OCTIS vs Companies House vs formation agents for a UK limited company
What you pay the government, what an agent adds, and what changes if you live in Hong Kong or Malaysia.
Last checked · 3 sources
Otty's short answer
Register direct with Companies House if you already have a UK address and only need the company. It costs £100 online and is usually done within 24 hours. Pick an agent if you live abroad and need a London registered office, a bank referral or one place for filings. Agent packages start around £103 to £105.
Side by side
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| What matters | OCTISHong Kong company + OCTIS global plan | Companies House (direct) | 1st Formations | Companies Made Simple |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Entry price (Ltd) | At least 10% below any qualifying quote (Lowest Price Guarantee) | £100 online | £102.99 (Digital) | £104.99 + VAT (Basic) |
| Paper filing | Filed online with the Companies Registry | £124, 8 to 10 days | Not published | Not published |
| London registered office | Hong Kong registered office address needed | You supply it | From Privacy £117.99 | From Privacy £114.99 + VAT |
| Registered office renewal | 10–30% off your bill | Not applicable | £39 + VAT per year | Not published |
| Non-resident package | 100% foreign ownership; director and shareholder can live anywhere | No | Yes, price not shown | Yes, price not shown |
| Bank referral | Multi-currency business account via licensed partners | No | Free referral | Not published |
| Confirmation statement | Annual return to the Companies Registry, prepared by OCTIS | £50 fee | £75.99 + VAT, plus £50 fee | Not published |
| Accounts add-on | Bookkeeping and filings done by OCTIS | No | From £49 + VAT per month | Not published |
| Identity check | Not needed for the Hong Kong company; local rules apply if you trade there | GOV.UK One Login | Handled in package | Not published |
If you have staff, premises or local sales in this country, its own registration and tax rules still apply. OCTIS can help you arrange them.
Data sources & disclaimer: Comparison data was compiled from publicly available sources — including the competitors' own published pricing and feature pages — captured on 9 November 2026. Figures reflect the typical or advertised pricing at that time and may have changed since; plans, inclusions and prices vary by provider, region and promotion. OCTIS is independent and not affiliated with the named companies; all trademarks belong to their respective owners. This comparison is provided in good faith for general information only and is not professional, legal or financial advice — please verify current details with each provider before deciding.
Which one fits you
OCTIS · Hong Kong company + OCTIS global plan
Choose OCTIS if you are setting up from outside the UK and want company, accounts, banking and CRM in one place.
Companies House (direct)
Choose Companies House direct if you have a UK address for the registered office and want the lowest cost.
1st Formations
Choose 1st Formations if you want a London address, a bank referral and optional accounts in one package.
Companies Made Simple
Choose Companies Made Simple if you want an established agent and a dedicated non-UK-resident package.
What the table does not show
What Companies House charges
Companies House charges £100 to register a company online and £124 by post (form IN01). Online registration is usually done within 24 hours. You need at least one director, and each director may need a personal code from GOV.UK One Login. You also need a company-specific Government Gateway login. If you do not want "limited" in the name, you must file by post. The £100 fee buys the registration only. It does not include a registered office address.
What an agent adds
1st Formations lists Digital at £102.99, Privacy at £117.99 and All Inclusive at £139.99. Privacy and above add a London registered office for 12 months. Companies Made Simple lists Basic at £104.99, Privacy at £114.99, Comprehensive at £159.99 and Ultimate at £199.99, all plus VAT. The agent fee on top of the £100 government fee is small. You are mostly paying for the address, the filing reminders and the paperwork.
If you live outside the UK
A UK company needs a registered office address in the UK, which an agent can supply. Both agents sell a non-UK-resident package, but neither page shows its price, so ask for a quote. 1st Formations says its non-resident package includes a banking referral to Revolut Business, Wise or Payoneer. Opening the bank account is a separate step and the bank decides. Check where the company would be taxed if you run it from Hong Kong or Malaysia.
Where OCTIS fits
OCTIS does not form UK companies, so we will not tell you which agent to use. What we can say is this: a Hong Kong or Malaysian company that sells to the UK still has books at home. OCTIS bookkeeping can reconcile statements from a UK account alongside your home accounts, and the built-in CRM keeps UK customers in one place. Switching your accounting and company secretary work to OCTIS can take 10–30% off your current bill.
Frequently asked questions
How much does it cost to set up a limited company in the UK?
Companies House charges £100 online. Agents list packages from about £103 to £200, which include the £100 fee and extras such as a registered office. Some agent prices exclude VAT, so check the checkout total.
Can a non-UK resident register a UK limited company?
Yes. You need a UK registered office address and at least one director, and each director may need to verify identity. Both agents on this page sell a non-resident package. Opening a UK bank account is separate and not guaranteed.
How long does Companies House take to register a company?
Online registration is usually done within 24 hours. Paper registration takes 8 to 10 days and costs £124. Identity verification for directors comes first, so allow extra time if you have not verified before.
Do I need an agent to use Companies House?
No. You can register directly on GOV.UK. An agent is useful when you need a registered office address, want a bank referral or prefer one provider to handle later filings such as the confirmation statement.
What does a UK company cost each year after setup?
The Companies House confirmation statement fee is £50. Agents add their own service fee, for example £75.99 + VAT at 1st Formations, and a registered office renewal such as £39 + VAT per year. Accounts and corporation tax filings are extra.
Sources
Checked on the date above. Links open the provider's or regulator's own page.