Northwest Registered Agent, LegalZoom, and Bizee (formerly Incfile) dominate Google search results for "LLC formation service." Their underlying service — filing state paperwork for your LLC or corporation — is identical. What differs is pricing structure, upsell intensity, and the specific bundles they pitch.
Quick verdict
| Factor | Northwest | LegalZoom | Bizee (Incfile) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Base formation fee | $39 | $0 (Silver) — $299 (Platinum) | $0 (Silver) — $299 (Platinum) |
| Registered agent (year 1) | Included free | $249/year add-on | $119 after first year free |
| Registered agent (renewal) | $125/year | $249/year | $119/year |
| EIN filing | $0 DIY, $50 Northwest-assisted | $99 add-on | $70 add-on |
| Operating Agreement | Free template | $79-149 add-on | $20-50 add-on |
| Year-1 total (realistic LLC) | ~$164 + state fee | ~$375-575 + state fee | ~$190-390 + state fee |
| Upsell pressure | None | Aggressive | Moderate-aggressive |
| Support quality | Very good (phone, knowledgeable) | Inconsistent (routed by tier) | Moderate (chat, longer waits) |
| Interface | Functional, dated | Polished, marketing-heavy | Clean, upsell banners |
One-line verdict: Northwest is the professional choice. LegalZoom is the most-advertised but most-expensive by far. Bizee's $0 formation is real but depends on buying registered agent + add-ons that push total cost up.
The "$0 formation" trap
LegalZoom and Bizee both advertise $0 Silver-tier formation. Reality check:
- You still pay the state filing fee (Delaware: $90; Wyoming: $100; California: $70).
- Registered agent is required — LegalZoom charges $249/year for this; Bizee $119 after year 1 free.
- EIN is $70-99 add-on (vs free DIY via IRS.gov).
- Operating Agreement is $20-150 add-on (vs free template via Northwest or legal template sites).
Typical "free formation" path total: $200-500 for year 1 + similar recurring. The $0 headline applies to the formation service fee only; the real cost lands in bundled upsells.
Northwest Registered Agent — the no-upsell professional
Northwest's pricing: $39 formation + $125 registered agent = ~$164 year 1 + state filing fee. That's it. No "Silver / Gold / Platinum" decision tree.
Northwest strengths
- Flat transparent pricing. What you see is what you pay.
- Phone support. Real people, knowledgeable about state-specific formation nuances.
- Privacy focus. Their RA service uses their address, not yours, for public state filings. Good for founders who don't want home address public.
- Free Operating Agreement template. Standard LLC OA (modify for multi-member).
- Compliance calendar. Automatic reminders for annual report and franchise tax deadlines.
- 25+ years in business. Stable, owner-operated. Not private-equity-flipped like LegalZoom.
Northwest limitations
- Dated online interface. Functional but not polished.
- No "compliance package" bundling. DIY your bookkeeping, taxes.
- No bank account facilitation beyond generic recommendations.
LegalZoom — the advertised giant
LegalZoom has the largest marketing budget and is the most-recognized name in US formation services. Their Silver tier is $0 formation + state fee. Their Platinum tier is $299 + state fee + registered agent.
LegalZoom strengths
- Broadest service menu. Formation + trademark + copyright + wills + legal advice subscriptions.
- Brand recognition. Established company with $300M+ annual revenue.
- Multi-language support. Spanish-language service available.
LegalZoom limitations
- Most expensive. Typical all-in year 1: $375-575 vs Northwest's $164.
- Aggressive upselling. Multiple checkout stages each pitch additional services. Expert help calls, registered agent, EIN, operating agreement — all pitched as "recommended."
- Inconsistent support. Lower tiers get routing-tree support; higher tiers get faster response.
- Brand over substance. Premium pricing for what is essentially identical state paperwork.
Bizee (formerly Incfile) — the upsell-packaged discount
Bizee re-branded from Incfile in 2023. Still markets aggressive $0 Silver tier with upsell-path through Gold ($199) and Platinum ($299).
Bizee strengths
- $0 Silver tier is genuinely $0. You pay only state fee. You keep registered agent free for year 1.
- Cheap RA renewal. $119/year after year 1 is less than LegalZoom's $249.
- Silver tier for rapid, minimal formations. If you know what you need and won't buy add-ons, Bizee Silver gets you incorporated at absolute minimum.
Bizee limitations
- Upsell pressure throughout. Expect 5-8 upsell prompts during checkout.
- Moderate support quality. Longer wait times than Northwest.
- Post-year-1 costs add up. Registered agent ($119/year) + annual report filing service ($99/year) start adding up.
Total 3-year cost comparison (Delaware LLC, typical founder)
| Service | Year 1 | Year 2 | Year 3 | 3-year total |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Northwest | $164 | $125 | $125 | $414 + 3× state fee |
| LegalZoom Gold | $470 | $249 | $249 | $968 + 3× state fee |
| Bizee Silver (strategic) | $90 | $119 | $119 | $328 + 3× state fee |
| Bizee Silver (with typical add-ons) | $280 | $218 | $218 | $716 + 3× state fee |
Decision tree
- You're a serious founder who wants clean pricing and good support: Northwest.
- You want the absolute cheapest entry at $0 + state fee, and you'll decline all upsells: Bizee Silver.
- You want bundled legal services (trademark, will, ongoing counsel) alongside formation: LegalZoom.
- You're a non-US resident: Stripe Atlas, doola, or Firstbase — better-optimized for international founders.
FAQ
Is Northwest really no-upsell?
Yes. After 25+ years of operation, they've deliberately kept their pricing flat and refused to add compliance-as-a-service tiers that their competitors pitch.
Can I DIY formation entirely?
Yes, via each state's Secretary of State website. Costs are just state fees. Tradeoff: you still need a registered agent (can't be your home unless you're always available during business hours). Northwest's RA alone is ~$125/year.
Does the formation service actually matter for my LLC's legal status?
No. Your LLC is formed by the state, not the service. All three services produce legally-identical LLCs. The differences are in pricing, service quality, and convenience.
What about ZenBusiness?
ZenBusiness is a newer entrant competing in the same bundled-formation segment as LegalZoom and Bizee. Pricing is similar to Bizee. Quality is moderate. Not notably better than the three compared.
Last verified April 2026.