ZenBusiness vs. Northwest Registered Agent: LLC Formation Service Comparison
ZenBusiness's Starter LLC plan is $0 plus the state's own filing fee, with registered agent service priced separately. Northwest Registered Agent's formation package is $39 plus the state fee and bundles a free first year of registered agent service, then renews at $125 a year, a rate the company states is fixed, as published on each company's site in October 2026. Northwest Registered Agent includes more in its formation price.
By LLC Register · Last reviewed October 5, 2026
Comprehensive Guide
What ZenBusiness Charges for LLC Formation
As published on its own site in October 2026, ZenBusiness's Starter LLC plan is $0 plus the state's own filing fee, a one-time formation charge. Registered agent service is not included in Starter by default; ZenBusiness's registered agent page advertises $99 for the first year, renewing at $199 a year.
What Northwest Registered Agent Charges for LLC Formation
Northwest Registered Agent's LLC formation package is $39 plus the state's own filing fee and bundles one year of registered agent service into that price, effectively making the first year of registered agent service free as part of formation. It renews afterward at $125 a year, a rate Northwest Registered Agent specifically states is fixed and never raised.
Comparing What Each Entry Price Includes
ZenBusiness's $0 Starter plan is the lower headline formation price, but it does not include registered agent service, which is priced separately starting at $99 for the first year. Northwest Registered Agent's $39 formation fee is higher than $0, but it bundles a full year of registered agent service, which would otherwise cost $99 or more elsewhere.
Registered Agent Renewal Pricing
After the first year, Northwest Registered Agent's $125-a-year renewal remains below ZenBusiness's published $199-a-year renewal. ZenBusiness's products page separately lists $199 a year as a flat standard rate, while its registered-agent page frames the same eventual rate as a $99 first-year discount.
Operating Agreement and EIN Pricing
Northwest Registered Agent includes an operating agreement with formation at no separate published charge, and its EIN service is $50 with an SSN or $200 without one. ZenBusiness prices an operating agreement and EIN filing assistance at $99 each in its Starter plan, both included in Pro.
Annual Report Filing
Both companies publish the same figure for annual report filing: $100 plus the state's own fee, charged at the time of filing for Northwest Registered Agent.
How LLC Register compares
LLC Register's registered agent service is $99 a year, the same price at renewal. LLC formation is included in year one and annual report filing is included every year, while most providers charge $99 to $199 a year extra for annual report filing. State fees are passed through at cost and shown before checkout.
What to Confirm Before You Choose
If the lowest possible headline formation price matters most, ZenBusiness's $0 Starter plan is lower than Northwest Registered Agent's $39 fee. If a bundled year of registered agent service and a lower published renewal rate matter more, Northwest Registered Agent's package includes more for a modest additional upfront cost. Because Northwest Registered Agent's own site blocks automated price checking, confirm its current figures directly before ordering.
Practical Considerations
A Higher Entry Price Can Include More
Northwest Registered Agent's $39 formation fee is not free like ZenBusiness's Starter plan, but it bundles a year of registered agent service that would otherwise be a separate charge. Compare what each entry price actually includes, not just the headline number.
A Stated Fixed Renewal Price Is a Checkable Claim
Northwest Registered Agent's statement that its $125-a-year price is fixed and never raised is a specific claim you can verify yourself at each future renewal.
Confirm Northwest Registered Agent's Price Directly
Because Northwest Registered Agent's own site blocks automated fetching, its figures here were read as indexed by web search rather than from a live page load. Confirm the current price on the live site before ordering.
ZenBusiness's Own Pages Show Two Different Standard Rates
ZenBusiness's registered-agent page and its products page describe the same eventual $199 rate differently. Check the order summary at checkout rather than either marketing page alone.
This Is Not Legal or Tax Advice
Which company's structure fits your business depends on your state and plans for the LLC. Talk to a tax professional about ongoing compliance costs, and verify all current prices directly on each company's site before ordering.
Sources
The official sources used for this article.
IRS: Apply for an EIN online | irs.gov/businesses/small-businesses-self-employed/apply-for-an-employer-identification-number-ein-online |
|---|---|
FTC: The Consumer Reviews and Testimonials Rule, Questions and Answers | ftc.gov/business-guidance/resources/consumer-reviews-testimonials-rule-questions-answers |
SBA: Choose a business structure | sba.gov/business-guide/launch-your-business/choose-business-structure |
Created by: LLC RegisterLast reviewed October 5, 2026
Updated: October 5, 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Which company's LLC formation package includes more for a similar price, ZenBusiness or Northwest Registered Agent?
Northwest Registered Agent's $39-plus-state-fee package bundles a free first year of registered agent service and a free operating agreement. ZenBusiness's $0 Starter plan is cheaper upfront but does not include registered agent service, which is priced separately starting at $99.
Does Northwest Registered Agent's registered agent price increase after the bundled first year?
Yes, it renews at $125 a year after the free first year bundled with formation, a rate Northwest Registered Agent states on its own site is fixed and never raised.
Do ZenBusiness and Northwest Registered Agent charge the same for annual report filing?
Yes. Both companies publish $100 plus the state's own fee for annual report filing, as published on each company's site in October 2026.
Does ZenBusiness include an operating agreement free with its Starter LLC plan?
No. ZenBusiness prices an operating agreement at $99 as a Starter add-on, included free only in its Pro plan. Northwest Registered Agent includes an operating agreement with formation at no separate published charge.
Form your business with LLC Register
$99 a year for a registered agent, with LLC formation in year one and annual report filing included. State fees are passed through at cost.
