FreeWill vs LegalZoom
An honest side-by-side comparison of two of our top estate planning picks — pricing, strengths, weaknesses, and who each one is really for.
FreeWill
Ranked #5 of 15 in this directory
Create your will for free and leave a legacy that matters
LegalZoom
Ranked #2 of 15 in this directory
The most recognized name in online legal document services
Our pick: LegalZoom. Our editors rank LegalZoom higher overall in Estate Planning — but FreeWill can be the better fit depending on your budget and use case below. How we review
Compare the details
| FreeWill | LegalZoom | |
|---|---|---|
| Pricing model | Free | Paid |
| Starting price | Free | See website |
| Category | Wills Trusts | Wills Trusts |
| Editorial rank | #5 of 15 | #2 of 15 |
Strengths
FreeWill
- ✓Completely free — no hidden fees or upsells whatsoever
- ✓Legally valid wills created in about 20 minutes
- ✓Option to include charitable bequests to participating nonprofit partners
- ✓Simple, clean interface accessible to anyone regardless of legal knowledge
- ✓Funded by nonprofit partnerships rather than user fees
LegalZoom
- ✓Most recognized and trusted brand in online legal services
- ✓Comprehensive document library beyond just estate planning
- ✓Optional attorney review available for additional assurance
- ✓30-day satisfaction guarantee on all documents
- ✓Large customer base provides confidence in document validity
Watch out for
FreeWill
- !Limited to basic wills — no living trusts or advanced estate planning
- !No attorney review or legal advice available
- !Charitable bequest prompts may feel pressure-like to some users
- !Document storage and updates are not included long-term
LegalZoom
- !Pricing is higher than specialized estate planning platforms
- !Documents can feel generic compared to attorney-drafted alternatives
- !Upselling during the process can feel aggressive
- !Customer support wait times can be lengthy during peak periods
Best use cases
FreeWill
- →Individual wanting a free, legally valid will without any financial commitment
- →Person creating a basic will while also leaving a charitable legacy
- →Anyone who has been putting off estate planning due to cost concerns
LegalZoom
- →Create a basic last will and testament with asset distribution instructions
- →Add power of attorney documents to your estate plan during the same session
- →Upgrade to attorney review for a living trust that includes real estate and investment accounts
About each tool
FreeWill
FreeWill offers free online will creation funded by nonprofit partnerships. Users can create a legally valid will in about 20 minutes while optionally including charitable bequests to participating organizations. The platform is genuinely free with no upsells, making estate planning accessible to everyone regardless of budget.
LegalZoom
LegalZoom is the largest online legal services platform in the United States, offering estate planning documents alongside business formation, trademark, and other legal services. Their estate planning products include last wills, living trusts, power of attorney, and healthcare directives. The guided process walks users through each decision with plain-English explanations, and optional attorney review adds professional oversight.
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