LegalZoom vs. Northwest Registered Agent 2022

Are you are looking for the best online incorporation services but don’t know which one to choose?

LegalZoom and Northwest Registered Agent can both be used to incorporate your company.

This comparison of LegalZoom vs. Northwest will highlight the five key factors to consider when choosing between these services. Which is the best overall option?

We tested each service to determine if it was suitable for our recommendation in 2022.

• Compare pricing and features to determine the overall value.
• We researched their track record.
• The quality of customer service was evaluated.
• We tested their ordering process, as well as the ease of use.
• Review the turnaround times to incorporate online.

For 2022, we think Northwest Registered Agent is the better incorporation service.

LegalZoom vs. Northwest Registered Agent Comparison Table

	LegalZoom	Northwest Registered Agent	Notes
LLC Price	$149 + state fee	$39 + state fee	Northwest’s filing fees cost $110 less
Registered Agent  Price	$249	For the first year, it’s free. Then, $125 per year	Many LegalZoom clients say that it is difficult to cancel.
Approval Time	30 Business days unless otherwise agreed	3-5 business days (in most states)	Northwest is, on average, three weeks quicker
Google Reviews	LegalZoom is rated 3.7 stars	Northwest gets 4.5 stars	Northwest receives better reviews
Customer Support	They can be challenging to reach. Sometimes, they will try to sell you more products.	Industry experts who are willing to share their expertise. Friendly. No sales pitches.	Northwest provides better customer service. And no “pushy” salespeople.
Data Privacy	LegalZoom sells customer data.	Northwest never sells customer data.

LegalZoom is more expensive than Northwest, and Northwest offers superior customer service, better features, and has very positive customer reviews. They are both top-rated online services for forming an LLC or incorporating an LLC.

Better Business Bureau Reviews and Rating

Northwest Registered Agent BBB Reviews

LegalZoom BBB Reviews

Both LegalZoom and Northwest have the same average review score of 4.4/5. LegalZoom has many more customer reviews on the BBB website than Northwest Registered Agent.

Northwest has a BBB rating of A- and LegalZoom has a BBB rating of A

Winner = LegalZoom

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Visit Northwest Registered Agent
https://www.northwestregisteredagent.com

 

Visit LegalZoom
https://www.legalzoom.com

Overall Pricing and Value

LegalZoom: LegalZoom may be the most well-known incorporation service, but it doesn’t translate into more value for customers. LegalZoom offers a $149 package for incorporation, but the upsells can be overwhelming and costly. They do not provide registered agent service, and the cost to add $159 per year to your order for incorporation, or $299 if purchased separately.

Northwest: We compared many of the top incorporation and LLC services available. Northwest was our number one choice. Their price point of $39 is relatively low compared to other competitors. Their pricing is still attractive because they include a full-year premium registered agent service. After the first year, the registered agent service will be renewed at $125 per annum.

Northwest = Winner

Northwest’s prices are lower than LegalZoom’s, and they offer better customer support. Every business formation comes with a full year’s registered agent service.

This is a significant win for Northwest as they can add more value while still undercutting LegalZoom’s total cost of the incorporation package.

Company Track Record and Experience Comparison

LegalZoom: LegalZoom was established in 1999 and has served over 3.6 million clients since. Although their primary focus is not on business formation, they have assisted in creating over one million businesses. LegalZoom customer reviews can be found on third-party sites. There are almost always a lot of five-star reviews and a lot of one-star ratings. This results in a much more diverse feedback pool than most competitors.

Northwest: Northwest was established in 1998. It has assisted with the formation of over two million businesses. Their website states that they currently work with more than 200 new corporations and LLCs each day. Although there aren’t many online reviews for Northwest, most of them were positive and in line with its mission and values.

Northwest = Winner

LegalZoom is a bit more mixed in this regard. Both companies have a similar customer base, and both have extensive experience. But, Northwest can score some points for their positive customer feedback.

Customer Service Comparison

LegalZoom: LegalZoom provides phone and email support. It took them over a week to reply after reaching out twice via their email form. We received a generic response, thanking us for reaching them but not answering our questions.

We reached them by phone, and they answered our questions very well. After explaining the options available to us, the representative sent us an email with their direct number to contact them directly with any questions. Their customer service by phone is excellent, but their online support could be better.

Northwest: Northwest provides phone and email support. Their email support was our first experience. Although it took almost 24 hours for us to get an email back, we could see the detail of the response and that the rep went beyond answering our questions and simply checking out our email. We also called the number and received a similar service. The person answering the phone took the initiative to get as much information as possible to provide the best answer.

Northwest = Winner

LegalZoom is a great company for customer support. But Northwest goes beyond the call of duty. The Corporate Guide system they offer is more personalized than LegalZoom’s (and many other competitors) approach.

How Easy it is to Use

LegalZoom: LegalZoom does not give you the option to choose your package. This is a significant difference from other competitors. It cannot be obvious and may result in incredible high prices once you get to the package selection screen. Instead, you enter your personal information and then navigate through several expensive upsells before selecting your formation package.

Northwest: Northwest’s application process is simple and straightforward. You only need to fill out one package for incorporation. It’s that simple.

Northwest = Winner

Northwest again wins thanks to their easy business formation process. LegalZoom’s lack of upsells is a considerable advantage. However, we are not a fan of LegalZoom’s backward application, which allows you to select your add-ons even before deciding what they will be added to.

Formation Speed Comparison

LegalZoom: LegalZoom is different from other competitors in that their turnaround times are determined by which package you choose and not the state where you’re forming. The most expensive package could deliver your business documents within 7-10 business days. However, the cheaper packages can take up to 30 business days (six weeks).

Northwest: A estimated turnaround time will be displayed on the screen when choosing your state from the dropdown menu. You’ll find two turnaround times in the order form for most states.

Northwest = Winner

LegalZoom’s turnaround time can be prolonged if you don’t buy their top-tier package. On the other hand, Northwest’s turnarounds are determined by the requirements of your formation state. This is a more user-friendly method.

Conclusion

We think it’s an easy choice between LegalZoom or Northwest.

Northwest offers a combination of registered agent and incorporation service for $39; LegalZoom would charge $448 for the same service. Their customer feedback is better, their turnaround times for services are faster, their customer service and ease-of-use are unrivaled.

Northwest is an excellent option for entrepreneurs looking to start a business. We believe they are a better choice than almost any other company.

Visit Northwest Registered Agent
https://www.northwestregisteredagent.com

 

Visit LegalZoom
https://www.legalzoom.com