- 1st Formations is a specialist company formation agent with packages from £2.99 plus the £100 Companies House fee, while Sleek offers an end-to-end alternative bundling formation with ongoing accounting, tax and compliance from £265 plus VAT.
- 1st Formations does not provide ongoing accounting services such as bookkeeping, year-end accounts, Corporation Tax filing or payroll processing, so most active companies will need to appoint an accountant separately after formation.
- Sleek’s incorporation packages include a dedicated UK-based accountant, full statutory filings and a 50% discount on annual accounting, removing the need to manage two providers as your company grows.
When comparing Sleek vs 1st Formations, the decision usually comes down to whether you want a company formation product or a full business partner. Sleek’s end-to-end company incorporation service starts at £265 + VAT and bundles formation with a dedicated UK accountant, while 1st Formations offers a specialist formation product from £2.99 plus the £100 Companies House fee, with ongoing accounting handled separately.
1st Formations is the UK’s highest-rated formation agent and a strong choice if you only need to register a company. Sleek is built for founders who want their formation, accounting, tax filings and compliance handled under one roof from day one.
Sleek vs 1st Formations: Side-by-side comparison
Here’s how Sleek and 1st Formations compare across the services that matter most when forming and running a UK limited company. Some rows show clear head-to-head competition, while others reflect a category difference, with 1st Formations operating as a formation agent and Sleek as a full-service provider.
Feature / Service | Sleek | 1st Formations |
Basic Company Formation | From £2.99 via Limited Companies (+ £100 Companies House fee) + 50% off accounting | From £2.99 + VAT (+ £100 Companies House fee) |
End-to-End Managed Formation | From £265 + VAT* (Essential Formation Package) | Not offered as a fully managed alternative |
Premium Formation Package | Full Management from £807 + VAT* | All Inclusive from £39.99 + VAT (+ £100 CH fee) |
Non-Resident Formation Support | Available across all packages, includes international banking referral | Non-Residents Package £99.99 + VAT (+ £100 CH fee) |
Registered Office Address | Included on all formation packages (Regent Street, London) | £39/year add-on (Covent Garden, London) |
Director Service Address | Included on all formation packages | £26/year per person add-on |
Business Address Service | Included on Full Management | £96/year add-on |
Bookkeeping | Included from £60/mo* with Accounting plans | Not offered |
Year-end Accounts & Corporation Tax Filing | Included from £60/mo* with Accounting plans | Not offered |
VAT Filing | Included from £60/mo* with Accounting plans | VAT registration only (filing not offered) |
Payroll Processing | Payroll & pension filing for 1–5 employees included from £60/mo* | PAYE registration only (ongoing payroll not offered) |
Director’s Self Assessment | Included from £60/mo* with Accounting plans | Not offered |
Dedicated UK Accountant | Included with all Accounting plans | Not offered (referrals to accountant partners via Rewards section) |
Confirmation Statement Filing | First filing included; ongoing covered by Accounting plans | Available as £75.99/year service or via Hassle-Free Compliance Service (£149.99/year) |
Statutory Registers & Company Secretarial | Included on selected formation packages | Available via Hassle-Free Compliance Service (£149.99/year) |
Identity Verification | Companies House identity verification handled as part of formation | Companies House identity verification handled (ACSP status) |
Specialist Services | SEIS/EIS, R&D Tax Credits, Crypto Accounting | Not offered |
Trustpilot Score | 4.2/5 (verified profile) | 4.9/5 from 22,000+ reviews |
Companies Formed | 450,000+ businesses supported globally | 1 million+ companies formed |
Pricing Model | Annual or monthly | One-off formation fee + optional annual services |
Prices shown are the lowest publicly listed rates on each provider’s UK website at the time of writing. Features and pricing can change, so verify before purchase. The £100 Companies House filing fee took effect from 1 February 2026 and applies to all new UK company registrations.
The key takeaway from the table is that Sleek and 1st Formations don’t compete on every line. 1st Formations is the strongest pure-play formation product in the UK. Sleek is built around the assumption that most founders also need ongoing accounting, tax and compliance support, so it bundles formation with the services you’d otherwise need to source separately.
