OCTIS vs the yearly cost of a company in Hong Kong, Singapore or Malaysia
Registry fees, annual returns, secretary, address, audit and tax, side by side.
Last checked · 14 sources
Otty's short answer
Government fees to start are HK$3,895 in Hong Kong, S$315 in Singapore and about RM1,050 in Malaysia. Yearly registry fees are small in all three: HK$105 plus a HK$2,350 business registration certificate, S$60 and RM150. The real running cost is the secretary, address, accounts and audit. Hong Kong and Malaysia require an audit unless an exemption applies, and headline tax is 16.5%, 17% and 24%.
Side by side
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| What matters | OCTISHong Kong company + OCTIS global plan | Hong Kong company | Singapore company | Malaysia Sdn Bhd |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Registry fee to incorporate | OCTIS files with the Companies Registry | HK$1,545 online | S$315 (S$300 plus S$15 name) | RM1,000 plus RM50 per 30-day name reservation |
| Business registration fee | Registered with incorporation and kept renewed | HK$2,350 for a 1-year certificate (HK$2,200 plus HK$150 levy) | No separate fee in the S$315 set-up fee | No separate fee listed in SSM's table |
| Government fees to start | Registry fees as published; OCTIS service at least 10% below any qualifying quote (Lowest Price Guarantee) | HK$3,895 | S$315 | About RM1,050 |
| Annual return fee | Annual return prepared and filed by OCTIS | HK$105 if on time | S$60 | RM150 |
| Yearly business registration renewal | Certificate renewal handled by OCTIS | HK$2,350 for the 2026-27 certificate | None listed | None listed |
| Company secretary | Licensed company secretary through OCTIS's partner | Required from day one, living in Hong Kong | Within 6 months, a person meeting local residency rules | Within 30 days of incorporation |
| Registered address | Hong Kong registered address arranged | Required, in Hong Kong | Required, in Singapore | Required, in Malaysia |
| Audit requirement | Independent licensed Hong Kong CPA signs; OCTIS coordinates the audit | Yes, unless dormant | Small private companies exempt if 2 of 3 tests are met | Yes, unless dormant or exempt under SSM criteria |
| Corporate tax headline rate | OCTIS prepares and files the profits tax return | 16.5% (8.25% on the first HK$2 million) | 17% | 24% (15% to 24% tiers for small resident companies) |
| Local director rule | Director may live anywhere | 1 individual, may live abroad | At least 1 ordinarily resident director | A director must ordinarily reside in Malaysia |
Data sources & disclaimer: Comparison data was compiled from publicly available sources — including the competitors' own published pricing and feature pages — captured on 11 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 want a Hong Kong company on the OCTIS global plan, with the secretary, registered address, accounting, tax filing and audit coordination handled in one place.
Hong Kong company
Choose Hong Kong if you want no resident director and a low headline tax, and can accept an audit and a yearly business registration certificate.
Singapore company
Choose Singapore if you can name a resident director and want the lowest registry fees and a small-company audit exemption.
Malaysia Sdn Bhd
Choose Malaysia if you will operate in Malaysia with a resident director and want low registry fees, accepting the 24% headline rate.
What the table does not show
First year versus every year
Hong Kong is the most expensive to start because the business registration certificate adds HK$2,350 to the HK$1,545 incorporation fee, and the certificate renews each year. Singapore charges S$315 to set up and S$60 for the annual return. Malaysia charges RM1,000 to register, about RM1,050 with one name reservation, and RM150 for the annual return. These are registry fees only. Provider fees for the secretary, address, accounts and audit usually cost more than all of them.
Secretary, address and director rules
Hong Kong needs a company secretary from the start who ordinarily lives in Hong Kong, but a director can live abroad. Singapore requires at least one resident director, and a secretary within six months. Malaysia requires a secretary within 30 days and a director who ordinarily lives in Malaysia. All three require a local registered address.
Audit and tax
Hong Kong requires an audit unless the company is dormant. Singapore exempts a small private company that meets two of three tests: revenue and total assets of S$10 million or less, and 50 or fewer employees. Malaysia requires an audit unless the company is dormant or meets SSM's exemption criteria. An independent licensed auditor signs every audit. Headline tax is 16.5% in Hong Kong, 17% in Singapore and 24% in Malaysia, with lower tiers on early profits in each, so compare on your own profit.
Where OCTIS fits
OCTIS incorporates and runs Hong Kong companies. We register the company, act as secretary through a licensed partner, provide the registered address, keep the books, file profits tax and coordinate the audit, which an independent licensed Hong Kong CPA signs. If you have staff or premises in Singapore, Malaysia or another country, local registration and tax still apply; OCTIS can help arrange it. If you already pay for these services, send your bill or a written quote and OCTIS aims for 10–30% off it.
Frequently asked questions
Which is cheapest to set up, Hong Kong, Singapore or Malaysia?
On registry fees alone Singapore at S$315 and Malaysia at about RM1,050 cost less to start than Hong Kong at HK$3,895, which includes the business registration certificate. Secretary and address fees can change the order.
What is the yearly government cost of a Hong Kong company?
An on-time annual return costs HK$105 and the business registration certificate costs HK$2,350 for a one-year certificate starting between 1 April 2026 and 31 March 2027, HK$2,455 in total. Audit and secretary fees are separate.
Do I need a local director in each country?
Not in Hong Kong, where a director can live abroad. Singapore requires at least one ordinarily resident director, and Malaysia says a director must ordinarily reside in Malaysia.
Do all three countries require an audit?
Hong Kong and Malaysia require one unless the company is dormant or, in Malaysia, meets SSM's exemption criteria. Singapore exempts small private companies that meet two of its three size tests.
What is the corporate tax rate in Hong Kong, Singapore and Malaysia?
Hong Kong taxes companies at 16.5%, with 8.25% on the first HK$2 million of assessable profits. Singapore taxes at 17%. Malaysia's general rate is 24%, with lower tiers for resident companies with paid-up capital of RM2.5 million or less that meet the shareholding conditions.
Sources
Checked on the date above. Links open the provider's or regulator's own page.
- Companies Registry: major fees
- Inland Revenue Department: Business Registration Fee and Levy Table
- Inland Revenue Department: profits tax
- Companies Registry: directors and company secretary FAQ
- Companies Registry: accounts and audit FAQ
- ACRA: registering a local company (S$315)
- ACRA: service and transaction fees (annual return S$60)
- ACRA: choosing directors and key officers
- ACRA: audit exemptions, small company concept
- IRAS: corporate income tax rates
- SSM: table of fees, registration of company
- SSM: starting a company
- SSM: new audit exemption qualifying criteria (2024)
- Inland Revenue Board of Malaysia: tax rate of company