Register a limited company and open a bank account.

Yes, it’s really free! We pay the £12 incorporation fee on your behalf.

Apply within minutes, in one streamlined process.

Get your certificate of incorporation within hours.

We only accept single shareholders

Launch your business in four easy steps

We help you register your company and get a business bank account in minutes.

Search for an available company name
Enter your business and personal details
Receive your limited company registration certificate
Get your free business bank account at the same time

Ready to be a business owner? Here’s what you’ll get.

Tide is here to support you in starting your own company. We believe the world would be a better place if more people gave it a shot – that’s why we’ve made company formations easier than ever.

Two-in-one

We register your company and open your business account in four easy steps.

Free

We’ll take care of your company registration fee – plus, there are no monthly fees for your account.

Fast

Your business account should be open in minutes, and your company is usually registered the same day.

Secure

We’re a Companies House authorized formation agent with a secure integration, so you’re in safe hands.

How to get started setting up your limited company

Time to turn your idea into reality. In one streamlined process, you can register your UK limited company and open a business bank account. Better yet, we’ll take care of the registration cost with Companies House, so it won’t cost you a penny. Here's what you'll need to register your company:

Unique company name

Use our search tool to instantly check if your company name is available. Use our Name Checker to bulk check up to 8 business names at once.

Registered office address

This will be where official communications are sent, for example, letters from Companies House. The address must be in the UK and you can opt for a Tide 'virtual office address'.

Director and shareholder information

You'll need the name, nationality, date of birth, occupation and address of the director. If there are more than one director or shareholders, you can add this detail later directly with Companies House.

Why register your company using Tide?

Trusted by over 500,000 businesses

From consultants to cupcake makers, coders to coat makers, we’re all about supporting small businesses and giving business owners time back, so they can do what they love and grow their business.

All your business account needs in one app

Create and pay invoices, freeze your card, organise your money with multiple accounts, tag transactions with your own labels – it’s all in there.

Loved by accountants

Sync with your accounting software or give your accountant read access to make bookkeeping a breeze.

Member perks

As a Tide member, you’ll enjoy exclusive discounts and bonuses from companies on the same mission as us: to save business owners valuable time and money.

Top Tip

Quick, safe and free

We’re an authorised company formation agent and will pay the £12 Companies House registration fee on your behalf.

Kate ClanLoud Architects

Setting up an account was really easy and has saved me hours of admin.

Trusted by over 500,000 UK businesses

Company Registration FAQs

Does Tide register my business directly with Companies House?

Yes. We’re an authorized formation agent of Companies House, and we’re securely integrated with them, so you can trust us to register your limited company.

What information do I need to provide to form my new company?

You’ll need these items:

Your unique company name Use our search tool above and we’ll instantly tell you if your company name is available.

Personal information You’ll need personal information such as your address, date of birth, and nationality.

Registered office address You can choose your home address or your business address (if you have a separate trading address). You can also use a virtual business address if you have one.

How long does it take to register a limited company through Tide?

It depends. In many cases, Companies House will incorporate your company within 1 business day. The majority of businesses are incorporated within 48 hours. Please note that Companies House does not work on weekends so if you send an application on a Friday, it will take longer.

Can I register a UK company myself without the help of a solicitor or an accountant?

Yes, you can! With our simple registration process, all you need is the correct information and we’ll register your new company with Companies House for you.

Is it really FREE to form a limited company through Tide?

Yes! Tide pays the £12 registration fee to Companies House on your behalf.

Do I have to have LTD at the end of my company name?

Companies House requires limited companies to have either Limited or LTD at the end of the company name. If you don't include LTD or Limited in your search, we will automatically add LTD. There is no difference between the name endings Limited or Ltd, except for how they look.

Do I need to sign any documents?

Not on paper – it’s all done online with a digital signature to make things simple. No printing or scanning required!

What are my responsibilities after setting up a limited company?

You’ll have yearly responsibilities such as your tax return and annual return plus ongoing tasks like keeping records of the company and keeping a register of PSC’s (People with significant control). Full details can be found on the gov.uk website.

What is the difference between LTD and Limited?

There is no difference between the name endings ‘Limited’ or ‘Ltd’, except for how they look. Companies House requires limited companies to have either Limited or Ltd at the end of the company name. By default we select Ltd, but you can also choose the ‘Limited’ option if you prefer.

Help, my question isn’t answered here…

Find answers to all our most frequently asked questions about registering a company

Register your business and open a bank account today

Tide is about doing what you love. That’s why we’re trusted by 400,000+ sole traders, freelancers and limited companies throughout the UK.

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