LLC Formation Compared › Head-to-head › Mainstay Filing vs Northwest Registered Agent
Mainstay Filing vs Northwest Registered Agent: first-year LLC cost (2026)
Mainstay Filing is $199 for the first year with the registered agent, EIN application and annual report included. Northwest Registered Agent: $39 package, agent included the first year. $39 plus the state fee, with its registered agent service included the first year, then $125 a year; annual report filing is an extra $100 plus the state fee.
- Prices verified October 2026
Year-1 total in three states
| State (filing fee) | Mainstay Filing | Northwest Registered Agent |
|---|---|---|
| Montana ($35) | $234 | $74 |
| West Virginia ($100) | $299 | $139 |
| Massachusetts ($500) | $699 | $539 |
What each includes
- Mainstay Filing: Formation filing, registered agent, EIN application and every annual report filed.
- Northwest Registered Agent: Formation; agent included year 1; annual report filing is an extra $100 plus the state fee.
Mainstay Filing
$199 / year, same at renewal
- LLC formation, prepared and filed
- Registered agent, all year
- EIN application (with an SSN or ITIN)
- Annual report filed every year it is due where the state requires one
- Compliance reminders and stored documents
Price from the Mainstay Filing pricing and FAQ pages, checked October 21, 2026. State fees are passed through at cost and shown before you pay.
Questions
Is Northwest Registered Agent cheaper than Mainstay Filing?
In year 1 it depends on the agent: $39 package, agent included the first year against Mainstay Filing’s $199 with everything included. After year 1 the agent is $125 a year against $199 for the whole bundle.
What does Northwest Registered Agent include?
Formation; agent included year 1; annual report filing is an extra $100 plus the state fee.
Which is better overall?
We rank Mainstay Filing best overall because its yearly price covers the formation, agent, EIN application and annual report, and does not change at renewal.
Sources
- Mainstay Filing pricing page, checked October 21, 2026
- Mainstay Filing FAQ, checked October 21, 2026
- Mainstay Filing registered agent page and Florida checkout, checked October 20, 2026
- Northwest Registered Agent formation and registered agent pages (Northwest Registered Agent price lines), checked October 20, 2026