ZenBusiness vs Northwest Registered Agent
Last updated July 2026
ZenBusiness
The easy way to start your business
Advantages
- Affordable formation pricing with faster filing than legacy competitors
- Included operating agreement and EIN on higher tiers
- Worry-Free Compliance monitors annual reports and filings
- Modern UX and mobile experience
- Free registered agent for the first year
Drawbacks
- Registered agent charge $199/yr after first year
- Uses your address for state filings unless you upgrade for privacy
- Less established reputation than Northwest among attorneys
Northwest Registered Agent
Privacy by default
Advantages
- Privacy-first: uses their address on filings by default
- Registered agent service one of the cheapest in the industry
- No hidden upsells or aggressive marketing
- Excellent customer support, humans, not phone trees
- Free mail forwarding and scan-to-email included
Drawbacks
- Formation UX less polished than ZenBusiness
- No compliance tracking service included
- Weaker brand recognition among general consumers
ZenBusiness and Northwest both offer business formation and registered agent service, but they attract different founders. ZenBusiness leads with modern UX and a compliance service. Northwest leads with privacy protection, half-price registered agent, and a reputation among attorneys. Founder priorities decide which fits.
Feature Comparison
| Feature | ZenBusiness | Northwest Registered Agent |
|---|---|---|
| Formation Price | $0-$349 + state filing fees | $39 + state filing fees |
| Registered Agent Cost | Free first year, $199/yr after | $125/yr from day one |
| Privacy Protection | Available on higher tiers | Included, their address used by default |
| Document Access | Basic templates included | Basic document catalog |
| Attorney Access | Not available | Not included |
| Customer Support | Phone, email, chat during business hours | Direct phone with actual employees, no phone trees |
| Additional Services | Compliance tracking, EIN, operating agreement | Mail forwarding, EIN, compliance calendar |
| Renewal Cost | $199/yr registered agent after year one | $125/yr registered agent |
Northwest Registered Agent Wins
Northwest wins for privacy-focused founders and long-term cost. ZenBusiness only edges out if you actively want compliance tracking as a service.
Northwest's $125 registered agent is meaningfully cheaper than ZenBusiness's $199 renewal, and its privacy protection is included instead of tiered. ZenBusiness's Worry-Free Compliance is a legitimate advantage for founders who want a service to track annual filings, but if you're comfortable managing that yourself, Northwest is the better long-term pick.
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