RareName vs ZenBusiness
ZenBusiness is built for LLC formation & compliance. An AI name generator and a free name-search guide that feed paid formation. That focus is also its limit — here's exactly how the two compare for finding a name you can actually use.
| ZenBusiness | RareName | |
|---|---|---|
| Domain availability | ✗ | ✓Live registries, your chosen extensions |
| Federal trademark (USPTO) | ~Free tool points you to USPTO; an actual search is a paid $99 add-on | ✓Live USPTO federal search |
| State entity (Secretary of State) | ~Automated check runs only when you place a paid formation order, for that one state | ✓All 50 states + DC |
| Web / social presence | ✗ | ✓Web presence scan |
| Price | Free generator (formation + $99 trademark search are paid) | Free — no signup to try |
✓ runs the check · ~ limited or paywalled · ✗ doesn't run it
What ZenBusiness is great at
A guided, beginner-friendly path from name idea to a fully formed company — formation, registered agent, compliance, domain, and site all in one place.
Where RareName is different
ZenBusiness's free name generator doesn't even check the domain — its job is to start you down the formation funnel, where a real trademark search costs $99 and the state check only happens once you pay to file. RareName does the full clearance — domain, live USPTO, all 50 states, web — for free, up front, before you commit to any formation service.
When ZenBusiness is the better choice
Pick ZenBusiness when you want a hand-held, all-in-one 'start my LLC' experience and you're ready to pay for formation. For everything else — making sure a name is clear on the domain, the USPTO, all 50 states, and the open web before you commit — that's what RareName is for.
Find a name you can actually keep
Domain + trademark + all 50 states + web, in ~60 seconds. Free.
FAQ
Does ZenBusiness's free name generator check availability?+
Barely — the free generator gives name ideas and guidance, but a real USPTO search is a paid $99 add-on and the automated state check only runs when you pay to form. RareName runs domain, USPTO, all-50-state, and web checks for free.
Is RareName a ZenBusiness alternative?+
For the naming and clearance step, yes — and it's free. RareName isn't a formation company, so you can clear your name first and then form with ZenBusiness or anyone else.
Do I have to pay to clear my name with RareName?+
No. The core checker is free with no signup, including the trademark and state checks ZenBusiness puts behind a paywall.
Sources
Comparison researched June 2026 from each tool's own pages and independent reviews. Competitor features change — verify current details on their sites. See also all comparisons.