Tide Company Formation 2026: Register a Company for £14.99
Tide company formation provides an online route for eligible founders to register a new UK limited company for £14.99. Tide submits the incorporation application to Companies House and includes a Tide business account application in the same process.
Companies House makes the incorporation decision. Tide business account approval is assessed separately and is not guaranteed.
StartupCode may receive a commission if you register or apply through this link, at no additional cost to you. Company formation, account approval and cashback are not guaranteed. Terms and eligibility apply.
Product information checked: 22 August 2026
At a glance
Tide Company Formation at a Glance
The Tide limited company formation route is designed for eligible founders creating a straightforward UK private company limited by shares. Tide submits the application to Companies House and includes a separate Tide business account application in the same journey.
- £14.99 standalone feeEligible applicants currently pay £14.99 for the standalone formation service.
- £100 direct online feeThe Companies House online incorporation fee is currently £100.
- Online applicationEnter the founder and company information digitally.
- Company-name checkCheck whether the proposed limited-company name is available.
- Authorised providerTide is a Companies House Authorised Corporate Service Provider.
- Identity verificationComplete the identity checks required for the application.
- Companies House submissionTide submits the incorporation application to Companies House.
- Electronic certificateSuccessful applicants receive a Certificate of Incorporation electronically.
- Formation documentsMemorandum, Articles of Association and shareholder documents are included.
- Company registerA company register is included with a successful formation.
- Business account applicationApply for a Tide business account within the same journey.
- PAYE registrationTide currently includes PAYE registration with HMRC.
The £14.99 price, service inclusions and eligibility requirements can change. Companies House decides whether to incorporate the company, while Tide separately decides whether to approve the business account.
Features and benefits
9 Tide Company Formation Features and Benefits
The principal benefit of Tide company formation is the ability to complete a straightforward incorporation and business account application through one connected online process. Applicants should still check that the service supports their intended company structure.
£14.99 formation route
Eligible founders can currently use Tide company formation for £14.99, compared with the £100 Companies House online incorporation fee. Tide's current terms apply.
Online registration
Enter the proposed company name, registered-office information, founder details and business activity through an online application.
Company-name availability check
Check the proposed name before continuing, reducing the risk of submitting an application using a name that is already registered.
Identity verification
Complete the required identity checks within the formation journey. Directors and people with significant control may have Companies House verification obligations.
Companies House submission
Tide submits the incorporation application. Companies House reviews the information and remains responsible for registering the company.
Incorporation documents
Successful applicants receive the core documents required to evidence and govern the newly incorporated company.
Business account application
Apply for a Tide business account as part of the same journey. Account approval remains separate from company incorporation.
PAYE registration
Tide currently includes PAYE registration with HMRC, helping eligible founders complete an additional setup task.
Connected business services
After account approval, customers can access the payment, invoicing, accounting and savings services available with their selected Tide plan.
How it works
How Tide Company Formation Works
Tide company registration is completed online, but incorporation is not automatic. Tide checks the application before submitting it, and Companies House makes the registration decision.
- 1
Check the company name
Search for the proposed limited-company name and confirm that it is available and suitable for registration.
- 2
Enter the company details
Provide the registered-office information, business activity, director, shareholder and person-with-significant-control details requested during the application.
- 3
Verify your identity
Complete the required identity-verification process and provide any supporting information requested.
- 4
Pay the formation fee
Pay the current Tide company formation cost shown during the application.
- 5
Tide submits the application
Tide sends the completed incorporation application to Companies House.
- 6
Companies House assesses it
Companies House reviews the application and decides whether to incorporate the company.
- 7
Complete the account checks
The accompanying Tide business account application is subject to separate approval and may require additional information.
APPLICATION DETAILS
What Do You Need for Tide Company Formation?
Before starting the Tide company formation application, prepare the information needed to identify the founder, describe the company and satisfy the relevant verification requirements.
Company name
Choose a suitable name and check that it is available. Company-name and sensitive-word rules apply.
Registered office
Provide an appropriate UK registered-office address for official company correspondence.
Director and shareholder details
Enter the personal information requested for the proposed director and sole shareholder.
Business activity
Select the relevant Standard Industrial Classification code or codes describing the company's intended activities.
People with significant control
Provide the required information about anyone who will own or control the company.
Identity evidence
Complete the relevant identity-verification process and provide supporting information when requested.
Requirements can vary, and Tide or Companies House may request further information. Preparing the details in advance does not guarantee that the application will be accepted.
Check the official limited-company setup guidanceCost
How Much Does Tide Company Formation Cost?
The standalone Tide company formation cost is currently £14.99 for eligible applications. The Companies House online incorporation fee is currently £100, so Tide's advertised route is approximately £85 less. The fee covers Tide's formation service and the documents listed on this page. Optional services, including any virtual-office, company-secretarial or account products selected separately, may carry additional charges. Paying the £14.99 fee does not guarantee incorporation or approval for a Tide business account. Companies House assesses the incorporation application, while Tide separately assesses the business account. Prices, inclusions and eligibility can change. Confirm the current Tide company formation cost and terms before paying.
