ZenBusiness vs Northwest vs Bizee: Best LLC Formation Service
Three services dominate the LLC formation market for small business owners, and the differences matter more than most comparison sites admit. The cheapest option is not always the best value, and the most expensive is not always worth it. Here is what actually separates them.
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The Quick Answer
Bizee wins on price — free filing, pay only state fees. Northwest wins on privacy and support quality. ZenBusiness wins on the overall package for founders who want a clean dashboard, compliance reminders, and moderate pricing. Price-sensitive and comfortable managing follow-up: Bizee. Value support and privacy above all: Northwest. Want the best all-in experience: ZenBusiness.
Side-by-Side Breakdown
Bizee (formerly Incfile): Formation cost $0 + state fees. Registered agent free for 1 year then $119/year. Solid dashboard. Support via email and phone with variable response times.
ZenBusiness: Formation cost $0 + state fees on base plan. Registered agent included in paid plans ($199+/year). Excellent dashboard with compliance alerts. Strong live chat support.
Northwest Registered Agent: Formation cost $39 + state fees. Registered agent $125/year included first year. Functional dashboard. Best-in-class support with state-specific human representatives. Industry-leading privacy using their address by default.
When to Choose Bizee
Choose Bizee if you are starting lean, want the absolute lowest upfront cost, and are comfortable managing your own compliance calendar. The free formation is genuine — you pay only what your state charges. The main risk: support quality is more variable than Northwest, and the upsell flow is aggressive.
When to Choose Northwest Registered Agent
Choose Northwest if you run a home-based business and want your personal address off public records, you expect compliance questions and want real answers from humans who know your state, or you value long-term reliability over the cheapest price. At $39 + state fees with strong support, the privacy protection alone is worth it for home-based founders.
When to Choose ZenBusiness
Choose ZenBusiness if you want the best dashboard experience, compliance reminders that catch renewal deadlines, and a middle-of-the-road price point. Their worry-free guarantee and automatic filing reminders reduce the risk of accidentally letting your LLC lapse. Good for founders who want to set it and not think about it again.
The Verdict
ZenBusiness for the best overall experience. Northwest for privacy and support quality. Bizee for minimum upfront cost if you are confident managing follow-up yourself.
How to Get Started
All three walk you through formation in 10-20 minutes online. Have your business name, state, registered agent preference, and member information ready. LLCs are typically active within 1-3 weeks depending on your state's processing time.
RECOMMENDED TOOLS
ZenBusiness
Best overall formation experience with compliance dashboard
Northwest Registered Agent
Best for privacy and support quality
Bizee
Free LLC formation — pay only state fees
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FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Is free LLC formation actually free?
The service fee is $0, but you still pay your state's filing fee, which ranges from $40 (Kentucky) to $500 (Massachusetts). Most states charge $50-$150.
Do I need a registered agent service?
Yes. Every LLC must have a registered agent with a physical address in the state of formation. You can be your own registered agent, but your address becomes public record and you must be available during business hours.
Can I switch formation services after I file?
You cannot change who filed your LLC, but you can switch registered agent providers at any time by filing a change of registered agent form with your state.
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