8 months ago · Updated 3 days ago
How we research: We compare the public pricing, plan details and terms published on each provider's website. We have not purchased these services, so scores and rankings are our editorial opinion, not customer ratings. Prices change; confirm the current offer with the provider. Some links on this page are affiliate links — see our affiliate disclosure.
Choosing the right registered agent service is one of the most important decisions you'll make for your LLC. Your Registered Agent receives legal documents, protects your privacy, and keeps your business in good standing with the state. However, prices range from $0 to $249/year — and the features you get at each price point vary dramatically.
We researched and compared the top 5 registered agent services across pricing, privacy, renewal costs, support quality, and real user experience. If you're not yet clear on what each state requires, start with our registered agent requirements guide — then come back here to pick the right service. After evaluating each option, here's our ranking for 2026.
Northwest Registered Agent has the lowest cost from year 2 among the services compared here. For $39 (formation + free first year RA), you get privacy protection on state filings, $125/yr renewals, and real offices in all 50 states.
- Master Comparison: All 5 Side by Side
- Northwest Registered Agent — lowest cost from year 2
- Bizee — $0 formation plan
- ZenBusiness — dashboard and compliance tools
- LegalZoom — attorney access
- Swyft Filings — repeat filings
- How to Choose the Right Registered Agent
- What Does a Registered Agent Actually Do?
- 3 Registered Agent Mistakes to Avoid
- Frequently Asked Questions
Master Comparison: All 5 Side by Side
Before diving into individual reviews, here's how all five registered agent services compare on the metrics that matter most.
| Feature | Northwest | Bizee | ZenBusiness | LegalZoom | Swyft |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| RA Year 1 | Free (with $39 plan) | Free (all plans) | $199/yr | $249/yr | $149/yr |
| RA Year 2+ | $125/yr | $149/yr | $199/yr | $249/yr | $149/yr |
| 5-Year RA Cost | $500 | $596 | $995 | $1,245 | $745 |
| Privacy on Filings | ✓ (all states) | ✗ | ✗ | ✗ | ✗ |
| All 50 States + DC | ✓ + Puerto Rico | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| Own Physical Offices | ✓ (every state) | Partial | Partial | ✓ | Partial |
| Same-Day Scanning | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| Multi-State Discount | $100/yr (5+ states) | ✗ | ✗ | ✗ | ✗ |
| Data Privacy Policy | Never sells data | Standard | Marketing emails | Not fully disclosed | Standard |
| Upsells | None advertised | Moderate | Moderate | Heavy | Moderate |
| Trustpilot | 4.7+ | 4.7+ | 4.5+ | 3.5+ | 4.5+ |
| Our Rating | 4.8/5 | 4.0/5 | 3.5/5 | 2.5/5 | 3.0/5 |
* Northwest $125/yr renewal includes privacy protection on state filings. See full Northwest pricing breakdown →
Northwest Registered Agent — lowest cost from year 2
| Northwest Registered Agent — Quick Stats | |
|---|---|
| RA Year 1 | Free (included with $39 LLC formation) |
| RA Renewal | $125/year |
| Privacy | ✓ — uses their address on all state filings |
| Virtual Address | ✓ — free virtual address included with $39 formation |
| Coverage | All 50 states + DC + Puerto Rico |
| Multi-State | $100/yr per state (5+ states) |
| Support | Corporate Guides® — LLC specialists, not sales reps |
| Our Rating | 4.8/5 |
Why We Feature Northwest First
Northwest uses its own office address on your state filings by default, according to its published service description. This means your home address never appears on public records, Google searches, or junk mail lists. Furthermore, many LLC owners confuse registered agents with virtual addresses — they are not the same thing. See our full guide on registered agent vs virtual address to understand exactly what each one does and why you likely need both. Additionally, Northwest includes a virtual mailbox for your LLC with same-day scanning — at no extra cost.
Beyond privacy, Northwest stands out for what they don't do. Northwest says it has no sales team. Their Corporate Guides are LLC formation specialists who answer questions honestly — even if the honest answer is "don't buy that from us."
Who Should Choose Northwest
Northwest is a good fit for first-time LLC owners who want a complete, worry-free setup. It's also ideal for privacy-conscious business owners and anyone who values transparent, predictable pricing. In addition, the multi-state discount makes Northwest the top pick for real estate investors with LLCs in multiple states. If you are still deciding whether you need a virtual address at all, see our guide on do you need a virtual address for your LLC before you sign up.
