Tide company formation review

Our overall recommendation for eligible founders who want low-cost company formation and business banking together.

Reviewed 16 October 2026. This assessment covers published packages and terms, rather than a completed customer application. Tide is our featured commercial partner; we may receive commission, and this influences placement. Our recommendation is an editorial judgement among the six providers we compare, not an independent whole-market award.

Our verdict

Tide is our overall pick for a straightforward new limited company whose founders also want a digital business account. Its main advantage is easy to understand: the advertised £14.99 registration price includes the Companies House incorporation fee, while the associated business account has a plan with no monthly subscription. Eligible new members can also use NEW200 for up to £200 across two conditional rewards.

That combination is particularly attractive for a new consultant, small agency, contractor or online business that wants to keep initial costs down. The registration is a one-off purchase, the account supports the next stage of trading, and the reward can contribute towards startup spending where the conditions fit the business naturally.

My assessment puts Tide first on the combined value of the selected formation offer, account access and available incentive. It does not put Tide first for every conceivable company structure or service requirement. Founders who need an accountant-led package, particular address services, a different financial provider or specialist incorporation should compare the alternatives discussed below.

The most important limitation is eligibility. Tide advertises multiple-director support, but that does not automatically establish support for multiple shareholders. One of its current formation-related pages still states that only single shareholders are accepted. Co-founders should confirm their precise ownership structure before applying. A company should never be structured incorrectly simply to qualify for a discount.

Register your company with Tide and use NEW200

Formation is advertised at £14.99. The reward is up to £200 for eligible new members who meet the separate spending and savings conditions. Approval and Tide’s current terms apply.

Tide at a glance

Prices describe the selected service, not the full cost of operating a company. Banking transactions, optional subscriptions and future filings can cost extra. Source: Tide’s formation, pricing and partner pages. [1–4]

Why Tide is our overall winner

For the audience of Company Formation Offers, an attractive package should do more than advertise a small professional fee. It should make the actual amount payable clear, cover the core registration work and give the founder something useful afterwards. Tide performs well against those priorities.

The government incorporation fee is the largest component of many basic formation purchases. A dedicated agent can advertise a fee of only a few pounds while adding the £100 Companies House fee at checkout. Tide’s selected £14.99 offer includes that statutory incorporation cost. This produces a meaningful initial difference before any referral reward is considered.

The account also has practical relevance. A new company needs a way to receive customer money, pay suppliers and maintain separate financial records. For a founder who wants the Tide account anyway, the formation offer reduces the cost of reaching that starting point. There is no requirement to buy an ongoing accounting subscription merely to choose the advertised £14.99 route.

NEW200 strengthens the package for eligible applicants, but it is not the only reason for the recommendation. A founder who cannot satisfy the savings requirement should still be able to assess the incorporation price and account on their own merits. We therefore compare the package before rewards, then show the potential rewards separately.

This is a recommendation for a defined customer need: economical formation with banking. It should not be mistaken for a measured claim that Tide has the fastest support, the highest approval rate or the most sophisticated legal-document service. Those conclusions would require different evidence.

What is included in the formation package

Tide’s published offer includes registration of a limited company, an emailed Certificate of Incorporation, a business account application, PAYE registration and digital company documents. The listed documents include the Memorandum and Articles of Association, share certificates and company register documents. Co-directors can be added without an extra formation charge. [1]

The value of the document set is practical. It gives the company an organised starting record that can be retained for banking, accounting and commercial administration. The certificate confirms incorporation, while the other documents address the company’s constitution and ownership. A digital document package is sufficient for many ordinary operational uses, although unusual overseas or certification requirements should be checked separately.

The package should be understood as setup assistance. It does not mean that every subsequent company task will be performed automatically. Annual accounts, tax returns, payroll submissions and future changes to company information need their own arrangements. Where Tide offers tools for those tasks, their availability and price depend on the selected product.

