Cost Comparison of Online Will Maker Platforms

Below is a comparison of the pricing and features for creating a will on six popular platforms: LegalZoom, Rocket Lawyer, Trust & Will, Quicken WillMaker (Nolo), FreeWill, and BetterEstate. We cover the base price, fee structure (one-time vs. subscription), which can be either a flat fee or an hourly rate, included services, any bundle/family discounts, and other relevant pricing factors for each. If you're interested in reviews of top will-making services, be sure to explore this blog post.

Understanding the Cost of Creating a Will

Creating a will is a crucial step in estate planning, ensuring that your assets are distributed according to your wishes. The cost of creating a will can vary widely depending on the method you choose and the complexity of your estate. Generally, the cost can range from $0 to thousands of dollars.

For those looking to save money, online estate planning services offer a cost-effective solution. On average, creating a will using an online service costs around $160. These platforms provide a flat fee structure, making it easier to budget for your estate planning needs.

Alternatively, hiring an estate planning attorney can be more expensive. Legal fees for creating a will with a lawyer can either be a flat fee or an hourly rate, often costing a few hundred dollars per hour. The total cost will depend on the complexity and size of your estate, as well as your location. If you're interested in a more detailed cost analysis, take a look at this blog post.

Understanding these cost factors can help you choose the best method for creating your will, whether you opt for an online service or professional legal assistance.

Online Will Creation Platforms

Online will creation platforms offer a convenient and cost-effective way to create your will. Here are some of the most popular platforms and their costs:

• LegalZoom: Offers a Basic Will for $99 ($199 for couples) and a Premium Will for $249. The Basic plan includes essential documents like a healthcare directive and power of attorney, while Premium adds attorney services for a year. Premium users are auto-enrolled in a legal subscription after one year unless canceled.

• Rocket Lawyer: Uses a $39.99/month subscription model, giving access to unlimited legal documents, attorney Q&A, and discounted legal services. A single will can be purchased for $39.99 without subscribing, and a 7-day free trial allows free will creation if canceled in time. The service is cost-effective for those needing multiple documents or ongoing legal support.

• Trust & Will: Charges a one-time fee of $199 for individuals or $299 for couples, including a will, power of attorney, and healthcare directive. It includes one year of free updates, with an optional $19/year update service after that.

• Quicken WillMaker (Nolo): A one-time purchase software ($109 to $219) allowing multiple wills for household members. Includes a will, power of attorney, healthcare directive, and more, but lacks direct attorney review. Users own the software forever, but online access requires an optional $39.99/year renewal.

• FreeWill: A completely free will-making service funded by nonprofit organizations which aim to drive donations. It includes a will, power of attorney, and healthcare directive, though no legal advice is provided. Primarily suited for simple estates, with optional guidance on charitable giving.

• BetterEstate: Charges a one-time fee of $149 for a will, power of attorney, healthcare directive, and unlimited updates. Features AI-powered guidance, expert review, and online notarization. No subscriptions or hidden fees, making it a comprehensive and cost-transparent option. BetterEstate sets itself apart with its unique digital estate consultation service, which is entirely free and answers any inquiries you might have. This service serves as an ideal starting point for anyone contemplating the creation of a will.

These online services provide a range of options for creating your own will, making estate planning more accessible and affordable.

LegalZoom

• Base Price: LegalZoom offers two tiers for wills. The Basic Last Will starts at $99 for an individual, and couples can purchase two Basic wills for $199 (essentially two wills)​. The Premium Last Will package (which includes attorney assistance) starts at $249 for an individual​ (couples pricing is available as well, usually at a discounted rate for the pair). These are one-time fees for creating your will.

• One-Time vs. Subscription: The will packages are flat one-time charges, not subscriptions. Ensuring that you create a legally valid will is crucial to avoid any legal complications after your passing. However, if you choose a package that includes attorney support (the Premium plan), note that after the included period of attorney service ends (typically one year), LegalZoom will auto-enroll you in a continuing plan for legal assistance (approximately $199 per year) unless you cancel​. The Basic $99 package does not auto-renew any service – it’s a pure one-time purchase.