→ Read Our Full Northwest Review
Bizee — $0 formation plan
| Bizee (Formerly Incfile) — Quick Stats | |
|---|---|
| RA Year 1 | Free (included on all plans — even the $0 plan) |
| RA Renewal | $149/year (public list price, checked 7 Oct 2026) |
| Privacy | ✗ — your address used on filings |
| Coverage | All 50 states + DC |
| Bonus | See Bizee's current packages |
| Track Record | Since 2004 — 1,000,000+ businesses formed |
| Our Rating | 4.0/5 |
Why We Include Bizee
Bizee offers something no other service does: a free Registered Agent on their $0 formation plan. That means you can get both LLC formation and RA service without spending a single dollar beyond the state fee — making it one of the strongest entries in our best LLC services comparison. Their renewal is $149/yr, $24/yr more than Northwest's $125/yr, so the savings come from the free first year rather than a lower long-term price.
The 20-year track record (as Incfile, now Bizee) and 4.7+ Trustpilot rating provide solid trust. However, Bizee lacks the privacy protection that puts Northwest in the top spot. Your home address still goes on public filings.
Who Should Choose Bizee
Bizee is a good fit for budget-conscious entrepreneurs and side hustlers who need a legitimate LLC at a low first-year cost. Compare its current packages on Bizee's site before you choose.
ZenBusiness — dashboard and compliance tools
| ZenBusiness — Quick Stats | |
|---|---|
| RA Year 1 | $199/year (separate purchase) |
| RA Renewal | $199/year |
| Privacy | ✗ — your address used on filings |
| Coverage | All 50 states + DC |
| Dashboard | Mobile app + AI assistant |
| Compliance Alerts | ✓ (included on all plans) |
| Our Rating | 3.5/5 |
Why We Include ZenBusiness
ZenBusiness doesn't win on RA pricing — $199/yr is more expensive than Northwest ($125) or Bizee ($149). However, ZenBusiness earns its spot thanks to a polished, well-organized user experience. The dashboard is modern, the mobile app lets you manage your LLC on the go, and the built-in compliance alerts help you stay on top of deadlines.
That said, the Worry-Free Compliance package auto-renews at $199/year, and marketing emails are frequent after signup. As a result, ZenBusiness ranks below Northwest and Bizee on transparency.
Who Should Choose ZenBusiness
Choose ZenBusiness if you're a tech-savvy entrepreneur who values a polished dashboard and mobile access. It's also a good pick if you want everything managed in one platform. Nevertheless, consider getting your RA from Northwest separately — you'll save $74/yr while keeping ZenBusiness's dashboard for formation.
→ Read Our Full ZenBusiness Review
LegalZoom — attorney access
| LegalZoom — Quick Stats | |
|---|---|
| RA Year 1 | $249/year (separate purchase — most expensive) |
| RA Renewal | $249/year |
| Privacy | ✗ — your address used on filings |
| Coverage | All 50 states + DC |
| Attorney Access | ✓ (30-day trial on Pro/Premium — auto-renews $49/mo) |
| Legal Templates | 150+ document templates |
| Our Rating | 2.5/5 |
Why We Include LegalZoom
LegalZoom has the most expensive Registered Agent service in this comparison — $249/year with no free first year on any plan. Over 5 years, that's $1,245, which is nearly $750 more than Northwest for the same basic service.
So why is it on this list at all? Because LegalZoom is the only provider with built-in attorney access. If you need legal consultations, document review, trademark filing, or estate planning alongside your RA service, LegalZoom is the only one-stop platform. For everyone else, it's overpriced.
Who Should Choose LegalZoom
LegalZoom's RA makes sense only if you're already using their legal services and want everything under one account. Otherwise, there's no reason to pay $249/yr when Northwest charges $125 and includes privacy protection that LegalZoom doesn't offer.
→ Read Our Full LegalZoom Review
Swyft Filings — repeat filings
| Swyft Filings — Quick Stats | |
|---|---|
| RA Year 1 | $149/year (separate purchase) |
| RA Renewal | $149/year |
| Privacy | ✗ — your address used on filings |
| Coverage | All 50 states + DC |
| Unique Feature | Lifetime customer support on all plans (including $0) |
| Good fit for | Experienced owners who already know what they need |
| Our Rating | 3.0/5 |
Why We Include Swyft
Swyft Filings is a legitimate, no-frills service that gets the basics right. Their $149/yr RA pricing sits in the middle of the pack — cheaper than LegalZoom but more expensive than Northwest, Bizee, and ZenBusiness isn't far off either.
The main problem is that Swyft doesn't offer a free RA year on any plan, doesn't include privacy protection, and doesn't have a standout feature that justifies choosing it over the top-ranked options. As a result, it ranks last in our comparison.
