Northwest Registered Agent
Privacy. Service. Value.
ZenBusiness
AI-Powered Business Formation & Compliance
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
ZenBusiness
HQ: Austin, Texas
Ownership: Private (VC-backed; Public Benefit Corporation)
Employees: 600+
Formations: 850,000+
Key Milestones
- Founded 2015 in Austin, TX
- Raised significant VC funding
- Became Public Benefit Corporation
- Launched AI assistant 'Navi'
- Surpassed 850k businesses formed
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
ZenBusiness Services
Formation types:
- ✓ LLC
- ✓ Corporation (C-Corp, S-Corp)
- ✓ Nonprofit
- ✓ Foreign Qualification (all states)
- ✓ Change of Registered Agent
Differentiators:
- AI-powered platform (Navi assistant)
- 100% Accuracy Guarantee
- Worry-Free Compliance
- Modern, intuitive dashboard
- Lifetime alerts & tools
Both offer nationwide RA coverage. Compare differentiators above to see where each shines.
Pricing & Value
| Category | Northwest Registered Agent | ZenBusiness | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| First Year Total | ~$39 + state fees (RA included) | ~$0 + state fees (Starter); $199 + RA (Pro) | Northwest Registered Agent |
| RA Annual Fee | Free Year 1; $125/year renewal (flat, no multi-year traps) | Free Year 1 (Premium); $99 first year then $199 renewal | — |
| Value Score | 9.2/10 | 8.7/10 | Northwest Registered Agent |
Speed & Performance
Northwest Registered Agent
Avg formation: 1-3 business days (10-min setup)
Expedited: Same-day possible (included)
ZenBusiness
Avg formation: 1-3 business days (higher tiers); 7-14 days (Starter)
Expedited: Included in Pro & Premium
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
ZenBusiness — Pros
- ✓ AI-powered modern platform
- ✓ 100% Accuracy Guarantee
- ✓ Excellent support
- ✓ Free Starter plan
- ✓ Worry-Free Compliance
ZenBusiness — Cons
- ✗ RA $199 renewal
- ✗ Add-ons increase cost
- ✗ No free Year 1 RA on lower plans
- ✗ Some billing issues
- ✗ Premium gets expensive
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 ZenBusiness if: One of the strongest modern players in the space. ZenBusiness excels with its beautiful AI-powered platform, strong guarantees, and top-tier customer support. Highly recommended for founders who want a premium experience without the corporate feel.
Higher rating: Northwest Registered Agent (9.1/10)