For a new founder, this distinction helps prevent overbuying and disappointment. The basic package can be perfectly suitable without containing a complete outsourced finance department. The right question is whether the included setup work meets your immediate requirements, and whether you have a sensible plan for what follows.

What the £14.99 price does and does not cover

The selected price includes the incorporation filing fee; it is not £14.99 plus another £100 for Companies House. Against direct digital incorporation at £100, the upfront difference is £85.01. That is a formation comparison, not a calculation of total annual business costs. [1][5]

A useful budget separates four categories. The first is incorporation. The second is recurring administration, such as an address or accounting subscription. The third is activity-based charges, including account transactions. The fourth is government filing fees that arise later in company life.

Keeping those categories separate makes Tide easier to compare with dedicated agents. An agent may include a year of address services, while another offers only registration. An accounting-linked package may have a discounted initial price but a significant subscription commitment. A fair comparison adds the services you genuinely need to each route.

Do not subtract the maximum promotional reward from the formation price and describe the resulting figure as a guaranteed profit. Rewards depend on qualification and take time to arrive. They also belong in the business’s records. The formation price is known at purchase; the eventual reward depends on what happens after account opening.

Tide’s price is persuasive because it is low before those conditional benefits. That makes it easier to recommend to an eligible founder without assuming they will complete every promotional action.

The £1 option and Company Secretary subscription

Tide also advertises company registration for £1 when the applicant subscribes to Company Secretary. The published subscription price is £12.50 plus VAT per month. At 20% VAT, a standard monthly payment at that rate is £15. This is a different buying decision from the £14.99 standalone formation option. [6]

The Company Secretary page describes support for confirmation statements and certain company-information changes. Its practical appeal is bringing recurring Companies House administration into one service. For a director who wants guided filing and a more organised process, that can be useful.

However, the introductory formation saving is only £13.99 compared with the selected standalone offer. The subscription should therefore be chosen because its ongoing services are wanted. It should not be selected purely because £1 looks cheaper on the first screen.

Before subscribing, check the billing schedule, minimum commitment, cancellation process and whether each statutory fee is included. Tide’s general formation page has described an introductory schedule with eleven subsequent monthly payments; the order confirmation should establish which schedule applies to your purchase. Do not assume a normal twelve-month subscription calculation is the precise introductory total.

This service is also separate from appointing a professional accountant. Secretarial support addresses corporate records and filings; it does not automatically include preparing financial accounts, calculating all taxes or running payroll. A founder who already receives filing support from an accountant should check for duplication.

Who can use Tide company formation

Tide’s public formation page requires applicants to be over 18, have a UK-based business, provide valid photo identification and verify personal and business information. These are provider requirements, which should not be confused with the broader legal rules for forming a UK company. [1]

Eligibility needs to be considered at two levels. The formation service must support the proposed company and its ownership. The account provider must also accept the business under its onboarding rules. A legally valid business does not automatically qualify for every commercial account or discounted package.

The ownership question deserves particular attention. Tide now promotes co-director registration, while its virtual-office formation page includes a single-shareholder statement. This is not evidence that two shareholders are accepted simply because two directors are supported. If you plan shared ownership, obtain confirmation before choosing the route. [7]

The same approach applies to corporate shareholders, non-resident founders, unusual share classes, specialist activities and bespoke articles. Confirm support for the actual arrangement. If the standard journey does not fit, a dedicated agent or adviser may be more appropriate.

For an ordinary single-owner company that meets the provider’s criteria, these questions are usually more straightforward. That is the customer profile for which our overall recommendation is strongest. The low price should support a suitable structure, not determine one.

How the application process works

The published journey begins with a company-name check, followed by business and personal information, ownership and control details, identity verification and submission for incorporation. Once accepted, the formation documents are issued and the account setup can progress. The precise screens may change, but the decisions behind them remain important. [1]

Start by deciding what you are registering. Confirm the intended legal name, registration jurisdiction, address arrangements, directors, shareholders and business activity. Having those details agreed before opening the form reduces interruptions and inconsistent answers.

