Comparison
ein.so vs ZenBusiness Compared
ein.so files Form SS-4 for non-US residents at $49 (4-7 days) or $97 (2-3 days). ZenBusiness bundles the EIN inside its LLC formation plans. 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 (4-7 business days) or $97 (2-3 business days). ZenBusiness leads with US LLC formation and bundles the EIN inside its packages. Both deliver the same 9-digit EIN from the IRS. The difference is focus, price, and non-resident support. ein.so is the standalone EIN specialist for applicants without an SSN.
ein.so and ZenBusiness solve different problems. ein.so does one thing: it prepares Form SS-4 and faxes it to the IRS so a non-US resident receives an EIN without an SSN or ITIN. ZenBusiness is a US-focused formation platform that sells LLC and corporation setup, registered agent service, and compliance products, with the EIN attached to those packages. If you only need an EIN, ein.so prices it as a single $49 service. If you want a full US formation bundle and have a US tax ID, ZenBusiness covers more ground. The IRS charges $0 for the EIN itself in every case.
| Factor | ein.so | ZenBusiness |
|---|---|---|
| Core product | Standalone EIN filing | US LLC / corporation formation |
| Standalone EIN price | $49 (Standard) / $97 (Express) | Bundled into formation plans |
| Processing speed | 4-7 days / 2-3 days | Varies by plan and add-ons |
| Non-resident focus | Built for non-residents | US-resident focused |
| SSN required? | No (passport on Line 7b) | Simpler with an SSN |
| Filing method | IRS fax (855-215-1627) | Online / standard channels |
| Support | WhatsApp, multilingual | Email / phone |
| Tax advice | No | No |
Pricing
How Do ein.so and ZenBusiness Compare on Price?
ein.so charges $49 for a standalone EIN with Standard processing and $97 for Express. ZenBusiness does not sell the EIN as a separate $49 line item. ZenBusiness adds the EIN to LLC formation packages, so the total cost includes formation, registered agent, and other features you pay for together.
The pricing models differ because the products differ. ein.so isolates the EIN so you pay only for the filing you need. A full-service formation company prices the EIN as one feature inside a larger bundle. The table below compares EIN-related cost structures across common services. Treat competitor figures as directional and confirm current prices on each provider's site before purchase.
| Provider | Standalone EIN price | Express | Processing | Non-Resident? |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| ein.so | $49 | $97 | 4-7 / 2-3 days | Yes |
| ein-itin.com | ~$65 | N/A | ~5-10 days | Yes |
| ZenBusiness | Bundled in formation plans | N/A | Varies | Limited |
| Northwest | $100+ as add-on | N/A | Varies | Limited |
| LegalZoom | $149+ | $249+ | 1-10 days | Limited |
The EIN is free from the IRS at $0. Every service fee covers filing assistance, not the number itself. ein.so keeps the fee low because it does one task and does not bundle formation or registered agent products. See EIN cost for the full breakdown.
Non-Resident Focus
Which Service Is Better for Non-US Residents?
ein.so is built for non-US residents who have no SSN or ITIN. ZenBusiness targets US-based founders, where an SSN makes the EIN step straightforward. The dividing line is the SSN. The IRS online EIN tool requires an SSN, so most non-residents cannot use it and need the fax method.
ein.so files Form SS-4 by fax to the IRS at 855-215-1627 and enters your passport number on Line 7b in place of an SSN. This is the route the IRS accepts for foreign responsible parties. ein.so also formats international addresses to an IRS-accepted style, because malformed foreign addresses cause silent rejections.
No SSN or ITIN Needed
Fax Filing the IRS Accepts
International Address Handling
Multilingual Support
If you live outside the US and only need the federal tax ID, ein.so is the direct fit. See EIN for non-residents for country-specific guidance.
What's Included
What Does Each Service Actually Include?
ein.so includes Form SS-4 preparation, IRS fax submission, application follow-up, and EIN delivery by email for $49. ZenBusiness includes LLC formation, registered agent service, and compliance tools alongside the EIN inside its packages. You pay ein.so for an EIN; you pay ZenBusiness for a formation bundle.
The core deliverable is the same 9-digit EIN from the IRS. The packaging around it is what changes. The table compares what falls inside each offering so you can match the purchase to your actual need.
| Feature | ein.so | ZenBusiness |
|---|---|---|
| Standalone EIN filing | Yes ($49) | Bundled into plans |
| Form SS-4 preparation | Yes | Yes (within formation) |
| IRS submission | Yes (fax) | Yes |
| Passport-based Line 7b | Yes | Limited |
| LLC formation | No | Yes |
| Registered agent | No | Yes (add-on / tier) |
| EIN delivery | ||
| Support | WhatsApp, multilingual | Email / phone |
What You Are Actually Paying For
The EIN is free from the IRS. Both services charge for the work around it. ein.so's fee covers four tasks:
- Correct Form SS-4 completion, which reduces IRS rejection risk
- Reliable fax submission to 855-215-1627
- Application monitoring and follow-up
- WhatsApp customer support
ZenBusiness's fee covers formation plus the EIN as one feature of a larger product. Choose based on whether you need formation or only the EIN. See EIN for a bank account for what the EIN unlocks next.
