How we make this list: we compare pricing pages, product documentation and public user reviews. Ratings come from G2, Capterra or Trustpilot, with the date we checked them.
Key takeaways
- Northwest Registered Agent is the most consistent pick at a flat $125 per year, with its own address on public filings and same day document scanning.
- First year pricing can mislead: ZenBusiness charges $99 the first year then renews at $199, and Bizee is free the first year with formation then $149 per year.
- Harbor Compliance suits multi state businesses, with compliance tracking software and annual report reminders across entities.
- LegalZoom costs more at $249 per year, but it bundles the agent into a wider legal services platform for teams that need forms and advice.
- A registered agent is a legal requirement in every state, not an optional add-on, and a missed notice can cost far more than the annual fee.
Quick comparison
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The best online registered agent services
Starting price$125 per year
Free planNo
Northwest Registered Agent has served businesses since 1998 and is widely regarded as the most privacy focused option. It lists its own address, not yours, on formation documents by default, which keeps a home address out of public records without an extra privacy add-on. Documents are scanned locally and uploaded the same day, and support comes from in house staff rather than a call center. The price is a flat $125 per year, and the company says it has not raised that rate in 20 years, with a lower $100 per state rate for businesses with five or more states.
Northwest is not the most tech forward dashboard on this list, and formation costs $39 plus the state fee rather than $0. For founders who value privacy, predictable pricing, and human support, Northwest is the strongest default pick.
What we like- Flat $125 per year with no first year gimmick
- Own address on public filings by default
- Same day document scanning and upload
Watch out for- Less tech forward dashboard than ZenBusiness
- Formation costs $39 plus state fee
- No free first year
Starting price$99 per year
Free planNo
Harbor Compliance suits businesses operating in several states or in regulated industries. Its Entity Manager software tracks annual reports, filing deadlines, and documents across entities, with reminders before due dates and pre filled state forms. Service of process triggers a phone notification, and documents arrive the same day with unlimited storage.
The first year costs $99 for new customers, then renews at $149 per year, so budget for the renewal rate. For a single state LLC, Harbor's tracking tools may be more than needed. For owners managing several entities across states, the compliance software justifies the price.
What we like- Entity Manager software with annual report reminders
- Phone notification on service of process
- Same day document delivery
Watch out for- Renews at $149 per year after the $99 first year
- Built for larger compliance needs
- Smaller brand recognition than LegalZoom
Starting price$99 per year
Free planNo
ZenBusiness is built for online first founders who want a clean dashboard, digital document delivery, and compliance alerts. Formation plans start at $0 plus the state fee, and the registered agent costs $99 the first year. The dashboard is among the easiest on this list, and compliance alerts help new owners track filing deadlines.
The renewal price is the catch: the agent renews at $199 per year, and mail scanning is not included. Founders who form with ZenBusiness should budget for $199 from year two onward. For a new LLC that wants formation and agent service in one smooth flow, ZenBusiness is a good pick if the renewal price is accepted up front.
What we like- Clean dashboard with digital document delivery
- Compliance alerts included
- Formation plans from $0 plus state fee
Watch out for- Renews at $199 per year, double the first year price
- Mail scanning not included
- Renewal cost surprises some owners
Starting priceFree
Free planYes
Bizee, formerly Incfile, offers the cheapest entry on this list: the first year of registered agent service is free when you form an LLC or corporation with Bizee, and formation itself starts at $0 plus the state fee. Processing runs as fast as one working day on many filings, which suits founders who want to launch quickly on a tight budget.
The agent renews at $149 per year, and mail scanning is not included, so confirm the renewal terms and included features before choosing. For a budget conscious startup forming a new entity, the free first year is genuinely useful. For an existing business that only needs an agent, the $149 renewal rate is mid range rather than cheap.
What we like- First year free with formation
- Formation from $0 plus state fee
- One working day processing on many filings
Watch out for- Renews at $149 per year
- Mail scanning not included
- Renewal terms need checking before purchase
#5LegalZoom
Best for: Broader legal services platform3.1/5 on
G2 (16 reviews, checked Oct 2026)
Visit legalzoom.com
Starting price$249 per year
Free planNo
LegalZoom is the best known brand here, and its registered agent service sits inside a wider platform of legal forms, attorney access, and business services. The agent service includes mail arrival alerts, cloud document upload, and compliance calendar reminders, and LegalZoom covers the paperwork and state fees if you switch your agent to LegalZoom.
At $249 per year, it costs roughly double Northwest, and the value depends on whether you use the wider platform. For a larger team that already buys legal services from LegalZoom, bundling the agent makes sense. For a small business that only needs an agent, the price is hard to justify.
What we like- Known brand with a wide legal services platform
- Mail arrival alerts and cloud document upload
- Compliance calendar reminders
Watch out for- Highest price on this list at $249 per year
- Agent alone is costly if you do not use other legal services
- Some customers report higher renewal quotes
Starting price$129 per year
Free planNo
InCorp offers the lowest long term rate on this list for owners willing to prepay: the standard rate is $129 per year, but multi year prepay drops it to about $87 per year. EntityWatch alerts monitor compliance events, and the company is an established provider with monitoring tools beyond basic mail handling.
