I Spent $1,787 on LLC Services. $1,748 Was Wasted.

3 LLCs. 3 services. Real receipts. One clear winner.

$1,787
Total Spent
$1,748
Wasted
$39
What It Should Cost
The Problem

The LLC Scam Nobody Talks About

01

The "Free" Filing Trap

$0 advertised, then $300+ in add-ons at checkout.

02

Registered Agent Racket

$149/yr for a $2/yr service. You can be your own for free.

03

The EIN Upsell

$79-$149 for something the IRS gives you free in 5 min.

Real Receipts

What I Actually Paid

ServiceAdvertisedYear 15-Year
LegalZoom$0 + state$697$1,897
ZenBusiness$0 + state$449$1,045
Northwest RA$39 + state$39$195
5-Year Savings with Northwest $1,702
The Verdict

Why Northwest Wins & What It Gets Wrong

Why It Wins

  • Flat $39/yr includes registered agent
  • No upsell checkout gauntlet
  • Free EIN filing included
  • Privacy-first: uses their address
  • In business since 1998

What It Gets Wrong

  • Website looks like 2009
  • No flashy dashboard or mobile app
  • Compliance reminders email-only
  • No operating agreement templates
Free Path

The DIY Option

Form Your LLC for $0 (Plus State Fee)

  1. Go to your Secretary of State website
  2. File Articles of Organization ($50-$500)
  3. Get free EIN at irs.gov (5 minutes)
  4. Write your own operating agreement
  5. Designate yourself as registered agent

Too much hassle? Northwest does all of this for $39.

$39/year
vs. $697/yr at LegalZoom
Form Your LLC with Northwest →
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Northwest RA — $39/yr
Get Started →