• Services Included: The $99 Basic Will package includes more than just a will. It also provides a healthcare directive (living will), a durable financial power of attorney, and a HIPAA authorization as part of the bundle​. You get a step-by-step online questionnaire, 30 days of free revisions, and LegalZoom will mail you a printed copy of the documents (shipping of one set included)​. The $249 Premium Will package includes everything in the Basic plan plus a lawyer’s review of your documents, unlimited 30-minute attorney consultations for one year, attorney guidance for your family, and one year of free revisions if you need to update your will​. This means with Premium you have an attorney available to answer questions and ensure the will is done correctly.

• Discounts/Bundles: LegalZoom’s couples pricing (two wills for $199 in the Basic tier) is effectively a bundle for spouses​. They also offer an Estate Planning Bundle that can include a will plus other documents like a living trust at a combined price (this bundle can save money if you know you need multiple estate documents)​. For example, the bundle might include a will, financial power of attorney, and living trust together. Aside from estate-plan bundles, there aren’t specific “family plans” — each adult’s will is typically a separate product (with the exception of the couples deal).

• Other Pricing Factors: LegalZoom is known for transparent upfront pricing, though some users report upselling of additional services during checkout (like offering a subscription for legal advice, registered agent services, etc.)​. There are no hidden fees for the will itself – you pay the listed price for the package. Just be mindful to cancel any optional legal service subscriptions (like the attorney access in the Premium plan) if you don’t wish to continue after the included period​. Overall, LegalZoom’s pricing is mid-range: not the cheapest, but you’re also getting access to legal expertise with the Premium option.

Rocket Lawyer

• Base Price: Rocket Lawyer’s online will service is available via a subscription model. The standard price is $39.99 per month for full membership, which gives you unlimited access to create a will and other legal documents​. If you prefer to pay annually, they offer an annual plan at $239.99 per year (which comes out to roughly $19.99 per month)​. Importantly, non-members have the option to purchase a single will (or any individual document) for a one-time fee of $39.99 without subscribing​. In other words, $39.99 is the cost for one document a la carte, or the same price can cover a month of membership with access to all documents. If a will is not properly drafted, it can lead to complications and delays in probate court, making it essential to ensure legal accuracy.

• Subscription vs. One-Time: Using Rocket Lawyer is often most cost-effective via the subscription because that membership includes unlimited documents and attorney Q&A support. The subscription is month-to-month and can be canceled at any time. Rocket Lawyer even offers a 7-day free trial for new users – during the free trial you can create your will (and other documents) at no cost​. Just remember to cancel if you don’t want to be charged after the 7 days. If you choose not to subscribe beyond maybe a single month, you’ll still retain access to any documents you created; if you only need one will and no further services, you could pay once ($39.99) and then cancel the subscription​. For truly one-off use, the one-time $39.99 per document option is available, but note it’s essentially the same price as a month of membership that would let you create multiple documents.

• Services Included: A Rocket Lawyer membership includes unlimited use of their entire legal document library (wills, living wills, powers of attorney, trusts, contracts, etc.)​. In the context of estate planning, this means with one subscription you can make your will, a power of attorney, an advance healthcare directive, etc., all included. Members also get legal services that go beyond forms: you can ask licensed attorneys legal questions online, get advice, and even have an attorney review your document. Rocket Lawyer membership typically includes free 30-minute attorney consultations on new legal matters and “Document Defense” (an attorney will help if your Rocket Lawyer document is challenged) as part of the plan​. Additionally, if you need to hire an attorney for more complex issues, members get significant discounts (around 40% off) the attorney’s normal rates​. Essentially, the monthly fee bundles DIY document creation with on-call attorney support. Non-members who just buy a document do not get those extra services.

