4 Best 1st Formations Alternatives to Consider in 2025

If you’re setting up a company and weighing your options, it’s worth looking beyond the usual names. While 1st Formations is a solid choice, it’s not the only one out there. 

In fact, more founders are choosing services that do more than just register your business. 

This guide looks at some of the best 1st Formations alternatives for 2025 – options that offer things like built-in banking, admin tools, and better support.

1. ANNA Money

ANNA Money is a all-in-one solution that integrates company registration, business account, tax and admin support into a single, streamlined platform. This makes it especially attractive for founders who want to handle company setup, maintenance, and compliance in one place, with minimal hassle and strong automation.

• Free company formation (Pay only the £50 Companies House fee): ANNA’s Basic package lets you register a limited company for just the statutory fee, with no agent markup. More advanced packages include the fee at no extra cost.
• Integrated business account: Every formation comes with an ANNA business account (Pay-As-You-Go or full-featured, depending on package), so you’re ready to send and receive payments and trade immediately.
• Automated admin & Tax tools: ANNA’s platform includes receipt capture, invoicing, VAT filing, payroll, and corporation tax tools, all synced with your business account for seamless compliance.
• Virtual office & privacy: All packages offer a London virtual office address, keeping your home address off public records and providing same-day mail scanning.
• Full compliance support: Includes VAT and PAYE registration, confirmation statement filing, dormant account filing, and company name/structure changes – all managed through the ANNA app.
• E-commerce integration: ANNA’s business account can be linked directly to platforms like Shopify, WooCommerce, Etsy, and Amazon, making it easy for online sellers to get started.
• Company cancellation cover: If you need to close your company, ANNA provides a simple, supported process as part of its service.
• Transparent, tiered pricing: Four clear packages allow you to choose the level of support and automation you want, with no hidden fees and all core compliance included.
• Highly rated for simplicity: The formation process is genuinely beginner-friendly, with a guided, step-by-step journey praised for its clarity and ease.
• 24/7 customer support: ANNA offers round-the-clock support for business account and formation customers.

Downsides

• Limited Company types: Only private limited companies limited by shares are supported – no LLPs, charities, or more complex structures.

ANNA offers four transparent packages, each tailored to the level of support and automation you need. All core compliance is included, with no hidden fees.

2. Companies Made Simple

Companies Made Simple (CMS) is one of the largest and most established company formation agents in the UK, having registered over 1 million companies.

They market themselves as a comprehensive solution for entrepreneurs, offering a wide range of services beyond just company formation, and emphasizing their experience and scale. 

CMS appeals to those seeking a reliable, established provider with a one-stop-shop approach.

• Vast experience: As one of the largest formation agents in the UK, CMS has unparalleled experience, giving confidence to clients who value a proven track record.
• Wide range of services: In addition to company formation, CMS offers a comprehensive suite of services, including accountancy, legal advice, web design, and marketing support. This allows businesses to handle many needs through a single provider.
• Multiple package options: CMS offers five distinct packages, from basic online registration to premium options with extensive add-ons, catering to diverse needs and budgets.
• Company name availability checker: A free tool helps prospective business owners check company name availability.
• Customer support: CMS offers telephone, email, and live chat support, providing assistance throughout the company formation process.
• Registered office address: CMS provides options for a Registered Office address in London, enhancing a company's professional image.
• Guidance & resources: Extensive online guides and resources help entrepreneurs navigate company formation and ongoing compliance requirements.

Downsides

• Higher pricing: CMS tends to be more expensive than some budget-focused competitors, especially for premium packages.
• Complexity: The sheer number of options and services can be overwhelming for first-time founders.
• Upselling: Some users report aggressive upselling of additional services.

Companies Made Simple offers different pricing plans depending on the chosen business structure.

3. Your Company Formations

Your Company Formations is a UK-based, Companies House-authorised agent specialising in limited company formation and related business services.

It differentiates itself with a strong focus on privacy, premium London address options, and a reputation for responsive, knowledgeable customer support. 

The company is particularly popular among entrepreneurs who want a blend of affordability, professionalism, and a prestigious business image.

• Premium London address: Offers a registered office and director service address in Central London (EC1), helping businesses project a high-end image and maintain privacy. This is especially valued by clients who wish to keep their residential address off the public register.
• Privacy-focused packages: Many packages include both a registered office and director’s service address as standard, reducing the risk of personal address exposure.
• Transparent pricing: All packages clearly state whether the Companies House fee is included, and there are no hidden costs for the core formation service.
• Fast turnaround: Most companies are formed within 3–6 working hours, with same-day service available for urgent needs.
• Comprehensive Add-ons: Beyond company formation, Your Company Formations offers mail forwarding, business bank account referrals, VAT registration, confirmation statement filing, and even international packages for non-UK residents.
• Customer support: Live chat, phone, and email support are available, with staff praised for their expertise and willingness to help with both simple and complex queries.
• Positive reputation: The company is highly rated on Trustpilot for its ease of use, professionalism, and the quality of its after-sales support.
• International services: Dedicated packages and support for overseas clients who want to establish a UK company, including guidance on compliance and documentation.

Downsides

• Renewal fees: Like many agents, renewal fees for address services and mail forwarding can be higher after the first year.
• London-centric: Address services are focused on Central London, which may not appeal to those wanting a regional UK presence.
• No ultra-budget option: Entry-level pricing is competitive but not the absolute lowest in the market.

Your Company Formation has a variety of options, starting with Digital Only to the Entrepreneurs Choice.

4. Mint Formations

Mint Formations positions itself as a “lightning fast and easy” company registration agent, promising to set up a UK limited company in under six hours. The standout feature is its ultra-simple, step-by-step online process. 

This makes it especially suitable for first-time founders or those who want to avoid paperwork headaches.

• Aggressive pricing: Mint Formations offers some of the lowest entry-level package prices in the UK market. Its basic packages are highly competitive, making it a go-to for budget-conscious entrepreneurs. However, it’s worth noting that their premium “All-inclusive Premier” package is actually one of the most expensive available, targeting clients who want every possible service bundled in.
• Huge range of Add-ons: Beyond standard company formation, Mint Formations provides one of the largest selections of extra business services in the sector. This includes not just addresses and banking introductions, but also web design, logo creation, legal services, and more. This “one-stop shop” approach is more comprehensive than most competitors.
• Exclusive offers: The company negotiates exclusive deals for its customers, such as 30% off custom website design-a perk not commonly found with other agents.
• Strong support: Free chat and phone support is available, and customer feedback highlights the helpfulness and responsiveness of the support team.
• Transparent, upfront fees: Pricing is clear, with no hidden charges for basic packages, though add-ons and premium services can increase the total cost.
• Fast turnaround: Most companies are registered in less than six hours, which is among the fastest in the industry.

Downsides

• Expensive top package: While entry-level pricing is low, the all-inclusive package is much pricier than similar offerings from rivals.
• No physical offices outside London: Address services are London-centric, which may not suit all clients.

Mint Formation offers 5 plans, from Digital only to All-inclusive package.

Conclusion

If you're comparing options, it's clear that some services offer more than just company registration. 

Whether it’s integrated tools, clearer pricing, or better support, the right choice depends on what you actually need to get started and stay compliant. ANNA Money makes a strong case by combining company formation, business account, and admin tools in one place, without the usual friction.