LegalZoom vs. Northwest
An LLC Formation Service Comparison

KEY CONSIDERATIONS: NORTHWEST VS. LEGALZOOM

Choosing a service that helps you start and manage your own business can be stressful. That’s why we’ve presented three questions that will simplify the process and steer you toward the right decision.

Is It a Good Deal?

Northwest

Yes, however, there are better options out there, such as ZenBusiness.

Northwest’s checkout process is one of the most straightforward we’ve seen.  There are no hidden costs, and the process is easy to complete.They have one LLC formation option. It's on the more expensive side at $225 plus state fees, but it includes premium registered agent services, excellent customer support, and more.

Want to learn more about what a registered agent is and why it’s required for LLC formation? Read our guide here!

LegalZoom

LegalZoom is ideal if you would rather use a service with brand power and are willing to pay premium prices. Their LLC formation prices start at $79 plus state fees.

Who Uses Northwest and LegalZoom?

Northwest

Those who want to start their own business, or just need a new registered agent, use Northwest.

While LegalZoom is one of the most recognized service providers, Northwest has built a strong reputation and trust with their customers. This is pretty impressive, since the company is relatively new to the LLC filing industry.

Here are some verified reviews (pulled from Better Business Bureau) by people who used Northwest to help launch their businesses:

“I LOVE Northwest. The handled my LLC filing efficiently, and answered all of my questions in a timely manner ( there were many, and they responded within 24hours). Well worth the money for their expertise. I couldn’t have done it without them. I highly recommend their services.”

“Down-to-earth pricing with no hidden gotchas, fast turnaround, responsive customer service and all round pleasurable company/service to deal with.”

LegalZoom

Similar to Northwest, those who want to start an LLC, corporation, non-profit, and so forth use LegalZoom. One of the main differences is that LegalZoom is more focused on full legal services for business beyond just company formation. Here are some reviews (pulled from LegalZoom’s website) by people who used LegalZoom to help launch their businesses:

"I had never started a business before, so LegalZoom was a perfect place to go. It let me take my vision for the company and make it a reality, legally."

"We've used [LegalZoom] for quite a few things over the years, and overall it's gone very smoothly. They've been easy to work with and very affordable."

Is There a Better Deal to Form My LLC?

Yes! Our top-rated LLC service is ZenBusiness due to their high-quality and affordable business formation packages.

Takeaway

Based on the questions above, Northwest Registered Agent is a good choice if you want premium features and fast service.

LegalZoom is a decent choice if you prefer a more well-known brand.

ZenBusiness is the best choice for those looking to start a small business at an affordable price.

RATING DETAILS: NORTHWEST VS. LEGALZOOM

After answering the three questions, we further investigated what you should keep in mind before making your choice. We’ve separated these points into four topics which are outlined below.

Value

Northwest offers expert support and premium registered agent services in their business formation package.

Although Northwest's incorporation service is $225 plus state fees, you'll get expert support by their Corporate Guides®. Not to mention, Northwest is known for their quality registered agent service, which is included in the package.

Customer Service

Northwest's customer service is the best among the LLC formation services we’ve reviewed.

The customer support reps we talked to from Northwest are extremely knowledgeable and consistent, and they always answer the phone. You can even choose to work with a rep you’ve worked with before if you had a good experience.

Ease of Use

Both companies have a user-friendly checkout process.

Northwest has an advantage over LegalZoom because the service offers a convenient online dashboard, which neatly organizes all of your LLC paperwork. Northwest’s site isn’t quite as easy to navigate as other competitors’, but the order forms and checkout pages are laid out in a way that provides great transparency to their customers.

Included Features

Northwest includes their premium registered agent service.

Northwest's registered agent service is $125 per year compared to LegalZoom's registered agent service of $159 per year. Also, Northwest includes an Operating Agreement in their formation service.

PRODUCT COMPARISONS: NORTHWEST VS. LEGALZOOM

Northwest and LegalZoom offer additional services beyond forming your LLC. Some features can be purchased independently, offering even more pricing flexibility. Below, you’ll find a side-by-side comparison. NOTE: LegalZoom offers three business formation packages; however, we will not be covering what all of these packages include below. Instead, since Northwest Registered Agent only offers one filing option, we will compare it to LegalZoom's basic LLC package.

Please, be aware that LLC pricing and options are subject to change.

Basic Plan Comparison

Basic Plan Highlights

For $225, Northwest will form your LLC and give you expert customer support, an Operating Agreement, and premium registered agent services. LegalZoom, by contrast, will only form your LLC, and requires an additional $159 for a year of registered agent service.