If you only need to register a company and you're confident handling everything afterwards yourself, a specialist formation agent will almost always be cheaper at the point of purchase.
The decision changes once you start trading. An active UK limited company will need to file annual accounts, a Corporation Tax return, a Confirmation Statement, payroll if you're paying yourself, and VAT returns if you're registered.
Sourcing those services piece by piece typically costs more than a bundled monthly fee, and adds the overhead of managing multiple providers. The cheapest formation isn't always the cheapest first year of trading.
Who is Sleek?
Sleek is a modern accounting and business compliance provider, founded by entrepreneurs in 2017. Built around a tech-first approach and shaped by what fellow business owners actually need, Sleek’s goal is to cut through admin and free founders to focus on growth.
Sleek delivers a digital-first setup with smart technology at the centre of company administration. Every accountant a client works with is part of Sleek’s in-house UK team. That means no outsourcing, no disconnect, and one trusted partner for the long term.
Core services include:
- Company incorporation and corporate secretarial
- Full accounting and bookkeeping
- Payroll and compliance management
- Tax filing, planning, and ongoing advice
- SEIS/EIS, R&D tax credits, and crypto accounting
Sleek is also a Xero Platinum Champion partner with certified staff across Xero Advisor and Xero Payroll. New clients on Basic plans get SleekBooks, our own bookkeeping software, with Xero available on Pro plans or as an option to switch into at any point.
By pairing intelligent tooling with in-house expertise, Sleek streamlines the routine while staying personal. Sleek is a certified B Corporation, has supported over 450,000 businesses worldwide, and currently serves more than 15,000 active customers.
Who is 1st Formations?
1st Formations is a specialist UK company formation agent, established in 2014 and headquartered in Covent Garden, London. Part of the BSQ Group, the company has formed over 1 million UK companies and holds a Trustpilot score of 4.9 out of 5 from more than 22,000 reviews, making it the highest-rated company formation agent in the UK.
1st Formations is an Authorised Corporate Service Provider (ACSP), an official designation granted by Companies House to formation agents meeting strict anti-money laundering and identity verification standards. This means ID verification is handled as part of every formation, in line with the requirements introduced under the Economic Crime and Corporate Transparency Act.
Services include:
- Limited company formation across six package tiers (Digital, Privacy, All Inclusive, Non-Residents, LLP, Limited by Guarantee)
- Registered office, director service address, and London business address services
- Hassle-Free Compliance Service covering Confirmation Statement filing and statutory registers
- VAT and PAYE registration
- Issue and transfer of shares, dormant company filings, company name changes
- Address services renewable annually as standalone products
- Banking referrals via Wise, Revolut Business, Payoneer and WorldFirst
1st Formations does not offer ongoing accounting services such as bookkeeping, year-end accounts preparation, Corporation Tax filing, VAT filing, payroll processing, or Self Assessment. The company explicitly positions accountants as a separate function, and offers accountant partner referrals through its Online Company Manager’s Rewards section rather than delivering accounting in-house.
For founders who want a single, low-cost formation product with strong compliance support and a separate accounting relationship to follow, 1st Formations is one of the strongest options on the UK market.
Sleek vs 1st Formations: Formation packages compared
Both providers offer multiple tiers, but the structure is different. 1st Formations offers six standalone formation products at fixed one-off fees, designed to cover everything from a bare-bones registration through to a fully kitted non-resident setup. Sleek offers three formation packages that scale from basic registration into bundled ongoing accounting and admin.
1st Formations packages
1st Formations prices each package as a one-off agent fee plus 20% VAT on the agent fee, plus the £100 Companies House filing fee (which is not subject to VAT). Address services renew annually as separate products.
The main packages for UK residents and non-residents are:
- Digital Package at £2.99 + VAT (~£103.59 all-in). Covers digital formation only, with electronic copies of the Certificate of Incorporation, Memorandum and Articles of Association, and share certificates.
- Privacy Package at £17.99 + VAT (~£121.59 all-in). Adds a registered office and director service address at the Covent Garden headquarters, protecting home addresses from the public register.
- All Inclusive Package at £39.99 + VAT (~£187.99 all-in). Adds the London business address, VAT registration, PAYE registration, GDPR compliance pack, and the Hassle-Free Compliance Service for the first year.
