B Corp vs. Benefit Company: What’s the Real Difference? (And Why It Matters for Small Business Owners)

People. Planet. Profit. It’s commonly known as the triple bottom line.

If you’ve ever wondered whether a B Corp and a Benefit Company are the same thing, you’re not alone. They sound similar — but they’re not interchangeable. Here’s the simple breakdown:

A Benefit Company is a legal structure. It’s something you register with your state, just like forming an LLC or corporation. The difference? You’re making a legal commitment to consider people and the planet alongside profit.

A B Corp is a certification. Think of it like “organic” — but for businesses. Any business type can apply: LLCs, corporations, even Benefit Companies. Certification is done through B Lab, the nonprofit that oversees the B Corp standards.

So here’s the cheat sheet:

👉 Benefit Company = legal structure 👉 B Corp = third-party certification

Both share the same spirit: using business as a force for good. They just take different paths to get there.

If you’re a small business owner who wants to do well and do good, it’s worth taking a look at both. They might fit your values — and your future — more than you think.

~benefitcorporationsforgood.com~