Then work through the application carefully. Names and dates should match identification documents, and the ownership information should reflect the real agreement between those involved. Where another director needs to complete a verification step, allow time for that person to respond.

Review the final summary before payment or submission. Check both the company information and the commercial order: chosen formation package, optional products, trial periods and any recurring charges. Record the referral code and the applicable offer terms separately from the legal company documents.

After submission, distinguish between an application acknowledgement and an incorporation certificate. Also distinguish company incorporation from account activation. These are related stages but do not necessarily complete at the same moment. A customer-payment instruction should use confirmed account details, not assumptions about when an application will finish.

Choosing the company name and business activity

A good formation process helps with administrative checks, but the founder still chooses the business identity. Before committing, consider whether the name suits the activity, can be communicated clearly and is suitable for the brand you intend to build.

Companies House applies rules on names, including names that are the same as existing registrations and words requiring permission. Trade-mark rights are a separate consideration. A name appearing available for incorporation does not establish that it is safe to use for every product or service. [8]

Check the website domain and other important brand assets before ordering design work. Where the legal company name differs from the trading brand, make that relationship clear in your business documents. Avoid making incorporation the first time the founders discuss how the business will be presented publicly.

The application also needs an appropriate business-activity classification, commonly called a SIC code. Describe what the company will actually do, then choose the relevant classification. A clear business description is useful beyond Companies House because account applications and professional advisers will also need to understand the activity.

This preparation has particular value in an integrated formation-and-account journey. Consistent descriptions of customers, services and expected payments help the applicant answer questions accurately. There is no advantage in selecting an inaccurate activity merely because it seems easier to process.

Addresses and protecting personal privacy

The registered office is a public company address. It must meet the official requirements and match the company’s registration jurisdiction. A registered email address is also required, but it is not published on the public register. These distinctions should be settled before the company is formed. [9]

Using a home address may be convenient, but it has privacy implications. A professional address service can be worthwhile if you do not want a residential address used in public-facing company records. The relevant question is which address fields the service covers, not simply whether the package uses the phrase “virtual office”.

Tide offers an optional London virtual-office service. Confirm whether your selected arrangement includes registered-office use, director service-address use, official mail handling and ordinary business correspondence. Those functions are not interchangeable, and a London address is not an appropriate registered office for every UK registration jurisdiction. [7]

Mail handling also deserves attention. Check how official letters reach you, whether scanning or forwarding is included, and whether parcels or bank cards are treated differently. A business address is useful only if the company receives important communications reliably.

Compare the first payment with the renewal price. If leaving the service later, arrange a valid replacement and update the necessary records before access ends. Address privacy is easiest to plan before incorporation; replacing a current address does not automatically remove it from all historical documents.

Directors shareholders and identity verification

Directors manage the company, while shareholders own shares. The same individual may occupy both roles, but the responsibilities differ. A formation package cannot substitute for agreement about who owns the business and how decisions will be made.

For a single-owner company, the arrangement can be simple. With several people involved, discuss ownership percentages, decision-making authority and what happens if a founder leaves. If the arrangement needs tailored share rights or special constitutional provisions, obtain advice before accepting standard documents.

People with significant control, or PSCs, must also be identified correctly. More than 25% of shares or voting rights are common tests, but other control arrangements can be relevant. The PSC analysis should follow the actual structure rather than a casual assumption that every director is automatically a PSC. [10]

Companies House identity verification produces a personal code used in the relevant company roles. Official verification can be completed through the government service or an authorised provider. An existing code should be located and handled securely; the founder should also understand any role-specific filing steps. [11]

Keep different reference numbers clearly labelled. A personal verification code, company authentication code, company registration number and tax reference serve different purposes. Organised records make later communication with an accountant or filing service much easier and reduce the risk of sharing the wrong credential.

