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Here's what most founders miss: StartFleet and Northwest Registered Agent serve completely different customers, even though both help you form an LLC.
The confusion is understandable—they both file paperwork, act as registered agents, and promise smooth setup.
But the decision comes down to one question: Where do you live?
The short version: If you're outside the U.S. and need LLC formation with fast EIN processing and remote bank account setup, StartFleet is built for you.
If you're a U.S. resident who is looking for a registered agent, and doesn't mind handling EIN and banking on it's own, Northwest can make sense—though you'll pay significantly more over time.
Let's be clear about what matters here.
You're not forming an LLC just to have paperwork filed. You're forming an LLC to run a business—which means you need to receive payments, open bank accounts, and handle compliance without constant headaches.
That's why we're skipping the usual comparison fluff about "user-friendly dashboards" and "comprehensive packages." Instead, we're focusing on four criteria that determine whether your LLC actually becomes operational:
1. EIN processing for non-residents
Can you get your Employer Identification Number smoothly without a Social Security Number or ITIN, or do you hit delays and dead ends?
For non-U.S. residents, this is where most LLC services fail spectacularly.
2. Bank account opening support
Will the service actually help you open a U.S. business bank account, or do they just send you a generic link to a partner page?
The difference here is the difference between being operational in 2 weeks versus 3 months.
3. Transparent pricing structure
Is the total cost clear upfront, or does it grow through add-ons and surprise renewal fees?
4. Post-formation support quality
Does the support team stay useful after filing, when real issues pop up? Or do you get generic responses from people reading scripts?
These four factors determine whether you're running a business in 30 days or still fighting with paperwork in 90.
Pro tip: If you're a non-U.S. resident, pay extra attention to criteria #1 and #2. Most LLC services claim they work for international founders, but their EIN and banking processes tell a different story.
StartFleet is the best LLC formation service built specifically for non-U.S. founders who want to launch American companies without the usual nightmare of international paperwork.
Here's the difference: Most LLC services were designed for Americans forming local businesses. They tack on "international support" as an afterthought, which is why you end up stuck on EIN applications or can't open a bank account.
We flipped that model. StartFleet handles formation, registered agent service, expedited EIN processing, and U.S. bank account setup in one coordinated flow—specifically designed for founders operating from outside the United States.
No flights required.
No juggling five different services.
No surprise add-ons that double your costs three months in.
If you're outside the U.S. and need to sell to U.S. customers quickly, this is exactly the service that eliminates weeks of friction.
You're a perfect fit if you:
Our core offerings include:
Pro tip: Most international founders underestimate how critical the bank account step is. Your LLC is essentially useless for business until you can receive USD payments. That's why we don't just file paperwork—we guide you through the entire operational setup.
When you're building from outside the U.S., speed and clarity matter more than anything.
✓ Built specifically for non-U.S. residents from day one
You don't need a Social Security Number, ITIN, or U.S. visit. We designed every step of our process around international founders. Pick your state, complete one straightforward form, and we handle all filings and follow-ups.
✓ Expedited EIN processing that actually works
Our Startup and Business Plan includes fast-track EIN processing, typically delivered in 8-12 business days. Compare that to the 4-6 weeks most services quote non-residents, or the "we can't help with international EINs" response you'll get elsewhere.
✓ Real bank account opening support, not just a referral link
This is where we're completely different. We don't send you to a generic partner page and wish you luck. We provide step-by-step guidance on which banks accept non-resident LLCs, what documents they need, and how to complete applications remotely.
✓ Immediate access to U.S. payment processors
Once your bank account is open, you can plug directly into Stripe, PayPal Business, Shopify Payments, and Amazon Seller Central. This is why our clients form U.S. LLCs in the first place—to unlock payment options that don't exist for foreign entities.
✓ Complete pricing transparency
Clear, transparent pricing. You choose the plan based on your need. No expensive renewals, no hidden compliance costs, no "oh by the way" charges three months later. You'll know exactly what you're paying before you start.
✓ Human support that understands your situation
Real human support, no AI chatbots.
