Tide Company Formation: Overview, Key Features & Alternative

Tide Company Formation is an all-in-one digital solution for registering a UK limited company and opening a business bank account at the same time. For just £14.99, you can register your company through Tide (an authorised Companies House formation agent), and instantly access a business account with expense tracking, invoicing tools, and more.

It’s a fast, streamlined option especially suited to freelancers, solo entrepreneurs, and small business owners.

However, if you’re looking for a Tide alternative, we’ll also compare it with ANNA, including its features, add-ons, and pricing.

How does the Tide Company Formation work?

You start by searching for your company name through the Tide app or website. If it’s available, you complete a short form with your personal and company details.

Tide then submits this directly to Companies House. Most applications are processed and approved within one business day.

Once approved, your new business account is activated and ready to use.

Who is Tide Company Formation best for?

Tide is ideal for:

• Solo founders (Tide only supports single-shareholder companies)
• First-time entrepreneurs who want a quick, affordable setup
• Freelancers and contractors
• People looking for a combined bank account and admin tools in one app

Key features of Tide Company Formation

Fast and simple online registration

Register your company in minutes, right from your phone or laptop. Tide’s interface guides you step-by-step with no confusing legal jargon. The process is optimised for speed, simplicity, and mobile use.

Companies House authorised formation agent

Tide is officially registered with Companies House, so your application is submitted securely and directly. The company formation cost is only £14.99, with the majority of the £50 Companies House fee covered by Tide.

Free Company Formation and Business account

The registration includes a free Tide business account with:

• No monthly fees on the basic plan
• A UK sort code and account number
• Mobile access, real-time alerts, and easy invoicing
• Expense tagging and tax estimates with paid upgrades

Virtual Office services

Tide offers a virtual address in Central London for a monthly fee. This helps protect your privacy and ensures your company looks professional. Features include:

• Same-day mail scanning and email forwarding
• Use of the address for Companies House and HMRC
• Pricing starts at £22.99/month

Integrated business tools and perks

Once registered, you can unlock Tide’s growing range of services:

• Tide Accounting with tax and expense tools
• Savings Pots offering up to 4.22% AER
• Invoicing and income tracking
• Card reader integration for taking payments

Types of Tide business accounts

Tide offers four account tiers:

• Free: Essential tools with pay-as-you-go pricing
• Starter: Invoicing, insights, and priority support
• Plus: More automation, tax tools, and bookkeeping features
• Pro/Max: For growing businesses that need complete admin control

Security and compliance features

Tide accounts are:

• FSCS protected up to £85,000 (via ClearBank)
• Encrypted and secured with two-factor authentication
• Regulated by the FCA
• Equipped with fraud detection and smart expense controls

Step-by-Step: How to register a company with Tide

To form a company using Tide, you’ll need:

• A unique UK company name
• A registered office address (your own or Tide’s virtual address)
• A single director/shareholder (Tide only supports one-person setups)
• A UK-based phone number and email address

The registration process explained

1. Search for your company name using Tide’s tool
2. Enter your business and personal details
3. Choose a Tide business account
4. Tide submits your application to Companies House
5. Get approval within one business day
6. Receive your incorporation documents and start trading

What happens after registration?

After your company is approved, you:

• Receive a Certificate of Incorporation, a company number, and share documents
• Your business account is activated
• Can begin invoicing clients, tagging expenses, and setting up additional tools like tax estimates or card readers
• Can also choose to upgrade your plan or add a virtual office later.

