Choosing the right LLC formation service can save you hundreds of dollars and hours of frustration. But with so many options claiming to be “the best,” how do you actually decide?
This guide compares the three most popular LLC formation services: LegalZoom, Incfile (now Bizee), and Northwest Registered Agent. We’ll break down real pricing (including hidden costs), what you actually get, and who each service works best for.
By the end, you’ll know exactly which service fits your budget and business needs.
Quick comparison: which service wins?
Before we dive deep, here’s the bottom line for people in a hurry:
Best overall value: Northwest Registered Agent – Premium service, no upsells, transparent pricing
Best for budget: Bizee (Incfile) – Free formation + free registered agent for year one
Best for hand-holding: LegalZoom – Attorney access and established brand name
Still here? Let’s get into the details.
Table of contents
Side-by-side pricing comparison
Here’s what you’ll actually pay with each service, including the costs most companies hide:
| Feature | LegalZoom | Bizee (Incfile) | Northwest |
|---|---|---|---|
| Formation Fee | $0 – $299 | $0 – $299 | $39 |
| State Filing Fee | $40-$500 (varies) | $40-$500 (varies) | $40-$500 (varies) |
| Registered Agent (Year 1) | $199 | FREE | FREE |
| Registered Agent (Year 2+) | $199/year | $119/year | $125/year |
| Operating Agreement | Add-on | Included (Gold+) | $50 add-on |
| EIN | Included (Pro+) | Included (Gold+) | $50 add-on |
| Attorney Review | Included (basic) | Not available | Not available |
| Money-Back Guarantee | 60 days | Limited (before filing) | Per case basis |
| Customer Support | Phone, email, chat | Phone, email (M-F) | Phone, email (expert) |
LegalZoom: detailed breakdown
LegalZoom has been around since 2001 and is probably the name you’ve heard before. They’re the biggest player in the space, which comes with both advantages and drawbacks.
What LegalZoom offers
What we like about LegalZoom
- Access to Attorney is real. Unlike competitors, LegalZoom actually includes attorney review and consultation. If you’re nervous about doing this yourself, having a real lawyer look over your paperwork provides genuine peace of mind.
- Brand trust matters. LegalZoom has processed over 4 million business formations. They’re not going anywhere, and they know what they’re doing.
- Comprehensive legal services. If you need more than just LLC formation—trademark registration, contracts, compliance help—LegalZoom offers it all under one roof.
- Solid customer support. Phone support seven days a week. Real humans who can actually help, not just read scripts.
What drives us crazy about LegalZoom
- The upselling never stops. From the moment you start the process, you’re bombarded with add-ons. Business website! Legal plan! Trademark search! It’s exhausting.
- Registered agent fees are steep. $199 per year is significantly more expensive than competitors. Over five years, that’s an extra $400-500 compared to other options.
- Updates cost money. Need to change something in your LLC? That’ll be $89 each time. Other services include unlimited updates.
- Auto-renewals everywhere. Those “free trials” of bookkeeping and attorney services? They automatically charge your card if you don’t cancel. Many customers complain about unexpected charges.
- Processing can be slow. Unless you pay extra for expedited service (starting at $100), your filing can take 30+ business days.
Who LegalZoom works best for
LegalZoom makes sense if you:
- Want attorney review included for peace of mind
- Plan to use additional legal services beyond LLC formation
- Value brand recognition and don’t mind paying for it
- Prefer having everything under one platform
- Won’t update your LLC documents frequently
Not ideal for:
- Budget-conscious entrepreneurs
- People who hate aggressive upselling
- Anyone forming multiple LLCs (costs add up fast)
Bizee (formerly Incfile): detailed breakdown
Incfile rebranded to Bizee in late 2023, but the service stayed largely the same. They’ve formed over 1 million businesses since 2004 and built a reputation for affordability.
What Bizee offers
Three package levels. State fees may vary from those in the below table:
What we like about Bizee
- Free registered agent for a year is huge. This alone saves you $100-200 compared to competitors. It’s genuinely free, not a trial that auto-renews.
- Actually free formation. Unlike some “free” services, Bizee’s Silver package doesn’t sneak in hidden fees. You pay state fees and that’s it.
- Fast processing. Most orders are processed within one business day after completion. Your LLC gets filed quickly without paying extra.
- Excellent resources. Their learning center has genuinely useful guides, calculators, and tools. Business name generator, tax calculator, compliance tracker—all free.
- Registered agent costs stay low. After year one, it’s only $119/year. That’s $80 less than LegalZoom annually.
What frustrates us about Bizee
- Upselling can be aggressive. While not as bad as LegalZoom, you’ll still get pushed toward add-ons and partner services throughout the process.
- Customer support is hit or miss. Phone support is only available Monday-Friday, 9 AM-6 PM Central. No weekend help. Email responses can take a full business day.
- Weak refund policy. They only refund before your paperwork is filed with the state. Since they file so quickly (within one business day), you basically have zero time to change your mind.
- Tax consultation is a sales pitch. That “free” tax consultation? It’s outsourced to a third party that mostly tries to sell you their accounting services.
