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1.

1st Formations

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ANNA Money

3.

Rapid Formations

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Quality Company Formations

5.

Mint Formations

Starting a business comes with enough challenges — registering it shouldn’t be one of them.

A good company formation agent can take care of the paperwork, make sure everything’s filed correctly, and free you up to focus on what matters most: building your business.

That said, there are a lot of options out there — and not all of them are great. So I did the digging and pulled together 5 of the top-rated company formation agents in the UK right now.

In this article, I’ll share what they offer, what they charge, and who they’re best for. 

Let’s take a look!

Top Company Formation Services Comparison

Company Formation Agent

Key Packages

Price Range

1st Formations

  • Prestige Package: Company documents, business address, phone answering
  • All-Inclusive Package: Adds VAT, PAYE, secretary service
  • Non-Residents: WorldFirst UK business banking referral, Covent Garden business addresses

Packages range from GBP 52.99 to GBP 99.99 + VAT. Companies House fee is included.

ANNA Money

  • Basic: Registration only
  • Business Secretary: Admin tools, virtual office, VAT & PAYE registration
  • Total Support: Includes tax services and full support

GBP 19.00 to GBP 395.00/year + VAT (Companies House fee included)

Rapid Formations

  • Privacy Plus: Full docs, office address, phone services
  • All-Inclusive: Adds VAT, PAYE, secretary service
  • Non-Residents Plus: Includes banking help and legal extras

GBP 2.99 to GBP 49.99 (UK), GBP 99.99 to GBP 189.99 (non-residents) + GBP 50 Companies House fee

Quality Company Formations

  • Privacy Plus: Documents, office address, phone services
  • Fully Inclusive: Adds VAT, PAYE, 3-month secretary service
  • Non-Residents: Banking help, office address, document delivery

GBP 51.99 to GBP 89.99, GBP 69.99 for non-resident packages (Companies House fee included, VAT excluded)

Mint Formations

  • Sole Trader: Name check, tax registration
  • Premium: Office address, VAT, accountant consultation
  • International: UK address, VAT, domain, banking help

GBP 4.99 to GBP 549 + VAT (Companies House fee not included)

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Disclaimer: All product information is accurate as of March 2025. For the latest details, please visit the provider’s website directly. The key features listed for each package are highlights only, and more features may be included.

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1st Formations

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Recommended For: Non-residents setting up a UK company

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Founded in 2014, 1st Formations is one of the leading company formation agents in the UK, having assisted in the formation of over 1 million companies. The company specialises in registering limited companies and providing expert company governance services. It offers online company registration services to both UK-based and international customers.

1st Formations Key Packages and Fees

1st Formations offers a wide range of company incorporation and registration packages, including options for private limited companies (LTD), non-residents, ecommerce businesses, companies limited by guarantee, limited liability partnerships (LLPs), and public limited companies (PLCs).[1]

The most affordable option is the Digital Package, priced at GBP 52.99, which includes all essential documents in digital format. Let’s take a look at the other key packages.

Company Formation Package

What’s Included

Fee

Prestige Package

  • Email and printed copies of Certificate of Incorporation, Memorandum & Articles of Association, and Share Certificate(s)
  • Registered office address in Covent Garden (12 months)
  • Filing of the First Confirmation Statement
  • Business telephone number and answering service
  • Optional free business bank account with NatWest, Tide, and more
  • Free .com or .co.uk domain name

GBP 89.99

All-Inclusive Package

  • Everything in the Prestige Package
  • PAYE and VAT registration
  • Free 4 hours of meeting room hire
  • GDPR compliance package
  • Full company secretary service

GBP 99.99

Non-Residents Package

  • Online company registration
  • WorldFirst UK business banking referral
  • 3 Covent Garden address services
  • Free worldwide delivery of company documents
  • Free online company manager
  • 3 day free trial of Shopify + 3 months for GBP 1/month

GBP 149.99

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Note: 1st Formations package fees are excluded VAT but are inclusive of GBP 50 Companies House fee.

Customer Support Channels

1st Formations offers customer support via live chat, email, and phone at 020 3897 2233, available from 8:30 am to 5:30 pm UK time.

For email support, you can fill out the contact form on their website, and the team will get back to you during business hours. The contact page also includes answers to the most common questions, so you might find what you need without having to wait for a reply.

While the website is easy to navigate, the live chat is only available during UK business hours, which might be inconvenient if you’re in a different time zone. Moreover, the phone number provided is a UK line, so it seems the only practical way to reach 1st Formations as non-residents is through the contact form. 