Pros and cons of Tide Company Formation

Advantages of Using Tide

✅ Low-cost company formation at £14.99

✅ Quick, mobile-friendly registration

✅ Instant access to a business bank account

✅ Add-on accounting, invoicing, and payments tools

✅ FSCS protection for funds

✅ Optional virtual office to protect your home address

Considerations and limitations

❌ Only available to single-shareholder companies
❌ No support for complex company structures (e.g. multiple directors or shares)

❌ Premium features (like tax tools) require paid upgrades

❌ No built-in payroll, company secretary, or multi-user admin unless you upgrade

❌ Limited phone support — most help is via in-app chat

❌ Premium features (like tax tools) require paid upgrades
❌ No built-in payroll, company secretary, or multi-user admin unless you upgrade
❌ Limited phone support — most help is via in-app chat

Alternative to Tide: ANNA Company Formation

ANNA (Absolutely No Nonsense Admin) is a UK-based company offering free company formation, a business account, and a suite of tools for taxes, invoicing, payroll, and admin. It's geared toward startups and small companies that want more hands-on support, especially with tax and compliance tasks.

Key features of ANNA for UK Company Formation

Fast, same-day Company Registration

ANNA offers same-day company formation if your documents are submitted before 3PM. The entire process can be completed online, with identity verification done via app.

Free Company Formation and Business Account

Company registration is free when you choose a paid plan (or costs £19 as a one-off). You also get a free business account with:

• UK sort code and account number
• Instant notifications and card payments
• Up to 40% cashback on over 150 products and services in the UK

Multi-director and multi-shareholder support

Unlike Tide, ANNA supports up to 4 directors or shareholders during setup. Ideal for partnerships, co-founders, or family-run businesses.

Virtual office address

ANNA offers a Central London registered office address you can use for official correspondence with Companies House and HMRC:

• Helps protect your home address
• Includes mail forwarding or scanning options
• Available from £15/month or included in the Total Support plan

+Taxes Compliance Add-On

ANNA’s +Taxes (£24/month) covers all your ongoing HMRC needs:

• VAT registration and returns
• PAYE setup and payroll
• Corporation Tax filing
• Tax deadline alerts and real-time estimates

ANNA Payroll

Optional payroll add-on for £20/month includes:

• Payslip generation and RTI submissions
• Pension integrations
• Covers up to 5 employees

Bookkeeping and invoicing tools

ANNA includes:

• Receipt scanning and expense categorisation
• Smart invoicing with reminders and payment links
• Integration with your business account

Company secretary support

Available with the Total Support plan:

• Annual confirmation statements
• Shareholder updates
• Changes to company structure filed for you

How to register a company with ANNA

• Sign up on the ANNA website or mobile app
• Start the company formation flow
• Select your plan (Essential or Total Support)
• Submit your application (before 3PM for same-day setup)
• Receive incorporation docs, activate your account, and access tax or payroll tools

What you'll need:

• A valid photo ID and selfie
• A UK registered office address (or choose ANNA’s virtual office)
• Details for up to 4 directors/shareholders

When to choose Tide

• Solo founder
• Lowest cost setup
• Mobile-first admin tools
• No need for VAT or payroll

When to choose ANNA

• Co-founders or multi-directors
• Need help with VAT, tax, payroll
• Want virtual office and admin support
• Prefer bundled compliance services

Conclusion: Is Tide Company Formation right for your business?

If you want a low-cost, fast, and simple way to start your business, Tide is a great choice for solo founders. You’ll be trading in a day with a functional business account and invoicing tools.

But if you need multi-director support, tax filing, payroll, or a virtual office, ANNA provides a more complete solution. Especially for growing companies, its bundled admin support may save you time and stress.

🌟 Final tip: Choose based on where you're headed, not just where you are now.

Set up your company today with ANNA – it’s quick, affordable, and covers everything you need to run legally and professionally in the UK.

FAQ

Can I switch from sole trader to limited company?

Yes. Both platforms let you register a new LTD. You'll need to inform HMRC of your sole trader status ending.

Do I get official documents?

Yes. You receive a Certificate of Incorporation, company number, and share certificate.

Can I cancel or upgrade plans later? Yes. Both providers allow flexible upgrades or cancellations.

Is support included?

Tide has in-app chat. ANNA offers 24/7 chat and more hands-on admin help.