LegalZoom vs Northwest Registered Agent: which is better for a new business? (2026)
Choose LegalZoom if: Owners wanting compliance filings plus optional attorney access
Skip it if: Budget is tight; registered agent is $249/yr, higher than most rivals.
Visit LegalZoomChoose Northwest Registered Agent if: Owners who want a low flat-rate registered agent
Skip it if: You want attorney access or a large legal document library included.
Visit Northwest Registered AgentQuick verdict
| Higher OwnerUnlocked score | LegalZoom (8.1 vs 7.4) |
|---|---|
| Lower starting price | Northwest Registered Agent (From $21/mo vs From $10/mo) |
| Better public ratings | LegalZoom (4.6 vs 4.1 / 5) |
| More Spanish help | Northwest Registered Agent (Not confirmed vs Spanish support) |
Side by side
| Best for | Owners wanting compliance filings plus optional attorney access | Owners who want a low flat-rate registered agent |
|---|---|---|
| Skip if | Budget is tight; registered agent is $249/yr, higher than most rivals. | You want attorney access or a large legal document library included. |
| Free plan or trial | Free plan | No |
| Spanish | Not confirmed | Spanish support |
| Support | Phone, chat; M-F 5am-7pm, Sat-Sun 7am-4pm PT | Phone, contact form; Spanish line (509) 267-1307 |
| Mobile app | Yes | No |
| Public rating | 4.6/5 (Trustpilot, 33,327) | 4.1/5 (Trustpilot, 303) |
| Registered agent | $249/yr (first-time price); no free 1st year | $125/yr; 1st year included with $39 formation |
| Files your annual report | Yes; $99 + state fee, or $199/yr plan | Yes, $100 + state fee per report |
| Deadline alerts | Yes, mail alerts and annual report reminders | Yes, deadline reminders included |
| Mail scanning | RA mail scanned; Virtual Mail from $39/mo | State/legal mail free; 5 other scans/yr, then $15 |
| Keeps your address private | RA address only; Virtual Mail address from $39/mo | Yes, their address on public filings |
| Switch an existing LLC | Yes; they file and pay state fees | Yes, free; they pay the state fee |
| EIN service | $79 | $50 with SSN; $200 without SSN |
| Operating agreement | $99 ($199 rush); included in Managed/Expert | Free template; prepared for you with formation |
| Forming a new LLC | $0 / $249 / $299 + state fees | $39 + state fee |
| Guarantee | 100% Accurate Filing Guarantee | Not published |
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Your yearly cost, by state
| Service | Agent per year | They file your report |
|---|---|---|
| LegalZoom | $249 | $99 + state fee |
| Northwest Registered Agent | $125 | $100 + state fee |
| Do it yourself Be your own agent; file the report yourself | $0 | State fee only |
List prices for an existing LLC, before promotions. Report totals apply in years a report is due.
LegalZoom
- Switching agents: they file the paperwork and pay state fees.
- Compliance Filings ($199/yr) auto-files annual reports and amendments.
- 100% Accurate Filing Guarantee: their errors are corrected free.
- Phone 7 days: weekdays 5am–7pm PT, weekends 7am–4pm PT.
- Registered agent costs $249/yr and auto-renews until you cancel.
- Managed and Expert plans auto-renew at $49 or $99 per month.
- EIN ($79) and operating agreement ($99) are sold separately.
Northwest Registered Agent
- Registered agent costs $125/yr; company says price unchanged for 20 years.
- Free switch: they file the change form and pay the state fee.
- Their address goes on public filings instead of your home address.
- EIN service $50 with SSN; $200 for owners without SSN.
- Only 5 free scans/yr of regular mail; extra scans $15 each.
- Annual report filing costs extra: $100 plus state fee each time.
- No mobile app found in the App Store.
Also worth a look
Questions
Is LegalZoom or Northwest Registered Agent cheaper?
Northwest Registered Agent starts lower: From $21/mo for LegalZoom vs From $10/mo for Northwest Registered Agent. Compare the plan you'd actually use, including add-ons.
Which has better reviews?
LegalZoom, with 4.6/5 on average across the public ratings we checked.
Which one helps in Spanish?
LegalZoom: Not confirmed. Northwest Registered Agent: Spanish support.
Can I switch from one to the other later?
Yes, though switching mid-year takes some setup. Export your records before you cancel, and check for annual contracts or cancellation notice periods.
Facts from each company's own pages and public rating sites, checked Oct 4, 2026. How we rate.