• Discounts/Bundles: The annual plan is a built-in discount – at ~$19.99/month (billed as $239.99 once a year) it’s about half the cost of paying month-to-month​. There isn’t a specific family or couple’s will package; however, one membership can be used to create documents for your immediate family. For example, you (as the subscriber) can draft a will for yourself and also generate one for your spouse using the same account, since the forms just ask for the relevant personal information. The platform doesn’t charge per person, only per membership or per document. So in a sense, a single $39.99 month could cover both spouses’ wills (you’d just make two separate will documents). Rocket Lawyer also often has referral codes or promotions for a free trial or discount on the first month, but the baseline is the subscription pricing above.

• Other Pricing Factors: If you use the 7-day free trial cleverly, it’s possible to create and download your will without paying anything (this is a draw for many users)​. Just ensure you cancel in time, because if you don’t, you’ll be automatically billed $39.99 for the next month when the trial ends​. Rocket Lawyer is quite upfront about their pricing, and they send reminders before charging after trials. There are no hidden fees beyond the subscription cost – everything (documents, Q&A, etc.) is included. If you decide not to subscribe, $39.99 per document is the flat fee; that can add up if you need multiple documents, which is why the subscription is often promoted. In summary, Rocket Lawyer’s model is great for those who may need ongoing legal documents or attorney help, but if you truly only want a single will and nothing else, you might end up paying for more than you need unless you utilize the one-time purchase option.

Trust & Will

• Base Price: Trust & Will charges a one-time fixed fee for a will package. It costs $199 for an Individual Will plan and $299 for a Couple’s Will plan​. The couple’s plan covers two people (usually spouses) and is a joint estate plan for both. In addition to a will, it is often recommended to create other estate planning documents such as a power of attorney or living will to ensure comprehensive planning. These prices are standard — Trust & Will does not have basic vs. premium tiers; it’s a single package that includes all the essential documents for that category. (For completeness: they also offer a Trust-based Estate Plan which is $599 individual / $699 couple, but that’s if you need a living trust. If you’re just creating a last will and testament, the $199/$299 Will package is the relevant option​.)

• One-Time Fee and Updates: The $199 or $299 fee is pay-as-you-go (not a subscription) — you pay it once for the will package and get access to create your documents. Notably, Trust & Will includes one year of free unlimited updates to your documents with that initial purchase​. This means for the first year, you can go back into your will, make changes, and generate a revised document as needed at no extra charge (useful if, say, you have a new child or other life change). After the first year, if you want the ability to keep making updates online, they offer an optional membership for updates at $19 per year (at the time of writing)​. This annual subscription is only if you choose to continue it – it’s not required. If you don’t pay it, your existing will remains valid; you’d just have to manually edit or pay for a new will if you wanted changes in the future. There is no automatic renewal of anything except if you opt in to that update service.

• Services Included: Trust & Will’s package is fairly comprehensive for estate planning. The Will plan includes the Last Will and Testament itself and typically additional documents: a Durable Financial Power of Attorney, an Advance Healthcare Directive (living will), and a HIPAA Authorization are all included in the will-based estate plan​. In essence, they bundle in the key documents you’d need to handle financial decisions and medical wishes, not just the will that handles asset distribution. The online interface guides you through setting up guardians for minor children, naming executors, etc., in compliance with your state’s laws. All documents are tailored to your state and reviewed by Trust & Will’s legal team to ensure compliance. Customer support is included – you can contact their team with any questions as you fill out the forms. Recently, Trust & Will introduced Attorney Support as well: certain plans allow you to consult with a licensed estate planning attorney if you have questions while creating your will​. (This is included in the price; it’s not an extra fee to speak with the attorney for guidance on completing the documents.) They also provide detailed instructions for executing the will (signing, witnessing, notarization if required by your state). And if you ordered the physical documents, they’ll ship a nice printed copy to you for free, with a notary guide if needed​.

• Discounts/Bundles: The primary bundle/discount Trust & Will offers is the Couple’s plan. At $299 for two people, it’s cheaper than buying two separate individual plans (which would sum to $398), so couples save about $99 by doing the joint plan. If you need a living trust as well, they sell that separately – there isn’t a discounted combo for buying both a Will plan and a Trust plan because usually if you need a trust, you’d just purchase the Trust package (which includes a pour-over will). Occasionally, Trust & Will runs promotions (for example, around Black Friday or via partners like employers or financial services) that give a coupon or some dollar amount off, but those vary. Standard pricing is as above. They do offer a 7-day free trial for their services in some cases (letting you try the interface), but ultimately you must pay to download the documents​.