✓ First-year registered agent included
Your registered agent is included in your formation package, so there's one less vendor to coordinate and one less renewal to track.
✓ Fast formation timeline
Most states process in 1-3 business days. Add our EIN processing, and you're typically operational within 2-3 weeks total—not the 2-3 months you'd spend piecing this together yourself.
Let's be direct about what we don't do.
✗ No phone support
We operate entirely through email, live chat, WhatsApp, Telegram, and Apple Messages. Our team provides fast, detailed responses, but if you absolutely need to talk on the phone, that's not our model.
Northwest Registered Agent is a registered agent and business filing service that focuses on privacy protection and compliance support for U.S.-based business owners.
Their core pitch is simple: keep your home address off public records, get mail scanning, and access human support.
They've been around since 2005 and built a reputation for privacy-first service and refusing to sell customer data.
For U.S. residents who prioritize keeping personal information private, that's genuinely appealing.
But here's what you need to know upfront: Northwest wasn't built for international founders, and their pricing model includes costs that aren't obvious until you're already signed up.
If you're a U.S. resident forming a business and privacy is your top concern, Northwest makes sense.
Let's start with what they get right.
✓ Privacy protection by default
Northwest lets you use their business address on public filings instead of your home address. This keeps your personal information off databases that anyone can search. For solo founders working from home, that's valuable.
✓ Free mail scanning included
They digitize any legal documents sent to your registered agent address and forward them to you electronically. No waiting for physical mail or worrying about missing important notices.
✓ First year of registered agent service free
When you form through Northwest, your first year of registered agent service is included.
Here's where things get problematic, especially if you're budget-conscious or operating from outside the U.S.
✗ Expensive registered agent renewal at $100/year
After your free first year, the registered agent service costs $100 annually.
✗ Annual report filing is $100 + state fees
If you want Northwest to file your annual reports (which you need to keep your LLC in good standing), they charge $100 plus whatever your state charges.
✗ "Business Identity" bundle sneaks onto your order
Here's the sneakiest part. When you're checking out, Northwest includes a "Business Identity" package that shows as $0 initially (see screenshots). It looks free, so most people don't uncheck it.
But here's what actually happens: Each service in that bundle costs $9/month individually, and they all auto-renew:
That's $24/month or $288/year (+domain fee) for services you may not need or didn't realize you were signing up for. You must manually uncheck this during checkout to avoid these charges.
✗ No EIN included in any plan
Unlike StartFleet where EIN processing is part of your package, Northwest charges separately:
For international founders, that's an extra $200 just to get the tax ID you need to open a bank account, stripe, paypal, or report taxes. This alone can make Northwest prohibitively expensive compared to services built for non-residents.
✗ Trademark filing costs $599
If you want to file a trademark through Northwest, they charge $599—more than double what services like StartFleet charge for the same filing.
✗ Not optimized for non-U.S. residents
Everything about Northwest's model assumes you're a U.S. resident. The EIN process for international founders takes 4-6 weeks (vs. 8-12 business days with StartFleet), there's no bank account opening support, and the pricing structure doesn't account for the specific needs of remote founders.
✗ Hidden costs make budgeting difficult
Between the Business Identity auto-add, annual report fees, registered agent renewals, and EIN charges, your total cost can easily triple from what you expected at checkout. This makes financial planning unnecessarily complicated.
The pattern is clear: Northwest's base price looks competitive until you add up all the costs that hit in year two and beyond.
Pro tip: If you do choose Northwest, carefully review your cart before checkout and manually uncheck the Business Identity bundle. Those $9/month charges (per item) are designed to slip through unnoticed, and they add up to hundreds of dollars annually for services you likely don't need.
The "best" service isn't about features—it's about fit.
Let me show you exactly how these services differ so you can skip the trial-and-error.
StartFleet keeps it simple. What you see at checkout is what you pay. No auto-added bundles, no surprise renewals, no "oh, you wanted an EIN too?" upsells.
Our Startup Plan includes formation, registered agent, expedited EIN, and bank account support for one clear price. Starting year two, our annual plan ($329) covers registered agent plus your annual report or franchise tax filing.