What is included
What Is Included With Tide Company Registration?
Subject to a successful application, Tide company registration currently includes the incorporation submission, core company documents and a connected Tide business account application.
- Incorporation submissionTide submits the completed application to Companies House.
- Certificate of IncorporationReceive electronic evidence that Companies House has incorporated the company.
- Memorandum of AssociationReceive the document recording the subscribers' intention to form the company.
- Articles of AssociationReceive the rules governing how the company will be operated.
- Share certificatesReceive documentation recording the initial shareholding.
- Company registerReceive a register for recording key company and ownership information.
- Business account applicationApply for a Tide business account, subject to separate approval.
- PAYE registrationTide currently includes PAYE registration with HMRC.
These items support the initial setup but do not provide personalised legal, accounting or tax advice. Directors remain responsible for understanding and meeting the company's ongoing legal, filing, record-keeping and tax obligations.
FORMATION ROUTES
Tide Company Formation or Companies House Direct?
Both routes ultimately rely on Companies House to register the company. The main differences concern the price, who prepares the submission and which connected services are included.
| Area | Tide formation route | Companies House direct |
|---|---|---|
| Current online price | £14.99 for the standalone Tide route | £100 online incorporation fee |
| Application submission | Tide submits the application | The founder submits directly |
| Registration decision | Made by Companies House | Made by Companies House |
| Business account application | Included, subject to Tide approval | Arranged separately |
| PAYE registration | Currently included by Tide | Arranged separately if required |
| Personalised legal or tax advice | Not included | Not included |
The Tide route may be more convenient for an eligible sole founder who wants incorporation and account application together. Applying directly may offer more control or support company structures that Tide's current single-shareholder route does not accommodate.
Limitations
Important Tide Company Formation Limitations
Before using the service, consider the following:
- Tide currently accepts eligible single-shareholder applications through this route.
- The service is intended for a straightforward private company limited by shares.
- Company formation and business account approval are separate decisions.
- Companies House can reject or delay an incorporation application.
- Identity verification and supporting information may be required.
- Optional Tide or partner services may have separate fees and terms.
- The service does not provide personalised legal, accounting or tax advice.
- Directors remain responsible for ongoing Companies House and HMRC obligations.
A specialist formation agent, accountant or solicitor may be more appropriate where the proposed company has multiple shareholders, bespoke Articles of Association, complex ownership, overseas control or specialist legal and tax requirements.
STARTUP200 offer
Tide Company Formation and the STARTUP200 Offer
Eligible founders can register a company with Tide for £14.99 and apply for a Tide business account in the same journey. STARTUP200 may provide access to up to £200 cashback through two separately qualifying rewards. The first reward is £75 cashback. The customer must open an eligible Tide business current account using STARTUP200 and spend at least £100 on the Tide card within 30 days of opening the account. The additional £125 requires the customer to open a Tide Instant Saver Account, deposit at least £5,000 within seven days and maintain a balance of at least £5,000 for the first 30 days. The full £200 is available only when both rewards are successfully qualified for. Company formation, account approval and cashback are not guaranteed. Tide sets the terms and assesses the qualifying activity.
Terms and eligibility apply. Account approval and cashback are not guaranteed. StartupCode may earn a commission when you apply through our links, at no additional cost to you.
Suitability
Who Might Tide Company Formation Suit?
Tide company formation may suit eligible founders creating a straightforward UK private company limited by shares and wanting company registration and business account application in one online journey.
May suit
First-time founders creating a straightforward limited company
Eligible founders who will be the sole shareholder
Applicants comfortable completing registration online
Founders wanting formation and account application together
Businesses expecting to manage their finances digitally
May not suit
May not suit
Tide company formation may be less suitable for businesses requiring multiple shareholders at incorporation, bespoke Articles of Association, complex share structures, overseas ownership arrangements or personalised legal and tax advice.
Tide determines eligibility for its formation route and business account. Companies House determines whether the company is incorporated.
OUR RESEARCH
How We Researched Tide Company Formation
StartupCode reviewed Tide's published company-registration information, pricing, eligibility and service inclusions. We also checked the current Companies House incorporation fee and official guidance covering limited-company setup and identity verification. This is an editorial product overview, not personalised legal, accounting or tax advice. Product terms, government fees and company-law requirements can change, so confirm the current information before applying.
FAQs
Tide Company Formation FAQs
Ready to Explore Tide Company Formation?
Check that the service supports your intended company structure, review the current £14.99 terms and understand the separate Tide business account requirements before applying.
Account approval and any promotional cashback are not guaranteed. Terms and eligibility apply. Tide sets all product terms, pricing, eligibility and rewards.
Independent site and affiliate disclosure. StartupCode.co.uk is an independent website and a verified Tide referral partner. It is not owned, operated or endorsed by Tide. We may earn a commission when you open an account or apply through our links, at no additional cost to you. This page is informational only and is not financial advice. Tide sets all product terms, pricing, eligibility and any promotional rewards, which can change. Always read the current terms on Tide before applying.