• Other Pricing Factors: There are no hidden fees with Trust & Will. Your $199/$299 covers the will and related docs, plus one year of updates. If you don’t want to continue the $19/year update service after that, you won’t be charged anything further​. (As a side note, in early 2024 Trust & Will’s annual update fee increased to $39 for trust plans but remained $19 for will plans​; always check current pricing). One nice feature: if you purchase a plan, additional copies of the documents or making minor corrections shortly after are free. Also, if for any reason you’re not satisfied, they have a refund policy (usually within 30 days) – though policies can differ, they generally stand by their satisfaction guarantee. Overall, Trust & Will’s pricing is higher than some DIY software but you’re paying for a polished user experience and professional-reviewed documents. It’s a flat fee that covers a lot, with only a low-cost maintenance plan as a potential add-on.

Quicken WillMaker (Nolo)

• Base Price: Quicken WillMaker & Trust by Nolo is sold as a one-time purchase software (or online app) rather than a per-document fee. Understanding personal finance is crucial when creating a will, as it directly impacts how individuals prepare for their financial future and ensure their assets are properly managed after their passing. The pricing comes in tiers depending on which package you choose. As of 2024, the Starter plan costs $109, the Plus plan is $149, and the All-Access plan is $219. These prices are for a single license that you can use to create your will and many other documents. There’s no separate pricing for couples versus individuals – one purchase allows you to create documents for everyone in your household.

• One-Time vs. Ongoing Fees: WillMaker’s purchase is a one-time fee for the version you buy, with no subscription required to use it. If you buy the downloadable desktop software, you can use it indefinitely (you just won’t get software updates once a new yearly edition comes out). If you use their online version, your purchase includes one year of access to the online platform, during which you can create and edit your documents as much as needed​. After that year, if you still want to be able to make changes or create new documents online, you have the option to extend your access by paying $39.99 for an additional year. This extension is optional; if you choose not to extend, you can still keep the documents you made (download them for safekeeping). Essentially, the $39.99 is a maintenance fee for continued online usage. There is no automatic renewal unless you actively opt to purchase an extension. Many users simply buy a new version of WillMaker in the future if major law changes occur or if they want updated software (new versions are released annually).

• Services Included: Quicken WillMaker is known for being an all-in-one estate planning software. Even the Starter plan at $109 includes more than just a will. Depending on the plan level, you get a library of 35+ legal documents that you can create, which can include: Last Will and Testament, Living Trust (for the higher-tier plans or in applicable states), Healthcare Directive/Living Will, Financial Power of Attorney, Final Wishes (funeral/burial instructions), Letters to Survivors, and various other estate and family documents​. The All-Access plan ($219) naturally includes the most complete set (all documents plus maybe extras like a secure online storage vault or document sharing features), the Plus plan ($149) is intermediate, and the Starter ($109) focuses on the core documents (will, POA, health directive, etc.)​. All plans allow multiple people’s documents: for example, you can create a will for yourself, your spouse, and even adult children or parents, all with one license, as long as it’s for personal use​. There’s no extra charge per person. What’s not included is attorney advice – WillMaker is a do-it-yourself tool, so you won’t have a lawyer review or consultation as part of the package. The documents are created by answering an interview-style questionnaire, and they are tailored to your state’s laws (Nolo’s legal team keeps the templates up to date with state-specific requirements).