Northwest looks competitive until the costs multiply:
For non-U.S. residents, StartFleet is built for you:
Northwest doesn't support non-U.S. founders effectively. Their EIN takes 4-6 weeks and costs $200 extra.
Northwest entire model assumes you have a Social Security Number.
Choose StartFleet if:
Choose Northwest if:
For international founders, this isn't close. StartFleet handles the specific pain points Northwest doesn't address.
Pick based on your actual situation, not general reputation.
If you're operating from outside the U.S., StartFleet is your shortcut. Set up remotely, get your EIN fast, open a bank account—all without hidden fees that triple your costs in year two. One predictable annual payment covers both registered agent and annual report filing.
If you're a U.S. resident where privacy is non-negotiable, Northwest functions like a bodyguard for your business information
(Note: You'll also get privacy using Startfleet).
Just uncheck that Business Identity bundle at checkout.
The decision is simple: Do you need operational setup (EIN, banking, payments) as a non-resident, or privacy protection as a U.S. resident?
Ready to form your U.S. LLC? StartFleet handles everything from formation to bank account setup in one transparent package. No hidden fees, no getting stuck on EIN processing. Get started and you'll be operational in 2-3 weeks.
If Northwest's expensive renewals, hidden Business Identity charges, and weak non-resident support have you looking elsewhere, you're in the right place.
Most international founders need a service actually built for remote LLC formation—not a privacy-focused platform adapted to fit non-resident needs.
Here's the best Northwest Registered Agent alternative if you're forming a U.S. LLC from outside the United States.
StartFleet is the #1 Northwest Registered Agent alternative if your goal isn't just privacy protection—but getting a working, bank-ready U.S. LLC you can actually use to start earning.
Northwest is built around registered agent services and privacy for U.S. residents. StartFleet is built around getting international founders operational.
What makes StartFleet the better alternative:
Most importantly, StartFleet doesn't stop at filing. We take you from zero to bank-ready and earning-ready, with real human support throughout.
Why StartFleet beats Northwest for international founders:
If you're forming a U.S. LLC remotely, need reliable EIN processing, want banking support, and care about transparent pricing without hidden renewals—StartFleet is the strongest and most founder-friendly Northwest Registered Agent alternative.
ZenBusiness offers budget-friendly LLC formation for basic domestic needs.
Best for: U.S. residents on tight budgets who don't need banking guidance.
A well-established legal services provider with broad name recognition.
Best for: U.S. residents who value brand recognition and don't mind premium prices.
Bizee offers some of the cheapest formation packages available.
Best for: Basic domestic LLC formation with minimal support needs.
If you're a non-U.S. founder looking for the simplest, fastest, and most cost-effective way to form a U.S. LLC and open a bank account—StartFleet is the clear winner.
The other platforms work for U.S. residents with straightforward needs, but none match StartFleet's combination of:
Once you've chosen StartFleet, forming your LLC takes about 10 minutes.
Step 1: Choose your state and structure. Select "LLC" and pick the state that makes sense for your business (we provide guidance).
Step 2: Select your plan. Select the plan based on your need.
Step 3: Add your company details. Enter your company name, business description, and contact information.
Step 4: Complete payment. Check out securely, and we handle all filings with state agencies and the IRS.
You'll receive regular updates throughout, and our team is available via email, live chat, WhatsApp, or Telegram.
Most founders are fully operational—with LLC, EIN, and bank account—within 2-3 weeks of starting with StartFleet.
If you’re a non-U.S. resident forming a U.S. LLC, the difference is clear. Northwest Registered Agent is built for U.S. residents and works best if you already have an SSN and don’t mind separate, ongoing fees.
StartFleet is purpose-built for international founders—helping you form your LLC, secure an EIN, open a bank account, and set up payments with one transparent price.
If speed, clarity, and non-resident support matter, StartFleet gets you operational in 2–3 weeks with no surprise renewals.
StartFleet helps you with your US Company formation. Apartfrom helping you to register a US company we offera lot more:
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