Northwest Registered Agent vs. ZenBusiness 2024
Which Is the Best LLC Service?
Last Updated: By TRUiC Team
Wondering how to start your own business? Service providers like ZenBusiness and Northwest Registered Agent prepare and file the paperwork in a more secure and structured way than your typical DIY approach.
Our ZenBusiness vs. Northwest review covers the main similarities and differences between the companies, experiences from real customers, and pricing information. Overall, we’ll answer the important question – which is the best LLC service?
Recommended: Northwest Registered Agent ($29 + state fees)
ZenBusiness vs. Northwest: What Sets Them Apart
While both Northwest Registered Agent and ZenBusiness provide essential services for starting and maintaining a limited liability company, their packages, pricing, and additional benefits vary, catering to different business needs and preferences. This section explores the key differences in their services, focusing on included features, customer support, and data privacy protection.
Included Features
In all 3 LLC formation packages, ZenBusiness will provide you with valuable features like a worry-free compliance service and a free accounting consultation.
All in all, Northwest Registered Agent offers additional services at a more affordable price. The platform includes a plethora of helpful LLC services in their $29 package, such as premium registered agent services, free mail forwarding, privacy protection, and more.
Customer Support
Northwest truly excels when it comes to customer service. The platform offers knowledgeable customer support through a team of Corporate Guides® — business experts who help you throughout the entire process.
Data Privacy Protection
Northwest provides Privacy by Default®, so you can have peace of mind knowing they will never sell your data.
ZenBusiness vs. Northwest: Similarities
ZenBusiness and Northwest are both reputable companies offering LLC formation services and registered agent services. They share several similarities that make them appealing choices for small business.
Useful Information and Advice
With either company, you’ll have access to a user-friendly website full of information, service options, and helpful tips. Additionally, both sites are quite safe with comprehensive security measures in place.
Registered Agent Service
Both ZenBusiness and Northwest Registered Agent offer high-quality registered agent services with LLC formation. The one difference is that ZenBusiness charges $199 annually, while Northwest charges $125 annually. Northwest also provides a whole year of free registered agent services.
Online Customer Reviews
ZenBusiness and Northwest both receive positive user reviews. Many highlight the comprehensive nature of their services, covering everything from basic formation to more complex legal and compliance issues.
Recommended: Northwest
We recommend Northwest Registered Agent because of their personalized, premium customer support, reliable services, and affordability.
ZenBusiness vs. Northwest: Customer Reviews
ZenBusiness’s online customer feedback is excellent. The LLC service has over 13,000 reviews on Trustpilot with an overall rating of 4.7/5. Here are a couple review examples:
"Money pro ran into some issues over the holidays and although it was a difficult time Zen stayed in constant contact and confirmed the issues were being resolved as fast as possible. I expressed my concerns and the assured me they were working as quickly as possible. The constant line of communication and transparency was reassuring. All I have ever asked of a company is to communicate and do your best to make things right. Which I feel they did exceptionally well. I will be doing business with this organization for the unforeseeable future."
"This experience has been super easy and user friendly, a bit expensive but well worth it with all the info / documents you get! The one thing I wish was different would be the processing time period. It took a long time for me to finally get my EIN which was the one thing I needed to wait for in order to start selling my products and opening a business bank account. But overall a very good experience! :)"
The majority of Northwest Registered Agent reviews are positive as well. Here are a couple from the Better Business Bureau:
"Northwest Registered Agent, LLC is a wonderful service for keeping track of my LLC's, when yearly renewals are due and helping me establish my Articles of Organization for my LLC'S. I've experienced another company that charges $800.00 plus dollars to do the same thing, yes they send you a three ring binder with oodles of pages and advertising and charge a lot more yearly than Northwest. You only need your Operation Agreement, Certificate of Compliance. You will also need an Employer Identification Number, which they can apply for if you ask. And every year the state where you have applied for your LLC will need you to file an Annual report. Northwest agents also receive any mandates or changes of filing policies from that state and notify you of such. Yes they charge a yearly fee, (worth it), for making sure your LLC is current and in legal standing. They also answer their phone and call you back. They are a value company saving me sometimes hours of research."
