Northwest vs StartGlobal in 2026 — Registered Agent Meets Formation Platform
Northwest Registered Agent and StartGlobal both file US LLCs from anywhere, but they are built for different customers. Northwest is a Registered Agent first, formation second; StartGlobal is an incorporation bundle aimed squarely at non-US founders. This 2026 comparison walks through pricing, EIN speed, banking and post-formation support, and shows where Wyoming Experts improves on both.
Quick verdict
- Northwest — the best stand-alone Registered Agent in the US, ideal if you want privacy and are happy to do the rest yourself.
- StartGlobal — an integrated formation dashboard for non-residents at a competitive price, but with slower EIN delivery on the base tier.
- Wyoming Experts — the specialist for non-residents forming a Wyoming LLC, with faster EIN and warm Mercury/Relay introductions inside a flat price.
Northwest overview
USD 39 + state filing fee for the first year (includes Registered Agent). Renewal USD 125/yr. EIN application is USD 200 extra. No bank account assistance, no bookkeeping, no compliance filings — but you can trust them with your address privacy in all 50 states.
StartGlobal overview
USD 249 + state fee for the base LLC (Wyoming or Delaware). Premium tier around USD 599 bundles EIN, banking assistance and bookkeeping. EIN delivery is inconsistent on the base tier; upgrade to Premium if speed matters.
Head-to-head comparison
| Factor | Northwest | StartGlobal | Wyoming Experts |
|---|---|---|---|
| Entry price | USD 39 + state | USD 249 + state | USD 499 all-in |
| Registered Agent | 1 year included, USD 125/yr after | 1 year included | 1 year included, USD 199/yr after |
| EIN turnaround | DIY or USD 200 add-on | 4–10 weeks | 10 business days |
| Operating Agreement | Template | Template | Custom, Mercury-ready |
| Bank intro | No | Referral | Warm intro |
| Non-resident focus | Neutral | Primary | Primary |
| Compliance (5472/1120) | DIY | Add-on | Included (Priority) |
| Privacy | Excellent | Good | Excellent (Wyoming statutes) |
Where Wyoming Experts wins
Northwest gives you privacy but leaves EIN, banking and IRS compliance on your desk. StartGlobal covers more of the workflow but on a slower timeline. Wyoming Experts is scoped to Wyoming specifically, which is why our EIN median is 10 business days and our operating agreements pass Mercury KYC on first submission. See the pricing page for the three flat tiers.
Country-specific advice — for founders in the UK, Germany, India, UAE, Brazil and 55+ other jurisdictions — lives in the Wyoming Experts blog, so you can validate the tax treatment for your passport before filing.
Recommendation for 2026
If you already run US infrastructure and just need address privacy, Northwest is superb. If you want a hands-off, non-resident-first setup, StartGlobal is fine but slow. For the fastest, cleanest Wyoming LLC + EIN + bank account combination, go direct via the Wyoming Experts contact page.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Northwest or StartGlobal actually better for a non-US founder in 2026?
Both Northwest and StartGlobal have real trade-offs: pricing tiers, EIN speed, banking support and post-formation compliance vary widely. For non-US founders without an SSN, a Wyoming-specialised provider like Wyoming Experts almost always outperforms both on total cost, filing speed and Mercury Bank approval rates.
Are there hidden fees compared to Wyoming Experts?
Yes — Northwest and StartGlobal typically advertise a low headline price and then upsell EIN, registered agent, operating agreement, mail forwarding and compliance reminders. Our transparent pricing bundles everything you need to launch and operate a Wyoming LLC, with no auto-billing traps at renewal.
How fast can I actually get my Wyoming LLC and EIN?
Northwest and StartGlobal routinely take 2–4 weeks for state approval and 45–90 days for an EIN without an SSN. We file same-day and back it with a 48-hour formation guarantee plus a 10-business-day EIN guarantee, or your money back.
Will I be able to open a US business bank account (Mercury)?
Neither Northwest nor StartGlobal can guarantee bank approval. We are an official Mercury Bank partner with a 95%+ approval rate for non-US founders, plus Wise and Relay as backup rails. See the full workflow on our Wyoming LLC formation page.
What are the ongoing compliance and renewal costs?
Northwest and StartGlobal charge inflated renewals ($300–$600) and often upsell Form 5472 and pro-forma 1120 filings separately — a $25,000 IRS penalty if missed. Our renewal is a flat, all-inclusive fee with compliance reminders built in.
Should I pick Wyoming or Delaware for my LLC?
For 95%+ of non-US founders (SaaS, e-commerce, agencies, freelancers) Wyoming is cheaper, more private and easier to maintain. Delaware only makes sense if you plan to raise venture capital. Read our full Wyoming vs Delaware LLC 2026 breakdown before you decide, or just talk to our team.
About the author
Wyoming Experts
Wyoming Experts writes for Wyoming Experts, a Sheridan, WY-based firm specializing in Wyoming LLC formation for non-US residents. Our team has helped 2,500+ international entrepreneurs from 40+ countries open US companies, secure EINs, set up Mercury/Relay bank accounts, and stay IRS-compliant (Form 5472 & 1120). Content is reviewed by our in-house US tax & compliance specialists.