OCTIS vs Hong Kong or Singapore: which company to form
Registry fees, resident rules and corporate tax, side by side.
Last checked · 9 sources
Otty's short answer
Hong Kong needs no resident director and taxes the first HK$2 million of profit at 8.25%, then 16.5%. Singapore requires one resident director and taxes at 17%, softened by exemptions on the first S$200,000 of income. Pick Hong Kong for China trade and a no-resident-director set-up. Pick Singapore if you hire and sell mainly in Southeast Asia.
Side by side
Swipe to see every column
| What matters | OCTISHong Kong company + OCTIS global plan | Hong Kong company | Singapore company |
|---|---|---|---|
| Registry fee to incorporate | At least 10% below any qualifying quote (Lowest Price Guarantee) | HK$1,545 online | S$315 (S$300 plus S$15 name) |
| Resident director needed | No | No | Yes, at least one |
| Minimum directors | 1, an individual, living anywhere | 1, an individual | 1, ordinarily resident |
| Company secretary | Required; OCTIS's licensed partner, first year included | Required from day one | Within 6 months |
| Local registered office | Required, in Hong Kong | Required | Required |
| Headline corporate tax rate | 16.5% | 16.5% | 17% |
| Lower rate on early profits | Two-tier profits tax (8.25% then 16.5%) | 8.25% on first HK$2 million | Partial exemption on S$200,000 |
| Start-up exemption | Not separate | Not separate | First 3 years, up to S$125,000 |
| Tax basis | Hong Kong-sourced profits, subject to IRD source rules | Hong Kong-sourced profits | Singapore-sourced or received |
| Audit requirement | Yes; independent HK CPA firm, coordinated by OCTIS | Yes, unless dormant | Exemptions for small companies |
| Annual return fee on time | Filed on time; OCTIS prepares the filing | HK$105 | Varies, check ACRA |
| Foreign shareholders allowed | Yes, 100% foreign ownership | Yes | Yes |
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 want a Hong Kong company with the director and shareholder living anywhere, and the accounts and filings handled for you.
Hong Kong company
Choose Hong Kong if your buyers or suppliers are in mainland China or North Asia, or you want a company with no resident director.
Singapore company
Choose Singapore if your team and customers are in Southeast Asia, or you can name a resident director and want its start-up exemption.
What the table does not show
Who has to live there
Hong Kong asks for at least one director who is an individual, but that director can live anywhere. It does need a company secretary who ordinarily lives in Hong Kong, or a Hong Kong company acting as secretary, and a registered office in Hong Kong. Singapore requires at least one director who is ordinarily resident in Singapore, a person as secretary within six months, and a Singapore registered office open during business hours. A founder who does not live in Singapore usually has to appoint a local resident director.
Tax: compare the first dollars, not just the rate
Hong Kong's two-tier regime taxes the first HK$2 million of assessable profit at 8.25% for a company, then 16.5%. Singapore's rate is 17%, but its partial exemption covers 75% of the first S$10,000 and 50% of the next S$190,000 of chargeable income, up to S$102,500 per year. New companies can instead claim start-up exemption for their first three years, up to S$125,000 a year. Either way, check where profits are earned, because tax follows source and rules differ.
Running costs and audit
A Hong Kong company must file an annual return and have its accounts audited, unless it is dormant. The on-time annual return fee is HK$105, rising with delay to HK$3,480. Singapore exempts a small private company from audit if it meets two of three tests: revenue, total assets of S$10 million or less, and 50 or fewer employees. ACRA is reviewing those limits. Both countries need a secretary, registers and a yearly filing, so budget for a provider in either place.
Where OCTIS fits
OCTIS incorporates Hong Kong companies only. We do not set up Singapore companies. If Hong Kong fits, we register the company, act as secretary through a licensed partner, keep the books, file profits tax and arrange the audit with a Hong Kong CPA practice. Send us your current provider bill and we come in 10–30% off it.
Frequently asked questions
Is it cheaper to set up a company in Hong Kong or Singapore?
Registry fees are low in both: HK$1,545 in Hong Kong and S$315 in Singapore. The bigger cost difference is ongoing: a Singapore company needs a resident director, which foreign owners often pay a nominee for, while Hong Kong does not.
Do I need to live in Hong Kong to own a company there?
No. Shareholders and directors can live abroad. The company needs a company secretary who lives in Hong Kong, or a Hong Kong corporate secretary, and a Hong Kong registered office.
What is the corporate tax rate in Singapore vs Hong Kong?
Singapore taxes companies at 17%. Hong Kong taxes companies at 16.5%, with 8.25% on the first HK$2 million of assessable profits. Singapore offers partial and start-up exemptions on early income.
Can one owner run both a Hong Kong and a Singapore company?
Yes, but each company files its own accounts and returns, and transfer prices between them need to be at arm's length. Many regional groups use Hong Kong for North Asia and Singapore for Southeast Asia.
Does a Hong Kong company need an audit?
Yes. All Hong Kong companies must have audited accounts, except dormant ones. The audit must be signed by a Hong Kong practising CPA.
Sources
Checked on the date above. Links open the provider's or regulator's own page.
- Companies Registry, major fees
- IRD, profits tax
- Companies Registry, directors and company secretary FAQ
- Companies Registry, accounts and audit FAQ
- ACRA, choosing directors and key officers
- ACRA, audit exemptions for small companies
- ACRA, service and transaction fees
- ACRA, registering a local company
- IRAS, corporate income tax rates and exemptions