• Discounts/Bundles: The tiered pricing can be seen as a form of bundle. For example, if you pay $219 for All-Access, you’re essentially getting a bundle of every estate planning form (will, living trust, ancillary documents, even some financial and home legal forms) in one product​. At $109 (Starter), you get a more basic bundle focusing on essentials. Nolo sometimes offers promotional discount codes on their website or through affiliates, especially when a new edition is released or during holiday sales – e.g., 10% off your purchase. Additionally, because one purchase covers the whole family’s documents, it inherently saves money versus buying separate will packages for each person. For instance, you and your spouse and maybe your parents could all use the same software to make your wills – that’s potentially several wills for the price of one software license. (Just note the license is meant for your household/personal use, not for you to act as an estate planner for lots of clients.)

• Other Pricing Factors: With Quicken WillMaker, there are no hidden fees after you buy the software. You’ll need to handle the will execution (signing with witnesses, notarization if required by your state) on your own, so any notary fee is external. The optional $39.99 yearly extension for the online version is only if you feel you need ongoing edits beyond the first year​. One thing to be aware of is that WillMaker is updated annually – if you bought, say, WillMaker 2023 and a WillMaker 2025 comes out with new features or law updates, your version doesn’t automatically upgrade. Some users choose to buy a new version every few years to stay current (often at a discounted upgrade price). But if your estate planning needs are simple and not changing, you might not need to. In summary, Quicken WillMaker’s cost is upfront and covers a multitude of documents, making it an economical choice if you’re comfortable with DIY and don’t need professional legal consultation​.

FreeWill

• Base Price: FreeWill is free. The service allows you to create a will at absolutely no cost. There is a guided online interface to draft your will, and at the end, you can download a legally valid document without paying any fees.

• Fee Structure: There is no fee or subscription to use FreeWill. You don’t have to enter a credit card at any point. The company is funded through charitable organizations and is mission-driven, which is why the end-user doesn’t pay for the will. You can use it one time or multiple times, and it remains free. There are also no tiers or premium upgrades – all users get the same free service. To pay for their services they will of course find other means and parties to fund the offering, especially charities and NGOs.

• Services Included: FreeWill’s platform can help you create several types of estate planning documents at no charge. Primarily, it handles Last Will and Testament creation with an easy online questionnaire. In addition, FreeWill offers tools to create a Durable Financial Power of Attorney and an Advance Healthcare Directive (Living Will) for free as well​. These are separate modules on their site. In certain states (for example, California), FreeWill even has a program to create a Revocable Living Trust for free​, though this is less widely available than the will-making tool. All documents are customized to your state’s legal requirements (FreeWill’s legal experts have vetted the templates)​. What FreeWill does not include is attorney consultation or personalized legal advice – it’s a do-it-yourself solution. The idea is that for most simple estates, their forms and instructions are sufficient. They also include instructions with each document about how to sign it properly (what witnessing or notarization is needed for your state)​. Another service FreeWill provides (optionally) is helping you designate beneficiaries for non-will assets (like making a “transfer on death” designation for a bank account) – they guide you on those steps as well, for free​.

• Discounts/Bundles: Since everything is free, there’s no need for special discounts or bundles. You can create as many documents as you want. If you are married or have a partner, you will each create a separate will using the platform (it guides each person individually), but again, it’s free for both. FreeWill’s model is supported by nonprofit organizations that sponsor the service​. They do encourage users, when making a will, to consider leaving a charitable bequest (a gift to charity in your will) as part of their legacy. This is completely optional, but it’s mentioned because charities partner with FreeWill in hopes that some users will include a donation. Whether or not you do, the service remains free.

• Other Pricing Factors: There are no hidden costs with FreeWill – you won’t suddenly be asked to pay for printing or for “premium” content. After drafting, you will need to print your documents and get them properly signed/witnessed. So your only potential costs are things like notary fees or printer paper on your end. FreeWill does not charge for storing your will either; you simply download the PDF and it’s yours. The platform is really intended for people with relatively simple estates (for example, leaving assets outright to a few beneficiaries, naming guardians for kids, etc.). If you have a more complex situation (tax planning needs, complex trusts, disinheriting close family, etc.), the site might advise that you consult a lawyer instead. But many people have used FreeWill for basic wills without issue. In summary, FreeWill is a completely free solution for creating a will and other basic estate documents, funded by nonprofits and aimed at encouraging charitable giving in wills​.

