Formation service comparison
I currently consider Northwest and Bizee my two top LLC formation services, but for different reasons. Northwest offers exceptional overall value, privacy-oriented features and U.S.-based support. Bizee Standard is an excellent all-in-one package for owners who want more post-formation setup handled for them.
Disclosure: Some links are affiliate links. The LLC Guide may receive compensation if you purchase through them, at no added cost. That does not affect how the services are evaluated.
Why my recommendation has changed: For years, I recommended Bizee exclusively and used it extensively for my own LLCs and client formations. I still consider Bizee a strong option. I am now also recommending Northwest because its current registered-agent renewal and several other service fees are lower. My objective is straightforward: help viewers get the most useful services for their money. Northwest is a newer addition to my recommendations, so my assessment is based on its current offer and service model—not the same years of personal use I have with Bizee.
My two top LLC formation services
Apples-to-apples comparison
The included Northwest address feature is not its full Virtual Office. Its starter phone, email and hosting tools also have meaningful usage limits.
| Feature | Northwest | Bizee Standard |
|---|---|---|
| Formation service | $39 | $199 |
| State filing fee | Extra | Extra |
| First-year registered agent | Included | Included |
| Registered-agent renewal | $125/year | $149/year |
| Operating Agreement | Included | Included |
| EIN | $50 extra for a U.S. SSN holder | Included |
| Form 2553 / S-Corp election | $100 extra | Included when requested and eligible |
| Compliance reminders | Ongoing annual report / renewal reminders | Lifetime compliance reminders |
| Annual-report filing service | $100 + state fee | Priced separately; confirm current checkout |
| Business address / privacy | Address may be used on public filings where permitted; limited ordinary-mail scanning | No direct equivalent included in Standard |
| Full virtual office / address service | $29/month extra; address, suite, same-day scans, phone, lease and conference rooms where offered | $29/month extra; commercial address and digital mailbox; first month currently included |
| Domain | First domain and annual renewal included, each up to $25 value | Not included in Standard |
| Basic email | 1 inbox, 250 MB storage and 100 daily sends | Not included in Standard |
| Starter website / hosting | Template, AI builder, 250 MB storage and 128 MB memory | Not included in Standard |
| Basic phone line | Local number; 10 calls and 10 texts monthly; $9/month unlimited upgrade | Not included in Standard |
| Support | Northwest says U.S.-based Corporate Guides and in-house operations | Phone, email and chat support |
| Best for | Overall value, privacy-oriented features and support | Bundled post-formation setup |
Which one should you choose?
The differentiator becomes the rest of the package, not simply the headline price.
Address-service clarification
$29/month extra. Where offered, the open-and-scan plan includes a commercial address, unique suite, same-day scans, phone service, a month-to-month office lease and conference-room access.
$29/month extra; first month currently included with formation. It is primarily a commercial address and digital mailbox/scanning service—not the equivalent of Northwest's fuller Virtual Office.
A meaningful distinction
Northwest states that its Corporate Guides are U.S.-based and that it builds and operates services in-house. Bizee offers phone, email and chat support; I am not drawing conclusions here about where that support is located.
Compare major providers
| Provider | Formation price | Registered agent | EIN | OA | S-election | Compliance | Support | Differentiator | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Northwest | $39 one-time + state fee | Included; $125/year renewal | $50 extra | Included | $100 extra | Ongoing report / renewal reminders | U.S.-based Corporate Guides | Address/privacy and identity tools | Overall value |
| Bizee Standard | $199 one-time + state fee | Included; $149/year renewal | Included | Included | Included if eligible | Lifetime reminders | Phone, email and chat | Tax setup and expedited processing bundled | All-in-one setup |
| ZenBusiness Pro | $199/year + state fee | Not in Pro; $199/year standalone. Included in $399/year Premium | Included | Included template | Not listed | Worry-Free Compliance Essential | Phone, email and chat | One-business-day processing | Compliance platform |
| Tailor Brands Essential | $199/year + state fee | Not included; separate service | Not listed | Included | Not listed | Annual compliance filing and updates | Phone and chat | Compliance, coaching and launch tools | Brand-oriented founders |
| LegalZoom Pro | $249 + state fee | Not included; $249/year | Included | Included | Not listed | Separate services | Phone and chat | Broader legal ecosystem | Brand familiarity |
Pricing reviewed September 12, 2026. Terms can change. Annual plans are identified because renewal structure materially affects total cost.
Northwest one-to-one comparisons
Northwest starts lower and adds privacy-oriented address use and starter identity tools. Bizee Standard bundles the EIN, Operating Agreement, eligible S-election and expedited processing. With both Northwest tax add-ons, its price is $189 versus Bizee Standard at $199, before state fees. Choose based on the remaining bundle and workflow—not a $10 difference.
Northwest is $39 once, includes the first agent year and renews agent service at $125. ZenBusiness Pro is $199 annually and adds an ongoing compliance platform but not registered-agent service; Premium is $399 annually and includes the agent. Northwest fits value and privacy priorities; ZenBusiness fits owners seeking a continuing compliance subscription.
Northwest centers on formation, registered-agent support and privacy-oriented address use. Tailor Brands Essential is $199 annually and combines formation with compliance, coaching and launch tools; Elite adds branding tools. Choose Northwest for entity-service value or Tailor Brands when branding is the central attraction.
Northwest's $39 offer includes the first agent year, an Operating Agreement and identity tools. LegalZoom Pro is $249, includes an EIN and Operating Agreement, and offers a wider legal-services ecosystem; registered-agent service is another $249 annually. Choose Northwest for value or LegalZoom for its broader platform.
Detailed provider reviews
Now my best-overall-value pick. Its $39 offer combines formation, first-year agent service, an Operating Agreement, qualified address use, identity tools, reminders and U.S.-based support. Address use depends on state rules and is not a universal privacy guarantee.
Still one of my two primary recommendations. Standard is among the best all-in-one packages I have seen for owners wanting EIN, OA, eligible S-election, expedited processing and recurring reminders bundled together.
Pro and Premium suit owners who want an ongoing compliance subscription and fast processing. Pro is $199/year without the agent; Premium is $399/year with it.
Essential combines formation, an Operating Agreement and annual compliance with coaching and launch tools. Elite adds domain and website tools.
LegalZoom offers a familiar brand and broad legal ecosystem. Pro includes an EIN and Operating Agreement, but registered-agent service is a separate $249 annual cost.
Continue your setup
Common questions
There is no universal winner. Northwest is my current best-overall-value pick; Bizee Standard is my best all-in-one package.
Northwest currently charges $39 plus the state fee. The first agent year is included and currently renews at $125. Optional services cost extra.
Basic fits someone who only wants filing. Standard adds the EIN, Operating Agreement, eligible Form 2553, expedited processing and reminders.
No. Filing is separate. Northwest currently advertises its filing service at $100 plus the state fee; confirm Bizee's current filing-service price during checkout.
No. You may file directly with the state. A service does not replace individualized legal or tax advice.
Best for price, privacy-oriented features, U.S.-based support, lower agent cost and starter business tools.
Form With Northwest ↗Best for the EIN, OA, eligible S-election, expedited processing and reminders in one bundle.
Form With Bizee ↗Educational and affiliate disclosure. This is general information, not individualized legal or tax advice. The LLC Guide may receive compensation from some links.