Process
How Does the ein.so EIN Process Work?
ein.so completes Form SS-4, faxes it to the IRS at 855-215-1627, and emails your EIN once the IRS assigns it. Standard delivery is 4-7 business days for $49. Express is 2-3 business days for $97. You provide your entity details and passport; ein.so handles the filing.
Send Your Details
ein.so Prepares Form SS-4
Fax Submission to the IRS
Receive Your EIN by Email
Speed depends on IRS processing of the faxed form, not on a US online portal. See EIN processing time for current timelines and how to get an EIN for the full walkthrough.
After Approval
What Happens After You Get Your EIN?
After approval, your EIN lets you open a US business bank account, connect US payment processors, and meet US filing duties. The EIN is the federal tax ID that links your entity to the US financial system. It is the starting point for banking, payments, and compliance, not the finish line.
Open a US Bank Account
File Form 5472 Annually
File Your BOI Report
Consider an ITIN If Needed
Tax filing is not optional for foreign-owned LLCs
- A foreign-owned single-member US LLC must file Form 5472 plus a pro-forma Form 1120 each year.
- The penalty for failing to file Form 5472 is $25,000.
- ein.so files the EIN and does not provide tax advice. Confirm your filing duties with a CPA.
ein.so handles the EIN application only. For tax specifics, work with a US CPA familiar with non-resident matters. See EIN without SSN and EIN for non-residents.
Next Steps
Start Your EIN With ein.so
- Apply for your EIN — $49 Standard (4-7 days) or $97 Express (2-3 days)
- Get an EIN without an SSN — passport on Form SS-4 Line 7b, no SSN or ITIN needed
- Open a US bank account — use your EIN, documents, and passport
- File Form 5472 — annually for foreign-owned LLCs ($25,000 penalty for non-filing)
- File your BOI report — required for most US LLCs
More resources: How to get an EIN | EIN for non-residents | SS-4 form guide | EIN cost | EIN processing time.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is cheaper for an EIN, ein.so or ZenBusiness?
ein.so is cheaper for a standalone EIN. ein.so charges $49 for Standard processing and $97 for Express. ZenBusiness sells LLC formation packages and adds the EIN as an upsell or higher-tier feature, so the EIN is not priced as a separate $49 service. If you only need an EIN, ein.so is the direct option.
Is the EIN from ein.so the same as from ZenBusiness?
Yes. The IRS issues every EIN, so the 9-digit number is identical no matter which service files Form SS-4. ein.so and ZenBusiness both submit the application on your behalf. You pay for accurate filing, IRS submission, and support, not for the EIN itself. The IRS charges $0 for an EIN.
Does ZenBusiness serve non-US residents the way ein.so does?
ZenBusiness focuses on US-based LLC and corporation formation, where an SSN simplifies the process. ein.so is built for non-US residents who have no SSN or ITIN. ein.so files Form SS-4 by fax using your passport number on Line 7b. Confirm current non-resident terms with each provider before buying.
Can I get an EIN without an SSN from ein.so?
Yes. ein.so files Form SS-4 by fax to the IRS at 855-215-1627 using your passport number on Line 7b. No SSN and no ITIN are required. The IRS online EIN tool requires an SSN, which blocks most non-residents, so the fax method ein.so uses is the working path. See /ein-without-ssn/.
How fast does ein.so deliver an EIN?
ein.so Standard processing takes 4-7 business days for $49. Express processing takes 2-3 business days for $97. Both include Form SS-4 preparation, IRS fax submission, and EIN delivery by email. Speed depends on IRS processing of the faxed application, not on a US online portal that non-residents cannot access.
Do I need to form an LLC to use ein.so?
No. ein.so files the EIN for an existing US entity. You provide your LLC name, state, and formation date, plus your passport. ZenBusiness, by contrast, leads with LLC formation and attaches the EIN inside a package. If you already formed your LLC and only need the EIN, ein.so handles it directly for $49.
Why would I choose ein.so over a full-service formation company?
Choose ein.so when you only need an EIN and want it filed correctly for a non-resident. ein.so charges $49, focuses solely on EIN filing, supports passport-based applications, and offers WhatsApp support in English, Bengali, Hindi, and Urdu. Full-service companies bundle the EIN with formation, registered agent, and compliance products you may not need.
Can I get an EIN for free instead of paying either service?
Yes. The IRS charges $0 for an EIN. US residents with an SSN apply free online at irs.gov in minutes. Non-residents without an SSN cannot use the online tool and must fax Form SS-4, which is slower and error-prone. ein.so charges $49 to prepare and fax the form correctly. See /ein-cost/.
What does ein.so include for the $49 fee?
The $49 Standard fee includes Form SS-4 preparation, passport-based Line 7b completion, IRS fax submission to 855-215-1627, application follow-up, and EIN delivery by email. ein.so also formats international addresses to an IRS-accepted style to reduce silent rejection. ein.so does not provide tax advice; confirm tax matters with a CPA.
Need an EIN? We Handle Everything.
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