Looking for a Northwest Registered Agent alternative?
Northwest Registered Agent has an excellent reputation and A+ BBB rating, but their a-la-carte pricing means essential services like business tax number and operating agreement cost extra.
All 50 states • $399 one-time to form • Built for non-residents
Trusted by founders, operators, and global businesses in 150+ countries
StartGlobal vs Northwest Registered Agent
What's actually included, side by side. (See the full first-year cost below.)
| What's included | StartGlobal | Northwest Registered Agent |
|---|---|---|
| LLC formation | All 50 states | All 50 states |
| Registered agent | Included | Yr1 free, $125/yr |
| business tax number (no SSN) | Yes, no SSN | +$200 (non-resident) |
| US bank account setup | Included | No |
| Operating agreement | Included | Included |
| Bookkeeping | Included (managed) | Not offered |
| Federal tax filing | Included | Not offered |
| Annual report & compliance | Included | Add-on |
| Built for non-residents | Built for it | Yes |
| Money-back guarantee | 100% money-back | — |
The cost to run an LLC, not just to start one.
Every founder needs formation, a registered agent, a business tax number, an operating agreement, ongoing compliance, bookkeeping and a federal tax return. Here is the full first-year cost on identical scope.
StartGlobal
then $149/month fully managed, or a la carte from $99/year • one platform • everything included
- LLC formation + state filing fee
- Registered agent
- business tax number
- US business bank account setup
- Operating agreement
- Annual report & compliance
- Bookkeeping
- Federal tax filing
Northwest Registered Agent
3 separate services to manage
- Formation, registered agent & non-resident business tax number $339
- Bookkeeping, via 3rd party (est.) $2,400
- Federal tax filing (5472 + 1120), via 3rd party (est.) $800
Northwest Registered Agent only handles part of it.
To actually run your LLC you would stitch together 3 separate services: Northwest Registered Agent for formation, a separate bookkeeper, and a separate tax preparer. That is 3 logins, 3 bills, and 3 support teams to chase when something breaks. StartGlobal is all of it in one platform, one login, one bill, one team, for a one-time $399 to form, then a flat $149/month fully managed (or a la carte from $99/year).
First-year cost for a single-member, foreign-owned LLC in Wyoming, ~1,000 transactions / ~$100k revenue, with state fees included on both sides so the comparison is like for like. Where Northwest Registered Agent does not offer bookkeeping or tax filing, we use third-party benchmarks (bookkeeping $2,400/yr, federal tax filing $800/yr) so the scope matches. Competitor pricing as of 2026-06 and may change.
Why founders switch to StartGlobal
Real concerns reported by Northwest Registered Agent users, and how we fix them.
Essential Add-Ons Cost Extra
“The base price is low, but by the time you add business tax number filing ($50) and operating agreement ($50), the price is not that different from all-inclusive services.” Source: BBB Complaints ↗
Northwest uses a-la-carte pricing. business tax number assistance, operating agreement, and other essentials are each sold separately.
StartGlobal includes business tax number assistance, operating agreement, bank account setup, and first-year registered agent in the $399 one-time formation. No add-on decisions to make.
No Bank Account Setup
“After getting my LLC formed, I still had to figure out opening a bank account on my own. As a non-resident, this was the hardest part.” Source: BBB Complaints ↗
Northwest does not offer bank account setup assistance, which is one of the biggest challenges for non-resident founders.
StartGlobal partners with US banks to provide streamlined account opening for non-residents, included in your $399 one-time formation.
Higher Registered Agent Renewal
“The first year was free, but the $125/year renewal is higher than some competitors charge.” Source: BBB Complaints ↗
After the free first year, registered agent service renews at $125/year, which is on the higher end of the market.
StartGlobal includes first-year registered agent service and offers competitive renewal rates.
Not Specialized for Non-Residents
“Northwest can form LLCs for non-residents, but their process is not specifically designed for international founders.” Source: BBB Complaints ↗
While Northwest serves non-residents, their process is primarily designed for US-based entrepreneurs.
StartGlobal was built from the ground up for non-residents. Our entire process, from formation to banking, is optimized for international founders.
LLC Formation
Everything you need to launch, in one package.