How long formation takes

Tide advertises incorporation within one business day in many cases, while its FAQ says most businesses are incorporated within 48 hours. These are published expectations rather than a turnaround measured by this review. Applications needing further checks can take longer. [1]

A realistic launch plan allows time for identity verification, questions about company information and account onboarding. The overall time also depends on whether every person involved is ready to complete their part of the application.

Where a customer contract depends on the new company existing, avoid promising an exact date based only on a headline processing estimate. Prepare the contract and operational arrangements in advance, but confirm incorporation and payment details before presenting them as complete.

If an application is delayed, identify the stage that needs attention. A question about the company name differs from an identity check or an account-opening request. Keep the application reference and any messages together so that support can understand the issue without reconstructing the entire journey.

Speed is useful, but accuracy remains the more important objective. The most efficient application is usually one with agreed ownership, correct personal details and suitable addresses, rather than one completed in the fewest minutes. Tide’s integrated format can simplify coordination without removing the underlying checks.

NEW200 explained

NEW200 is the code for the partner promotion linked from this review. The live Promotion Key Terms identify a start date of 13 October 2026 and an ongoing end date. The promotion is for eligible new members, subject to fair-use provisions and the relevant one-reward-per-business conditions. [3]

The terms require successful account opening, KYC completion, an active membership and compliance with applicable Tide terms. Apply NEW200 during signup or within seven days of signup, and within the promotional period. Both monetary rewards are credited to the Tide Business Account. The stated delivery window is six to eight weeks after the conditions have been met. [3]

The rewards are separate from the formation fee. You do not receive £200 simply because Companies House accepts the incorporation. A founder who completes only one qualifying element should not budget for both.

Start through the NEW200 company formation link

Check that NEW200 is recorded and retain the current promotion terms. The offer can change, and the applicable conditions should be reviewed when you apply.

Qualifying for the £75 spending reward

The spending element is most useful when the company already has eligible purchases planned. Necessary startup supplies or equipment may help satisfy the threshold, subject to merchant eligibility and the transaction rules. Spending should serve the business first.

Tide’s general promotion terms exclude several categories, including recurring purchases such as subscriptions, fees, gift cards, bill payments, money transfers, ATM withdrawals, prepaid top-ups, tax and government payments. This is not an exhaustive list. Spend is assessed by the date funds are debited, and merchant coding can affect eligibility. Refunds or reversals can invalidate qualification. [12]

The practical approach is to complete suitable purchases comfortably before the deadline, keep receipts and monitor the completed transactions. Do not assume that moving £100 into the account, paying a tax bill or withdrawing cash satisfies a card-spending condition.

A small margin is sensible because a transaction started near the deadline may not be debited immediately. If a purchase is refunded, recalculate the eligible total rather than relying on the original amount.

The £75 reward can be a useful offset against launch spending, but it is received later. It should not be treated as available cash before it arrives. A business with only modest initial needs can still choose Tide without making unnecessary purchases purely to reach the threshold.

Qualifying for the £125 savings reward

The savings element requires more planning because the minimum balance is materially larger than the formation fee. The money must reach the specified Tide Instant Saver account within seven days of opening the Tide account. Keeping it only in the current account does not meet the described savings action. [3]

There is a wording distinction worth explaining. The offer headline refers to keeping the deposit for one month, while the detailed key terms refer to retaining at least £5,000 for a minimum of 30 days from account opening. A cautious practical approach is to fund promptly and retain the qualifying balance for at least 30 full days after the deposit, as well as beyond day 30 from opening. That is a buffer, not a substitute for the published rule.

If the exact withdrawal date matters, ask Tide to confirm it before moving funds out. Consider any supplier payments, tax commitments or wages due during the holding period. A healthy-looking balance may already be committed elsewhere.

The £5,000 is a deposit rather than a formation charge. It should not be added to the package price, but it is still a liquidity requirement. If personal funds are introduced into the company, record their treatment correctly. Businesses without spare reserves can assess the spending reward and formation offer without assuming the full £200.