- Non-Residents Package at £99.99 + VAT (~£219.99 all-in). Designed for overseas founders, includes all three address services, Full Company Secretary Service for the first year, and a business banking referral via Wise, Revolut Business or Payoneer.
There are also specialist products for Limited Liability Partnerships (£24.99), Limited by Guarantee companies (£19.99), Wholesale (£24.99), and PLCs (£149.99).
Sleek formation packages
Sleek’s formation packages are priced as one-off fees plus VAT and include the £100 Companies House fee within the headline price.
The three tiers are:
- Essential Formation Package at £265 + VAT. Covers fully managed company formation, registered office at Regent Street London, director’s service address, first Confirmation Statement filing, and a free business bank account referral.
- Business Compliance Package at £542 + VAT. Everything in Essential Formation, plus a dedicated UK accountant, annual bookkeeping, year-end accounts and Corporation Tax return, Xero subscription on Accounting Pro, and a free legal review with LegalVision.
- Full Management Package at £807 + VAT. Everything in Business Compliance, plus monthly bookkeeping, Director’s Tax Return, VAT filing, payroll and pension filing, London business address, company administration service, and digital mailroom.
Each Sleek package also unlocks a 50% discount on Sleek’s ongoing annual accounting service for the first year, which compounds the value for clients planning to trade actively from day one.
Matching the right package to your situation
The right product depends on what happens after Companies House confirms your registration.
Situation | Likely best fit |
UK resident registering a company they’ll handle themselves | 1st Formations Digital Package (£2.99 + VAT) |
UK resident wanting privacy on the public register, no ongoing services | 1st Formations Privacy Package (£17.99 + VAT) |
Non-UK resident wanting a London setup with banking referral | Sleek Essential Formation or 1st Formations Non-Residents (depending on accounting needs) |
UK resident planning to trade actively and needing an accountant | Sleek Business Compliance Package (£542 + VAT) |
Founder who wants every admin task handled in one place | Sleek Full Management Package (£807 + VAT) |
Property investor setting up an SPV that will remain low-activity | 1st Formations Privacy Package or Sleek Essential Formation |
For a one-off formation with no trading planned for several months, 1st Formations is hard to beat on entry price. For a company that will start trading immediately and needs an accountant on payroll from week one, the Sleek packages absorb costs that would otherwise sit on top.
1st Formations vs Sleek: What the real first-year cost looks like
The headline package price is only the start. What matters is the all-in cost across the first year, once an active trading company has bought everything it actually needs.
Worked example: active trading limited company
Take a UK resident forming a single-director limited company who plans to trade from day one, draw a salary, file VAT returns, and stay compliant. Here’s how the first-year costs stack up using 1st Formations’ All Inclusive package as the formation route, with accounting sourced separately.
Service | 1st Formations route (first year) |
All Inclusive Package | £39.99 + VAT |
Companies House fee | £100 |
External accountant (typical UK rate) | £75–£150/mo (£900–£1,800/year) |
First-year total | £1,047.99 + VAT minimum, typically £1,500–£1,900+ |
Sleek’s Business Compliance Package at £542 + VAT covers the formation plus year-one accounts, bookkeeping, Corporation Tax return and dedicated accountant in a single fee. Add the 50% discount on the ongoing accounting plan and the cost gap narrows further for active trading companies.
When 1st Formations is cheaper, and when Sleek is
The numbers shift based on which 1st Formations package you start with and how complex your trading activity is:
- Dormant or low-activity companies: 1st Formations Digital or Privacy is genuinely the cheapest route in year one.
- Active trading companies: Sleek’s bundled pricing typically lands lower than buying a formation product and a separate accountant.
- Non-UK residents: Comparable on price; the deciding factor is whether you need ongoing accounting bundled in.
What happens after you incorporate?
A newly formed UK limited company has a long list of recurring obligations. These are not one-off tasks.
