Compare an existing company’s standalone appointment separately from a free agent year bundled with formation. An eligible individual may also serve under the applicable state rules.
| Provider | Cost and fit |
|---|---|
| Northwest | First year: $125Annual renewal: $125Two-year agent subtotal: $250 An existing company wanting a straightforward annual agent price. View Northwest offer Partner |
| Bizee | First year: $149Annual renewal: $149Two-year agent subtotal: $298 A founder already choosing a Bizee formation package. View Bizee offer Partner |
| ZenBusiness | First year: $199Annual renewal: $199Two-year agent subtotal: $398 An existing business comparing the regular annual agent service. View ZenBusiness offer Partner |
| Harbor Compliance | First year: $99Annual renewal: $159Two-year agent subtotal: $258 A business comparing entity-management tools and multiple state appointments. View Harbor Compliance offer Partner |
| LegalZoom | First year: $249Annual renewal: $249Two-year agent subtotal: $498 A business considering an agent within its existing LegalZoom service relationship. View LegalZoom offer Partner |
Compare the cost over time
Illustrative two-year subtotal = the listed standalone first-year rate + one annual renewal, for one company in one state. State appointment/change fees and optional services are excluded. Harbor’s introductory offer requires new-customer eligibility. The ZenBusiness row uses its regular annual rate; an eligible formation promotion can differ. Bizee and Northwest formation bundles can also change the first-year figure.
Use our state filing and recurring-fee comparison and LLC cost planner to add government costs to the service figures.
Which service fits your situation?
Northwest
Consider it for: An existing company wanting a straightforward annual agent price.
What is listed: State and legal mail scanning, account access and local support contacts.
Check before paying: The free first year belongs to the formation bundle. Standalone agent service starts at $125.
Official provider source · checked 2026-11-06
Bizee
Consider it for: A founder already choosing a Bizee formation package.
What is listed: Standalone registered-agent service is listed at $149 per year.
Check before paying: Distinguish the formation promotion from a standalone appointment. Confirm the renewal shown in your order.
Official provider source · checked 2026-11-06
ZenBusiness
Consider it for: An existing business comparing the regular annual agent service.
What is listed: Document receipt, digital delivery and email notifications are listed in the agent offer.
Check before paying: The $99 first-year offer is advertised for eligible LLC formation customers, then renews at $199. An existing company should confirm its own offer; the regular annual price is $199.
Official provider source · checked 2026-11-06
Harbor Compliance
Consider it for: A business comparing entity-management tools and multiple state appointments.
What is listed: The offer includes electronic document delivery, Entity Manager software and annual-report reminders.
Check before paying: The $99 new-customer year renews at $159 on the annual offer. Multi-year prepaid offers have different payment schedules; do not compare them as an annual renewal.
Official provider source · checked 2026-11-06
LegalZoom
Consider it for: A business considering an agent within its existing LegalZoom service relationship.
What is listed: Digital document access, official-mail alerts and annual-report reminders.
Check before paying: Agent service is $249 per year and auto-renews. It is separate from the formation package and other subscriptions.
Official provider source · checked 2026-11-06
Before you place an order
- Choose the state and identify the work you need: filing, agent appointment, EIN, ongoing compliance or documents.
- Compare the checkout subtotal with the advertised package. Record renewals, trial end dates and cancellation conditions.
- Check whether notification, mail handling and address use meet your needs. An agent address is not automatically a bank-approved operating address.
- For an existing LLC, arrange the state change and the new appointment before ending the old service. See the switching guide.
Comfortable preparing the filing yourself? Use the official state registry links. Non-U.S. founders can also follow the non-resident formation guide.
How to use this comparison
There is no single best service for every founder. This is a comparison of published offerings, not a claim that we bought and tested every service. We consider entry cost, renewal cost, package scope and the work you still need to do. Affiliate availability is not a quality score.
Start with eligibility, then compare service
Meet the state’s service-of-process or registered-office requirements. A commercial service is one option where applicable; statutory-agent and registered-office systems differ, including in New York and Pennsylvania. Check the official registry rather than assuming that every non-resident has to buy the same product.
Look beyond the advertised annual rate
Ask how service-of-process documents are received, how notification works, who can access delivered documents and how you can update account contacts. Ordinary mail handling or a virtual mailbox may be a separate service. A registered-agent address does not automatically satisfy a bank’s physical-location requirements or keep every company address off public records.
Plan for renewal and switching
Check the renewal price, cancellation procedure and what the provider does when documents arrive after cancellation. If changing agents, keep an eligible appointment in place and follow the state’s change procedure. Multi-state businesses should compare the total for all appointments and how the service handles account permissions and notifications. Confirm features with the provider before ordering.
What this page establishes
The table reflects the provider records maintained on this site. The sources and their recorded verification dates below make it possible to inspect the basis for a price. Those dates are not a promise that a promotion remains available today. Check the provider’s current package, checkout, renewal terms and cancellation conditions before purchasing. We do not assign numerical ratings or promise legal compliance, refunds or processing speed.
Price sources and recorded checks
- Northwest — provider source · recorded check 2026-11-06
- Bizee — provider source · recorded check 2026-11-06
- ZenBusiness — provider source · recorded check 2026-11-06
- LegalZoom — provider source · recorded check 2026-11-06
Provider statements are sources for their own products. They are not independent proof of superiority. Read our editorial and comparison policy.
Frequently asked questions
Who is the best registered agent?
Choose an eligible agent or service based on the applicable state rules, document handling, notification, renewal price and support you need. Commercial service is optional when another eligible agent can meet the requirements.
How much should a registered agent cost?
Commercial prices and renewal terms vary by provider, package and state. Compare the recorded prices above with the current provider checkout; there is no single nationwide service price.
Can I switch registered agents?
Yes. Follow the state’s change procedure and keep an eligible registered agent in place. Check filing requirements and fees with the official registry.