Northwest Registered Agent vs ZenBusiness: which is better for a new business? (2026)
Choose 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 AgentChoose ZenBusiness if: Owners who want annual reports filed on a yearly plan
Skip it if: You only need a registered agent; $199/yr costs more than some rivals.
Visit ZenBusinessQuick verdict
| Higher OwnerUnlocked score | ZenBusiness (7.4 vs 8.1) |
|---|---|
| Lower starting price | Northwest Registered Agent (From $10/mo vs From $17/mo) |
| Better public ratings | ZenBusiness (4.1 vs 4.7 / 5) |
| More Spanish help | Northwest Registered Agent (Spanish support vs Not confirmed) |
Side by side
| Best for | Owners who want a low flat-rate registered agent | Owners who want annual reports filed on a yearly plan |
|---|---|---|
| Skip if | You want attorney access or a large legal document library included. | You only need a registered agent; $199/yr costs more than some rivals. |
| Free plan or trial | No | Free plan |
| Spanish | Spanish support | Not confirmed |
| Support | Phone, contact form; Spanish line (509) 267-1307 | Phone, chat; M-F 8-8, Sat-Sun 9-6 CT |
| Mobile app | No | Yes |
| Public rating | 4.1/5 (Trustpilot, 303) | 4.8/5 (Trustpilot, 32,795) |
| Registered agent | $125/yr; 1st year included with $39 formation | $199/yr; $99 1st year with new LLC |
| Files your annual report | Yes, $100 + state fee per report | Yes; $100 + state fee per report, or $199/yr plan |
| Deadline alerts | Yes, deadline reminders included | Yes, reminders and compliance scorecard |
| Mail scanning | State/legal mail free; 5 other scans/yr, then $15 | RA documents scanned to dashboard |
| Keeps your address private | Yes, their address on public filings | RA address only; not usable as business address |
| Switch an existing LLC | Yes, free; they pay the state fee | Yes; they file the change (state fee may apply) |
| EIN service | $50 with SSN; $200 without SSN | $99 (included in Pro/Premium) |
| Operating agreement | Free template; prepared for you with formation | $99 template (included in Pro/Premium) |
| Forming a new LLC | $39 + state fee | $0 / $199 / $299 + state fees |
| Guarantee | Not published | 60-day money-back; 100% accuracy |
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Your yearly cost, by state
| Service | Agent per year | They file your report |
|---|---|---|
| Northwest Registered Agent | $125 | $100 + state fee |
| ZenBusiness | $199 | $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.
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.
ZenBusiness
- Worry-Free Compliance files your annual report plus 2 amendments for $199/yr.
- 60-day money-back guarantee and 100% accuracy guarantee on filings.
- Phone and chat 7 days a week; weekdays 8am–8pm CT.
- iPhone app rated 4.5/5 from about 1,700 ratings.
- Registered agent is $199/yr and not included in any plan.
- EIN and operating agreement cost $99 each on Starter.
- Registered agent address can't be used as your business address.
Also worth a look
Questions
Is Northwest Registered Agent or ZenBusiness cheaper?
Northwest Registered Agent starts lower: From $10/mo for Northwest Registered Agent vs From $17/mo for ZenBusiness. Compare the plan you'd actually use, including add-ons.
Which has better reviews?
ZenBusiness, with 4.7/5 on average across the public ratings we checked.
Which one helps in Spanish?
Northwest Registered Agent: Spanish support. ZenBusiness: Not confirmed.
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.