Keeping a clear record of the NEW200 application

A simple offer record makes the promotion easier to manage alongside the formation. Save the partner page, the key terms shown when applying, the code confirmation and the account-opening notification. These documents establish which offer you selected and which dates govern the qualifying actions.

Use the actual account-opening date when planning the spending and savings steps. The incorporation date, the date you first visited the website and the date you opened the savings product may be different. Confusing those dates is an avoidable way to miss a deadline even when the business otherwise meets the offer requirements.

Keep separate records for the two reward elements. For spending, retain receipts and check that qualifying transactions have completed. For savings, record the transfer into the specified account and monitor the balance throughout the required period. This is easier to review than a single note saying that the business has applied for £200.

If a reward has not arrived after the stated payment window, contact Tide through its official support route with the relevant evidence. Explain which element you believe has qualified, the account-opening date and the dates of the qualifying actions. A concise record helps support investigate without requiring you to reconstruct the application from memory.

The same discipline helps with accounting. The formation payment, money introduced by a founder, ordinary business purchases and any promotional reward are different transactions. Keep supporting documents and ask the accountant how each should be recorded. A reward is a business receipt to consider within the company’s records, rather than an amount to ignore because it arrived through a promotion.

This recordkeeping does not make an ineligible transaction qualify or override Tide’s terms. Its purpose is practical: to make the conditions visible, reduce missed deadlines and provide a clear account of what happened if a question arises. For a founder already organising incorporation documents and banking access, it is a small addition to the setup process.

The business account and ongoing charges

The account is a significant part of Tide’s proposition because it remains relevant after registration. The Free plan has no monthly plan fee, but transaction charges and paid features still need to be considered. Tide also offers paid account tiers with different allowances. [4]

Compare the account against the expected pattern of activity. A consultant receiving a few customer payments may need something different from a retailer with frequent payments, cash handling and staff access. The same plan can produce different costs for those two businesses.

A useful comparison starts with actual quantities: monthly transfers, cash deposits, overseas payments, cards and any tools the business requires. Apply the current tariff to those quantities and compare it with another suitable account. A paid plan can be worthwhile where its allowances replace enough separate charges, but that depends on use.

Tide states that it is not itself a bank and that current and savings accounts are powered by ClearBank. Its published disclosures describe FSCS protection for eligible deposits up to £120,000 per depositor across ClearBank accounts. Legacy e-money arrangements are described separately. Read the documents for the product actually offered to your business. [13]

The formation recommendation therefore remains strongest when Tide’s account is a positive choice for the business, rather than an unwanted condition attached to a discounted filing.

First-year costs and realistic budgets

A first-year budget should show known charges separately from optional products and possible rewards. For a simple company using the selected formation option, the starting charge is £14.99. The current digital confirmation-statement fee is £50 when payable; other professional services and account activity are additional. [5][14]

The simple sum of £14.99 and £50 is £64.99. This is a limited formation-and-statement illustration, not a complete annual cost of running a company. It excludes accounts preparation, tax work, optional products, banking charges and any taxes owed.

This distinction matters when comparing Tide with an accounting package. A larger annual payment may buy substantially more work. Compare equivalent services before deciding which route is cheaper overall.

How Tide compares with ANNA Money

ANNA is the closest comparison for someone who wants formation and an account together. Its Just Register page advertises £19 plus VAT, or £22.80 at 20% VAT, with the Companies House fee subsidised. The subsidy depends on opening the company’s ANNA account within ten days of registration; otherwise the page says the £100 fee is charged. [15]

Tide’s £14.99 selected formation price is £7.81 lower than that VAT-inclusive ANNA entry figure. The more important comparison is the account and administration experience each business wants. ANNA promotes business-admin services and additional paid packages, while Tide combines its formation offer with the NEW200 incentive.

