Northwest vs ZenBusiness (2026): Which LLC Service Is Better Value?

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Updated October 31, 2026. Prices below were checked on Northwest’s and ZenBusiness’s websites on this date. State fees are extra with both.

Note: This page compares service prices and features. It isn’t legal or tax advice.

Northwest Registered Agent and ZenBusiness take different approaches. Northwest charges a small flat fee and builds its service around a registered agent and privacy. ZenBusiness lets you file for $0 and sells yearly packages that handle compliance for you. The better value depends on whether you need a registered agent and how much ongoing help you want.

The short answer

• Choose Northwest if you want a registered agent and to keep your home address off public filings, for a low flat price.
• Choose ZenBusiness if you want the lowest upfront cost, or ongoing compliance filings handled for a yearly fee.

Northwest vs ZenBusiness at a glance

	Northwest	ZenBusiness
LLC filing	$39 + state fees	$0 + state fees (Starter)
Processing	Same-day	7–10 days on Starter; 1 day on Pro and Premium
Registered agent	Listed with the LLC package; $125/yr on its own	$199/yr add-on
Privacy	Uses Northwest’s address instead of yours	Check package details
Ongoing compliance	Compliance reminders	Compliance filings on Pro ($199/yr) and Premium ($299/yr)

Cost of a registered agent

If you need a registered agent, the gap is clear: Northwest’s standalone service is $125 a year, while ZenBusiness charges $199 a year as an add-on. If you’ll be your own registered agent, ZenBusiness’s $0 Starter filing is the cheaper way in.

Where Northwest wins

• Privacy first. Northwest’s address goes on your filings instead of yours.
• Lower registered agent price. $125 a year versus $199 for ZenBusiness’s add-on.
• Same-day processing for a $39 flat fee.

Where ZenBusiness wins

• $0 to file. Starter costs only the state fee.
• Compliance done for you. Pro handles ongoing state-required filings and includes an EIN and operating agreement template.
• Online extras. Premium adds a domain with privacy and a business email.

Our verdict

If you need a registered agent and value privacy, Northwest is the better value. If you’ll act as your own registered agent and want the cheapest start, or you want compliance filings handled yearly, ZenBusiness fits better. See all four services in our LLC formation guide.

Frequently asked questions

Is Northwest or ZenBusiness cheaper?

ZenBusiness is cheaper to file ($0 vs $39, plus state fees). With a registered agent, Northwest is cheaper ($125 a year vs ZenBusiness’s $199 add-on).

Which is faster?

Northwest advertises same-day processing. ZenBusiness offers 1-day processing on Pro and Premium and 7–10 days on Starter.

See all four LLC services in our guide to the best LLC formation services, or read ZenBusiness vs LegalZoom.