There are three common ways to form a UK limited company: register directly with Companies House, use a company formation agent, or ask an accountant to handle the incorporation. The £100 Companies House digital incorporation fee is the statutory baseline. What you pay above that depends on the route and level of support you choose.
| Route | Upfront Cost | What You Get | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|
| Companies House (online) | £100 | Direct digital incorporation and Certificate of Incorporation | Founders comfortable handling the process themselves |
| Companies House (by post) | £124 | Paper incorporation using Form IN01 | Applications that need to be submitted on paper |
| Your Company Formations | From £2.48 + £100 Companies House fee | Formation filing, identity verification, digital company documents, package-specific services and up to £155 cashback for eligible customers | Founders who want an expert-supported setup with less admin and help staying compliant from the start |
| Accountant | Provider-specific quote | Incorporation plus any tax or accounting advice included by the accountant | Founders already using an accountant or needing tailored accounting advice |
How much does it cost to set up a limited company with Your Company Formations?
Your Company Formations offers six main limited company formation packages. The package price is separate from the £100 Companies House incorporation fee, so you can choose the level of support and additional services you need without bundling the government fee into the advertised package price.
| Package | Package Price | Best For |
|---|---|---|
| Digital Package | £2.48 | Founders who want the lowest-cost digital formation option |
| Digital & Print Package | £6.98 | Founders who also want printed company documents |
| Privacy Package | £17.48 | Founders who want registered office and director address privacy |
| Fully Inclusive Package | £44.48 | Businesses wanting address services and broader filing support |
| Entrepreneur Choice Package | £315.00 | Businesses wanting broader post-formation and business support |
| Non-Resident UK Company Formation Package | £98.48 | Overseas founders forming and managing a UK company remotely |
The £100 Companies House incorporation fee is charged separately. VAT at 20% applies to the package price and paid extras, but not to the Companies House fee.
Compare Company Formation PackagesHow to set up a UK company with no upfront cost?
The idea of setting up a UK company with no upfront cost is appealing, but in reality, it is not possible. Even if you take the DIY route, you still have to pay the statutory £100 Companies House registration fee. This baseline cost applies to every UK company registration, whether you file directly with Companies House or use a company formation agent.
With Your Company Formations’ £2.48 basic package, combined with our exclusive cashback programs of up to £55 in partnership with high street banks, you can offset the Companies House fee and more. In practice, this reduces your company registration cost to almost zero, making it one of the most affordable ways to register a company in the UK.
Some fintech ventures promote a free company formation offer. While attractive at first, these deals usually only support single-director companies and lack essential features such as compliance reminders or customer support. These are common examples of the hidden costs of company registration that many business owners discover too late.
By choosing a transparent and affordable company formation package, you reduce your initial costs and avoid hidden extras, since everything you need to stay compliant is included from the start.
Can you save money by using a company formation agent to register your company? Absolutely!
Registering a limited company through a formation agent often costs less than going directly through Companies House, especially if you need extra help. For instance, agents like Your Company Formations review your application to help you avoid mistakes and offer company addresses to keep your home address private. If you buy these services separately, they could cost over £100. Additionally, with cashback offers of up to £155, you can get back the Companies House fee when you choose one of our trusted banking partners. While some banks offer free company registration, these options typically support only one director and don’t include essential features such as address protection or compliance assistance.
See our Your Company Formations vs Companies House comparison for a full breakdown of the differences in cost, support, privacy and additional services.
How Much Does It Cost to Register Directly With Companies House?
| Registration Method | Companies House Fee | Typical Processing Time |
|---|---|---|
| Online | £100 | Usually within 24 hours |
| Paper Form IN01 | £124 | Usually 8 to 10 days |
The direct online route works well if you are comfortable choosing your company name, directors, shareholders, SIC code, share structure and registered office yourself. New directors must also complete identity verification and provide their Companies House personal code as part of the incorporation filing.
Companies House publishes your registered office and director’s service address. A director’s usual residential address is kept private unless you choose to use it as one of those public addresses.
How Much Does It Cost to Form a Company Through an Accountant?
If you choose to register your company through an accountant, be prepared to spend between £150 and £500, depending on your location and the specific services you require. An accountant can help you pick the proper structure for your business and usually handles the application for you. However, this process can take time and is often bundled with expensive business advisory services that you may not need when you're just starting.
Another downside is that many accountants don’t offer ongoing support or reminders for essential tasks, such as filing confirmation statements, registering for VAT, or managing PAYE. Without this continuous assistance, many entrepreneurs find that hiring an accountant isn’t the most cost-effective way to register a UK limited company.
What ongoing support do I get after I register a new company?
Once your limited company is formed, staying compliant becomes just as important as the initial setup. At Your Company Formations, we offer free lifetime support so you’re never left unsure about what to do next.
Our service goes well beyond registration; we guide you through post-formation responsibilities and help ensure you meet every key deadline with confidence.
Here’s what our ongoing support includes:
- Deadline reminders for your confirmation statement, accounts filing, and other important updates.
- Email and live chat support from our expert company secretarial team. Ask us anything.
- An AI-powered compliance agent to guide you through your legal obligations. It can also send personalised emails or WhatsApp reminders for upcoming due dates.
- Help manage changes to your company, such as updating your address or appointing new directors.
- Support understanding your company’s future filing duties and legal responsibilities.
Whether you’re just starting or managing an active business, our ongoing support is designed to keep you compliant, informed, and in control.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long does it take to set up a limited company in the UK?
If you register your company with Your Company Formations, approval usually takes between 3 and 6 working hours, depending on Companies House’s workload. In most cases, same-day approval is possible, giving you official company documents quickly so you can start trading without delays.
Can I register a company online for free?
No, you cannot register a UK company online entirely free of charge. Companies House charges a statutory fee of £100, but when you register with us, you receive up to £155 cashback from our trusted banking partners. This cashback can effectively cover your formation costs, making registration highly affordable.
Can I set up a business bank account immediately after company incorporation?
Yes, you can open a business bank account after your company is incorporated.
UK company law requires that limited companies maintain separate financial records from those of their founders. Since your business is a separate legal entity, it must have its own bank account to receive payments, pay expenses, and remain compliant with accounting and tax regulations.
Is a company secretary compulsory?
A company secretary is not required for private limited companies, but many still choose to appoint one. Our comprehensive company secretary service ensures you meet deadlines and stay compliant, eliminating administrative hassle.
Can I use a UK company formation service from abroad?
Yes, you can. Overseas residents can register a UK company through our International Package. We provide a UK-registered office address, prepare your official incorporation documents, forward statutory mail, and offer compliance support so you can set up and manage your company from anywhere in the world.