Registered Agent
IncludedEvery US LLC is legally required to have a registered agent: the official point of contact that receives legal documents, lawsuits, and state notices on your behalf. We act as your registered agent in your formation state and forward anything that arrives straight to you.
- Required to form and keep your LLC in good standing
- Receives legal documents and state notices for you
- We forward everything to you right away
State Filing
IncludedWe set up your company in the state you choose and track everything through to approval. Your state fees are included in the price, with no separate charges to figure out later.
- File in any of the 50 states
- State filing fees included, no surprise charges
- We track your filing through to approval
Business Tax Number
IncludedBefore you can open a bank account, get paid, or file taxes, you need a business tax number. We take care of the entire application for you, even if you don't have a U.S. social security number.
- We handle the entire application for you
- No U.S. SSN needed
- Gets you ready to bank, get paid, and stay compliant
U.S. Business Bank Account
IncludedOpen a U.S. business bank account from anywhere in the world, with no U.S. travel required. We connect you with trusted banking partners like Mercury and Lili and guide you through the application.
- Apply from anywhere, no U.S. trip needed
- Partners like Mercury and Lili
- Guided setup from start to finish
One payment, no surprise charges at checkout.
Ongoing Compliance
Pay only for what you need.
Registered Agent
Pay as you goYour registered agent service continues year after year, keeping a verified U.S. address on file and forwarding every legal document and state notice so you stay in good standing.
- Verified U.S. address maintained
- Legal mail scanned and forwarded
- Renewed automatically each year
State Annual Report
Pay as you goMost states require an annual or biennial report to keep your LLC active. We prepare and file it on time, every year, so you never fall out of good standing or get hit with late penalties.
- Annual or biennial report prepared and filed
- Deadline tracking, no late penalties
- Keeps your LLC in good standing
Bookkeeping
Pay as you goWe keep your books organized and aligned with U.S. standards every month, so your finances are always accurate and ready for tax time, investors, or a loan.
- Monthly bookkeeping
- Transactions categorized and reconciled
- Reports ready for tax season
Federal Tax Filing
Pay as you goWe handle your annual federal tax filing for single-member and multi-member LLCs, including the forms non-resident owners need, filed accurately and on time with the IRS.
- Returns for single and multi-member LLCs
- Non-resident owner filings handled
- Accurate, on-time filing with the IRS
Starts with registered agent. Add annual report, bookkeeping, and federal tax filing as you need them.
The operating system
Formation is
just the start.
StartGlobal runs your whole company, not just the paperwork. One platform, every tool you need to operate.
Explore all productsLoved by founders in 150+ countries
Real customers, on camera, talking about their U.S. business journey
Northwest Registered Agent vs StartGlobal, answered
Is Northwest Registered Agent better than StartGlobal?+
Northwest has an excellent reputation and A+ BBB rating. However, their a-la-carte pricing means you pay extra for business tax number ($50), operating agreement ($50), and they do not offer bank account setup. StartGlobal includes everything in its $399 one-time formation and specializes in non-resident formation.
Why is Northwest Registered Agent so cheap?+
Northwest offers a low base price ($39) but essential services cost extra. business tax number filing is $50, operating agreement is $50, and bank account setup is not offered. When you add up everything you need, the total is closer to all-inclusive services like StartGlobal.
Does Northwest Registered Agent help non-residents?+
Northwest can form LLCs for non-residents, but they are not specialists in international formation. StartGlobal was built specifically for non-residents with automated non-resident business tax number assistance and bank account setup included.
How does Northwest compare on registered agent pricing?+
Northwest offers free registered agent for the first year (with LLC formation), then $125/year for renewal. StartGlobal also includes first-year registered agent service in the $399 one-time formation.
Should I choose Northwest or StartGlobal for my LLC?+
If you are a US resident who wants to pick and choose individual services, Northwest is a solid option. If you want everything included in one price, especially with non-resident support and bank account setup, StartGlobal is the better fit.
Still weighing up providers?
We put the main providers for non-resident founders side by side, with what each one actually includes and what the first year really costs.
Ready to start your U.S. business?
Join thousands of global founders who trust StartGlobal. Form your LLC in minutes and run it all from one place.