Northwest Registered Agent vs LegalZoom (2026 Comparison)
If you're looking for professional help launching your limited liability company but are confused between Northwest Registered Agent and LegalZoom services, you've come to the right place.
At Venture Smarter, we independently evaluate each service provider showcased in our reviews and guides. By interacting anonymously with their business formation services and leveraging the insights of an independent review team, we strive to offer unbiased, evidence-based recommendations.
At a Glance: Northwest Registered Agent and LegalZoom
Northwest Registered Agent is a reputable LLC company that has been in business for more than 20 years and helps maintain over 3 million businesses across all states.
The company is known for its high customer satisfaction ratings, with over 95% of customers reporting positive experiences with their services.
LegalZoom was created in 2001 with the purpose of providing affordable legal advice to the public. The company has since helped over 4 million businesses and individuals.
1. Northwest Registered Agent LLC Highlights
- Top LLC formation services
- Registered agent service
- Compliance filing
- Annual report
- Operating agreement
WE RECOMMEND ZENBUSINESS
2. LegalZoom LLC Highlights
- Business formation services
- Name searches and verification
- Customizable website
- Ongoing compliance
- Legal service
WE RECOMMEND ZENBUSINESS
3. How Northwest Registered Agent and LegalZoom Stack Together
After using the services of both, Venture Smarter learned that Northwest Registered Agent and LegalZoom are both reputable companies in the LLC formation industry.
Apart from business formation, LegalZoom offers legal services, while Northwest Registered Agent does not.
LegalZoom offers a variety of plans suitable to specific businesses, while Northwest Registered Agent has a more straightforward package approach.
Side-by-Side LLC Plan Comparisons
| Feature | Northwest Registered Agent | LegalZoom |
|---|---|---|
| Basic/Starter Plan | • $39 + state fees • Comprehensive LLC formation • Operating Agreement • Free registered agent (1 year) • Mail forwarding • Privacy by default • Best for: Value-oriented entrepreneurs |
• $0 + state fees • Standard filing • Articles of organization • Name check service • Tax consult from 1-800Accountant • Best for: DIY entrepreneurs with basic needs |
| Mid-Level Plan | • $225 + state fees • Basic plan features • Year of free registered agent service • Business email and address • Privacy by Default® • Website and domain registration • Mail forwarding and EIN • Best for: Growing businesses |
• $249 + state fees • Bsaic plan features • Operating agreement • EIN • Unlimited 30-minute attorney consultations for 30 days (auto-renews at $49/mo) • Business attorney guidance • Access to 150+ customizable legal documents for 1 year • Unlimited eSignatures for 1 year • Expedited filing available •Best for: Entrepreneurs who want legal support and key business documents |
| Premium Plan | • No premium tier currently offered | • $299 + state fees • Pro plan features • Bookkeeping tools for 6 months (auto-renews at $9.99/mo) • Unlimited customizable proposals and invoices • Auto-categorized income and expense tracking • Automatic mileage capture • Expedited filing available • Best for: Businesses wanting advanced financial tools and streamlined day-to-day management |
| Document Library | Corporate Guide with essential documents | Extensive library of legal documents and templates |
| LLC Formation | Efficient processing with Corporate Guide assistance | Multiple tiers with varying processing speeds |
| Registered Agent | $125/year after first free year | $249/year fee for registered agent services |
| Turnaround Time | Standard processing based on state requirements | 5-14 days standard, expedited options available |
| Legal Consultation | Not available | Available in Pro and Premium plans |
"The best way to make a business idea happen is to act on it."
- Delina Chantel, Mergers and Acquisitions Specialist & Writer of Venture Smarter
Registered Agent Service
Northwest Registered Agent
Northwest Registered Agent charges $125 per year for their top registered agent services. The plan features:
- Instant mail alerts
- Same-day document scanning
- Privacy by Default
- Business address and mail forwarding
- Website, email, and phone support
LegalZoom
LegalZoom charges $249 per year for their registered agent services, which includes:
- Unlimited legal alerts
- Unlimited cloud storage for business documents
- Compliance calendar for filing deadlines
- Annual report reminders
When To Choose Each Service
Northwest Registered Agent
Choose Northwest Registered Agent if:
- You value personalized customer service with dedicated support representatives
- Privacy protection is a top priority for your business
- You want transparent pricing without upsells
- You need a comprehensive LLC formation package with registered agent service included
- You prefer dealing with a smaller company focused specifically on business formations
LegalZoom
Choose LegalZoom if:
- You need additional legal services beyond just LLC formation
- Weekend customer support availability is important to you
- You want access to attorney consultations and legal advice
- You require business licenses and permits reports
- You prefer a well-known brand with a wide range of legal service offerings
Customer Service
Northwest Registered Agent
- Hours: Monday to Friday, standard business hours
- Communication Channels: Phone and email
- Quality: Exceptional personalized service with dedicated Corporate Guides
- Knowledge: Professional and client-driven responses to legal questions
- Weekend Availability: Not available on weekends
LegalZoom
- Hours: Monday to Friday, 5 am to 7 pm PST; Weekends, 7 am to 4 pm PST
- Communication Channels: Phone and online chat
- Quality: Accessible but may require additional information for new clients
- Knowledge: General legal guidance with referrals to specialists
- Weekend Availability: Available with limited hours
Customer Reviews
FAQs
Which is More Affordable, Northwest Registered Agent or LegalZoom?
LegalZoom is more affordable because they offer a basic plan that costs $0.
Do Northwest Registered Agent and LegalZoom Offer Refunds?
LegalZoom offers a 60-day satisfaction guarantee for most products. However, some services, such as registered agent services and certain filings, have different or more limited refund policies. Northwest Registered Agent provides a 90-day return policy.
Northwest Registered Agent vs LegalZoom: Our Recommendation
As a business owner, hiring a professional LLC service like Northwest Registered Agent and LegalZoom effectively delegated the complicated legal filing process for my company.
If you are looking for an alternative, we recommend ZenBusiness as your company's best and most affordable LLC service provider.
ZenBusiness offers a free basic formation package.
They also offer additional business services, including rush filing, personalized support, worry-free compliance, functional business domain names, email addresses, and customizable websites to expand your online presence.
Our #1 Recommendation
ZenBusiness
- ZenBusiness offers three formation plans, starting at $0 for the basic package.
- Compliance service is included in the basic package for a year free of charge.
- The Pro and Premium plans offer a rush filing option, which is processed within 1-5 days.
- User-friendly interface that is easy to navigate even for beginners.
- Get the BEST PRICE until the end of January
- Registered agent service is not included on the formation packages. You have to avail it as an add-on.