BetterEstate

• Base Price: BetterEstate charges a flat one-time fee of $149 for creating a last will and testament through their platform​. There are no tiers for the will service – $149 gives you the full will package with all features included. Uniquely, BetterEstate allows you to start for free: you can go through an initial consultation process with their digital assistant at no cost and see what you might need. It's like having a legal expert on call, without the lawyer fees. You only pay the $149 when you decide to generate your legally binding documents. This lets you “try before you buy”.

• Fee Structure: The $149 is not a subscription; it’s a one-time payment for your will (and associated documents). Once paid, you get your documents and can access the platform to make updates as needed. There is currently no recurring annual fee for personal use. In fact, BetterEstate emphasizes transparent pricing – you pay once for the service.

• Services Included: BetterEstate’s will package is quite robust in terms of what’s included for $149. When you purchase, it covers the drafting of your Last Will and Testament plus the key accompanying estate documents: a Healthcare Directive (living will), a Durable Financial Power of Attorney, and a HIPAA Authorization are all included in the package​. In other words, similar to LegalZoom’s bundle or Trust & Will’s package, you’re getting a complete basic estate plan (will + medical and financial directives) for that one price. A standout feature of BetterEstate is that they leverage an AI concierge (Alice) to guide you through the process in a conversational manner, making it feel like a personalized interview rather than filling out static forms​. BetterEstate will help coordinate an online notary or provide resources so you can get your will notarized without additional cost (not every state requires notarization of a will, but if yours does or you just want it notarized for extra assurance, they handle that). They also provide secure digital storage for your documents and unlimited updates – you can return to BetterEstate and modify your will or other documents anytime, and any changes you make will again go through attorney review for validity​. All of these services (AI guidance, attorney review, multiple documents, updates, notary) are wrapped into the single $149 fee, which is why BetterEstate markets itself as offering more value-added features than many competitors for a flat price​.

• Discounts/Bundles: At $149, BetterEstate’s will package already includes what might elsewhere be separate add-ons (like notary). As of now, they don’t advertise a specific couple’s bundle for two wills. This means each person would pay $149 for their will, so a couple would be $298 total – comparable to Trust & Will’s pricing, though each would get the full suite of features (and potentially a volume discount isn’t offered likely because $149 with all features is already competitive). BetterEstate does have a Trust package for those who need a living trust: it’s priced at $599 and includes everything in the Will package plus a Revocable Living Trust, schedule of assets, and unlimited trust edits with attorney review​. If someone knew they needed both a will-based plan and a trust, buying the Trust plan would cover it (it would include a pour-over will along with the trust). There isn’t a “family plan” beyond that, but again one account can presumably be used to help multiple family members (though officially each person would need to purchase their own plan). It’s worth noting that BetterEstate’s approach with the free AI consultation could help multiple people in a family figure out what they need, even before paying.

• Other Pricing Factors: Transparency is a big selling point for BetterEstate’s pricing. The $149 includes everything – there are no hidden fees or surprise add-ons once you sign up​. Because they include attorney oversight, you’re getting a hybrid of DIY convenience with professional assurance at a flat rate. They even highlight that using their AI and included services helps you avoid the typical $300/hour lawyer fees for estate planning​. Another factor: BetterEstate is currently available in certain states (they started in Texas and are expanding), and the pricing is the same wherever available, but if you’re outside their service area you might have to wait until they launch in your state. The free AI consultation (“Alice”) is an interesting feature – you can ask Alice questions about estate planning and get guidance 24/7 without paying​. This can clarify what documents you actually need before you commit to purchasing anything. Additionally, free updates mean you don’t have to worry about paying again if you need to tweak your will next year; you can log back in, update, and the changes are reviewed and the document reissued, all included. Overall, BetterEstate’s pricing strategy is a single fee for a comprehensive, attorney-backed service, with a focus on being competitive and straightforward (for instance, $149 is lower than many competitors’ premium packages that include attorney help)​. There are no recurring charges unless you later decide to upgrade to a trust or another product.