Top 5 Business Name Lookup Software Platforms for 2026
Choosing the right tool for checking a business name matters. Before registering a business or onboarding a partner, vendor, supplier, or customer, it can help to confirm an entity’s legal name, and standing. If you’re evaluating an online business name search tool in 2026, the key is in matching the tool to what you’re actually trying to do.
Business name lookup” can mean one of two things either a company name availability and compliance check, or a verification step used to confirm a real entity before onboarding.
Some platforms, like Compliancely, can take it a step further by connecting name search to broader compliance checks.
Why Business Name Lookup Matters
For small organizations, a business name lookup is often an availability check meaning you verify the business name before registration to avoid conflicts and rework. For larger organizations, it is the first step in verifying an entity before onboarding customers, vendors, partners, or donors including business name search for vendors and customers as part of operational controls.
Manual searches on government sites can take time, and results can be hard to compare across states and naming formats. Names can be similar, change over time, or appear differently across jurisdictions. This is where online name search tools can be easier than checking separate lists and pages on each government site.
Top 5 Business Name Lookup Tools for 2026
1. Compliancely
Compliancely is designed to be much more than a simple business name lookup tool. It does business name lookup as the first step toward much broader KYB it draws Secretary of State (SoS) and registry records into the same workflow that runs IRS TIN/name checks and related tax-risk validation, so that you can see the legal identity and tax picture all at once. Essentially, rather than sending sanctions and watchlist results into another system, Compliancely folds them into a single, unified entity profile.
This is designed for teams that need enterprise business name lookup and KYB with defensible documentation.
Key features
- Verifies a business’s legal identity and status using authoritative sources (for example, Secretary of State/registry data as part of KYB).
- Connects registry/KYB, IRS TIN/name matching (including EIN where applicable), and sanctions/watchlist screening in one place.
- High-volume API delivery (including real-time responses and webhooks), plus a no-code portal and bulk file jobs for operations teams.
- Central entity profiles with audit logs and decision history.
- A business name lookup API for onboarding customers, vendors, and partners at scale.
- Fast Secretary of State (SoS) business entity searches for U.S. companies
Pros
- Treats business name lookup as the entry point to more comprehensive compliance checks
- Works for customers, vendors, partners, grantees, and donors
- Best for enterprise volume and compliance defensibility
Cons
- More advanced than one-off name availability needs
- Requires integration planning for teams building internal workflows
2. ZenBusiness
ZenBusiness is pretty straightforward. It offers a simple way to see whether a business name looks available in their chosen state and what the basic naming rules are. Its business name checker and related guides walk you through using state business-entity databases and then reserving or registering the name. It can also take care of LLC or corporation formation and ongoing compliance services.
Key features
- Checks name availability by state for LLCs and corporations
- Works from name search to formation and filing
Pros
- Easy to use for first-time founders
- Integrated flow from name search to business setup
Cons
- Primarily focused on formation use cases
- Not designed for compliance checks such as sanctions screening or tax ID verification
3. LegalZoom
Through LegalZoom, prospective owners can check business name availability by running a business entity database search in the relevant state (availability features vary by state/service). From there, they can turn the search into a full formation order so the chosen name is filed and reserved as part of creating the business. LegalZoom also publishes guides on combining state searches with DBA and trademark checks, so founders don’t treat a single database as final clearance.
Key features
- Checks a business name for availability and supports reservation/formation workflows
- Bundles name search with entity creation and filing services
Pros
- Recognized brand with guided processes
- Helpful for early steps that founders often need, such as trademark research guidance
Cons
- More focus is placed on the formation stage, rather than continuous monitoring
- Advanced features such as KYB, sanctions, or identity verification are not available
4. Bizee (Incfile)
Bizee, previously Incfile, provides a business name search free of charge and connects it to formation packages. The software is good for small businesses that want to keep things simple, and supports state-by-state availability checks (useful if you’re comparing options across jurisdictions).
Key features
- Business name availability checks by state (U.S.)
- Compliance reminders and path-to-formation packages
Pros
- A fast way to try several names at the same time
- Quite affordable for first-time founders
Cons
- Not created for enterprise verification or KYB
- Missing APIs for integration into onboarding systems
5. Companies House & Osome
Companies House’s official company name availability checker shows whether a proposed company name is considered ‘same as’ or too similar to an existing company name under UK rules. Osome plugs into that Companies House data with its own checker, validating proposed names against the register and flagging basic legal requirements before you file. From there, Osome can complete incorporation with Companies House and then add on services such as bookkeeping and compliance support for small businesses operating in the UK.
Key features
- Name availability checks against the official UK register
- Guided formation, bookkeeping, and compliance assistance offered in one flow
Pros
- Has official registry backing, which gives trusted data
- Suitable for UK founders and SMEs
Cons
- Limited to UK formation and light compliance tasks
- Not suitable for global onboarding or enterprise verification needs
How to Evaluate Business Name Lookup Providers
The first thing to consider is whether you are checking a name once (formation) or verifying an entity continuously across its lifecycle (onboarding/compliance). Then, take these into account:
Assess volume, geography, and speed
If the business only needs to conduct local name searches occasionally, browser-based tools may be sufficient. But if checks happen often and across multiple jurisdictions, APIs that respond quickly and support SLAs can be more suitable.
Pick point tools vs unified platforms
Point tools are suitable for narrow use cases, but a unified platform reduces the need for multiple vendors and scattered data when you also need tax and watchlist controls.
Test with real data
Run pilots with live cases, similar names, and edge cases. Measure how quickly results are returned, how accurate they are, and how well documentation supports audits and risk controls.
Using a formation-only checker in a regulated environment without broader verification may not satisfy auditors or regulators. Name availability is only one step in the verification process for compliance.
Why Compliancely Is Central to Business Name Lookup Strategy
The first step in a complete verification process is to look up the business name in a compliant way. Teams can avoid performing separate checks for sanctions, tax IDs, or identity by using one central entity profile that links these checks.
Combining verification tools reduces unnecessary tools, simplifies the process, and increases accuracy. Batch APIs give teams reliable results, clear audit trails, and consistent outputs.
FAQs
1. What is business name lookup software?
It’s a tool that searches official records to confirm whether a business name is available or already registered.
2. How is name availability different from compliance lookup?
Name availability asks “Can I use this name?” while compliance-grade lookup confirms the entity’s identity and risk posture by adding KYB, tax ID validation, and sanctions/watchlist screening.
3. Can formation tools replace KYB platforms?
No. Formation tools are designed to register companies; however, they do not offer continuous verification or risk monitoring, which is necessary for regulated entities.
4. Do companies need APIs for business name lookup?
If checks are frequent or part of a digital onboarding process, APIs help automate the process and reduce manual errors.
5. When should I move to a unified platform like Compliancely?
When you’re handling many entities, working in a regulated industry, or using multiple tools, bringing name lookup, KYB, sanctions, and tax checks together reduces operational complexity and risk.
Final Thoughts
Looking up a business name is not just about seeing if a name is available. In onboarding contexts, it’s also about confirming the entity you’re dealing with. Tools that focus on formation work well for new business owners.
However, they are not enough to satisfy all verification needs in regulated or enterprise environments. A single platform that connects name lookup with sanctions screening and tax verification elevates the search from a one-time check into a compliance control.
Use Compliancely to simplify your KYB, TIN, and sanctions workflow from a single, integrated platform. Schedule a demo to see how it fits your onboarding process.