- Limited customization. If you need anything outside standard LLC formation, you’ll need to hire a lawyer. Bizee doesn’t handle complex situations well.
Who Bizee works best for
Bizee makes sense if you:
- Want to minimize upfront costs
- Have a straightforward LLC (no complicated ownership structures)
- Don’t need hand-holding or weekend support
- Value free registered agent service for year one
- Want fast processing without paying extra
Not ideal for:
- Complex business situations (blended partnerships, multiple member classes)
- People who need weekend customer support
- Anyone who might want to cancel after starting the process
Northwest Registered Agent: detailed breakdown
Northwest is the underdog in this comparison, but they’ve built a cult following since 1998. They’re family-owned, privacy-focused, and have a “no upsell” philosophy.
What Northwest offers
One package ($39 + state fees)
- Business name availability check
- Preparation and filing of Articles of Organization
- FREE registered agent service for first year
- Free limited digital mail forwarding
- Lifetime compliance alerts
- Personal Corporate Guide (assigned expert)
- Privacy protection (your address stays private)
- Free account with forms and tools
Optional add-ons (à la carte):
- Operating agreement: $50
- EIN registration: $50 (or $200 for non-US residents)
- Annual report filing: $100 + state fees
Unlike LegalZoom and Bizee, there’s no tiered pricing. You get one transparent package plus optional services if you need them.
What we love about Northwest
- Zero upselling. Their tagline is “We’re just not annoying,” and they actually mean it. Unlike competitors, there are no aggressive sales tactics, hidden fees, or auto-renewing subscriptions that catch you off guard.
- Privacy comes standard. Northwest uses their address on your public filings whenever possible, keeping your home address off public records—a huge benefit if you value privacy. What’s more, they never sell your data to third parties. While most formation services monetize your information by selling it to accounting firms, insurance companies, and marketing agencies, Northwest flatly refuses.
- Expert support, not sales reps. Every customer gets assigned a personal Corporate Guide—an actual LLC expert who knows your business and remains available for questions. Additionally, Northwest maintains physical offices in all 50 states, which translates to faster local filing and deeper knowledge of state-specific requirements.
- Predictable ongoing costs. After the first free year, their registered agent service runs $125 annually and never increases. In fact, they guarantee this flat rate for life, eliminating the pricing surprises common with other providers.
What’s different about Northwest (not necessarily bad)
- Single package means less “choice.” Some people like choosing between Basic, Pro, and Premium packages. Northwest just gives you one option and says “add what you need.”
- Operating agreement and EIN cost extra. While competitors bundle these in higher-tier packages, Northwest charges separately. However, the total cost still usually comes out lower.
- Less flashy. Their website looks dated compared to LegalZoom’s polished marketing. But functionality > aesthetics for most business owners.
- No attorney access. If you want legal advice, you’ll need to hire a lawyer separately. Northwest focuses on formation and registered agent services only.
Who Northwest works best for
Northwest makes sense if you:
- Value privacy and data protection
- Hate upselling and want transparent pricing
- Want a dedicated expert you can call anytime
- Plan to maintain your LLC long-term (low ongoing costs)
- Prefer quality service over brand name recognition
Not ideal for:
- People who want attorney review included
- Anyone who needs comprehensive legal services beyond formation
- Those who prefer fancy platforms over functionality
Feature-by-feature comparison
Customer service quality
LegalZoom: 7/10
- Available 7 days a week
- Phone, email, chat support
- Representatives know products but focus on upselling
- Long wait times during busy periods
Bizee: 6/10
- Monday-Friday only, business hours
- Email responses take up to 24 hours
- Helpful when you reach them, but limited availability
- Some complaints about support quality
Northwest: 9/10
- LLC experts, not sales reps
- Personal Corporate Guide assigned to you
- Highly responsive and knowledgeable
- No weekend phone support (but email works)
Winner: Northwest (expert support)
Privacy protection
LegalZoom: Basic
- Your information goes on public filings
- They may share data with partners
- Standard privacy policy
Bizee: Basic
- Your information goes on public filings
- Some data sharing with third parties
- Tax consultation involves sharing your info
Northwest: Excellent
- Uses their address on filings when possible
- Never sells your data
- “Privacy by Default” is their core philosophy
- Best for keeping your personal info private
Winner: Northwest (by a mile)
Ease of use
LegalZoom: 8/10
- Slick, modern interface
- Clear step-by-step process
- Lots of prompts and guidance
- Can feel overwhelming with all the upsells
Bizee: 8/10
- User-friendly platform
- Quick questionnaire
- Good educational resources
- Some users find upsells confusing
Northwest: 7/10
- Less polished interface
- Straightforward process
- No fluff or distractions
- Some people miss having “packages” to choose from
Winner: Tie between LegalZoom and Bizee (depends on preference)
Value for money
Let’s calculate 5-year total cost for a typical LLC:
Assumptions:
- Formation with operating agreement + EIN
- Registered agent needed all 5 years
- Average state fee of $100
LegalZoom (Pro package):
- Year 1: $249 + $100 + $199 = $548
- Years 2-5: $199/year × 4 = $796
- 5-year total: $1,344
Bizee (Gold package):
- Year 1: $199 + $100 + $0 = $299
- Years 2-5: $119/year × 4 = $476
- 5-year total: $775
Northwest (with add-ons):
- Year 1: $39 + $100 + $50 + $50 + $0 = $239
- Years 2-5: $125/year × 4 = $500
- 5-year total: $739
Winner: Northwest saves you $36-605 over 5 years
Common questions answered
Yes, easily. Your registered agent is the only ongoing service that matters. You can switch registered agents anytime by filing a form with your state and notifying both agents.