The dashboard is functional rather than polished, and a multi year prepay locks you in if your needs change. For an established company that plans to keep the same agent for years, InCorp's prepay rate is the cheapest path. For a new business that may move or restructure, a yearly plan fits better.
What we like- Multi year prepay drops the rate to about $87 per year
- EntityWatch alerts for compliance monitoring
- Established provider
Watch out for- Standard rate of $129 per year is mid range
- Dashboard is functional rather than polished
- Multi year commitment locks you in
Starting price$99 per year
Free planNo
MyCompanyWorks targets small businesses and solo founders with a $99 per year agent rate and a startup dashboard that tracks filings. Formation packages start at $79 plus state fees, with one working day processing and rush filing available. For a tight budget and simple needs, the price and dashboard cover the essentials.
One caution: the $99 rate appears mainly in third party pricing references, and the official page confirms the service without showing the price plainly, so verify the rate at checkout before purchase. For founders who confirm the price, MyCompanyWorks is a solid budget option.
What we like- Low $99 per year rate
- Startup dashboard with filing tracking
- Formation packages from $79 plus state fees
Watch out for- Price confirmed mainly through third party references, so verify at checkout
- Smaller feature set than Harbor
- Less brand recognition
Starting price$125 per year
Free planNo
Rocket Lawyer bundles registered agent service with a legal document library and attorney access through its membership plans, at $125 with a Plus or Pro membership. That pairing suits contract heavy small businesses that draft agreements, NDAs, and employment forms regularly, since the same membership covers both the agent and the documents.
The agent price is not cleanly separated from membership in published pricing, so verify the terms at checkout. For a business that uses legal documents often, the bundle is good value. For a business that only needs an agent, a standalone service such as Northwest is simpler.
What we like- Agent service inside a legal document library
- Membership covers forms and attorney questions
- Same $125 rate as Northwest
Watch out for- Agent pricing is tied to membership, not sold fully standalone
- Document library value depends on use
- Verify terms at checkout
How we chose
We compared online registered agent services using published pricing, renewal terms, privacy handling, document scanning speed, and compliance tools, drawing on vendor pages and independent comparisons from 2026. Each service had to cover all 50 states and offer an online dashboard. We weighted flat versus first year pricing, privacy by default, and multi state tracking, and we left out services that only serve one state. Prices change, so confirm the current rate and renewal terms at checkout.
Buying guide: how to pick an online registered agent service
Start with renewal price, not first year price. A $99 first year that renews at $199 costs more over three years than a flat $125 rate. Write down the year two and year three rates for each option before comparing, and check whether the rate changes with multi year prepay.
Next, check privacy and document handling. Confirm that the service lists its own address on public filings, scans documents the same day, and notifies you by email or phone when service of process arrives. A missed lawsuit notice can lead to a default judgment, so same day delivery matters more than a polished dashboard.
Finally, match the service to your footprint. A single state LLC needs a reliable agent and little else, so Northwest, MyCompanyWorks, or InCorp fit. A multi state business needs compliance tracking, so Harbor Compliance fits better. A business that also needs legal forms should compare LegalZoom and Rocket Lawyer on document use, not agent price alone. And remember that state rules vary: some states require additional filings or publication, and this guide is general information, not legal advice.
Frequently asked questions
What does a registered agent do?
A registered agent receives legal documents, tax notices, and official state correspondence for your business, then forwards them to you. The agent must have a physical address in the state of formation and be available during business hours. Every LLC and corporation must designate one.
How much does a registered agent service cost?
Professional services cost about $99 to $300 per year. Northwest charges a flat $125, Harbor Compliance starts at $99 then renews at $149, ZenBusiness starts at $99 then renews at $199, Bizee is free the first year with formation then $149, and LegalZoom charges $249 per year. Always check the renewal rate.
Can I be my own registered agent?
Yes, in most states, if you have a physical address in the state and are available during business hours. The drawback is privacy: your address appears on public filings, and you must be present to receive legal papers. Many founders hire a service to keep a home address private and avoid missing notices.
Do I need a registered agent in every state where I do business?
Yes. If your business registers as a foreign entity in another state, that state requires a registered agent with an address there. Multi state businesses usually use one service that covers all 50 states rather than hiring separate agents per state.
What happens if I miss a legal notice?
A missed notice can lead to a default judgment in a lawsuit, penalties for missed state filings, or loss of good standing. Same day scanning and phone or email notification reduce that risk, which is why document speed matters more than small price differences.
Is this guide legal advice?
No. This guide is general information about registered agent services. State rules for agents, filings, and publication vary, and your situation may differ. Consult a licensed attorney or your secretary of state for advice on your specific business.
Sources we checked (0)
Is your product missing or out of date?
We review this list regularly. Vendors can request a listing, send updated pricing or ask about featured placement.
Shihab Mia · Founder, Rankite
Shihab has 5+ years in B2B and SaaS SEO. He writes Rankite's software buying guides from pricing pages, documentation and public user reviews. More about Shihab.
Northwest Registered Agent
Harbor Compliance
ZenBusiness
Bizee
InCorp
MyCompanyWorks
Rocket Lawyer