Recurring obligations every active limited company faces
- Annual accounts filed with Companies House
- Corporation Tax return submitted to HMRC
- Confirmation Statement filed every 12 months
- Payroll run if anyone is drawing a salary
- VAT registration and quarterly returns once turnover crosses £90,000
- Self Assessment for directors taking dividends
How each provider covers the workload
1st Formations handles the statutory company secretarial side through its Hassle-Free Compliance Service at £149.99 per year. This covers:
- Confirmation Statement filing
- Statutory register maintenance
- Dormant company accounts submission
- Compliance support by phone and email
What sits outside the offering:
- Bookkeeping
- Year-end accounts preparation
- Corporation Tax computation and filing
- VAT returns
- Payroll processing
- Self Assessment
Clients are referred to accountant partners through the Rewards section of the Online Company Manager.
Sleek bundles the accountant in from day one. Every Sleek accounting package, from £60/month upward, includes:
- Dedicated UK-based accountant
- Full bookkeeping
- Year-end accounts and Corporation Tax filing
- VAT filing
- Confirmation Statement filing
- Director’s Self Assessment
- Payroll and pension filing for up to five employees
Questions worth asking yourself
- Do I want one provider, or two?
- Do I want my formation agent and my accountant to be in the same system, sharing the same data?
- How much is my time worth in coordinating between two providers when something needs to change?
Some founders prefer the focused expertise of a pure formation agent paired with an independent accountant. Others want a single point of contact who knows the full picture of the business.
Sleek vs 1st Formations: Accounting and ongoing services
Sleek’s accounting service is built around two core packages, designed to scale with revenue and complexity.
Accounting Basic from £60/month
Includes:
- Online accounting and bookkeeping
- Year-end accounts and Corporation Tax filing
- VAT filing
- Confirmation Statement filing
- Director’s Tax Return
- Payroll and pension filing for 1–5 employees
- SleekBooks bookkeeping software
Accounting Pro from £100/month
Everything in Basic, plus:
- Xero subscription included
- More advanced reporting
- Support designed for businesses with higher transaction volumes or more complex compliance needs
Both plans include a dedicated UK-based accountant, same-day response times during UK business hours, unlimited support by email and phone, and flexible document submission via the Sleek platform, email or WhatsApp.
The equivalent setup using 1st Formations
Replicating the same coverage through 1st Formations means assembling several products:
- 1st Formations formation package (one-off)
- 1st Formations Hassle-Free Compliance Service (£149.99/year)
- 1st Formations address services (£39–£161/year depending on which addresses are needed)
- Separate accountant (typically £75–£150/month for a small limited company)
- Separate bookkeeping software subscription unless the accountant provides one
Founders with an existing trusted accountant may prefer this modular setup. Founders without one will need to source an accountant separately before the company starts trading.
1st Formations vs Sleek: Company secretarial and compliance
Both providers offer company secretarial support, but the scope and pricing model differ.
Company secretarial feature | Sleek | 1st Formations |
Confirmation Statement filing | First filing included on all formation packages; ongoing covered by Accounting plans | £75.99/year standalone, or included in Hassle-Free Compliance Service (£149.99/year) |
Statutory register maintenance | Included on selected packages | Included in Hassle-Free Compliance Service (£149.99/year) |
Director appointments and resignations | Handled within Sleek’s company administration service | Available as add-on; 50% off via Hassle-Free Compliance Service |
Share allotments and transfers | Included on Full Management; available on lower tiers | Available as add-on; 50% off via Hassle-Free Compliance Service |
Dormant company accounts filing | Available via Sleek’s accounting team | Included in Hassle-Free Compliance Service |
Company name changes | Handled within Sleek’s company administration service | Available as add-on; 50% off via Hassle-Free Compliance Service |
Compliance reminders and dashboard | Sleek dashboard tracks deadlines and stores documents | Online Company Manager dashboard with deadline tracking |
1st Formations has built a deep specialism in company secretarial work, and the Hassle-Free Compliance Service is well-designed for founders who want statutory support without full accounting.
Sleek’s approach absorbs the same tasks within the accounting relationship rather than pricing them as a separate service, so clients already on a Sleek accounting plan don’t need an additional product for statutory filings.
Sleek vs 1st Formations: Onboarding and getting set up
How each provider handles the first 24 hours after you sign up is worth weighing, especially if you’re working to a deadline.