Our overall preference is Tide for the defined combination of low entry cost, account access and conditional welcome rewards. ANNA remains relevant for a founder who specifically prefers its account, support offering or administration tools. A small difference in formation price should not override a material difference in ongoing suitability.

Compare the two account tariffs using the same expected activity. Then add any paid admin services you would actually choose. Avoid comparing Tide’s basic formation with a more comprehensive ANNA subscription as though they contain the same work. The separate ANNA review explains that provider’s package decisions in more detail.

How Tide compares with 1st Formations

The selected 1st Formations homepage offer is All Inclusive with Accounting at £39.99 excluding VAT. Its provider pays the £100 incorporation fee, but the offer requires an accounting subscription: the first month is free, followed by eleven payments of £49 plus VAT on the Simple plan, with rolling monthly continuation afterwards. It is for UK residents and subject to approval. [16]

Those eleven accounting payments total £539 before VAT, or £646.80 including 20% VAT. The service therefore answers a different question from Tide’s £14.99 formation route: it is for a founder who wants to buy accounting alongside incorporation.

Tide is the stronger starting point where the priority is a low-cost setup and the founder wants to arrange accounting independently. The 1st Formations bundle may be more suitable where its accounting scope matches the business and the founder values one coordinated purchase.

Neither comparison should imply that the accounting work has no value. Equally, the lower initial 1st Formations figure should not conceal the subscription. A founder who already has an accountant should examine its standalone formation packages instead of buying duplicate services. Our preference for Tide concerns the selected general-purpose startup route, not an assertion that it replaces professional accounting.

How Tide compares with Mint Rapid and Your Company Formations

These three providers illustrate why a small advertised agent fee is not the same as a small checkout total. Mint’s Digital package is advertised at £4.99 plus VAT and a £100 Companies House fee. Rapid’s Basic package is displayed at £2.99 plus the £100 fee. Your Company Formations displays Digital at £2.48 plus the £100 fee. Confirm the final VAT treatment and any extras at checkout. [17–19]

Their main appeal is the dedicated formation model and the ability to consider banking separately. Higher packages may include address services or additional administrative features. The comparison should therefore include the services the founder needs, rather than ranking solely by the agent’s small professional-fee component.

Tide has a clear advantage on the selected upfront formation payment for eligible applicants. A founder who does not need a specialist structure and wants the Tide account can start at a materially lower amount before considering NEW200.

The dedicated agents remain sensible alternatives where the founder wants a particular address bundle, a different account provider or a formation arrangement that Tide does not support. They should not be assumed to accept every complex structure: for example, Rapid’s current comparison page says its listed packages use ordinary shares only. Check the relevant service rather than treating “specialist agent” as a promise of bespoke legal work.

Customer support refunds and service evidence

Support is important when information needs correcting or an application stalls. This review does not claim to have tested response times or resolved a live customer case. Published support channels are useful to compare, but they do not establish the quality of every interaction.

Tide’s formation FAQ says the amount paid is refunded to the original payment method if Companies House rejects the incorporation, following receipt of the rejection notification. That statement concerns the rejection scenario described; it should not be expanded into a blanket promise covering every cancellation, add-on or account outcome. [1]

Before submitting an unusual application, raise the relevant question in writing and keep the response. This is particularly worthwhile for ownership eligibility or address arrangements. A clear answer before purchase is more valuable than trying to interpret a broad marketing statement afterwards.

If help is needed, provide the application reference, the stage reached and the exact message received. Avoid sending unnecessary identity information through an insecure channel. Follow the provider’s established process for sensitive documents.

Online customer ratings can provide context, but they often cover a wider product range than company formation. A rating for an account provider is not a direct measure of incorporation accuracy, and a short positive review is not evidence that every applicant will qualify for a reward.

Responsibilities after incorporation

The company remains responsible for its records and filings after the formation provider has finished the initial work. The director should establish who maintains the books, who prepares the accounts and who monitors official correspondence.

