Northwest Registered Agent
Privacy. Service. Value.
Filenow
Quick & Affordable Business Formation with 24-Hour Processing
Side-by-side comparison. Data as of 2026-02-16.
Company Background
Northwest Registered Agent
HQ: Spokane, Washington (522 W Riverside Ave Suite N)
Ownership: Private (family-owned)
Employees: 51-200
Formations: 3,000,000+ businesses maintained
Key Milestones
- Founded 1998 in Spokane, WA
- Expanded to offices in all 50 states
- Pioneered Privacy By Default®
- Launched Business Identity Package (address, mail, email, domain)
- Hit 3M+ businesses maintained
Filenow
HQ: New York, NY (small team of experts)
Ownership: Private (independent; founder-led team of entrepreneurs/lawyers)
Employees: Small team (1-10)
Formations: Thousands (growing; focus on quality)
Key Milestones
- Founded 2018 by team of entrepreneurs, lawyers, tax pros
- Grew via affordable formation model
- Launched Incorporation Wizard for entity selection
- Achieved 4.8/5 on ShopperApproved (600+ reviews)
- Expanded to full compliance add-ons
Core Services
Northwest Registered Agent Services
Formation types:
- ✓ LLC
- ✓ Corporation (C-Corp, S-Corp)
- ✓ Nonprofit
- ✓ Registered Partnerships
- ✓ Foreign Qualification (all states)
- ✓ Change of Registered Agent
Differentiators:
- Privacy By Default® (uses their address, no data selling)
- Business Identity Package (address, mail, email, domain, hosting)
- In-house experts & custom software
- No upsells or aggressive marketing
- Family-owned with dedicated Corporate Guides
Filenow Services
Formation types:
- ✓ LLC
- ✓ Corporation (C-Corp, S-Corp)
- ✓ Foreign Qualification (all states)
- ✓ Change of Registered Agent
Differentiators:
- 24-hour order processing (no extra cost)
- Error-free guarantee (money back if errors)
- Transparent, no-hidden-fees pricing
- Incorporation Wizard (entity selector)
- Unlimited expert support (phone/email/chat)
Both offer nationwide RA coverage. Compare differentiators above to see where each shines.
Pricing & Value
| Category | Northwest Registered Agent | Filenow | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| First Year Total | ~$39 + state fees (RA included) | ~$49-$199 + state fees (RA included in Premium) | Northwest Registered Agent |
| RA Annual Fee | Free Year 1; $125/year renewal (flat, no multi-year traps) | Free Year 1 (Premium); $119/year renewal | — |
| Value Score | 9.2/10 | 8.3/10 | Northwest Registered Agent |
Speed & Performance
Northwest Registered Agent
Avg formation: 1-3 business days (10-min setup)
Expedited: Same-day possible (included)
Filenow
Avg formation: 24 hours processing + state time (fastest standard)
Expedited: Included (24-hour); same-day in select states
Pros & Cons
Northwest Registered Agent — Pros
- ✓ Privacy By Default®
- ✓ Free RA Year 1 ($125 after)
- ✓ Business Identity Package
- ✓ In-house experts
- ✓ No annoying marketing
Northwest Registered Agent — Cons
- ✗ RA renewal required
- ✗ Basic formation vs. bundles
- ✗ Limited reviews depth
- ✗ No 24/7 chat
- ✗ Expedited varies
Filenow — Pros
- ✓ 24-hour processing included
- ✓ Starter from $49 + state
- ✓ Error-free money-back guarantee
- ✓ Free RA Year 1 (Premium)
- ✓ Unlimited expert support
Filenow — Cons
- ✗ Small team (emerging)
- ✗ RA $119 renewal
- ✗ Fewer add-ons
- ✗ Low review volume
- ✗ No enterprise tools
The Verdict
Choose Northwest Registered Agent if: The gold standard for privacy-focused RA—perfect for founders who want real protection, expert help, and a fair price without the sales pressure. Top pick for most.
Choose Filenow if: Excellent for founders who want fast, affordable setup with pro help—great alternative to giants if you prioritize transparency and speed.
Higher rating: Northwest Registered Agent (9.1/10)