Northwest vs Bizee: which cheap LLC service actually wins?
One files your LLC for $0, the other for $39 — but the sticker price is the least interesting part of this matchup. Here's how they really compare on privacy, upsells, support, and what you'll pay in year two.
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Northwest Registered Agent and Bizee (formerly Incfile) are two of the most popular budget LLC formation services, and they're often shortlisted together. Both will get you a legitimate LLC. But they're built on different philosophies — and the right pick depends on whether you care more about saving $39 today or about privacy and a clean, upsell-free experience.
We've reviewed both in depth (Northwest · Bizee). Here's the head-to-head.
The quick verdict
Choose Bizee if your only goal is the lowest possible upfront cost and you're comfortable declining add-ons at checkout. Choose Northwest if you want your home address kept off public records, genuinely helpful US-based support, and a checkout with no upsell pressure — for an extra $39. Year-two costs are nearly identical either way.
Pricing, side by side
| Northwest | Bizee (Silver) | |
|---|---|---|
| Formation service fee | $39 | $0 |
| State filing fee | At cost (varies $50–$500) | At cost (varies $40–$500) |
| Registered agent — year 1 | Included free | Included free |
| Registered agent — year 2+ | ~$125 / year | ~$119 / year |
| Checkout upsells | Minimal | Many |
| Address privacy | Strong (their address on filings) | Limited |
| Support | US-based, no scripts | Standard |
Notice the year-two registered agent fees are within $6 of each other. So Bizee's $0-vs-$39 advantage is really a one-time $39 difference — not an ongoing saving. Over two years the two services cost almost the same; the decision should come down to experience and privacy, not price.
Where Bizee wins
- Lowest upfront cost — $0 service fee means you only pay the state on day one.
- A long track record: 200,000+ businesses formed over 20+ years (as Incfile).
- Lifetime compliance alerts on every plan, so you don't miss annual-report deadlines.
If cash flow is tight this month and you just need a compliant LLC filed for the lowest number possible, Bizee is the logical choice.
Where Northwest wins
- Privacy by Default — Northwest lists their own address on public filings wherever the state allows, keeping your home address out of searchable databases (and off junk-mail lists).
- A checkout with no aggressive upsell funnel — you're far less likely to overspend.
- US-based support staff who answer real questions instead of reading a script.
- A flat, predictable bill: $39 today, ~$125/year for the registered agent after.
For freelancers, e-commerce sellers, and non-US founders — anyone who'd rather not have their home address on the public record — that privacy difference is worth far more than the $39 over the life of the business.
Watch out for the upsells (especially on Bizee)
Both services offer add-ons, but Bizee's checkout pushes harder: EIN service, operating agreements, expedited filing, business banking, and more. None of it is a scam, but a first-time founder clicking "yes" to everything can turn a $0 LLC into a few hundred dollars. Two tips that apply to either service:
- You can get your EIN free directly from the IRS — you don't have to pay for it (though it's a convenience if you'd rather not deal with the forms).
- A basic operating agreement template covers most simple single-member LLCs.
Which should you choose?
Pick Bizee if: you want the cheapest possible start, you're confident declining add-ons, and address privacy isn't a priority. Pick Northwest if: you want your address kept private, a smooth no-pressure checkout, and support that actually helps — and you see the extra $39 as cheap insurance. Most readers forming a business they intend to keep end up happier with Northwest; the most budget-driven readers go Bizee.
Either way, if you're forming from outside the US, read our non-resident LLC guide first — there are extra steps (EIN by fax, Form 5472) that apply no matter which service you use.