Sleek onboarding
Sleek’s onboarding is built around removing the legwork from the client. With Sleek:
- Free company formation when you also take an accounting package
- 50% off your accounting package when you incorporate
- Full setup for Making Tax Digital
- Bank feeds and app integrations connected for you
- Complete handover from your previous accountant if you’re switching
- Guided onboarding call with clear next steps
- Ongoing support by email, phone, and chat
- 30-day money-back guarantee
You’re set up to be compliant from day one, with a clear roadmap and a dedicated accountant who knows your business.
1st Formations onboarding
1st Formations runs a fast, software-led onboarding process focused on getting the company registered as quickly as possible:
- Online application form completed in 5–10 minutes
- ID checks completed for directors, shareholders and the customer (required under ACSP rules)
- Application submitted to Companies House, usually approved within 24 hours
- Same-day formation available during UK business hours
- Full document set delivered by email on incorporation
- Online Company Manager dashboard for ongoing filings and address management
- Support via phone, email and live chat (Managed Live Chat included on selected packages)
Important to consider
A few things worth thinking about before committing:
- 1st Formations offers same-day formation on most packages; Sleek’s managed formation typically completes within 24 hours
- Sleek includes a 30-day money-back guarantee
- Sleek bundles an accountant from incorporation; 1st Formations will refer you to a partner
- 1st Formations is faster and cheaper if you only need the registration itself
- Sleek removes more friction if you want bookkeeping, payroll and tax handled in the same setup
If speed of registration is the priority and you have your accounting handled elsewhere, 1st Formations is one of the fastest formation routes available. If you want a complete setup including the accountant and the first year of compliance, Sleek consolidates the process into a single onboarding.
Sleek vs 1st Formations: Certifications and awards
Awards and certifications aren’t the whole picture, but they signal how each provider is viewed in the industry.
Type | Sleek | 1st Formations |
Awards | Forbes 100 to Watch (2023), LinkedIn Top Startups (2023), Xero Emerging Partner (2019), Xero Platinum Champion Partner (since 2019) | Highest-rated UK company formation agent on Trustpilot (4.9/5 from 22,000+ reviews), 1 million+ companies formed |
Certifications | Certified B Corporation (since 2023), Xero Platinum Champion Partner, ISO 27001:2022, SOC 2, PCI DSS v4.0 | Authorised Corporate Service Provider (ACSP) approved by Companies House, B Corp Certified, member of the Association of Company Registration Agents |
Specialism | Full-service accounting, tax, payroll, SEIS/EIS, R&D, crypto | Company formation, registered office services, company secretarial, compliance |
Industry standing | Fintech and accounting recognition, focus on scaling businesses | Long-established formation specialist, large-scale processor of UK incorporations |
Both providers carry strong credentials. The difference is the type of credential, with Sleek’s leaning toward accounting and fintech, and 1st Formations’ leaning toward formation-specific industry standards and high-volume client reviews.
Sleek vs 1st Formations: Customer reviews
Independent reviews reflect real customer experiences. Both providers are well rated, with 1st Formations holding the higher score in absolute terms.
1st Formations holds a Trustpilot score of 4.9 out of 5 from over 22,000 reviews, making it the highest-rated formation agent in the UK. Customers frequently praise the speed of formation, the clarity of the online process, and the responsiveness of the support team.
Sleek holds a 95% 5/4-Star rating on Trustpilot, with a Google rating of 4.8 out of 5 from 4,100+ reviews and a 95% client satisfaction rate from 16,000 surveyed clients. Customer feedback frequently mentions the personalised support, the quality of the dedicated accountants, and the responsiveness of the in-house team.
Both providers attract praise for friendly, knowledgeable service. The right fit comes down less to ratings and more to whether the service model matches what your business actually needs.
Sleek vs 1st Formations: Which provider is right for you?
Both Sleek and 1st Formations support UK business owners who want to incorporate without the admin overhead. The decision comes down to what you need after the company is registered.
