In 2025, the best company formation service in the UK will offer much more than just registration at Companies House. Now, your business needs an accelerated built-in banking, continuous compliance help, and international structures. We put solo founders, cross-border companies, and high-growth startups through a test of the top ten UK incorporation agents for formation speed, features, pricing, support, integration, compliance, and many other factors. Now, you’re able to launch and scale your business with confidence.
What Makes A ‘Best Company Formation Service UK’ In 2025?
- Speed & Reliability: Submitted to Companies House instantly or on the same day with guaranteed SLA turnaround.
- Transparent Pricing: Displayed fees include blended and compliance add-ons from Companies House, registered office, and more.
- Integrated Banking: USD, GBP, EUR business accounts with issued debit cards, payment links, and covered accounts.
- Compliance Automation: Confirmation statement, accounts, PSC, VAT, PAYE alert dashboards.
- Tech Integrations: Stripe/PayPal re-con for Xero/QuickBooks with real-time updating, Zapier/API’s.
- Global-Ready Structures: Possibility to form UK Ltd, LLP, CIC, or non-UK US, EU, SG, HK entities.
- Premium Support: 24/7 live chat, legal tax advisory, and direct line to CSM.
With 5.45 million limited companies in the UK and an increasing number of foreign founders, finding someone who meets these qualifications is crucial.
What Makes A “Top” Incorporation Service In 2025?
- Speed And Accuracy Of Formation
- Companies House electronic filing.
- While some services promise same-day and 24-hour responses, these usually take 24-72 hours.
- Registered Address And Mail Forwarding
- London and Manchester are high-status addresses.
- Real-time notifications of mail scans with secure archive.
- Built-In Business Banking:
- Digital business accounts are instantly issued.
- Payment services, invoicing, cards, and automated transactions.
- Compliance And Maintenance
- Confirmation statements (CS01) and annual accounts.
- Filing VAT/PAYE/UTR, director KYC renewals, annual updates, and other governance intervention services.
- Assistance To Global And Non-Resident Clients
- Onboarding and ID verification of non-UK founders.
- Multi-jurisdictional entity setups (LLP, Ltd, & international branches).
- Integration Tech Self-Serve Dashboards
- Tax, payroll, and accounting software with webhooks and APIs.
- Offsite admin management through mobile apps.
- No Extra Costs, All Prices Displayed
- All-in pricing: registered office, company house fee, VAT registration.
- Defined renewal pricing.
Commenda: The Smartest Incorporation Choice For 2025 And Beyond
Why Commenda Tops The List
With AI-guided platforms, users can be incorporated in under ten minutes. Companies House ID validation and submission are instant. Notable features derived from formations include:
- Jurisdictions eligible are the UK, the US, the EU, Singapore, and Hong Kong.
- Banking suite includes accounts in GBP, EUR, and USD.
- Receipts, as well as virtual cards, are issued instantly and are multi-currency and IBAN-enabled.
- Compliance Hub: Automated alerts and reminders for filing documents, as well as integration with Companies House, HMRC, and pre-filled documents.
- Tech-First Integrations:
- Xero and QuickBooks merge with paying accounts and submission of invoices.
- Payment reconciliation with Stripe and PayPal.
- Event webhooks for custom workflows on API and Zapier.
- Transparent Plans:
- Startup (£99): Includes Limited company registration in the UK, bank account, and KYB and compliance checks.
- Growth (£249): Pays VAT, adds virtual office, and includes dashboard summary.
- Scale (£499): Added multi-jurisdictional features, assigns Client Service Manager, and grants API access.
- All clients also receive 24/7 support and access to an expert library containing legal templates, IP documents, funding strategies, and more.
Designed for scaleups and founders with global aspirations, Commenda targets those who are digital-first. It automates processes, guarantees deadline compliance, and reduces intensive admin hours by 80%.
10 Best UK Company Incorporation Services in 2025
We cover all providers, their pricing tiers, features, pros & cons, ideal use cases, and user reviews from Trustpilot and G2.
1. Commenda
Starting Price: £49 (Ltd. + business account + compliance dashboard)
Formation Time: Average 24 hours
Key Features:
- Form a Ltd. company digitally and pay Companies House (CH fee included).
- Receive a UK business Mastercard and company account.
- Automated confirmation statements and accounts filing.
- Filing for VAT/PAYE, registration, and compliance returns.
- Real-time compliance triggers API.
- Non-UK founder, multi-jurisdictional support.
Pros:
- Fully integrated platform
- No hidden charges, flat-rate renewals at £49/yr
- On-demand global entity structures
Cons:
- Bare-bones competitors charge less.