Review Ratings from Review Sites

Overall, 1st Formations has impressive ratings across major review platforms, with many customers praising the professionalism of their service. Here are the review ratings as of March 2025:

1st Formations Pros & Cons

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Pros of 1st Formations

  • Strong reputation, with over 20,000 Trustpilot reviews with a 4.8/5 score.
  • Transparent pricing with Companies House fee included upfront
  • Flexible pricing package for all types of entrepreneurs
  • Fast online registration process

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Cons of 1st Formations

  • Some features that are free with competitors (e.g. Confirmation Statement filing) are only included in higher-tier packages.

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ANNA Money

Screenshot of ANNA homepage
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Recommended For: UK-based entrepreneurs who want an all-in-one setup

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ANNA, which stands for Absolutely No Nonsense Admin, is an all-in-one platform offering an award-winning business account, bookkeeping software, tax tools, and company registration services targeting small businesses in the UK. It provides a clear and user-friendly way to handle financial admin, from starting your company to staying compliant as you grow.

ANNA Money Key Packages and Fees

ANNA Money offers 3 UK company registration packages to choose from.[2]

Company Formation Package

What’s Included

Fee

Basic

  • Company registration only

GBP 19

Business Secretary

  • Free company registration
  • Pay-as-you-go ANNA business account
  • Basic admin service (.xls VAT filing and accounting software sync)
  • Virtual office
  • VAT and PAYE registration
  • Change of company name and other details
  • Confirmation statement

GBP 119/year + VAT (Companies House fee included)

Total Support

  • Everything in the Business Secretary plan
  • Business plan for your business account
  • Company cancellation cover
  • ANNA +Taxes service covering payroll, VAT filing, and corporation tax

GBP 395/year + VAT (Companies House fee included)

ANNA also offers individual services that can be purchased as standalone add-ons to the Basic package, allowing you to customise it to your needs. These include virtual office addresses starting from GBP 15 per month, VAT registration at a one-off fee of GBP 39.90, and a director management service (adding or removing company directors) for GBP 29.90.

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Tip: Learn more about VAT and PAYE in this guide to the UK business tax system and rates.

Customer Support Channels

ANNA Money primarily handles customer support through the mobile app, which is convenient for users managing their business on the go. One notable feature is their 24/7 in-app chat support, which is something that sets them apart from competitors that typically only offer help from a real person during office hours.

If you just need to ask about their packages or services, you can also reach them by email at hello@anna.money. While they don’t provide a phone number, the email appears to be consistently monitored, and replies are typically received in a short time.

Review Ratings from Review Sites

ANNA Money receives mostly positive feedback on review platforms, with many users highlighting the responsiveness of the support team and the simplicity of the app, online application, and onboarding process.

Ratings were last updated in March 2025.

ANNA Money Pros & Cons

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Pros of ANNA Money

  • Offers more than just company formation, combining business banking, admin tools, and tax support in a single platform
  • Flexible add-on services allow users to customise the Basic package without committing to a full subscription
  • Strong focus on automation and time-saving features, especially for VAT filing and tax submissions

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Cons of ANNA Money

  • Higher-tier packages are significantly more expensive than competitors
  • Support is primarily in-app, with no phone contact and limited external support options

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Rapid Formations

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Recommended For: Entrepreneurs who want location flexibility

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Rapid Formations is one of the major players in the UK company formation market, helping over 36,000 businesses register each year. The company provides a wide range of specialist services beyond limited company formation, such as apostilled documents, business mail forwarding, and assistance with opening a UK business bank account with partner institutions like Barclays and TSB. 

Rapid Formations Key Packages and Fees

Rapid Formations offers various company formation services for new businesses, non-UK residents, and those registering a limited company in Scotland. Here are some of their most popular packages.[3]

Company Formation Package

What’s Included

Fee

Privacy Plus

  • Limited Company Registration
  • Full set of digital and printed company documents
  • Digital Company Registers with First Entries
  • Business telephone number with answering services
  • Free business bank account
  • London registered office address
  • Free .com or .co.uk domain name
  • GDPR Compliance Package

GBP 39.99 (plus GBP 50 Companies House Fee)

All Inclusive

  • All in the Privacy Plus Package
  • VAT and PAYE registration with HMRC
  • Full company secretary service included free for the first 12 months

GBP 49.99 (plus GBP 50 Companies House Fee)

Scottish Package

  • Limited company registration service with a full set of digital company documents
  • Free business bank account
  • Free telephone support
  • Free client portal
  • Glasgow registered office address
  • Business telephone number

GBP 19.99 (plus GBP 50 Companies House Fee)

Non-Residents Plus

  • Wise UK business account referral
  • A dedicated Company Secretary Account Manager
  • Up to 15 company detail changes per year
  • Monthly solicitor-written guidance notes
  • Telephone answering service free for 12 months, including call forwarding and message taking
  • Option to choose your own UK business telephone number
  • 4 hours of meeting room hire, available anytime

189.99 (plus GBP 50 Companies House Fee)

Customer Support Channels

You can contact Rapid Formations by submitting a contact form on their website, and the team will respond via email.

