- Formation agents start at £103.59 all-in, including the £100 Companies House fee
- Sleek's Essential Formation is £250 + VAT, with your first confirmation statement
- The Companies House incorporation fee rose to £100 on 1 February 2026
The best company formation services in the UK depend on how much you want handled after registration. Company incorporation with Sleek starts at £250 + VAT, with accounting and tax under the same roof, while formation agents such as 1st Formations and Rapid Formations start at £103.59 all-in.
This guide compares four providers on all-in cost, what’s included and who each one suits.
What are the best company formation services in the UK?
Sleek is the best pick if you want formation and accounting handled together. 1st Formations, Rapid Formations and Tide are strong company formation services if you only need a one-off registration.
There’s no single winner, because these providers solve different problems. Here’s how they rank, with who each one is best for.
| Rank | Provider | Best for | Entry price (all-in) | Price source |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Sleek | Founders trading from day one who want formation and accounting handled together | £250 + VAT, including the £100 Companies House fee | Sleek Essential Formation |
| 2 | 1st Formations | A one-off formation from an established agent, with accounting as an optional extra | £103.59, including VAT and the Companies House fee | 1st Formations packages |
| 3 | Rapid Formations | A lower-cost package that adds VAT and PAYE registration | £103.59 (Basic) to £147.99 (All Inclusive) | Rapid Formations packages |
| 4 | Tide | The lowest entry price, if you also open a Tide business account | £14.99, including the Companies House fee | Tide company registration |
Sleek costs more up front because it isn’t only a formation service. Your registered office, director’s service address, first confirmation statement and a business bank account referral are included, and accounting picks up from there.
Agent fees attract 20% VAT, but the £100 Companies House fee doesn’t.
How did we compare UK company formation services?
We judged each provider on what it costs to form and run a company in year one, not just the headline price. Prices come from each provider’s own pricing page, checked on the date this guide was last updated, and include VAT on agent fees.
A low entry price can become expensive once you add the company formation services you actually need. These are the criteria we used:
- All-in cost, including the Companies House fee and VAT on agent fees
- What’s included as standard and what’s charged as an add-on
- Year-two renewal costs, where the real expense often sits
- Speed of incorporation and how identity verification is handled
- Whether there’s a route to ongoing accounting and compliance
If you want to understand the UK company formation process itself first, our step-by-step guide to registering a company walks through what Companies House needs.
How do the leading company formation agents compare?
The UK market splits into dedicated company formation agents and digital banks that form companies as part of opening an account. Each suits a different founder.
1st Formations
Best for: a one-off formation from an established agent, with accounting as an optional extra.
1st Formations has formed over a million companies since 2014. Its Digital Package is £102.99 including the £100 Companies House fee (£103.59 with VAT), and same-day incorporation costs £79.99 extra.
Accounting can be added from £49 + VAT a month. Where it beats Sleek: a lower entry price if you only need the company registered.
Rapid Formations
Best for: a lower-cost package that adds VAT and PAYE registration.
Rapid Formations’ Basic Package is £2.99 + VAT plus the £100 Companies House fee, so £103.59 all-in. Its All Inclusive Package is £39.99 + VAT plus the fee (£147.99 all-in) and adds VAT and PAYE registration, address services and 12 months of its compliance service.
Where it beats Sleek: VAT and PAYE registration at a lower upfront cost, if you’ll run the accounts yourself.
Tide
Best for: the lowest entry price, if you also want a Tide business account.
Tide registers your company for £14.99 including the Companies House fee when you open a Tide business account at the same time.
Where it beats Sleek: the lowest upfront cost of any provider here.
Tip: always check the year-two renewal price, not just the year-one headline. Address services included free in year one usually renew annually, and Rapid Formations’ Hassle-Free Compliance Service renews at £149.99 a year.
Why does Sleek top the list?
Sleek pairs formation with a dedicated UK accountant, so your setup and your first year-end are handled by one team. Formation agents register your company and sell further support separately.
Best for: founders trading from day one who want formation, accounting and tax handled together.
What’s in each Sleek package?
- Essential Formation (£250 + VAT): company registration with the £100 Companies House fee included, identity verification as an ACSP, a Regent Street registered office, a director’s service address, your first confirmation statement and a business bank account referral
- Business Compliance: everything in Essential, plus a dedicated UK accountant, annual bookkeeping, year-end accounts and your Corporation Tax return
- Full Management: everything in Business Compliance, plus monthly bookkeeping, VAT filing, company administration, a London business address and a digital mailroom
Who should choose Sleek over a formation agent?
