Need to file a DBA (Doing Business As) online (also known as a trade name, fictitious business name, or assumed name), but aren’t sure how to get started? Unless you want to handle the paperwork yourself, a DBA filing service can save you time and energy so you can focus on running your business.
In this guide to the best DBA filing services of 2024, we’ll take you on a brief tour of the industry’s top options. By the time we’re done, you’ll have a good idea of which company is best for you when registering a DBA name.
Our #1 Pick: LegalZoom
We chose LegalZoom as the top DBA filing service due to their fast turnaround times, user-friendly website, and great customer support.
Get StartedUnsure if LegalZoom is right for you? Continue reading our comprehensive review below to learn more and explore your options.
Top DBA Services Compared
LegalZoom 4.8/5 Visit Site | Best DBA Service Overall
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MyCompanyWorks 4.6/5 Visit Site | Best for Affordable Services
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Swyft Filings 4.5/5 Visit Site |
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CorpNet 4.5/5 Visit Site |
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MyCorporation 3.8/5 Visit Site |
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A “doing business as” (DBA) name, known as a fictitious business name, trade name, or assumed business name, is a name used to conduct business, open a business bank account, or receive payments using a different business name than the name you registered when forming your limited liability company or corporation as a legal entity.
To conduct business under a DBA name rather than your legal business entity name, you will need to file a DBA registration. This is to convey to the public that your business is operating under a name other than your legal business name.
DBA filing services help businesses register and manage “Doing Business As” names. They handle name searches, paperwork, application submissions, publication requirements, renewals, and compliance checks. These services simplify the process for business owners, ensuring legal requirements are met when operating under a different business name.
6 Best DBA Services for Startups in 2024
Simplify Your DBA Process with LegalZoom
LegalZoom offers comprehensive DBA filing services with added benefits like attorney consultations.
Get Started1. LegalZoom – $99 + State Fee
LegalZoom has two price points to file a DBA online for you, and the upper-tier Premium package ($119 + state fee) has some intriguing additions that you don’t often see with DBA filing. Beyond that, they’re one of the most popular names in the industry, so there’s a level of comfort many unsure entrepreneurs appreciate.
- 14-day trial of the Business Advisory Plan, which offers attorney consultations, document reviews, & annual business evaluations
- Preparation and filing of documents
- Publication of your DBA in a newspaper and a proof of publication filing
2. MyCompanyWorks – $99 + State Fee
With a 90-day money-back guarantee and straightforward pricing model, MyCompanyWorks is a popular DBA filing service. Their website is simple to use, they offer excellent customer support, and they have a number of affordable add-ons to their core DBA package:
- EIN filing services ($49)
- Registered agent services ($99/Year)
- Four shipping options, from free to $89
MyCompanyWorks is dedicated to providing top-rate DBA name services at low prices, and they certainly deserve consideration if you want to file a DBA online.
3. Swyft Filings – $99 + State Fee
The next best DBA name service goes to Swyft Filings, thanks to their impressive customer feedback. With a 4.5 average score out of 5 on ShopperApproved after over 29,000 reviews, it’s tough to beat their reliability and variety of great features that include:
- Setup in as little as 10 minutes
- Turnaround times of 1-2 weeks
- 100% satisfaction guarantee
Swyft Filings is known for their speed, great user experience, and easily-accessible service department, making them ideal DBA filing services for beginners as well as busy entrepreneurs looking for convenience when registering this type of business name.
4. CorpNet – $79 + State Fee & Shipping
CorpNet is a smaller company than some competitors offering DBA registration services. CorpNet’s Basic package to file a DBA offers other features you can add on, including:
- Overnight shipping options
- EIN filing services ($69)
Ordering these services a la carte would set you back $197, so there’s a decent savings over ordering these features separately. Note that when you file a DBA online with CorpNet, you will have to pay for shipping, which is an extra $29. What sets them apart though is their personalized service, smaller feel, and the fact it’s a husband/wife business with a great team evidenced by their customer reviews.
5. MyCorporation – $129 + State Fee
With over a million businesses served in 20+ years, MyCorporation is another strong option for DBA filing online. They provide all the typical features of a DBA, with some add-ons as well:
- Expedited service available ($100 Extra)
- EIN filing services ($79 Extra)
- Great learning center to help start and manage your business
MyCorporation sports a 4.0 average score out of 5 on TrustPilot after over 200 reviews, so you know their customers are pleased with their services. In fact, they’re an industry leader when it comes to personalized support.
6. BizFilings – $99 + State Fee & Name Check
While BizFilings is a decent choice for DBA filing, they charge $25 extra for a name check, which none of the other companies in this guide do. Still, with over 20 years in business and many other solutions and services, they’re worth consideration.
- Low-cost expedited orders ($60 Extra)
- Extensive free online DBA help center
- Incorporation services start at $99 with 6 months of registered agent services free
Their customer service representatives average 4 years of experience, so you can count on BizFilings to provide good support when you’re registering a DBA and onward. Again, most of these providers are set up to help with much more after initial business filing and incorporation.
DBA Filing Service Pros and Cons
DBA Filing Service Pros
- If you’re new to conducting business under a name other than your business’s legal name and you don’t have access to an attorney, a DBA filing service can be invaluable. Each service makes the process of filing a DBA online as quick and painless as possible.
- If you have a stellar experience filing a DBA through one of these providers, you can then leverage all the other business services these companies offer to help operate your company.
- Some of the DBA service providers offer money-back guarantees, which help the process feel less stressful when you don’t understand all of the legalities involved.
DBA Filing Service Cons
- Some of these providers are huge corporations, so your personal experience may vary depending on which employee files your business paperwork, or which department you’re contacting.
- None of these companies are law firms, so in most cases they cannot give you any real legal advice. Some, like Rocket Lawyer, can connect you with legal professionals for less though, but it’s not the same thing as having a dedicated attorney.
- If you want better asset protection, we recommend that you form an LLC (limited liability company), which comes with more complicated paperwork than registering a DBA name for a sole proprietorship.