- An advanced multi-entity dashboard is complex.
Ideal For:
SmarterSoft – Sponsored startups, higher growth SMEs.
Founders based outside the UK.
Rating: Commenda: 4.8 ★ on Trustpilot, 4.7 ★ on G2
Commenda: “We automated filing for 20 hours a month. Spin up Delaware branches in minutes.” (CFO, SaaS scale-up).
2. ANNA Money
Beginning Price: £50 start-up fee (no agent fee) + £5/month account.
Formation Time: 6 hours
Key features:
- Free Ltd. registration, only pay CH fee
- Anna’s digital business account
- Receipts capture and VAT & Corp. tax prep
- Virtual London address with mail scanning
- E-commerce integrations with Shopify and Etsy
Pros:
- Incorporation with no markup
- Supports all administration and banking in one place
- Consistent customer support, available 24/7
Cons:
- Supports only Ltd by shares. No LLP or international branches.
Ideal for:
Solo entrepreneurs, micro businesses, e-commerce traders
Rating: Trustpilot 4.6
“ANNA’s automated invoice and VAT filing is a game‑changer for online retailers.” — Founder, D2C brand.
3. 1st Formations
Starting Price: £12.99 + £50 CH fee = £62.99
Formation Time: 24 hours
Key Features:
- Valuable Digital Ltd. company formation guidance
- Free basic name check and a simple online dashboard
- Mail forwarding option available for £20 per year
- Supplementary Services: VAT registration, domain registration, logo design
Pros:
- Cheapest available starter price
- User-friendly self-service platform
Cons:
- Robust paid add-on features
- No automation for compliance or integrated banking services
- Mixed reviews on customer support from Trustpilot
Ideal For: Budget-focused entrepreneurs and founders, and those with a more hands-on approach to registration paperwork.
Rating: Trustpilot 3.9★
“Great price but watch out for constant upsell prompts.” — Solo founder
4. Rapid Formations
Starting Price: £2.99 + CH fee (digital only)
Formation Time: 3 hours promised, often 24 hours
Key Features:
- Ultrabudget Digital Ltd. formation
- A wide range of optional services is available, such as virtual offices, websites, and online marketing.
- Special discounted rates for web design
Pros:
- Very low initial fee
- Wide variety of add-on options
Cons:
- Unadvertised renewal fees
- Incorrect address and director information records.
- Costly premium package
Ideal For: Founders seeking basic registration only.
Rating: Trustpilot 3.5 ★
“Saved me £50 but had to pay £80 fixing typos.” – Osome Customer Review.
5. Osome
Starting Price: £39 (formation) + £25/month accounting
Formation Time: 4 hours
Key Features:
- Formation + digital bookkeeping bundle offered.
- AI-powered bookkeeping assistant with auto-reconciliation functions.
- Payroll integration along with VAT return services.
Pros:
- Effective blend of ongoing bookkeeping and periodic review meetings.
- Responsive and multilingual support.
Cons:
- Less hands-on flexibility and DIY options are available.
Ideal For: Fully outsourced, preferred by busy founders.
Rating: 4.5 stars G2.
“Osome’s accountant team lets me focus on growth, not bookkeeping.” – CEO, fintech startup.
6. Companies Made Simple (CMS)
Starting Price: £14.99 + £9.99/yr for registered office.
Formation Time: 1–5 days.
Key Features:
- Agent with over 1 million formations.
- Offering includes legal, accountancy, and marketing services.
- Phone and chat support.
- Premium London office address.
Pros:
- Branded servicing from anywhere in the UK.
- Good customer service and strong brand reputation.
Cons:
- Less value on upper-tier offerings.
Ideal For: CMS targets businesses looking to bundle together services provided as an all-in-one.
Rating: 4.2 stars on Trustpilot.
“CMS’s legal and marketing add-ons saved us hours of vendor hunting.” — Marketing Director.
7. Mint Formations
Starting Price: £14.50 + CH fee.
Formation Time: 6 hours.
Key Features:
- Included are design, legal, and webpage design services.
Pros:
- For everyone, the starting price is very low.
- For London-based companies, a complimentary account cover and endorsing address are provided.
“Six hours or less and it’s done? Amazing!” – Early-stage founder
8. 1st Choice Formations
Starting Price: £16.99 + CH fee
Formation Time: 24 hours
Key Features:
- Free domain, email, and logo starter kit with formations
- Virtual office add-on
Pros:
- Value-add starter bundle
- Decent basic dashboard
Cons:
- Limited global support
- Extra services are higher-cost
Ideal For: Online entrepreneurs in need of a brand starter pack as well as business setup help.