- Choose Sleek if you want formation, accounting, tax and advice under one roof, so nothing is left for you to chase
- Choose 1st Formations or Rapid Formations if you want a low-cost setup and will handle or add accounting on your own terms
Should you choose formation only or formation plus accounting?
Choose formation only if your company won’t trade for a while, and formation plus accounting if you’re trading straight away. This decision shapes your real company formation cost across the first year.
A formation-only provider registers your company and hands you the documents. Accounting then comes from a second supplier: 1st Formations’ own plans start at £49 + VAT a month, and Sleek’s accounting plans start at £75 a month, billed annually.
A managed route folds that in, so a dedicated accountant, bookkeeping and your year-end filings are handled from the outset. If you’re comparing managed providers rather than formation agents, our Sleek vs Osome comparison looks at two end-to-end services side by side.
What will you pay in Companies House fees?
Every UK company pays the same Companies House fees whichever provider it uses: £100 to incorporate online and £50 for each digital confirmation statement. These Companies House fees have applied since 1 February 2026.
| Companies House fee | Digital | Paper |
|---|---|---|
| Incorporation | £100 | £124 |
| Incorporation (same day) | £156 | Not available |
| Confirmation statement (annual) | £50 | £110 |
Companies House fees are exempt from VAT, but agents charge their own fee on top and that fee does attract 20% VAT. A new company that incorporates online and files its first confirmation statement pays £150 to Companies House alone, before any agent or accountant costs.
That £150 is the floor for any company formation cost in year one. For what late or missed filings add, see the Companies House and HMRC penalties guide.
How has identity verification changed company formation?
Directors and people with significant control must now verify their identity with Companies House, and most providers can do this for you as part of setup. New directors and PSCs verify at the point of appointment.
Existing officeholders verify through their company’s next confirmation statement, and the transition period ends on 18 November 2026. Our guide to Companies House identity verification explains what you need to provide.
Which company formation service is best for you?
The right provider comes down to your situation, so match your priority to the pick below.
- Choose Sleek if you plan to trade from day one and want formation plus accounting, tax and advice fully managed
- Choose 1st Formations if you want a document-rich one-off formation with a long track record
- Choose Rapid Formations if you want a low-cost package with VAT and PAYE registration included
- Choose Tide if you want the lowest entry price and are happy to open a Tide business account alongside it
If you’re deciding between a formation agent and a full-service provider, the Sleek vs 1st Formations comparison breaks down the two approaches in detail.
How Sleek helps with company formation
Sleek forms your company end to end from £250 + VAT, with the Companies House fee included and no separate hunt for an accountant afterwards. When you’re ready, ongoing accounting, tax and advice come from the same team.
Ready to form your company from £250 + VAT?
Prices may vary with current promotions, so check the latest on the relevant page.
FAQs on best company formation services uk
Does it cost less to form a company directly with Companies House?
Not by much. Filing direct costs £100, the same fee most agents pass on, while Tide covers most of it if you open its business account. Agents add a few pounds for error-checking, identity verification and a full document pack, which cuts the risk of rejection.
Do company formation prices include the Companies House fee?
Sometimes. Sleek, 1st Formations and Tide include the £100 Companies House fee in their package price. Rapid Formations quotes its agent fee separately, then adds the £100 fee plus 20% VAT on the agent portion.
How long does UK company formation take?
Usually the same day or within 24 hours. Most digital formations are approved by Companies House within 3 to 24 hours, and both 1st Formations and Rapid Formations offer same-day incorporation for £79.99. Identity verification must be complete before incorporation can go through.
Can I keep my home address off the public register?
Yes, by using a registered office and a director’s service address from your provider. Sleek’s Essential Formation includes both at Regent Street, and Rapid Formations’ Privacy Package adds them for £14.99 + VAT plus the Companies House fee.
Can I switch to an accountant after forming my company elsewhere?
Yes. You can incorporate through any provider and bring in an accountant later. Sleek can take over at any point, handle the data transfer and register as your tax agent with HMRC, with no need to restructure or re-file your company.
Do non-UK residents pay more to form a UK company?
Often, yes. Non-resident packages bundle a UK address, banking referrals and mail handling that residents may not need. Rapid Formations’ Non-Residents package, for example, is £99.99 + VAT plus the £100 Companies House fee.
Are low-cost company formation agents reliable?
Generally yes, if the provider is an Authorised Corporate Service Provider (ACSP). Sleek is ACSP No. AP012971, and Rapid Formations also lists ACSP status. A low price usually means fewer bundled extras, so the risk is paying for add-ons later that a higher tier would have included.
