Jack DonaldHave you decided to start the process of registering an LLC using a professional online company, but don’t know which one fits you best? We will help you choose the right one.
There are two companies that provide good quality services of an LLC formation: IncFile and Northwest Registered Agent. Both companies have high ratings on various websites and many satisfied customers.
To compare IncFile vs Northwest Registered Agent, we will discuss their advantages and disadvantages, and basic criteria such as:
- Pricing;
- Services;
- Reviews;
- Track record, etc.
6 Things They Have In Common
Northwest Registered Agent and IncFile are competing companies. They both offer services like starting an LLC, a registered agent service, assistance in drafting the Articles of Organization and Operating Agreement, etc. Here are a few things they have in common:
1) Affordable:
Forming an LLC always involves certain expenses, so it’s important to budget in advance.
While the cost of hiring a business lawyer to form a business structure can reach $1,000 or even more, the help of an online service will cost you much less. Northwest Registered Agent or IncFile will take care of the formation documents and support you throughout the whole registration process at a reasonable price.
2) Customer Support:
IncFile and Northwest have an extensive customer service network, providing customers with quick and professional assistance on any issue. You just need to contact a customer support representative in any convenient way.
3) Registered Agent Service
If you purchase an LLC formation package from IncFile or Northwest Registered Agent, you will get a full year of registered agent service for free. Taking into account that every LLC must designate a registered agent to comply with legal requirements, this is certainly a real good offer.
4) Efficiency:
If you have decided to create an LLC, then you probably want to complete the official registration process as soon as possible and get down to business. Both IncFile and Northwest can provide you with an expedited service that reduces the processing time from a few weeks to a couple of days.
5) Experience:
Northwest, like IncFile, are successful formation services with extensive track records. Both companies have served tens of thousands of clients and are well-known professionals.
6) Great Customer Reviews:
IncFile and Northwest have many excellent reviews that prove their high-quality services. Although a larger volume of customer feedback gives IncFile an advantage, in general, customers are extremely pleased with the service of both companies.
Side by Side Comparisons
Despite the similarities between Northwest and IncFile, there is a significant difference between them, which is clearly visible in a side-by-side comparison.
Pricing (The Main Difference)
IncFile knows exactly how to make their prices attractive. Their basic offer is a fee for LLC service, if you pay the state fee. In addition, they also have two more packages, for $149 and $299.
On the other hand, starting an LLC with Northwest Registered Agent will cost $225+state fee.
Features
There are some similarities between the LLC formation packages from Northwest and IncFile. Both base offerings include the minimum necessary to start a business, that is:
- Preparation and filing the fundamental document of the company called the Articles of Organization;
- A year of registered agent service for free.
They offer similar feature sets except for some details. For example, Northwest offers a premium customer service, that is one of the main advantages of this company. Meanwhile, IncFile provides a 30-minute business tax consultation, which may attract startups as well as experienced entrepreneurs.
Since Northwest has only one service package, you order all additional features separately.
IncFile has three different packages. Besides the Silver one, you can choose the Gold package, which contains:
- EIN;
- Operating Agreement template;
- LLC Kit with a company name.
The Platinum package, in addition to the listed above, includes:
- Access to business contract templates;
- Website and domain name for your LLC.
Customer Support
If you have any questions regarding the process of forming an LLC, the customer support specialists are always ready to answer them. You can contact them by phone or email.
Even if your problem is complicated, the customer support from IncFile will solve it as quickly as possible. Although the answer will probably be less detailed over the phone.
Northwest has its own premium customer support team with friendly and experienced consultants. Each customer has personal, professionally trained Corporate Guides. With this personal approach and detailed, informative answers, the Northwest customer support is known as the best customer support in the industry.
Experience
Northwest was founded in 1998 and today is among the best services in the industry. The company has formed more than a million businesses.
IncFile has a modest experience. They entered the market in 2004, and have served about 250,000 customers.
Turnaround Times
IncFile guarantees 24-hour processing time, but then it will depend on the specifics of the state. You can also order an expedited service. The Platinum package includes this service automatically.
As for Northwest, you will see an estimated processing time as soon as you choose a state. The form will also show the expedited processing time, if the state provides that option.
Order Tracking
Throughout the formation process, you will surely want to be aware of the stage of formation your LLC is at. There are LLC service provider tools to monitor application processing times. You can also see the expedited service times on the Northwest website, if state law allows it.
