Best incorporation services for startups in Singapore: needs first, then the facts

A startup pays ACRA S$315 to register, needs a secretary within 6 months and a resident director. Published starter prices are Osome S$600, Leftright S$648 and Sleek S$700. The right one depends on what you add.

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SingaporeCompanySetupGuide.com is an independent guide, not ACRA and not a provider. We have not tested the services below, and partners may pay us when a request reaches them. This page therefore starts with what a startup needs by law, then shows what providers publish for it, read on .

What does a startup need before it picks a provider?

From ACRA: at least one director who is ordinarily resident in Singapore, one shareholder, a company secretary appointed within six months, a registered address open to the public during business hours and at least S$1 in share capital. ACRA charges S$315 to register: S$15 for the name and S$300 for incorporation. See company formation cost and the set up a company guide.

What do providers publish for startups?

Provider Starter price What is in it What is missing
Osome S$600 Registration, secretary, annual return, AGM Accounting, address (not shown on local plans)
Leftright S$648 Registration, 12 months of secretary, bank opening help Accounting, address (S$245 separately)
Sleek From S$700 Registration, secretary, annual return, AGM Bookkeeping, address
Sleek Compliance S$1,600 Adds bookkeeping, tax return Address, GST filing
Osome Full compliance From S$1,472 Adds bookkeeping, ECI, tax return, up to S$30,000 revenue GST filing

Sources: Osome, Leftright and Sleek.

HeySara lists a free incorporation offer inside its overseas package. We read its overseas prices (S$3,188 and S$3,788) but not a local startup price.

What do startups often add?

Four things appear in most startup budgets. Accounting starts at S$75 a month at both Osome and Sleek, billed per financial year, and moves with revenue or expenses. GST registration at Osome is S$300 and GST filing is S$1,200 a year, while Sleek lists S$300 a quarter. Payroll is S$350 per employee a year at Osome and S$300 at Sleek. A registered address is S$245 a year at Leftright. These are provider-published prices, not quotes.

Check whether you need GST at all. That depends on IRAS rules and your turnover, so see GST registration.

What facts could change the answer?

  • Overseas founder. You need a nominee director in the first period. Look at incorporation services for foreigners.
  • Planning to raise funds. Sleek lists funding round support only in its top secretary tier, at S$1,500. Ask others how they price new share classes.
  • Hiring soon. Check payroll, CPF registration and the cost per employee. See CPF for employers.
  • Seeking grants. Eligibility for Startup SG schemes is set by the government. See Startup SG grants.

Is a bundle better than buying parts?

A bundle saves effort and gives one invoice. It can lock you in if the annual price jumps. Buying parts lets you swap a secretary or accountant later. Neither is better in every case. Ask what happens to your registers and filings if you change provider, as set out in the change company secretary guide.

How do you choose?

  1. List what your startup needs in the first 12 months.
  2. Total each provider's plan plus the add-ons you need.
  3. Ask for year-two prices in writing.
  4. Check the provider's ACRA status on ACRA's site.
  5. Check support terms, since we have not tested any.

Sleek versus Osome lines up the two biggest names, and the digital versus traditional guide covers when a firm may fit better.

Want quotes for a startup?

Use the form on this page. Give us the number of founders, where they live and whether you need accounting. We pass your request to suitable providers.

Where can I see the prices side by side?

Before you choose, see the Singapore company setup price comparison: published prices, Google rating and review count for 34 firms in one table.

Sources

Good to know

Questions people ask

What does a Singapore startup actually need to incorporate?

ACRA requires a company name, one shareholder, S$1 minimum capital, a resident director, a registered Singapore address and a company secretary within 6 months. ACRA charges S$315 to register. A provider's fee comes on top, or inside a bundle.

Which incorporation service is best for a startup?

The facts do not name one. A startup with one resident founder may need only registration and a secretary, while one with GST or staff needs more. We have not tested any provider, so compare the table lines against your needs.

Is the cheapest option enough for a startup?

Sometimes. The lowest published plans cover registration, a secretary and the annual return. They may leave out accounting, GST, payroll and an address. A cheap start can cost more later if you buy those separately.

Do startups get any tax relief?

IRAS offers a start-up exemption on part of chargeable income for new companies with no more than 20 shareholders, within conditions. It is a tax rule, not a provider feature. Our corporate tax page has the figures from IRAS.

Should a startup pick a digital provider or a law firm?

A simple startup with one or two founders and no unusual structure can use a digital provider. If you plan a funding round with complex share classes, ask whether the plan covers it or whether you need a firm.

What happens to costs after the first year?

You pay a secretary fee, the annual return fee of S$60 if it is not bundled, accounting if you buy it, and an address fee if you use one. Ask each provider for the year-two price before you commit.

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