DBA vs LLC: one is a name, the other is an entity.
A side-by-side comparison of structure, tax treatment, liability protection, cost, and use cases. The decision usually comes down to a few specific factors; this guide walks through each.
A DBA is a name. An LLC is an entity. Most businesses need an LLC for liability protection; some businesses also file a DBA if they operate under a different name from the legal entity. They serve different purposes; one does not replace the other.
Which fits your situation.
Based on publicly listed pricing and feature pages as of 2026. Competitor names are trademarks of their respective owners.
Every factor that matters.
| Factor | DBA | LLC |
|---|---|---|
| What it is | A name registration on the public record | A legal entity registered with the state |
| Liability protection | None. Owner remains personally liable. | Yes. Members shielded from business debts and lawsuits. |
| Cost | $5 to $150 typical; varies by state and county | $35 to $520 state filing fee; No state-fee markup from File.Business |
| Filed with | State or county clerk (varies) | Secretary of State |
| Tax treatment | No change. Sole prop stays sole prop; LLC stays LLC. | Pass-through by default; can elect S-Corp or C-Corp |
| Bank accounts | Sole prop with DBA can open under the trade name | LLC opens accounts in the LLC name |
| EIN | Sole prop with DBA uses owner SSN (or sole prop EIN) | LLC gets its own EIN |
| Renewal | 5 years in most states; varies | Annual report (every state) or biennial |
| Public record | Trade name visible on state/county records | Entity visible on state SOS records |
| Used by | Sole proprietors who want a business name; LLCs that want to operate under additional names | Anyone who wants liability protection |
| Trademark protection | None; DBA is name registration only | Better; trademark applications can use the LLC as applicant |
| Common combination | Sole prop + DBA (basic) | LLC + DBA (LLC operates under another brand name) |
How each is taxed.
DBA does not change tax treatment. A sole proprietor with a DBA still files Schedule C as a sole proprietor. An LLC with a DBA still files as the LLC (pass-through, S-Corp, or C-Corp depending on election). The DBA is just a name; tax forms reference the underlying entity.
LLC does change tax treatment. Single-member LLCs default to disregarded entity (Schedule C). Multi-member LLCs default to partnership (Form 1065). Either can elect S-Corp (Form 2553) or C-Corp (Form 8832) tax treatment.
What each costs.
DBA filing fees vary widely. Some states charge $5 (Mississippi); some counties in New York charge $150+. Most are $15 to $80. Plus publication requirements in a few states (NY, NJ, FL, AZ) that add $100 to $1,500.
LLC formation fees are $35 (Montana) to $520 (Massachusetts). Most states fall between $50 and $200.
For a business that needs both: LLC formation + DBA filing if operating under multiple names. Total cost varies by state but typically $50 to $200 for the LLC + $30 to $100 for the DBA.
Protection differences.
DBA provides zero liability protection. A DBA is just a registered name. If you operate as a sole proprietor with a DBA, you are still personally liable for everything the business does. Your home, car, and savings are at risk if the business is sued.
LLC provides the liability shield. Forming an LLC creates a separate legal entity. The LLC owns the business; you own the LLC. Lawsuits against the business target the LLC, not you personally.
This is why most serious businesses operate as LLCs (or Corporations). The DBA can be added on top to operate under a business name different from the LLC name, but the DBA itself protects nothing.
Common questions.
Do I need a DBA if I have an LLC?
Can I get an EIN with just a DBA?
Is a DBA cheaper than an LLC?
Can multiple businesses share one DBA name?
Does a DBA expire?
Can I operate an LLC under multiple DBAs?
Does a DBA work for trademark protection?
Does a DBA need its own EIN?
Can I file a DBA in multiple states?
Ready to start?
5 minutes to file. No state-fee markup. Pay only the state fee. 60-day money-back guarantee.
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How we deliver, end-to-end.
Four-step path from request to confirmation. State and IRS turnaround varies; our steps run in parallel where possible to compress the timeline.
Intake + scope
You tell us what you need through a short intake form (or a call for complex matters). We confirm scope, surface any gating issues (deadlines, missing documents, entity status), and quote any state fees that pass through at cost.
Prepare + verify
Our specialists draft the filing, verify entity details against state databases, run internal QA, and route any items needing your sign-off. You see drafts before anything gets submitted.
File with the authority
We submit directly to the state Secretary of State, FinCEN, IRS, USPTO, or whichever authority your filing requires. We pay state fees at cost and track the submission identifier in your account.
Confirmation + vault
Stamped certificate, IRS notice, or filing receipt arrives in your SOC 2 encrypted document vault the moment we receive it. Next filing deadline auto-added to your compliance calendar where applicable.
Built on the same infrastructure used by 220,000+ businesses.
SOC 2 Type II audited
Independent annual security audit covering access control, change management, incident response, and data handling. Current report on request.
All 51 US jurisdictions
Every state plus DC plus Puerto Rico - direct filings, not third-party reseller. We hold registered-agent qualifications in every state we operate.
Deadline guarantee
If we miss a filing deadline on a service you pay us to manage, we pay the state penalty. Specific to each plan and the filings it includes.
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Independently verified by Trustpilot + Google + our own NPS infrastructure. Customer success team within reach by email, chat, or phone.
60-day money-back promise
Change your mind in the first 60 days and we refund our service fee in full. State filing fees pass through at cost and are non-refundable once paid to the state.
E&O insured
Errors and omissions coverage protects you from service errors. Carrier and certificate available on request for enterprise clients.
Recommended add-ons
Most customers add these to keep their business compliant year-round.
Trademark Search & Filing
RecommendedLock down the brand name federally before someone else does.
Registered Agent
Required for any registered business entity in your state.
Compliance Monitoring
Track DBA renewal dates by state - most expire every 5 years.
Premium compliance, no service-fee markup.
Trust you can verify
SOC 2 Type II audited platform. 220,000+ businesses served. 60-day money-back on service fees. State fees passed through at cost with no hidden markup. Explicit AUP on restricted industries.
A compliance partner, not a transaction
Most providers go quiet after checkout. We auto-track every annual report, registered agent renewal, and license deadline across your entities. The Business OS dashboard keeps your compliance score visible year-round.
Premium experience competitors cannot match
Premium positioning, transparent pricing, no service-fee markup on state or federal filings. Premium positioning, transparent pricing, no service-fee markup on state filings.