If you are considering expanding your business into Hong Kong, there’s a high chance you might have come across either Sleek or Osome, maybe even both.
But what is the difference between these Sleek and Osome? Which one should you use to help you start a company in Hong Kong?
In this article, we'll explore what makes each provider stand out, compare their services and costs, and help you determine which is best suited for your business needs. Finally, we’ll provide an alternative company registration service provider for you to consider besides Sleek and Osome.
💡Before we get started, here's a survey study of 120 entrepreneurs on how much it costs to incorporate a company in Hong Kong.
✅ Self-customisable service packages ✅ Wide range and clear breakdown of additional services ✅ Optional accounting services | ✅ Simple package structure ✅ All fundamental services included ✅Includes a registered address in a package |
❌ All packages do not include a registered address in Hong Kong; it is available only as an add-on. ❌ Pricing is more complex and may require additional time to understand how the actual cost differs from the starting prices. ❌ Business accounts are not offered on the same platform, but assistance is provided for opening with Airwallex. | ❌ No accounting services are included in the incorporation packages; it is available only as separate services. ❌ Lacks specific details on some services like name checks, shareholder covered, changes in director particulars, and more ❌ Business accounts are not offered on the same platform, but assistance is provided for opening accounts with traditional banks and neobanks. |
Sleek is Best For | Osome is Best For |
Sleek Hong Kong company registration service is best for businesses needing customisable services and accounting support. | Osome Hong Kong company registration service is best for companies seeking a cost-effective incorporation package with a registered address included. |
Overview of Sleek
Sleek is a digital platform that started its services in Singapore in 2017 and expanded into Hong Kong in 2019. It is positioned as an all-in-one digital platform that helps entrepreneurs register their companies and manage their governance, accounting, and tax compliance online.
Currently, they operate in Singapore, the UK, Australia, and Hong Kong.
Sleek offers three packages for Hong Kong company incorporation.
Package | Price | Ideal for |
Starter | HKD 5,349 | Businesses seeking basic incorporation services. |
Grow | HKD 8,849 | Businesses looking for incorporation services along with accounting and bookkeeping support. |
Success | HKD 14,129 | Businesses requiring a full range of services, including incorporation, accounting, bookkeeping, auditing, and tax assistance. |
*None of the packages include a registered address. You can only obtain a registered address with Sleek by selecting it as an add-on service for HKD 2,000.
Overview of Osome
Osome is a cloud-based business management platform founded in 2017. It is headquartered in Singapore and has operations in Singapore, Hong Kong, and the UK.
The company offers online bookkeeping, accounting, administrative task management, secretarial services, and company incorporation services for small and medium businesses.
Osome offers two packages for company incorporation in Hong Kong.
Package | Price | Ideal for |
Essential | HKD 5,800 | Businesses looking for a package that covers basic incorporation needs. This doesn’t include a registered address in Hong Kong. |
All-inclusive | HKD 7,800 | Businesses looking for a package covering all incorporation needs, including a registered address in Hong Kong. |
Sleek vs Osome Company Incorporation Package Comparison
In this section, we compare Sleek and Osome across all aspects.
To provide a quick overview: if you have a single shareholder and want to minimise costs, Sleek's Starter package is a better choice. However, if you need accounting and auditing from the beginning, Sleek's Success package is more suitable, although the cost is higher.
For businesses that want a local registered address, Osome’s all-inclusive package is a better option. However, it provides less detailed information on specific services such as shareholder coverage and changes in company particulars.
Now, let's explore the details.
Sleek vs Osome Pricing
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Service Package | From HKD 5,349 to HKD 14,129 | From HKD 5,800 to HKD 7,800 |
Registered Address and Scanning of Received Mail | Not included in any of the packages. A registered address and scanning of received mail cost an additional HKD 2,000, regardless of the Sleek package you pick. | Included in the All-inclusive package only |
Company Secretary Services | Included | Included |
Government Fees | Included | Included |
Shareholders | Covers 1 shareholder Additional shareholder costs an average of HKD 200- 600 each | We cannot find information on the website |
Tip: In Hong Kong, a local registered address is mandatory for company registration. This means you must either have an office in Hong Kong or use a service that provides a registered address.
Sleek vs Osome Incorporation Services
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Name Check | Included | Details are not provided on the website. |
Filling out the Incorporation Application with the Hong Kong Companies Registry | Included | Included |
Included | Included | |
Business Registration Certificate (BRC) for 1 year | Included | Included |
Included | Included | |
Please reach out to Sleek directly for more information. | Available for an extra HKD 550 as an add-on. | |
Processing Time | 2-4 business days after the documents are ready | 2-4 business days after the documents are ready |
Sleek vs Osome Company Secretarial Services
In Hong Kong, you must have a Hong Kong company secretary who is either a local resident or a licensed Hong Kong Trust and Corporate Service Provider (TCSP) to assist with secretarial services, ensuring compliance.
Both providers offer basic company secretarial services, but Sleek's detailed offerings provide a clearer picture of what's included. Osome's services are adequate but less transparent.
