Northwest vs ZenBusiness: Which Is Better in 2026?
ZenBusiness wins the headline-price battle with a $0 Starter plan, while Northwest charges $39 + state fees and includes the first year of registered agent service. The real decision depends on whether you want the lowest filing price, ZenBusiness's guided software/compliance ecosystem, or Northwest's privacy-focused registered-agent bundle.
Northwest vs ZenBusiness: which should you choose?
ZenBusiness Starter is cheaper upfront at $0 + state fees, while Northwest's current formation service is $39 + state fees. Northwest includes first-year registered agent service and currently publishes a $125/year renewal price. ZenBusiness Starter and Pro do not include registered agent service; Premium does, while standalone ZenBusiness registered agent service is currently $99 for the first year and $199/year afterward. ZenBusiness is stronger for users who value its guided dashboard, Velo AI, mobile app, and Pro/Premium service stack. Northwest is stronger for users who prioritize included registered-agent coverage, business-address tools, simpler pricing, and privacy-focused support.
Northwest vs ZenBusiness: Full Comparison
| Factor | Northwest | ZenBusiness |
|---|---|---|
| Entry formation price | $39 + state fees | $0 + state fees (Starter) |
| Registered agent included? | Yes, first year | Starter: no · Pro: no · Premium: yes |
| Registered agent renewal | $125/year | $199/year |
| Standalone ZenBusiness RA first year | — | $99 for new subscriptions |
| Operating agreement | Included with formation | Starter: add-on · Pro/Premium: included |
| EIN | Not listed as included in current $39 base formation package | Starter: $99 add-on · Pro/Premium: included |
| Provider processing | Provider prepares/submits; state timing varies | Starter 7–10 business days; Pro/Premium 1 business day |
| Dashboard / app / AI | Online account and Corporate Guides | Personalized dashboard, mobile app, Velo AI |
| Business identity tools | Business address, domain, website, email, phone advertised with formation | Website/domain/email trial and other tools vary by plan |
Pricing: What the Current Plans Actually Cost
ZenBusiness currently offers three formation plans: Starter at $0 + state fees, Pro at $199/year + state fees, and Premium at $399/year + state fees. Starter does not renew. Pro and Premium renew annually.
Northwest currently advertises formation at $39 + state fees. The bundle includes first-year registered-agent service, an operating agreement or bylaws, and business-identity tools such as a business address, domain, website, email and phone.
Registered Agent: The Biggest Structural Difference
Northwest includes the first year of registered-agent service with formation and currently publishes $125/year after that.
ZenBusiness Starter and Pro do not include registered-agent service. Premium does. ZenBusiness's current help center says a new standalone registered-agent subscription costs $99 for the first year and then $199/year.
You do not legally have to buy a commercial registered agent. Every LLC needs an eligible registered agent, but in many states the owner or another eligible person can serve. Therefore Northwest's included registered-agent service is valuable only if you actually want professional registered-agent coverage.
Processing Speed: Separate Provider Time From State Time
ZenBusiness currently says Starter takes about 7–10 business days for its team to process and deliver documents to the state, with a $79 rush upgrade. Pro and Premium include 1-business-day provider processing.
Those are provider-side times. The secretary of state or equivalent filing office then controls the actual approval queue.
Dashboard, Velo AI and Guided Experience
ZenBusiness has a genuine product advantage for users who want a software-led experience. Its current Starter plan includes a personalized dashboard with unlimited document storage, access to its Velo AI assistant, mobile app access and compliance alerts.
Northwest's model is more service-oriented, emphasizing Corporate Guides®, document handling and business-identity tools rather than an AI-guided formation workflow.
EIN and Operating Agreement: Do Not Overstate Northwest's Bundle
Review the selected formation package’s operating-agreement and EIN-assistance terms separately. Do not assume a listed document or formation service includes every federal tax-ID service; confirm current inclusions and additional charges before purchase.
ZenBusiness currently lists an operating agreement and EIN as included in Pro and Premium. On Starter, each is a separate add-on, and ZenBusiness currently lists EIN service at $99.
Correction: do not describe Northwest's $39 formation as “all-inclusive” for EIN filing unless the live Northwest checkout explicitly includes it.
Privacy and Support
Northwest makes privacy part of its core published positioning. It says its formation package includes a business address and states that it does not sell customer data. ZenBusiness emphasizes its dashboard, Velo AI, mobile app, lifetime support and ongoing compliance products.
Verdict by Priority
| Your priority | Better first look | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Lowest basic formation fee | ZenBusiness | Starter is $0 + state fees |
| Commercial registered agent included year one | Northwest | Included in $39 formation |
| Lower ongoing RA price | Northwest | $125/year vs ZenBusiness $199/year renewal |
| Operating agreement + EIN in one plan | ZenBusiness Pro | Both currently included in Pro |
| AI-guided dashboard / mobile app | ZenBusiness | Velo AI + personalized dashboard + app |
| Privacy-focused business-address bundle | Northwest | Core part of current offering |
Northwest vs ZenBusiness Fit Finder
Choose the feature that matters most. This tool gives a starting-point recommendation, not a universal winner.
ZenBusiness Starter
If your priority is the lowest provider fee for basic LLC formation, ZenBusiness Starter currently begins at $0 + state fees.
Check ZenBusiness pricing →Our Northwest Affiliate Relationship
Northwest is an affiliate partner of LLC School
LLC School may earn a commission if you use our Northwest link. That relationship does not change the comparison above: ZenBusiness keeps its genuine advantages, including the $0 Starter price, Velo AI, its dashboard/app ecosystem, and Pro's EIN + operating agreement bundle.
See Northwest's current offer →Affiliate link. Verify current pricing and terms before purchase.
Official Sources & Verification
Ahmad Adil
This comparison was checked against current provider pages in August 2026. Provider pricing, trials, renewal terms and bundle contents can change.
About Ahmad Adil →