By Jake Lawson, LLC Formation Strategist
You’ve narrowed it down to two solid LLC formation services: Bizee (formerly IncFile) and Northwest Registered Agent. Smart choices—both companies are legitimate, established players that won’t disappear with your money.
But here’s the million-dollar question: Which one deserves your business in 2025?
After testing both services extensively, working with clients who chose each option, and analyzing their approaches for over 5 years, I can give you a definitive answer: Northwest Registered Agent wins this matchup decisively.
Let me break down exactly why—and more importantly, help you understand which service actually fits your specific needs.
The Quick Answer (For Those in a Hurry)
Winner: Northwest Registered Agent
Why: Superior customer service, better value proposition, genuine privacy protection, and no hidden upsells disguised as “free” services.
Use Bizee if: You’re extremely budget-conscious and can navigate their upsell maze without falling into expensive traps.
Use Northwest if: You want straightforward pricing, excellent support, and a company that actually cares about your success.
Bizee (IncFile) vs Northwest: Company Backgrounds
Bizee (Formerly IncFile): The Volume Play
Founded: 2004
Claim to fame: “Free” LLC formation
Business model: Hook customers with free basic service, profit through upsells
Formed: 500,000+ businesses
My take: Bizee is the Walmart of LLC formation—high volume, low prices, adequate service. They rebranded from IncFile in 2023 but it’s the same company with the same approach.
Northwest Registered Agent: The Premium Experience
Founded: 2001
Claim to fame: Superior customer service and privacy protection
Business model: Charge fair prices, deliver exceptional value
Focus: Quality over quantity
My take: Northwest is the boutique alternative—higher prices but genuinely better service. They’ve been my go-to recommendation for years.
Round 1: Pricing Breakdown (The Real Costs)
Bizee Pricing: The “Free” Trap
Basic Package: $0 + state fees
- LLC formation filing
- One year registered agent service
- Name availability search
Standard Package: $199 + state fees
- Everything in Basic
- EIN filing
- Operating agreement template
- Corporate kit
- 1 year registered agent service
Premium Package: $299 + state fees
- Everything in Standard
- Contract templates
- Domain name
- Business website
The reality behind “free”: Bizee makes money by pushing expensive add-ons during checkout. Their “free” basic package turns into $200+ once you add services you actually need.
Northwest Pricing: Straightforward Value
Single Package: $39 + state fees
- LLC formation filing
- One year registered agent service
- Operating agreement template
- Banking resolution
- Annual report reminders
- Membership certificates
- Privacy protection (use their address on filings)
Payment options:
- Pay upfront: $39 + state fee
- Monthly payments: Small setup fee + monthly installments
- Free EIN filing with monthly payment plan
My analysis: Northwest’s pricing is transparent and includes features that Bizee charges extra for. You know exactly what you’re paying upfront.
Winner: Northwest – Better value with no hidden costs
Round 2: Customer Service (Where the Difference Is Stark)
Bizee Customer Service: Adequate but Limited
Support channels: Phone, email
Hours: Standard business hours
Staff training: Basic script knowledge
My experience: Bizee reps can handle simple questions but struggle with complex scenarios. They’re trained more as order-takers than advisors.
Common issues I’ve seen:
- Long hold times during busy periods
- Inconsistent answers to technical questions
- Limited knowledge beyond basic formation
Northwest Customer Service: Industry Gold Standard
Support channels: Phone, live chat
Hours: Extended business hours
Staff training: Subject matter experts, not script readers
My experience: Northwest reps genuinely understand LLC formation and can provide strategic advice. I’ve called them dozens of times for client questions—they consistently exceed expectations.
What sets them apart:
- Knowledgeable staff who understand business implications
- Proactive communication about potential issues
- Willingness to spend time explaining complex concepts
Winner: Northwest – Not even close
Round 3: Formation Features (What You Actually Get)
Bizee Formation Features
Basic package includes:
- State filing
- Name search
- Registered agent service (1 year)
What’s missing from basic:
- Operating agreement ($199 upgrade)
- EIN filing ($199 upgrade)
- Privacy protection (not available)
Northwest Formation Features
Standard package includes:
- State filing
- Name search
- Registered agent service (1 year)
- Operating agreement template
- Banking resolution
- Annual report reminders
- Privacy protection (use their address)
- Membership certificates
My assessment: Northwest includes as standard features what Bizee charges extra for. The value difference is significant.
Winner: Northwest – More comprehensive package
Round 4: Processing Speed (How Fast You Get Your LLC)
Bizee Processing
Promise: File within 1 business day
Reality: Customer reviews suggest inconsistent performance
Expedited options: Available for additional fees
My experience: Bizee usually meets their timeline, but I’ve seen delays when applications need corrections.
Northwest Processing
Promise: Same-day processing
Reality: Consistently delivers on this promise
Quality control: They call to verify details before filing
My experience: Northwest’s same-day processing is reliable. Their verification call actually prevents delays by catching errors upfront.