Here is a comparison of their company secretary services, highlighting the essential details needed to stay compliant:
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Company Secretarial Services | Included | Included |
Maintenance of Statutory Records | Included | Included |
Appointment as the Designated Representative of the Company | Included | Details are not provided on the website. |
Change of Personal Particulars of Director(s) | Included | Details are not provided on the website. |
Included | Included |
Sleek vs Osome Corporate Actions Comparison
Both packages offer sufficient services for initial needs. However, Sleek provides better transparency by detailing additional services and their prices, though the extra cost could be a drawback.
In comparison, Osome provides less detailed information on their Hong Kong company incorporation services page. While they mention features such as online share distribution management, a capital table, and management of unlimited company changes, they do not specify what constitutes these 'company changes.'
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Changes with Directors | Changes in directors' particulars included. Appointment and cessation are available as premium secretary service features*. | Changes in directors likely included in the All-inclusive package |
Changes with Shareholders | Allotment and transfer of shares are offered as part of Sleek premium secretary service features*. | Changes in shareholders likely included in the All-inclusive package |
*Sleek's premium secretary service are available for an additional HKD 2,500 on top of any package’s base price.
Sleek vs Osome Accounting, Audit, and Tax Services
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Accounting Services | Included in the Grow package, additional fees may apply depending on transaction volume | Not Included |
Audit | Included in the Success package | Not Included |
Tax Services | Included in the Success package | Not Included |
Tip: In Hong Kong, companies must file accounting and tax returns annually.
Sleek vs Osome Business Account Comparison
After forming your company in Hong Kong, the next important step is to open a business bank account. This allows you to receive payments and cover business expenses while keeping your personal finances separate from your business ones.
Sleek and Osome do not directly offer business accounts on their platforms, but they assist clients with the application process. Sleek partners with Airwallex to facilitate applications for an Airwallex business account. Similarly, Osome aids in applying to both traditional banks and neobanks, such as HSBC and Airwallex.
The specific benefits and criteria for account approval will depend on the bank or fintech provider chosen.
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Business Account | Partners with Airwallex for business accounts (subject to approval) | Assists with opening accounts with traditional banks and neobanks (subject to approval) |
Payment Card | Partners with Airwallex for debit card services (subject to approval) | Availability depends on the bank or financial institution. |
Sleek vs Osome Customer Support Comparison
Osome provides a broader range of customer service channels, including a live chat, alongside standard phone, email, WhatsApp, and contact form options.
However, Sleek specifies its service hours, giving customers clarity on when support is available. Osome's lack of specified service hours may leave customers uncertain about the best times to seek assistance.
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Communication Channels | Phone, email, WhatsApp, contact form | Phone, email, WhatsApp, website live chat, contact form |
Working Hours | 9 am to 6 pm (Hong Kong Time) | Details are not provided on the website. |
Sleek vs Osome Conclusion: Which is Better for Hong Kong Company Incorporation?
Which service is better between Sleek and Osome ultimately depends on your specific needs.
Sleek is the better option if you prioritise the ability to customise a range of services and need detailed information and breakdowns of additional costs. It’s also ideal if you require monthly accounting services from the start with your incorporation package. The main drawback is that it takes time to understand the actual cost, and some premium service fees are on the higher side.
Osome is the better option if you prefer an incorporation package with a registered address and want to minimise the time required to understand your overall options, though it lacks shareholder coverage details and does not include accounting services in the same package.
Note that both Sleek and Osome offer more accounting, audit, and company secretary services as separate packages, with prices varying across different tiers. Although some services may not be included in their incorporation packages, they may be available as separate offerings. This article, however, focuses solely on their company incorporation packages.
Alternative Solution: Statrys
If neither of the two providers meets your needs, you might want to consider Statrys.
Statrys was founded in 2019. At first, it only provided payment services for businesses incorporated in Hong Kong, Singapore, or the BVI. In 2022, it expanded its services to provide company registration services in Hong Kong and Singapore.
What differentiates Statrys from Sleek and Osome is that Statrys provides a business account service in-house, which means you are not being forwarded to another payment service provider or a bank to apply for an account.
This means that the process of company registration and business account opening will be more seamless.
Let’s take a look at what Statrys offers:
Price | HKD 8,600 |
Incorporation Services |
|
A Registered Address |
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Company Secretary Services |
|
Business Account | Post-incorporation assistance to fast-track the application process for your multi-currency business account with payment cards and FX services |
Additional Services |
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Tip: Still not sure about your choice? Compare Statrys vs Sleek and Statrys vs Osome for more options.
FAQs
How much does it cost to incorporate a company with Sleek?
Sleek's basic incorporation services cost HKD 5,349. Sleek’s incorporation and accounting services are HKD 8,849. Sleek’s comprehensive package, including auditing and tax assistance, are priced at HKD 14,129.
A registered address costs HKD 2,000, and adding an additional shareholder costs HKD 400-600 on average.
How much does it cost to incorporate a company with Osome?
What is the alternative to Sleek and Osome?
Disclaimer
Statrys competes directly with Sleek and Osome, offering similar company registration services. Despite this, we strive to provide an unbiased and thorough review to assist you in making an informed choice.