Once your company is registered, you'll have access to free telephone and live webchat support for the duration of your company's existence. They also provide ongoing assistance beyond the initial registration stage, which is helpful if you need continued guidance. 

Review Ratings from Review Sites

Rapid Formations has received countless positive reviews, particularly for the helpfulness and responsiveness of their customer support team. Here are their current ratings as of March 2025:

Rapid Formations Pros & Cons

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Pros of Rapid Formations

  • Competitive pricing with feature-rich packages, including VAT and PAYE registration at lower-tier levels
  • Provides company registration options tailored for different needs, including non-residents and companies registering in Scotland

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Cons of Rapid Formations

  • The range of packages and add-ons may require careful comparison to ensure you only pay for what you need

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Quality Company Formations

Screenshot of QCF homepage
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Recommended For: Startups looking for the best value all-in-one formation package

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Quality Company Formations was founded in 2014 with the aim of simplifying the company formation process and supporting the essential service needs of a wide range of company structures beyond standard LTDs and LLPs. They offer extensive packages for various legal entities, including non-profit charities, PLCs, and multi-share class companies. 

Additionally, Quality Company Formations provides a broad selection of specialist services, from service addresses to dormant company accounts, making it a one-stop platform for professional corporate services.

Quality Company Formations Key Packages and Fees

Here are the key packages offered by Quality Company Formations.[4] Prices listed exclude VAT.

Company Formation Package

What’s Included

Fee

Privacy Plus

  • Online limited company formation
  • Full set of company documents
  • Registered office address to keep your home address off the public record
  • Free business bank account (optional)
  • Free pre-submission review
  • Free domain name
  • Business telephone number with answering services
  • GDPR compliance package
  • Managed live chat for 1 month

GBP 55.99 (Companies House fee included)

Fully Inclusive

  • Everything in the Privacy Plus Package
  • VAT registration
  • PAYE registration
  • Full company secretary service for 3 months

GBP 59.99 (Companies House fee included)

Non-Residents

  • Limited company formation
  • WorldFirst business account referral
  • Digital and printed company documents (including Memorandum and Articles of Association)
  • Free international tracked delivery for printed documents
  • Registered office address for 3 months with mail forwarding service
  • VAT registration
  • Confirmation statement (annual return)
  • Business telephone number for 3 months with answering service for 1 month

GBP 69.99 (Companies House fee included)

Charity

  • Company registration filing
  • Application for “limited” name exemption
  • Use of sensitive words in the company name, such as Association, Foundation, and Trust
  • Bespoke Articles of Association
  • Digital and printed company documents
  • Free domain name and online portal to manage your company
  • Free pre-submission review

GBP 89.99 (Companies House fee included)

Customer Support Channels

Quality Company Formations offers support via an email contact form on their website and by phone at 020 3908 0044, available on weekdays from 8:30 am to 5:30 pm UK time. If you're based outside the UK, email may be the most practical way to get in touch.

For general enquiries, they have an extensive Knowledge Base on their website, making it easy to find answers to frequently asked questions without contacting the support team. They also offer a Resource Centre with helpful guides on company formation in the UK, including step-by-step instructions and information on key requirements.

Review Ratings from Review Sites

Here are the current review ratings of Quality Company Formations, backing up the quality service they provide:

Quality Company Formations Pros & Cons

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Pros of Quality Company Formations

  • Offers one of the widest selections of packages for different company structures, including charities, PLCs, LLPs, and companies limited by guarantee
  • Competitive pricing, especially for non-resident and fully inclusive packages
  • Specialist services like bespoke Articles of Association, GDPR compliance, and dormant company accounts are included in select packages

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Cons of Quality Company Formations

  • Included company secretary service is limited to 3 months, while competitors may offer longer durations

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Mint Formations

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Recommended For: Startups and sole traders looking for flexible registration options

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Lastly, Mint Formations is a company formation agent to consider when setting up a new company in the UK. Alongside their incorporation packages, they offer additional business services such as registered address services in central London, virtual office service options, web design, logo creation, and more. They can also assist with company formation through the phone, providing an alternative to online registration.

