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ZenBusiness vs. Northwest Registered Agent: Registered Agent Service Comparison

Northwest Registered Agent bundles a free first year of registered agent service into its $39-plus-state-fee LLC formation package, then renews at $125 a year, a rate the company states is fixed and never raised. ZenBusiness's registered agent page advertises $99 for the first year, renewing at $199 a year, as published on each company's site in October 2026. Northwest Registered Agent's published renewal is lower.

By LLC Register · Last reviewed October 5, 2026

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Key Takeaways

  • Northwest Registered Agent bundles a free first year with formation

    A year of registered agent service is included in Northwest Registered Agent's $39-plus-state-fee formation package, rather than priced separately from day one.

  • ZenBusiness's first-year discount is advertised, not bundled

    ZenBusiness's registered agent page advertises $99 for the first year as a standalone purchase, separate from its Starter LLC plan.

  • Northwest Registered Agent's renewal is lower and published as fixed

    Northwest Registered Agent renews at $125 a year, a rate the company states is fixed and never raised. ZenBusiness renews at $199 a year.

  • Annual report filing costs the same at both companies

    Both ZenBusiness and Northwest Registered Agent charge $100 plus the state fee for annual report filing.

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In this article
  • Comprehensive Guide
  • Practical Considerations

Comprehensive Guide

How Each Company Prices Registered Agent Service

As published on each company's own site in October 2026, Northwest Registered Agent bundles one year of registered agent service into its $39-plus-state-fee LLC formation package, meaning the first year is effectively free as part of that formation price. It renews afterward at $125 a year, a rate Northwest Registered Agent specifically states is fixed and never raised. ZenBusiness's registered agent page advertises $99 for the first year as a standalone purchase, renewing at $199 a year; a separate ZenBusiness products page lists $199 a year as the standard rate.

Bundled vs. Standalone Pricing

The two companies structure their first-year offer differently. Northwest Registered Agent's free year is tied to purchasing its formation package; a customer who already formed an LLC elsewhere cannot access that bundled rate. ZenBusiness's $99 first-year rate is sold as a standalone registered agent purchase, available whether or not you also use ZenBusiness for formation.

Comparing the Renewal Price

Once any introductory period ends, Northwest Registered Agent's $125-a-year renewal remains $74 a year lower than ZenBusiness's $199-a-year renewal, based on each company's October 2026 published pricing.

Why a Stated Fixed Price Is Different From a Rate That Has Not Changed

Northwest Registered Agent's claim that its $125 price is fixed and never raised is a specific, checkable commitment. ZenBusiness does not publish a similar commitment about its $199 renewal rate remaining unchanged in future years.

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 you want registered agent service without also using that company for formation, ZenBusiness's standalone $99 first-year rate is available on its own. If you are forming a new LLC and want the lower published renewal rate, Northwest Registered Agent's bundled package is worth comparing against the combined cost of forming elsewhere and buying ZenBusiness's registered agent service separately. Confirm Northwest Registered Agent's current pricing directly, since its own site blocks automated checking.

Practical Considerations

Bundled Pricing Only Applies If You Form There Too

Northwest Registered Agent's free first year is tied to its own formation package; it is not available as a standalone purchase the way ZenBusiness's $99 first-year rate is. Factor that in if you already formed your LLC elsewhere.

A Stated Fixed Price Is a Specific, Checkable Claim

Northwest Registered Agent's statement that its $125-a-year price is fixed and never raised is a claim you can verify yourself at each future renewal, distinct from a rate that simply has not changed recently.

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 before ordering.

Add Up Several Years, Not Just One

A $74-a-year gap in the renewal price compounds every year both services stay active. Multiply the difference by the number of years you expect to keep the LLC running for a more complete comparison.

This Is Not Legal or Tax Advice

Which company's pricing structure fits your plans depends on your state and how long you expect to operate the LLC. Talk to a tax professional, and verify all current prices directly on each company's site before ordering.

Related Resources

  • ZenBusiness vs. Northwest Registered Agent: LLC Formation Service Comparison

    Compare ZenBusiness and Northwest Registered Agent LLC formation pricing, registered agent inclusions, and renewal costs as of October 2026.

  • Bizee vs. Northwest Registered Agent: Registered Agent Service Comparison

    Compare Bizee and Northwest Registered Agent pricing, published inclusions, and renewal costs for registered agent service.

  • How to Compare Registered Agent Pricing

    Learn how to compare registered agent pricing by renewal rate, bundled services, and state fees, instead of the first-year price alone.

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

Can I buy Northwest Registered Agent's registered agent service without also using it for LLC formation?

Northwest Registered Agent's free first year is bundled specifically with its $39-plus-state-fee formation package. ZenBusiness, by comparison, sells its $99 first-year registered agent rate as a standalone purchase.

How much lower is Northwest Registered Agent's renewal price than ZenBusiness's?

Northwest Registered Agent renews at $125 a year, $74 a year lower than ZenBusiness's published $199-a-year renewal, as published on each company's site in October 2026.

Does ZenBusiness publish a commitment that its registered agent price will not increase, the way Northwest Registered Agent does?

No. Northwest Registered Agent states its $125-a-year price is fixed and never raised. ZenBusiness does not publish a similar commitment about its $199 renewal rate.

Is annual report filing priced the same at ZenBusiness and Northwest Registered Agent?

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.

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.

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