Keep company money separate and retain a record of every receipt and payment. If the founder pays an expense personally or introduces money, document it so the accountant can apply the correct treatment. A business account makes separation easier, but accurate bookkeeping still requires descriptions and supporting evidence.

The confirmation statement is separate from the financial accounts. GOV.UK gives general deadlines of 21 months after incorporation for first Companies House accounts, nine months after the year end for subsequent accounts, nine months and one day after the tax period for Corporation Tax payment, and twelve months after that period for the return. Confirm the actual dates for the company. [20]

PAYE registration is also different from running payroll. Similarly, VAT registration is different from preparing and submitting returns. The formation package’s setup assistance should be matched with a plan for continuing work.

Use the site’s formation checklist and filing calendar to organise these tasks. The purpose is to give the new business a manageable routine from the outset, not to turn a straightforward formation purchase into an unnecessarily complicated project.

Which founders should choose Tide

A solo consultant starting a straightforward company: Tide is a strong first choice where the founder meets the eligibility criteria and wants a digital account. The selected formation price keeps the initial payment low, while NEW200 can add value if qualifying activity fits the launch plan.

A new agency with one shareholder and several directors: The co-director feature is relevant, but account access and each person’s role should be agreed before applying. Confirm the supported setup and avoid assuming that permission to manage payments is identical to legal directorship.

A business with spare launch reserves: The savings reward may be worthwhile where at least £5,000 can remain available for the qualifying period. Forecast commitments first and record any founder funding accurately. The reward is useful only if the cash can be spared.

Two founders sharing ownership: Obtain a clear answer about multiple-shareholder support. The current mixed messaging is a material eligibility question, not a minor administrative detail. If the structure is unsupported, choose a route that reflects the intended ownership correctly.

A founder who already wants another bank or needs integrated accounting: Compare the dedicated-agent and accounting-led alternatives. Tide is our overall recommendation for the main combined formation-and-banking use case, but it should not displace a service that meets a specific requirement more effectively.

Frequently asked questions

Is Tide company formation free

The selected offer reviewed here is £14.99. Tide also advertises a £1 route linked to a paid Company Secretary subscription. Neither should be described simply as free company formation. Check the package selected and any recurring commitments before payment.

Is the Companies House fee included

Yes, Tide’s advertised £14.99 formation option includes the incorporation fee. Do not add a further £100 to that selected offer. Later statutory fees, including confirmation-statement filing, are separate unless a purchased service explicitly covers them.

Does NEW200 give everyone £200

No. The maximum combines two rewards, each with its own qualifying action. Eligible new members need to meet the spending and savings requirements, apply the code within the permitted window and comply with Tide’s terms. Opening an account alone does not produce the full reward.

Can the code be added after signup

The NEW200 key terms allow a valid code during signup or within seven days of signup, always within the promotional period. Applying it during the initial journey and checking its acceptance is the clearest approach. Do not assume an unlimited retrospective claim period.

When is the reward paid

The promotion’s stated timeframe is six to eight weeks after the eligibility criteria and other conditions have been met. Keep the account active, retain evidence of qualifying actions and allow for validation. The reward is not an immediate reduction in the incorporation payment.

Can I form a company with another shareholder

Do not infer this from Tide’s co-director advertising. Its virtual-office formation page currently states that it accepts single shareholders. Confirm whether the exact application route supports your proposed ownership before proceeding. If not, a different formation service is appropriate.

Do I still need an accountant

That depends on the company and your ability to handle its obligations. The basic formation package does not amount to a complete accounting engagement. Decide how annual accounts, tax returns, bookkeeping and any payroll will be handled, and buy only the support the business needs.

Should I choose Tide if I cannot fund the savings reward

Potentially, yes. Compare the £14.99 formation offer and the account first. The £125 element should be left out of your expectations if the deposit and holding requirement do not fit your finances. A suitable formation choice does not depend on receiving every available incentive.

