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
The old page treated Northwest's $39 package as though it included both an EIN and operating agreement. The current Northwest formation page clearly lists an operating agreement or bylaws, but does not list EIN filing as included in the $39 base formation service.
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 Enjoys-life
Enjoys-life 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
This comparison was checked against current provider pages in August 2026. Provider pricing, trials, renewal terms and bundle contents can change.