Since opening, IncFile and Northwest Registered Agent have helped more than a million customers by providing reliable and quick service. Each has developed its own convenient order status tracking tools, so they are on equal footing here.
Registered Agent Service
According to state legislation, an LLC must designate a registered agent when filing the Articles of Organization. This is the person contacting your business with the state government, ensuring important document deliveries and compliance with legal proceedings.
As a registered agent can be a person or business entity that meets state requirements. However, only working with a professional company can guarantee a quality service.
The modern Internet market is crowded with registered agent service providers that offer services similar to the ones offered by Northwest and IncFile. However, they are different from their competitors.
To begin with, they both offer a year of registered agent service for free, which is included in the LLC formation packages. At the end of that period, the cost of the registered agent service per year will be:
- $125 from Northwest;
- $119 from IncFile.
Although their prices are in the same price range, a registered agent from Northwest gives the LLC more opportunities and convenience. Most of their competitors scan the government docs, limiting themselves to the mandatory minimum, but this company goes further. It is the only nationwide registered agent service that offers locally scans every single document the LLC receives.
Customer Reviews
According to reviews, these two incorporation services are almost equal. Their customers leave mostly high-quality reviews, which confirm exceptional professionalism of both companies.
However, along with high levels of customer satisfaction, an important indicator is also the number of reviews. Northwest has about 200 reviews, and IncFile has more than 18,000, which gives the latter some advantage.
Ease of Use
IncFile and Northwest aim to make the ordering process easy to obtain online. They have perfectly functional websites, so it takes only a few minutes to submit.
Nevertheless, some customers note that the IncFile website is more convenient and user-friendly than the Northwest one. In terms of privacy, however, IncFile is inferior. There are several offers from third-party services on their website, which implies that customers’ personal information will be shared with third parties.
Additional Services
IncFile and Northwest have many of the same features among their additional business services. The most popular ones are the following:
- Obtaining foreign qualifications;
- EIN acquisition;
- Help with annual reports.
There are also some unique services available only from one of these companies. For example, IncFile can help with trademark searches, and Northwest customers have access to an online dashboard.
Basic Plan Comparison
To summarize, let’s compare the basic features of both companies to determine which one provides the best services.
- Turnaround Times: IncFile guarantees that company documents will be filed the next business day. The filing process with Northwest takes from 1 to 3 business days;
- The Cost of Registered Agent Service: both companies offer 1 year of registered agent service at no charge, if you choose to form an LLC with them. The cost of renewal of a registered agent service from IncFile will be $119, and if you choose Northwest, it will be $125;
- Operating Agreement: Northwest provides the Operating Agreement template for free, and IncFile charges $40 for it;
- EIN: for $70 IncFile can help you get an EIN for your business, and Northwest does not have such an offer;
- Annual reports: IncFile provides their clients with free lifetime reminders to file annual reports. Northwest assists you with the preparation and filing as part of the registered agent service.
- Consultations: IncFile offers one free tax consultation.
- Web Domain and Hosting: if you purchase the maximum package from IncFile, you will get your own business website. However, it will require a monthly hosting fee of $20.
Better Service to Form an LLC?
Based on the comparison of IncFile vs Northwest Registered Agent in this article, we can state that these companies are very similar. If you need to professionally form an LLC, both companies will do it perfectly. In addition, they provide a free registered agent service, so there is no problem recommending either of them for starting a business.
The strengths of Northwest are a great customer support and local document scanning. The quality of their services is really top-notch, so hiring this company would be a great investment in the future success of your LLC.
However, this is not an option for everyone. If you have a limited budget and want to save money, you can choose IncFile. This service also has a couple of advantages, such as an impressive volume of customer feedback and a reasonable price. Moreover, IncFile allows you to form your LLC for free, which can be a serious advantage for most startups.
Thus, IncFile and Northwest Registered Agent are equally reliable.
No matter which one you choose to set up your LLC, as your business, its income and needs grow, you can change a service in the future.
When to Choose Northwest:
- You want to enjoy a high-quality customer support with a personal approach;
- You like the idea of a registered agent locally scanning documents;
- Your budget allows you to choose Northwest Registered Agent.
When to Choose IncFile:
- You are looking for a cheap LLC formation service that provides quality services;
- You need to see positive customer feedback to make the final decision.