Who Should Choose Swyft
Swyft's RA is aimed at experienced business owners forming a second or third LLC who already know exactly what they need and don't want bundled services. For first-time LLC owners, the top three options on this list are all better choices.
→ Read Our Full Swyft Filings Review
How to Choose the Right Registered Agent
Not sure which service fits your situation? Use this quick decision framework to find a good match.
| Your Priority | Option | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Lowest total cost over several years | Northwest Registered Agent review | $39 formation + free first-year RA + privacy protection ($125/yr from year 2) |
| Lowest upfront cost | Bizee free registered agent plan | $0 formation fee + free first-year RA, then $149/yr renewal. Lowest cost in year one; Northwest is cheaper from year two |
| Privacy protection | Northwest privacy protection | Only service that hides your address on state filings in all 50 states |
| Dashboard and mobile app | ZenBusiness dashboard experience | Modern dashboard, mobile app, and AI tools — but get RA from Northwest to save money |
| Attorney access needed | LegalZoom | Only provider with built-in attorney consultations and legal templates |
| Multiple LLCs in 5+ states | Northwest multi-state registered agent | $100/yr per state discount — no other service offers multi-state RA pricing |
| Lowest RA renewal | Northwest renewal pricing | $125/yr — $24/yr less than Bizee, $74/yr less than ZenBusiness, $124/yr less than LegalZoom |
| Already have an RA, just need filing | Swyft | $0 Basic plan handles just the filing — nothing more, nothing less |
What Does a Registered Agent Actually Do?
If you're new to LLCs, the term "Registered Agent" might sound intimidating. In reality, it's a simple but legally required role — you can read our full Registered Agent guide for the complete breakdown, or keep reading for the quick version.
The Legal Requirement
Every LLC in every US state is legally required to have a Registered Agent. This is the person or company designated to receive official legal and government documents on behalf of your business. Without one, your state won't approve your LLC formation — and if you lose your RA later, the state can dissolve your LLC.
What Documents They Receive
| Document Type | What It Is | Why It Matters |
|---|---|---|
| Service of Process | Official notice that your LLC is being sued | Missing this can result in a default judgment against you |
| State Correspondence | Annual report notices, tax forms, compliance letters | Missing deadlines leads to penalties or LLC dissolution Check your state's deadline → |
| IRS Notices | Tax-related communications from the federal government | Ignoring IRS notices can trigger audits or liens |
| Legal Notices | Subpoenas, court orders, regulatory actions | These have strict response deadlines — missing them has serious consequences |
Can You Be Your Own Registered Agent?
Technically, yes. However, being your own RA means listing your home address on public records, being available at that address during all business hours (typically 9am–5pm), and handling legal documents yourself. For most people, paying $125–$149/yr for a professional service is well worth the convenience and privacy.
3 Registered Agent Mistakes to Avoid
Before you choose a Registered Agent, make sure you don't fall into these common traps. Each one can cost you hundreds of dollars or put your LLC at risk.
Paying More Than $150/Year for RA Service
If you're paying $199/yr (ZenBusiness) or $249/yr (LegalZoom) for Registered Agent service, you're overpaying. The service is essentially the same across all providers — someone receives your mail and scans it. Northwest charges $125/yr and Bizee charges $149/yr. Over 5 years, switching from LegalZoom to Northwest saves you $620, and to Bizee $500. That's money better spent on your actual business — see our full LLC cost breakdown by state to understand the complete picture.
Ignoring Privacy Protection
When you form an LLC, your Registered Agent's address goes on state records. If you're your own RA or use a service that doesn't offer privacy, your home address becomes public. Data brokers scrape this within days, and you'll start getting junk mail, spam calls, and your address will appear in Google results. Once it's out there, you can't take it back. Northwest is the only major service that uses their own address on your filings by default — and it's worth choosing them for this reason alone.
Forgetting to Check Auto-Renewal Terms
Some services bundle RA with "compliance packages" that auto-renew at premium prices. For instance, ZenBusiness's Worry-Free Compliance auto-renews at $199/yr, and LegalZoom's attorney plan renews at $49/month. Before signing up, check exactly what auto-renews and set calendar reminders to cancel anything you don't need. Before you buy, confirm each provider's renewal terms (Northwest's registered agent renews at $125/year after year 1).
Our Final Recommendation
After comparing all five registered agent services, the choice is clear. Northwest’s privacy-first registered agent service wins on privacy, transparency, and overall value. Bizee has the lowest first-year cost, since even its $0 plan includes a free agent year. For most LLC owners, Northwest's $125/yr with privacy protection is the better fit, and it is also cheaper than Bizee's $149/yr from year two onward. Either way, there's no reason to pay $199–$249/yr when better, cheaper options exist.
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