unexpired passport (any country)
- Your US LLC name, state, and formation date
- Form SS-4 with your passport number on Line 7b, not an SSN or ITIN
- Fax submission to the IRS at 855-215-1627
- No SSN, no ITIN, and no US visit needed
ein.so adds WhatsApp support and multilingual help in English, Bengali, Hindi, and Urdu. For the full requirements, read EIN without SSN and EIN for non-residents. A non-resident who only needs an EIN does not need LLC formation bundled on top.
What's Included
What Does Each Service Actually Include?
ein.so includes Form SS-4 preparation, IRS fax submission, application monitoring, and EIN delivery by email for $49. LegalZoom includes EIN service as part of a broader legal-services catalog that centers on US LLC formation, registered agent service, and compliance products.
Every legitimate EIN service delivers the same federal deliverable. The table below shows where the two differ in scope and approach.
| Included | ein.so | LegalZoom |
|---|---|---|
| Form SS-4 preparation | Yes | Yes (within EIN add-on) |
| IRS submission | Yes, by fax to 855-215-1627 | Varies |
| Works without an SSN | Yes | Built around US founders |
| EIN delivery | ||
| WhatsApp support | Yes | No |
| Multilingual support | English, Bengali, Hindi, Urdu | English |
| LLC formation upsell | None | Core product |
| Standalone EIN price | $49 | Confirm on legalzoom.com |
What You Are Really Paying For
The EIN is free from the IRS. The service fee covers four things: correct Form SS-4 completion that reduces rejection risk, reliable fax submission, monitoring of your application, and customer support. ein.so charges $49 for that work with no bundle. LegalZoom packages EIN service inside a wider legal-services suite. If you need trademarks, estate documents, or US compliance tools, LegalZoom's breadth fits. If you only need a non-resident EIN, ein.so's narrow focus is the lower-cost match.
EIN vs ITIN
Does ein.so or LegalZoom Handle Both EIN and ITIN?
ein.so handles both. ein.so files EINs at $49 Standard or $97 Express, and ITINs at $197 Standard or $297 Express. An EIN is a business tax ID for your LLC. An ITIN is a personal tax ID for an individual. They are different numbers with different uses.
Non-residents often confuse the two. You do not need an ITIN to get an EIN. Your passport number on Form SS-4 Line 7b satisfies the EIN application. You need an ITIN only when you must report personal US tax obligations or claim certain treaty benefits as an individual. Confirm which applies to you with a CPA.
| Identifier | What it is | ein.so price |
|---|---|---|
| EIN | Business tax ID for your US LLC | $49 / $97 |
| ITIN | Personal tax ID for an individual | $197 / $297 |
| SSN | US resident personal ID | Not issued to most non-residents |
For most non-resident founders forming a US LLC, the EIN alone is enough to open a US bank account and run the business. Start with the EIN through the application page.
Choosing
How Do You Choose Between ein.so and LegalZoom?
Choose ein.so if you are a non-US resident who only needs an EIN filed accurately and fast for $49. Choose LegalZoom if you are a US founder who wants LLC formation, registered agent service, and legal documents bundled with your EIN under one well-known brand.
The decision comes down to scope and residency. ein.so is a specialist tool. LegalZoom is a generalist platform.
Confirm your residency and SSN status
Decide what else you need
Pick a speed tier
File and move forward
Tax filing is not optional for foreign-owned LLCs
- A foreign-owned single-member US LLC files Form 5472 plus a pro-forma Form 1120 each year.
- The penalty for not filing Form 5472 is $25,000.
- ein.so files your EIN and does not provide tax advice.
- Confirm your full filing schedule with a CPA who handles non-resident clients.
Next Steps
After You Choose Your EIN Service
- Apply for your EIN — ein.so files Form SS-4 for non-residents at $49 Standard or $97 Express
- Learn how to get an EIN — the full step-by-step IRS process explained
- Get an EIN without an SSN — the passport-number method on Form SS-4 Line 7b
- Open a US bank account — use your EIN with Mercury, Relay, and Wise
- File your BOI report — required for most US LLCs after formation
- File Form 5472 — annual filing for foreign-owned LLCs ($25,000 penalty for non-filing)
Related reading: EIN cost | EIN processing time | SS-4 form guide | EIN for non-residents.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is ein.so cheaper than LegalZoom for an EIN?
Yes. ein.so charges $49 for Standard EIN filing and $97 for Express. LegalZoom is an LLC formation company that offers EIN service as a paid add-on, which costs more than $49. You pay both services for filing assistance, because the IRS charges $0 for the EIN itself.
Is the EIN from ein.so the same as the EIN from LegalZoom?
Yes. The IRS issues every EIN, so the 9-digit number is identical no matter which service files Form SS-4. ein.so and LegalZoom both submit the same federal application. You pay for accurate form preparation, IRS submission, and delivery, not for a different EIN.
Can a non-US resident get an EIN through LegalZoom?
LegalZoom focuses on US-based founders and bundles EIN service with US LLC formation. Non-residents without an SSN need Form SS-4 filed by fax to 855-215-1627 using a passport number on Line 7b. ein.so specializes in this exact non-resident process for $49 Standard or $97 Express.
How fast does ein.so deliver an EIN compared to LegalZoom?
ein.so Standard takes 4-7 business days for $49. ein.so Express takes 2-3 business days for $97. Both include Form SS-4 preparation, IRS fax submission to 855-215-1627, and EIN delivery by email. Confirm LegalZoom's current EIN timing directly on their site before ordering.
Do I need an SSN to use ein.so or the IRS online tool?
The IRS online EIN tool requires an SSN, which most non-US residents do not have. ein.so does not require an SSN or ITIN. You enter your passport number on Form SS-4 Line 7b, and ein.so faxes the application to the IRS for you at $49.
Can I get an EIN for free instead of paying ein.so or LegalZoom?
Yes. The IRS charges $0 for an EIN. US founders with an SSN apply free at irs.gov. Non-residents without an SSN cannot use the online tool, so they file Form SS-4 by fax. ein.so handles that fax filing and delivery for $49 Standard.
Does ein.so also handle an ITIN?
Yes. ein.so offers ITIN service at $197 Standard and $297 Express. An ITIN is a personal tax ID, while an EIN is a business tax ID. You do not need an ITIN to get an EIN as a non-resident, because your passport number works on Form SS-4 Line 7b.
What do foreign-owned US LLCs file after getting an EIN?
A foreign-owned single-member US LLC files Form 5472 plus a pro-forma Form 1120 each year. The penalty for not filing is $25,000. ein.so files your EIN and does not give tax advice. Confirm your full filing schedule with a CPA who handles non-resident clients.
Why choose ein.so over LegalZoom?
ein.so is a non-resident EIN specialist at $49 Standard and $97 Express, with no LLC formation upsell. LegalZoom is a broad legal-services company built mainly for US founders. If you only need a non-resident EIN filed correctly and fast, ein.so is the focused, lower-cost option.
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