OCTIS vs Legalstart vs LegalPlace for forming a French company
Two online formation services with a free entry pack. The legal fees are the same, so compare what the paid packs add.
Last checked · 3 sources
Otty's short answer
Both services advertise a €0 pack for company creation, excluding mandatory legal fees. Legalstart sells Standard at €99 and Premium at €199 for SASU and EURL. LegalPlace sells Express at €199 and a Premium plan from €89 per month with domiciliation and an accountant. Registry and legal-notice fees come on top at either provider.
Side by side
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| What matters | OCTISHong Kong company + OCTIS global plan | Legalstart | LegalPlace |
|---|---|---|---|
| Entry pack, SASU or EURL | At least 10% below any qualifying quote (Lowest Price Guarantee), government fees and first-year secretary included | €0 (Starter) | €0 (Basique) |
| Mid pack | Single package, at least 10% below any qualifying quote (Lowest Price Guarantee) | €99 (Standard) | Not published |
| Top one-off pack | Single package, at least 10% below any qualifying quote (Lowest Price Guarantee) | €199 (Premium) | €199 (Express) |
| SAS or SARL, mid pack | Not applicable to a Hong Kong company | €169 (Standard) | Not published |
| SAS or SARL, top pack | Not applicable to a Hong Kong company | €229 (Premium) | €199 (Express) |
| Monthly plan with domiciliation | Hong Kong registered office address needed | Not published | From €89 per month |
| Legal advice after set-up | Company secretary included in the first year | €29.90 per month, 30 days free | Not published |
| Registry fee | Included in the incorporation package | €33.83, extra | Extra, amount not shown |
| Legal notice, EURL or SASU | Filed online with the Companies Registry | €124 or €142 excl. VAT, extra | Extra, amount not shown |
| Micro-entreprise pack | Not applicable to a Hong Kong company | Not published | €59 or €99 |
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 want a Hong Kong company formed and then run with accounts, banking and CRM in one place.
Legalstart
Choose Legalstart if you want a clear three-step price list for SASU, EURL, SAS and SARL and a mid pack at €99 or €169.
LegalPlace
Choose LegalPlace if you want one fast Express pack at €199, a monthly plan with domiciliation and an accountant, or a micro-entreprise pack.
What the table does not show
What the packs cost
Legalstart lists SASU and EURL packs at €0 (Starter), €99 (Standard) and €199 (Premium), and SAS and SARL packs at €0, €169 and €229, all excluding VAT. LegalPlace lists Basique at €0, Express at €199 with priority 24-hour processing, and a Premium plan from €89 per month with domiciliation, status advice and a dedicated accountant. Its page says legal fees are on top.
Legal fees you pay either way
Legalstart's page lists a €33.83 registry fee for a commercial company and €19.33 for the beneficial-owner declaration. It lists the mainland legal notice at €124 for an EURL, €142 for a SASU, €148 for a SARL and €199 for a SAS, excluding VAT. These are Legalstart's figures, so check the current registry tariff before you order. A capital deposit can add a cost.
Reading the comparison fairly
Most comparison sites in French are written by one of the providers or earn affiliate fees, so check the grid yourself. The price grids above come from each provider's pages. Neither lists the exact total for your case until you start the order, and a lawyer or accountant who drafts your statutes sets their own fee.
Where OCTIS fits
OCTIS does not form French companies. If you are a Malaysian or Hong Kong founder weighing a French entity against your home company, compare the formation fees above with the running cost of a second set of accounts. OCTIS bookkeeping can keep the home company's books and consolidate a French subsidiary's statements, and you may get 10–30% off your current bill.
Frequently asked questions
Is Legalstart or LegalPlace cheaper?
Both advertise a €0 entry pack, so the difference appears in the paid packs. Legalstart's Standard is €99 for a SASU or EURL. LegalPlace's Express is €199. Legal fees are the same, so compare the total, not the pack price.
What are the mandatory fees on top?
Legalstart's page lists a registry fee of €33.83, a beneficial-owner declaration of €19.33, and a legal notice at €124 to €199 excluding VAT, depending on the legal form. LegalPlace shows no amounts, so check the current tariff before you order.
Do I need a service at all?
No. You can file yourself through the one-stop shop of INPI. A service drafts the statutes, checks the file and offers a rejection guarantee. People pay for speed and for fewer rejected filings, not for anything you cannot do yourself.
Do they also open a business bank account?
Legalstart presents a business account, invoicing and accounting as services after creation, and LegalPlace lists similar catalogue services. Neither article lists a price. Compare accounts separately, for example Qonto and Shine.
Sources
Checked on the date above. Links open the provider's or regulator's own page.