Mint Formations Key Packages and Fees

Mint Formations offers a wide range of packages for different types of companies, including sole traders, limited companies, and limited liability partnerships. They also provide tailored packages for non-UK residents, including options for LLPs and companies limited by guarantee.[5]

They accept various payment methods, including Visa credit, debit, and purchasing cards, as well as Maestro and Mastercard®.

Company Formation Package

What’s Included

Fee

Sole Trader Registration Service

  • Sole trader name check
  • Fast registration within 24 hours on working days
  • Self Assessment tax registration  
  • Ongoing sole trader support
  • Free consultation with an accountant

GBP 29.00 (+VAT)

Premium Package

  • Free business account (if eligible)
  • Digital and printed copies of company documents
  • Web authentication code
  • Free business startup and marketing guides
  • Free consultation with an accountant
  • Free registered office address (London HA4) and director service address
  • Corporate hijack protection
  • VAT registration for your new company if required

GBP 49 plus Companies Registration Fee

International Package

  • UK limited company
  • London registered office
  • London business address
  • Free .co,uk domain name
  • VAT registration if required
  • Free accountant consultation
  • Help with banking options

GBP 114.99 plus Companies Registration Fee

Customer Support Channels

Mint Formations offers various contact channels, including an online contact form, chat support, and a phone line at 020 7112 8684.

Their support team is available on weekdays from 9:00 am to 9:00 pm, which is especially convenient for entrepreneurs in different time zones or those with busy schedules, giving you a wider window to get in touch, even after typical business hours.

Review Ratings from Review Sites

As a relatively new service provider, Mint Formations has fewer reviews compared to more established competitors, but most of the feedback highlights positive experiences with their customer support.

Mint Formations Pros & Cons

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Pros of Mint Formations

  • Offers phone-based company registration, providing an alternative for users less familiar with online forms
  • Long support hours on weekdays (9 am to 9 pm), ideal for busy entrepreneurs

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Cons of Mint Formations

  • Preferred Knightsbridge Central London address comes at an additional cost.

Why It's Worth Registering Your Company Through an Agent

Registering a company with Companies House may involve simple steps, but those steps can easily go wrong if you are not familiar with specific terms or the UK business landscape. For foreign entrepreneurs and non-residents, navigating the legal and administrative process can be especially complex and time-consuming, often taking time and focus away from other priorities.

Here are 3 key reasons why using a company formation agent is a smart choice:

  1. They handle everything on your behalf. Company formation agents manage all the paperwork, ensuring everything is completed accurately and submitted on time. They are experts with extensive experience in UK business laws, knowing exactly what’s required to ensure your company registration is accurate and compliant.
  2. They save you time: Instead of dealing with unfamiliar legal terms or chasing down documents, you can focus on your business goals while the agent handles the admin. It’s especially useful if you’re setting up a company from abroad or managing multiple tasks at once.
  3. They offer additional services: Many agents provide extras like VAT registration and business address setup and may even help with filing your tax return, making it easier to establish and operate your business in the UK.
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Starting a business as a foreigner? Read our guide to starting a business in the UK to learn about eligibility, visa options, and business taxes.

When You Might Not Need a Company Formation Agent

Using a formation agent can save time and reduce stress, but it's not always necessary. If you're comfortable navigating the Companies House website, understand the registration process, and don’t need extras like a business address or VAT registration, you can register your company directly by yourself. 

This route may be suitable if:

  • You're setting up a simple limited company structure
  • You have previous experience registering companies
  • You don't require additional services like a registered office and UK telephone number

Doing it yourself can be quick and cost-effective in straightforward cases, especially for UK residents familiar with the system.

Final Note

Now that we have explored the top options for company formation and registration agents, the next step for you is to pick one. Choosing the right company formation agent depends on your business type, budget, and the level of support you need. Whether you're a non-resident, a sole trader, or launching a startup, look for transparent pricing, useful add-on services, and customer support that fits your working hours. A good agent should make the process simple, not more complicated.

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FAQs

What is a company formation agent?

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A company formation agent is a service provider that helps individuals and businesses register a company with Companies House. They often handle the paperwork, ensure compliance, and may offer additional services like VAT registration or business address setup.

How much does it cost to use a company formation agent in the UK?

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Is it faster to register a company through a company formation agent?

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Can a foreign entrepreneur use a UK company formation agent?

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Is it mandatory to use a company formation agent?

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