How to use this review when choosing a provider

Start with the company you actually intend to register, rather than the provider you hope will be cheapest. Write down the number of shareholders, directors, required addresses and any special document requirements. If Tide supports that combination, compare the account and the selected package. This avoids spending time on a discount that does not fit the company.

Next, decide which ongoing services you need. A founder with an existing accountant and a suitable business address has a different shopping list from someone who needs both. Put the same required services into each provider comparison, including their renewal periods. A package with more inclusions is not necessarily better value if those inclusions duplicate services already paid for elsewhere.

Finally, consider rewards after establishing the pre-reward budget. This keeps the decision sound even if a qualifying transaction is delayed or a savings commitment proves impractical. The potential payment can improve a good choice, but it should not be needed to make an unsuitable choice appear affordable.

Our overall recommendation reflects that sequence. Tide offers a particularly strong starting price for an eligible company, followed by the convenience of an account and a separate promotional opportunity. The dedicated alternatives are assessed against the same questions, with particular attention to address services, subscriptions and formation flexibility. There is no numerical star score implying that untested customer support or application speed has been measured. The judgement is explained through the costs and services a reader can inspect for themselves.

Final recommendation

Tide is our overall winner for eligible founders seeking an economical company formation and business account in one place. The £14.99 selected price includes the incorporation fee, the basic account has no monthly plan subscription, and NEW200 offers a meaningful additional benefit where the conditions are met.

The recommendation is strongest for a straightforward company with supported ownership and a genuine need for the associated account. Check the account tariff, settle address arrangements and confirm any eligibility question before applying. Choose the £1 subscription-linked route only if its continuing administration service is wanted.

For readers comparing all six providers, start with Tide and then test whether a particular requirement points elsewhere. ANNA offers another account-led route; 1st Formations has an accounting-led bundle; Mint, Rapid and Your Company Formations provide dedicated formation alternatives. Their specialist strengths remain relevant, but Tide provides the strongest overall starting proposition for the customer profile described in this review.

Register with Tide using NEW200

£14.99 selected formation offer. Up to £200 in conditional rewards. New-member eligibility, qualifying transactions, savings requirements and current provider terms apply. We may earn commission.

Sources

[1] https://www.tide.co/company-registration/ [2] https://www.tide.co/company-registration/company-secretary/ [3] https://www.tide.co/partners/new200/cofo/ — live Promotion Key Terms inspected after delayed loading. [4] https://www.tide.co/pricing/ [5] https://www.gov.uk/government/news/companies-house-fees-are-changing-from-1-february-2026 [6] https://www.tide.co/company-registration/company-secretary/ [7] https://www.tide.co/company-registration/virtual-office-address/ [8] https://www.gov.uk/limited-company-formation/choose-company-name [9] https://www.gov.uk/limited-company-formation/company-address [10] https://www.gov.uk/guidance/people-with-significant-control-pscs [11] https://www.gov.uk/guidance/verify-your-identity-for-companies-house [12] https://www.tide.co/terms/tide-promo-terms/ [13] https://www.tide.co/business-current-account/ [14] https://www.gov.uk/running-a-limited-company/confirmation-statement [15] https://anna.money/register-a-company/ [16] https://www.1stformations.co.uk/package/all-inclusive-accounting/ [17] https://www.mintformations.co.uk/company-formation/packages/compare-packages/ [18] https://www.rapidformations.co.uk/compare-packages/ [19] https://www.yourcompanyformations.co.uk/packages/ [20] https://www.gov.uk/prepare-file-annual-accounts-for-limited-company

About the author

Sam Bennett · Company Formation Offers

Sam researches the full cost of each provider: government fees, VAT, account eligibility, transaction charges, address renewals, subscriptions and the conditions behind cashback and referral rewards. Every review is built from the provider’s own published terms, pricing pages and help articles, with a dated research record and a clear line between published evidence and third-party customer feedback.

Writes for Company Formation Offers on provider reviews. Reviews assess published evidence and do not claim an independent whole-market rating. Full profile