Winner: Northwest – More reliable timeline
Round 5: Upsells and Additional Services
Bizee Upsells: The Revenue Strategy
Common upsells during checkout:
- EIN filing: $79 (free from IRS)
- Operating agreement: $199 (downloadable free online)
- Corporate kit: $99 (unnecessary for most LLCs)
- Business license research: $199
- Trademark filing: $199 + USPTO fees
My concern: The upsell pressure is aggressive. Many customers end up spending $300+ on their “free” formation.
Northwest Upsells: Minimal and Transparent
Limited upsells:
- EIN filing (included free with monthly payments)
- Specialized industry filings (trucking, telecom)
My assessment: Northwest doesn’t rely on upsells for profitability. Their add-ons are actually useful and reasonably priced.
Winner: Northwest – Honest approach to additional services
Round 6: Registered Agent Service Quality
Bizee Registered Agent Service
Price: $119/year after first year
Features:
- Document scanning and upload
- Email notifications
- Online dashboard access
Service quality: Adequate but not exceptional
Northwest Registered Agent Service
Price: $125/year after first year
Features:
- Document scanning and upload
- Email notifications
- Online dashboard access
- Privacy protection (use their address on state filings)
- Strategic office locations
Service quality: Excellent with added privacy benefits
The privacy advantage: Northwest lets you use their address on your Articles of Organization, keeping your home address off public records. This alone is worth the $6/year price difference.
Winner: Northwest – Better service with privacy protection
Round 7: Website Experience and Transparency
Bizee Website Experience
Pros:
- Clean, modern design
- Easy checkout process
- Clear package comparisons
Cons:
- Aggressive upsell tactics during ordering
- Misleading “free” messaging
- Limited transparency about total costs
Northwest Website Experience
Pros:
- Straightforward, no-nonsense design
- Transparent pricing
- Educational content without sales pressure
Cons:
- Less flashy than competitors
- Some pricing requires contacting them
Winner: Northwest – Honesty trumps flashy design
The Hidden Costs Analysis
Let me break down what you’ll actually pay with each service:
Bizee “Free” Formation Reality:
- Basic formation: $0
- State fee: $50-300 (varies by state)
- EIN filing: $79 (if you don’t want to DIY)
- Operating agreement: $199 (if you want legal protection)
- Total: $328-578
Northwest Formation Reality:
- Formation service: $39
- State fee: $50-300 (varies by state)
- Total: $89-339
The math: Northwest often costs less than Bizee once you add necessary services.
When to Choose Bizee
Despite my preference for Northwest, there are scenarios where Bizee makes sense:
Choose Bizee If:
- You’re extremely budget-conscious and will avoid all upsells
- You plan to handle everything else (EIN, operating agreement) yourself
- You don’t need ongoing support or advice
- You’re forming multiple LLCs and can navigate their system efficiently
The Bizee Strategy:
- Use their free basic formation
- Get your own EIN directly from IRS.gov
- Download free operating agreement templates online
- Handle annual reports yourself
- Find your own registered agent after year one
When to Choose Northwest (Most Situations)
Choose Northwest If:
- You value customer service and support
- You want transparent, all-inclusive pricing
- Privacy protection is important to you
- You prefer working with a company that prioritizes customer success
- You’re new to business formation and want guidance
The Northwest Advantage:
- No surprises or hidden costs
- Genuinely helpful customer service
- Privacy protection included
- Long-term relationship focus
My Personal Recommendation
After 15 years in this industry and testing every major service, Northwest Registered Agent is my clear choice for most entrepreneurs.
Why I consistently recommend Northwest:
- They’re aligned with customer interests – They make money by providing great service, not by tricking customers into expensive add-ons
- Superior customer support – When you call with questions, you get actual experts who can provide strategic advice
- Privacy protection – Using their address on state filings protects your personal information from public records
- Transparent pricing – You know exactly what you’re paying with no hidden costs
- Long-term reliability – They’ve been my go-to for 5+ years without a single major issue
The Bottom Line: Quality vs. Quantity
This comparison really comes down to two different philosophies:
Bizee: Volume-based approach with aggressive upselling to maximize revenue per customer
Northwest: Relationship-based approach focused on customer satisfaction and long-term value
For most entrepreneurs, Northwest’s approach results in better outcomes at similar (or lower) total costs.
Ready to Form Your LLC?
My recommendation: Start with Northwest Registered Agent
Get your LLC formed with Northwest for $39 + state fees
Includes:
- Professional LLC formation
- One year registered agent service
- Privacy protection
- Operating agreement template
- Annual report reminders
- Expert customer support
Need to compare more options? Check out my Complete LLC Service Rankings where I evaluate all major providers.
Still have questions about which service to choose? Email me directly at jake@llciyo.com. I respond personally to every message and can help you make the right decision for your specific situation.
About This Comparison: I’ve personally used both Bizee and Northwest Registered Agent, worked with dozens of clients who chose each service, and maintain ongoing relationships with both companies. This comparison reflects my genuine experience—neither company has paid for or influenced this content.
About Jake Lawson: LLC Formation Strategist with 15+ years of experience. I’ve guided 1,200+ entrepreneurs through business formation, tested every major LLC service, and maintain relationships with registered agents in all 50 states. My recommendations are based on actual testing and client feedback, not affiliate commissions. MBA in Finance (UT Austin), Certified Tax Consultant (CTC).