Rating: Trustpilot 3.8★
“Nice freebies, but had to chase support for details.” — Designer‑startup
9. Tide + Company Registration
Starting Price: £79 (includes business account)
Formation Time: 1-3 days
Key Features:
- Formation and business account with Tide digital banking were awarded simultaneously.
- Real-time invoicing along with advanced multi-currency expense processing.
- Accounting apps can automatically generate expense reports after the transactions are processed.
Pros:
- Incorporation and Banking happen simultaneously, all done in one go.
- The mobile and web interface’s ease of use is outstanding.
Cons:
- Tide business accounts have relatively high fees when compared to other accounts.
- Some other providers offer lower introductory prices.
Ideal For: Small teams or independent contractors seeking business registration and banking services are bundled together.
Reviews: 4.6 on App Store
“I loved having the bank account ready on day one.” – Freelancer
10. Your Company Formations
Starting Price: £24.99 + CH fee
Formation Time: 3–6 hours
Key Features:
- Premium address EC1, London
- Director service address privacy protection
- International client packages
Pros:
- Unmatched London address
- Customer service on Trustpilot is highly rated
Cons:
- Renewals for address services sharply increased after the first year.
- No banking integration available.
Best For: Non-UK citizens wanting a prominent London address who don’t wish to maintain a physical presence or service obligations.
Trustpilot score: 4.7 ★
“Fantastic central London address and prompt support.” Expat entrepreneur
Comparison Table: 2025 Company Formation Providers at a Glance
| Provider | Formation Time | Global Jurisdictions | Banking | Compliance Suite | Support | Provider |
| Commenda | Instant / 10 min | UK, US, EU, SG, HK | Yes | Full auto | 24/7 chat | Commenda |
| ANNA Money | 1–2 days | UK only | Yes | VAT/payroll | 24/7 chat | ANNA Money |
| 1st Formations | 1–2 days | UK only | No | Manual reminders | Email only | 1st Formations |
| Rapid Formations | Same‑day | UK only | No | Basic portal | Live chat | Rapid Formations |
| Osome | 1–2 days | UK, SG, HK | No | End‑to‑end | 24/7 chat | Osome |
| Companies Made Simple | 1–5 days | UK only | No | Partner referrals | Phone | Companies Made Simple |
| Mint Formations | <6 hours | UK only | No | Add‑on marketplace | Live chat | Mint Formations |
| 1st Choice Formations | 1–2 days | UK only | No | Basic | 1st Choice Formations | |
| Tide + Registration | 1–2 days | UK only | Yes | None | App support | Tide + Registration |
| Your Company Formations | 3–6 hours | UK only | No | Mail + filings | Phone | Your Company Formations |
Who Should Use a UK Company Incorporation Service?
- Solo Entrepreneurs & Freelancers: Simple solutions by 1st Formations or Mint.
- Digitally Native Startups on Day One: Look to Tide or Commenda for automated banking and compliance.
- Global Founders and Non-Residents: Your Company Formations or Commenda for a secure UK address and international onboarding.
- Established and Scaling SMEs: Full suite appeal – CMS or ANNA Money.
- E-commerce Sellers: Integrated invoicing, VAT, and banking are best with ANNA Money or Tide.
Why Choosing the Right UK Company Incorporation Service Matters
- Compliance: Failure to comply with regulatory obligations and compliance documents submission might result in financial penalties, dissolution of the business, and a tarnished reputation.
- Business Bank Account Opening: Integrated banking services complicate and delay the onboarding process with the bank.
- Preparations for Accounting and Tax: Consideration of VAT, payroll, and corporate obligations is essential to devise a plan that mitigates potential future cash flow shocks.
- Trust from Investors: Trust from Investors is built through professional addresses, compliant audit-grade verification, and unalterable technology systems.
- Expansion: Preparation of the corporate structures should take into account multi-jurisdictional support for scalability.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q. Who is the best formation agent in the UK?
Commenda topped the leaderboard for 2025 with an AI-driven platform, global entity support, and flat-fee renewals.
Q. Who is the fastest to register a UK company?
Mint Formations and Anna Money are the fastest at 6 hours, while Commenda takes 24 hours.
Q. Are the Companies House fees included in the price?
Most check base prices include the £50 CH fee. Rapid Formations and GoSolo even undercut it.
Q. Which registrar is best for non-UK residents?
Your Company Formations and Commenda offer active, tailored non-resident support and compliance guidance.
Q. Who can provide ongoing help with tax compliance assistance?
Commenda’s dashboard automates CS01, accounts, VAT, and tiered compliance packages with ANNA Money, Osome, and CMS.
