Northwest Registered Agent vs LegalZoom Comparison

Establishing a business entity is a vital step in starting a business, a process often complex and cumbersome, prompting many entrepreneurs to engage professionals for correct execution.

Two top online resources you might contemplate are Northwest Registered Agent and LegalZoom. To assist you in identifying the most suitable option for you and your enterprise, we have extensively examined their offerings, adopting an entrepreneur’s perspective. Continue reading to make an informed decision that will steer your business toward prosperity.

Services Overview

Our Verdict

Following an exhaustive evaluation, we’ve concluded that Northwest Registered Agent delivers superior value, attributed to the complimentary registered agent services and their cost-effective renewal rates. Opting for Northwest Agent will grant you access to exceptional customer service and quicker processing times.

LegalZoom’s primary edge is their array of three plans, presenting more options. Thus, if the registered agent services aren’t a requirement for you, one of their packages could potentially be more suitable for your needs.

Pricing

Turnaround Time

Help and Support

Customer Satisfaction

Ease of Use

Overall Score: 4.6/5

Learn More

Pricing

Turnaround Time

Help and Support

Customer Satisfaction

Ease of Use

Overall Score: 4.2/5

Learn More

Northwest Registered Agent is our recommendation as they offer outstanding customer service, as well as a competitively priced business formation plan and affordable registered agent services.

Pros and Cons

Plans and Pricing – Winner: Northwest Registered Agent

Northwest Registered Agent

Northwest Registered Agent offers a singular, comprehensive package priced at $39 plus state filing fees.

This package encompasses crucial services like business formation, a year of free registered agent service, provision of a business address, and the drafting of an operating agreement, among other additional features.

LegalZoom

While LegalZoom offers an initial $0 LLC package, the continual upselling may become costly and cumbersome. Moreover, none of their formation packages come with a registered agent service, which is an add-on service priced at $249 annually.

Despite LegalZoom providing an LLC formation service at no cost, we still believe that Northwest delivers superior value. This is due to the inclusion of a free registered agent service and operating agreement. Purchasing these two services from LegalZoom would cost you $348.

Experience – Winner: LegalZoom

Northwest Registered Agent

Operating since 1998, Northwest Registered Agent has served approximately 3 million customers over the years.

LegalZoom

Having served more than 3.5 million customers since 2001, with approximately half being business clients, LegalZoom has extensive experience in this field.

Customer Support – Winner: Northwest Registered Agent

Northwest Registered Agent

Northwest boasts personalized customer support through its Corporate Guide system. Their support team’s knowledge surpasses most competitors, capable of answering even the most complex questions about LLC formations.

LegalZoom

They provide support via phone, chat, and email. Overall all three channels have quick responses with polite and professional customer service representatives.

Turnaround Times – Winner: Northwest Registered Agent

Northwest Registered Agent

The turnaround times at Northwest fluctuate based on the state where the business is being formed. Some states may process business formations within days, while others may take a few weeks.

LegalZoom

Unlike many rivals, their processing times depend on the package chosen, not the state of formation. For their premium package, finalized business formation documents could be received within 7-10 business days. Still, more economical packages could take up to 30 business days (or six weeks).

Customer Reviews – Winner: LegalZoom

Northwest Registered Agent

We found more than 100 positive reviews for Northwest Registered Agent, praising their personalized customer support and quick processing of formations.

LegalZoom

We found over 9,000 reviews on BBB and Trustpilot, with a significant portion being positive. Happy customers frequently mentioned LegalZoom’s services’ convenience and user-friendliness.

Ease of Use – Winner: Northwest Registered Agent

Northwest Registered Agent

Procuring a business formation service from Northwest is straightforward. We managed to complete the entire process, from their order form to the payment screen, in approximately 10 minutes, with no third-party info-selling attempts or upsells detected.

LegalZoom

LegalZoom provides a streamlined approach to LLC formation, reducing the complexity of the DIY route. Their platform is well-designed, with intuitive steps, making it easy for business owners to navigate through the process and set up their operations effectively. The numerous costly upsells can make the process somewhat confusing and potentially expensive.

Additional Services  – It’s a tie between the two

Both Northwest Registered Agent and LegalZoom offer unique advantages catering to different needs. If you’re looking for value-for-money business services like registered agent service and operating agreement, Northwest might be your best bet.

On the other hand, if you require personal services such as estate planning and attorney consultations, or if you prefer a service with multiple plan options, LegalZoom may be the better fit. Your choice should be guided by your business’s specific requirements and circumstances.

Ensure to carry out your due diligence, consider all factors, and make an informed decision that will best serve your enterprise.