Choose Sleek if you want
- An end-to-end provider covering formation, accounting, tax and payroll
- A dedicated UK accountant included from day one
- Fixed monthly pricing for ongoing accounting from £60/month
- Specialist support for SEIS/EIS, R&D tax credits, and crypto compliance
- A 30-day money-back guarantee on accounting packages
- One provider, one dashboard, one point of contact
Choose 1st Formations if you want
- The lowest-cost formation product on the UK market
- A pure-play formation agent with the highest Trustpilot rating in the category
- The flexibility to choose your own accountant
- Strong company secretarial support via the Hassle-Free Compliance Service
- Established expertise in non-resident formation with multi-bank referrals
- A one-off formation fee without ongoing service commitments
How Sleek helps with end-to-end company formation
Sleek’s end-to-end incorporation service is built around the things that actually move the needle for growing businesses: a fully managed formation, a dedicated UK accountant from day one, and bundled compliance that scales as the company grows.
From the moment your company is registered through to your first year’s annual accounts and Corporation Tax return, Sleek covers the full lifecycle of a UK limited company under one provider. No second relationship to source. No coordination overhead. No gap between formation and accounting.
Thousands of UK businesses have already made the switch from formation-only providers to Sleek’s bundled model. The 30-day money-back guarantee removes the risk from your decision.
Disclaimer: The preceding information is not legal advice. This content is aimed to provide general guidance. For more formal or legal advice, contact Sleek directly.
450,000
businesses worldwide.
from 4,100+ reviews.
satisfaction rate from
16,000 surveyed clients.
FAQs on Sleek vs 1st Formations
Can I use 1st Formations to register my company and then move my accounting to Sleek later?
Yes. Many founders incorporate through one provider and bring in an accountant separately. Sleek can take over your accounting at any point after formation, handling the data transfer and registering as your tax agent with HMRC. Your dedicated accountant will set up bookkeeping, year-end accounts, VAT and payroll, with no disruption to your existing company structure or filings.
Does Sleek offer a low-cost basic formation product like 1st Formations?
Yes. Sleek’s sister site Limited Companies offers basic company registration from £2.99 plus the £100 Companies House fee, putting it on par with 1st Formations’ Digital Package on price. Every tier includes a 50% discount on Sleek’s annual accounting service, so founders planning to trade actively get a meaningful saving when bundling formation with ongoing support.
What’s the difference between VAT registration and VAT filing?
VAT registration is the one-off process of registering your company with HMRC for VAT, which 1st Formations offers on its All Inclusive and Non-Residents packages. VAT filing is the ongoing quarterly submission of VAT returns under Making Tax Digital, which 1st Formations does not offer. Sleek includes VAT filing in its accounting packages from £60/month, alongside scheme advice and threshold monitoring.
Does 1st Formations file my annual accounts with Companies House?
No. 1st Formations files Confirmation Statements and dormant company accounts through its Hassle-Free Compliance Service, but does not prepare or file active company annual accounts or Corporation Tax returns. Active trading companies need to appoint an accountant separately. Sleek includes year-end accounts and Corporation Tax filing in every accounting package, with no add-on fee.
Is 1st Formations or Sleek better for non-UK residents?
Both work for non-residents, with different strengths. 1st Formations’ Non-Residents Package at £99.99 + VAT includes three address services and banking referrals via Wise, Revolut Business or Payoneer. Sleek’s incorporation packages for non-UK residents include the same address coverage plus a dedicated accountant, which matters once trading starts and ongoing tax filings begin.
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How does the 50% discount on Sleek accounting actually work?
When you incorporate through any Sleek formation package, you unlock a 50% discount on your first year of Sleek’s annual accounting service. The discount applies whether you choose Accounting Basic (£60/month) or Accounting Pro (£100/month), and covers the full first year of bookkeeping, year-end accounts, Corporation Tax, VAT filing, payroll and Self Assessment. The discount applies once and reverts to standard pricing in year two.
Can I just buy the formation package and handle everything else myself?
Yes, technically, although it depends on your confidence with UK company compliance. 1st Formations’ Digital Package gets you registered for £2.99 plus the £100 Companies House fee, and Sleek’s Essential Formation Package handles the same registration with statutory addresses bundled in. From there, the company director is legally responsible for filing annual accounts, Corporation Tax returns and Confirmation Statements on time, whether or not an accountant is involved. Most founders appoint one to avoid the penalties associated with late or incorrect filings.