Many people form with Bizee (free) then switch to Northwest for better ongoing service.
Yes. Every state requires LLCs to have a registered agent—someone available during business hours to receive legal documents and state correspondence.
You can be your own agent, but that means:
– Your home address goes on public record
– You must be available 9-5 every weekday
– You’ll receive lawsuit papers personally
Most business owners prefer using a service for privacy and convenience.
Bizee processes orders within 1 business day (fastest internal processing)
However, actual filing time depends on your state, not the service. Wyoming might approve in 24 hours; California could take 3-4 weeks.
All three services can expedite for extra fees if your state allows it.
LegalZoom: 100% accuracy guarantee. If they make an error, they’ll fix it for free.
Bizee: They’ll correct their mistakes at no charge.
Northwest: Same—their errors get fixed free. Plus your Corporate Guide helps prevent mistakes upfront.
If YOU make an error in the information you provide, all three charge for amendments ($89-100).
Operating Agreement: Highly recommended. It defines ownership, profit distribution, and decision-making. Protects your LLC status.
EIN: Required if you have employees or multiple members. Needed for business bank accounts. Free from IRS directly, but services save you time.
Attorney Review (LegalZoom): Worth it if you have a complex situation, questions about liability, or want maximum peace of mind.
Business Website: Skip it. All three services offer basic sites, but you’re better off using WordPress, Wix, or Squarespace directly for more control.
Our verdict: which service should you choose?
After testing all three services and comparing hundreds of real customer experiences, here’s our honest recommendation:
Choose Northwest Registered Agent if you want the best overall value
Northwest offers the sweet spot of price, quality, and service. You get expert support, privacy protection, and low ongoing costs—all without upselling pressure.
Best for:
- Most small businesses and solopreneurs
- Anyone who values privacy
- Long-term LLC owners (ongoing costs stay low)
- People who hate being sold to
Form Your LLC with Northwest →
Choose Bizee if you’re on a tight budget
Bizee’s free formation plus free year-one registered agent can’t be beat if money is tight right now. Just be prepared for upsells and limited support.
Best for:
- First-time entrepreneurs watching every dollar
- Simple LLCs with one owner
- People comfortable with online-only support
Choose LegalZoom if you want attorney access
If you have questions about liability, complex ownership structures, or want a lawyer to review everything, LegalZoom’s included attorney access justifies the higher price.
Best for:
- Complex business situations
- Risk-averse business owners
- People who need comprehensive legal services
- Those who value brand recognition
Form Your LLC with LegalZoom →
How to form your LLC: next steps
Ready to move forward? Here’s what to do:
- Pick your service Based on the comparison above, choose the service that fits your needs and budget.
- Gather required information
- LLC name (with 2-3 backup options)
- Business address
- Member/owner information
- Purpose of your business
- Complete the formation Each service walks you through an online questionnaire. Takes 10-30 minutes.
- Wait for approval Your state processes the paperwork (timeline varies by state).
- Get your EIN Either through the formation service or directly from the IRS (free).
- Open business bank account Keep business and personal finances separate from day one.
- File ongoing compliance Annual reports, franchise taxes, etc. Your registered agent will remind you of deadlines.
Bottom line
All three services can successfully form your LLC. The question is which one fits YOUR priorities:
Lowest total cost over time: Northwest ($739 over 5 years) Cheapest first year: Bizee ($299 with Gold package) Best customer support: Northwest (expert Corporate Guides) Best for legal advice: LegalZoom (attorney access included)Best for privacy: Northwest (your address stays private)
For most people reading this, Northwest Registered Agent offers the best combination of price, service quality, and transparency.
But if you’re absolutely budget-constrained right now, Bizee gets you started for less upfront. And if you need legal hand-holding, LegalZoom provides that peace of mind.
The good news? You can’t really go wrong. All three are legitimate, established companies that will form your LLC correctly.
The better news? Now you know exactly which one makes sense for your specific situation.
Ready to start your business? Pick your service and take action today:
- Northwest Registered Agent – Best Overall →
- Bizee (Incfile) – Best Budget Option →
- LegalZoom – Best for Attorney Access →
Related Articles:
- How Much Does an LLC Cost? State-by-State Breakdown
- Do I Need an LLC? Complete Guide for Small Businesses
- LLC Operating Agreement: Free Template + Guide
- How to Get an EIN for Your Business (Step-by-Step)
- LLC vs S-Corp vs C-Corp: Which Business Structure Is Right?
Prices accurate as of October 2025. Check provider websites for current pricing and promotions. This article contains affiliate links—we may earn a commission if you purchase through our links at no additional cost to you.
