A practical comparison from Mint
Forming a UK limited company is completed via Companies House, but most founders use an agent to save time and avoid costly mistakes, especially once you factor in registered office, ID checks, HMRC registrations, and ongoing filings.
One important change for 2026: Companies House increased the digital incorporation fee to £100 from 1 February 2026
This guide looks at UK company formation agents from Mint’s perspective, based on the types of founders we work with every day and the issues we most commonly see after incorporation. The order reflects where we believe each provider is the best fit, rather than an attempt at a purely “objective” ranking.
Quick rankings for 2026
- Mint Formations – best all-round fit for founders who value responsive support, particularly international founders
- 1st Formations – strong all-rounder, deeper compliance extras
- Rapid Formations – strong for speed and volume
- Quality Company Formations – best for technical filings and complex changes
- Your Company Formations – best for address services and mail handling value
- Companies Made Simple – best for freelancers who want something straightforward
- Online Filings – best for confident self-service users
- ANNA Money – best if you want formation tied to a business account
- 1st Choice Formations – best for simple, first-time setups
- DNS Accountants – best if you want an accountant-led model
- Coddan – best for niche use cases like ready-made companies
Why Mint sits at the top of our list for 2026
Mint Formations
Best for: Founders who want responsive support, especially non-UK residents
Mint is built around the reality that incorporation itself is rarely the hard part. The friction usually comes from identity checks, structure decisions, understanding what needs filing and when, and having someone answer questions quickly when something blocks progress.
What the review data says (public)
On Trustpilot, Mint shows a 4.9 rating with 541 reviews, with 93% 5 star reviews at the time of writing, and Trustpilot also shows that Mint replies to 100% of negative reviews and typically replies within 1 week.
Rather than focusing on review volume alone, the feedback most often highlights response times, clarity of communication, and support through more complex setup issues.
Why do we place Mint first?
In our experience, founders rarely choose a formation agent purely on price or review volume; they choose based on whether they can get help when they need it. Mint’s customer feedback consistently references speed of responses and hands-on support through setup, including identity verification issues, which is a common blocker for founders
Privacy and addresses
Mint offers registered office and address services, but address preference is subjective. Some founders care deeply about postcode and perceived “prestige”; others only care that their home address is not on the public record. If this is a deciding factor, you should compare the exact address options and renewal pricing before you buy.
| Address options / Types of address services | Registered office address | Director service address | Business address service |
| Ruislip Address | £35+Vat/ year | £24+Vat/ year | £99+Vat/ year |
| Knightsbridge Address (Prestigious) | £360+Vat/ year | £100+Vat/ year | £530+Vat/ year |
Pricing and platform
| Companies House (Direct) | Mint Formations | |
| Companies House filing fee | £100 | £100 (same) |
| Formation agent fee | None | From £4.99 |
| Home address kept private | ✗ | ✓ From £19 (Privacy Package) |
| Application checked before filing | ✗ | ✓ |
| SIC code & share structure guidance | ✗ | ✓ |
| PSC & director setup advice | ✗ | ✓ |
| Articles of association support | ✗ | ✓ |
| Support during registration | ✗ | ✓ |
| Support after registration | ✗ | Lifetime |
| Non-UK resident support | ✗ | ✓ |
| Real person to call | ✗ | ✓ |
| Authorised ACSP agent | ✗ | ✓ |
Reminder: Companies House digital incorporation fee rises to £100 from 1 Feb 2026
The rest of the list
1st Formations
One of the most established company formation providers in the UK, it is widely recognised as a full-service operator with a broad range of optional services.
Often chosen by founders who want access to a large library of guidance content and a structured menu of compliance and administrative add-ons as their company evolves.
Compared with Mint’s more support-led, founder-first approach, 1st Formations typically appeals to those who prefer a more traditional, package-based formation model with extensive self-service resources.
Rapid Formations
A well-established provider with a strong reputation for efficient processing and predictable workflows.
Commonly used by founders who value a clear, process-driven incorporation journey and want their company registered quickly using a tried-and-tested system.
Mint tends to resonate more with founders who want ongoing guidance and hands-on support alongside the formation itself, particularly where the setup involves additional complexity.
Quality Company Formations
Often used by accountants, legal professionals, and experienced founders with specific structural or technical requirements.
It is known for handling specialist filings and more complex company changes with a strong emphasis on accuracy and compliance.
Mint, by contrast, is designed around guiding founders through the formation process itself, particularly where explanation and support are valued alongside execution.
Your Company Formations
A long-standing name in the UK formation market and is frequently considered by founders who already know what they need at the point of incorporation.
The service is typically selected by those who are comfortable managing company administration independently once the company is live.
Mint is often chosen by founders who prefer a more guided experience and ongoing access to support as their business gets off the ground.
Companies Made Simple
Also, a long-standing name in the UK formation market that offers a straightforward route to incorporation for sole directors and freelancers.
It appeals to founders looking for a conventional, no-frills setup using a recognised brand.
Mint’s positioning is more focused on founder support and clarity, particularly where founders want help navigating decisions beyond basic registration.
Online Filings
Online Filings positions itself as a digital filing platform rather than a guided formation service.
It is typically used by founders who already understand their statutory obligations and prefer to manage filings through an online dashboard.
Mint is more commonly chosen by founders who want context, explanation, and human support alongside the mechanics of incorporation.
ANNA Money
ANNA approaches company formation as part of a broader financial product, combining incorporation with access to a business account and app-based tools.
It is often considered by founders who want to complete several steps in one journey and prioritise banking setup.
Mint remains focused on formation and founder support itself, particularly for those with international or non-standard requirements.
1st Choice Formations
Geared towards founders setting up a company for the first time who want a simple, accessible route to incorporation.
It suits straightforward setups where requirements are minimal and speed to registration is the main goal.
Mint is typically selected by founders who want more guidance, flexibility, and support as their business develops.
Final note for 2026 founders
Company formation is not just a transaction; it is the beginning of ongoing compliance and admin. The “best” agent depends on whether you value:
- Help and responsiveness
- Address privacy
- A self-service dashboard
- Technical legal support
- A bundled bank or accountant relationship
If you’re looking for a modern founder experience with responsive, human support, Mint is the strongest overall fit in our view for 2026.