"My business partner and I made a clerical error on our side while forming our LLC. The team at Northwest Registered Agent jumped into action and saved the day!! They were able to resolve our issue quickly and kept us in the loop throughout the entire process.We would highly recommend Northwest Registered Agent for all your business formation needs!!!"
ZenBusiness vs. Northwest: Pricing & Turnaround Times
When comparing ZenBusiness and Northwest in terms of pricing and turnaround times for LLC services, it's important to keep in mind that neither platform offers a completely free package due to mandatory state filing fees. These fees vary by state and are an unavoidable part of forming an LLC.
Additionally, service costs and options are subject to change, so it's always best to check the latest information on their respective websites.
ZenBusiness Packages
Basic LLC Package ($0 + State Fees)
- Basic LLC formation
- Unlimited name availability searches
- Unlimited email and phone support
- Digital dashboard to access business documents
- Free accounting consultation
- Free automatic expense tracking
- Free tax deduction tagging
- Worry-free compliance free first year (Auto-renewal price: $199/yr)
Pro ($199 + State Fees)
- Everything in Starter
- Expedited filing (1 - 2 business days)
- Employer Identification Number (EIN)
Premium Package ($349 + State Fee)
- Everything in Starter and Pro
- Domain name privacy
- Business email address
- Business website
- Business Document Templates
Northwest LLC Formation Package
Incorporation Service ($29+ state fees) includes:
- LLC formation service
- Corporate Guides® (experts) who will take care of the LLC filing
- Premium registered agent services (included for one year)
- Operating agreement template
- Business address
- Mail forwarding
- Privacy by Default®
- Free business phone service for 60 days
- Online account to access important business documents
More Info:
If you come across the terms “processing” time vs. “filing” time on the different LLC formation websites, know that they mean two different things. Processing time refers to the number of days it takes to process all documents relating to your business by the company you choose and filing time is up to the government office responsible for filing the documents.
ZenBusiness vs. Northwest: The Bottom Line
Northwest and ZenBusiness are both reliable and affordable business formation services; however, after our in-depth comparison, we concluded that Northwest Registered Agent is the better deal. If you’re looking for excellent customer service, a quick and simple LLC formation process, and a large number of features at an affordable price, Northwest is right for you!
Form an LLC with Northwest ($29 + state fees)
Frequently Asked Questions
Which company offers an annual report service?
Both companies offer annual report services. These services are designed to assist business owners in maintaining compliance with state regulations by ensuring that their annual reports are filed accurately and on time.
Can I form a limited liability company on my own?
Yes, you can form an LLC on your own. However, consulting a business attorney can provide peace of mind and ensure that all legal aspects are correctly handled. While forming an LLC independently may save money initially, professional guidance can be invaluable, especially in complex situations or for those unfamiliar with business law.
How does Northwest Registered Agent and ZenBusiness compare to other services?
Northwest Registered Agent and ZenBusiness are competitive in the market of LLC formation and registered agent services. They stand out with their affordable pricing, range of services, and customer support. Compared to other services, they often offer more personalized assistance and user-friendly platforms, making them popular choices among entrepreneurs.
Do both platforms offer an expedited service option?
Yes, both offer expedited LLC filing. ZenBusiness has this option in their Pro Package, which promises 1-2 business days. Northwest also provides similar expedited processing services, ensuring quicker completion of LLC formation and related tasks.
Is Northwest Registered Agent trustworthy?
Yes, Northwest Registered Agent is considered trustworthy by many small business owners. They have built a reputation for reliability, privacy, and quality customer service. Their commitment to offering personal support through their Corporate Guides® and their Privacy by Default® approach has earned them trust in the business community.
Is ZenBusiness really free?
ZenBusiness offers a Basic LLC Package advertised as $0, but this does not include mandatory state filing fees. While the services provided in this package are free, the overall process is not completely free due to these unavoidable state fees. It's important for a prospective business owner to factor in these additional costs when considering ZenBusiness for LLC formation.
About the Author
