1st Formations vs Rapid Formations: Which one is Better for Non-UK Residents in 2025?
A comparison between 1st formation and rapid formation
When you're based outside the UK and looking to start a limited company there, one of the biggest decisions you'll make before even filing a single form is which company formation agent to trust. Two of the most popular and reputable options in 2025 are 1st Formations and Rapid Formations.
Both offer specialised packages tailored for non-UK residents, complete with registered office addresses, mail forwarding, digital documents, and help opening a UK bank account via fintech platforms like Wise or WorldFirst. But while they look similar on the surface, they differ in important ways—pricing, included services, renewal fees, and banking partnerships.
So which one gives you the best value? Which is more transparent? Which is better suited to your specific needs as a non-resident?
In this detailed, side-by-side comparison, we break down everything you need to know from features and pricing to real customer reviews and hidden costs—so you can make the smartest choice for your UK business. Whether you’re launching a consulting brand, e-commerce store, or global services company, this guide will help you pick the right partner to get started with confidence.
| If you value… | Pick | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Lowest upfront cost | Rapid Formations – Non-Residents (£99.99 + £50 CH fee) | £100 cheaper than 1st Formations’ package, yet still includes all three London address services. |
| Most extras in the box | Rapid Formations – Non-Residents Plus (£149.99 + £50) | Adds a full Company Secretary Service, first Confirmation Statement, VAT/PAYE registrations and a 12-month telephone-answering plan worth £359. |
| One flat price (Companies House fee included) | 1st Formations – Non-Residents (£149.99 all-in) | The £50 filing fee is bundled, so you won’t see it again at checkout. |
| WorldFirst multi-currency banking | 1st Formations | Referral to WorldFirst with 15+ local IBANs and zero FX fees on same-currency spends. |
| Wise Business banking | Rapid Formations | Referral to Wise—open 9+ currency accounts, send money to 160 countries; one-off £45 Wise fee. |
| Highest volume of 5-star reviews | 1st Formations | 22 k+ Trustpilot reviews, 5-star average (98 % positive). |
| Carbon-neutral office & Covent Garden prestige | Rapid Formations | Same Covent Garden postcode, plus Carbon Neutral Britain certification. |
Why Compare These Two?
If you’re a non-UK resident, you can’t just file an IN01 form and call it a day. You’ll also need:
- A UK registered-office address (cannot be a PO box).
- A director/PSC ID check under the new Economic Crime and Corporate Transparency Act (ECCTA).
- A practical way to collect payments in GBP.
Both 1st Formations and Rapid Formations sell “non-resident” bundles that tick those boxes, so they’re often the first two names you’ll see when Googling “form a UK company from abroad”.
1. Package-and-Price Snapshot
| Feature | 1st Formations | Rapid Formations |
|---|---|---|
| Flagship bundle | Non-Residents Package | Non-Residents / Non-Residents Plus |
| Up-front price | £149.99 (Companies House fee included) | £99.99 + £50 CH fee (basic) or £149.99 + £50 (Plus) |
| Included address services (12 months) | Registered office, service, and business address | Same as 1st Formations |
| Bank-account referral | WorldFirst | Wise Business |
| Printed documents couriered worldwide | Included | Included |
| Free meeting-room hours | 4 hours | 4 hours |
| First Confirmation Statement | Not included (add-on for £44.99) | Included in both bundles |
| Company Secretary Service | £149.99/year | Included for 12 months (Plus package only) |
| Trustpilot rating (July 2025) | 5.0 ★ (22,000+ reviews) | 5.0 ★ (11,000+ reviews) |
2. Pricing Transparency
1st Formations shows a single £149.99 line item—refreshingly honest. The £50 Companies House fee is baked in, so checkout feels friction-free.
Rapid Formations lists a tempting £99.99 headline, but the £50 filing fee re-appears later. The Plus bundle mirrors 1st Formations’ £149.99 headline—except the House fee is still extra, so you’re at £199.99 all-in.
Takeaway: If you hate surprise add-ons, 1st Formations’ bundled fee structure is less confusing. If you’re price-sensitive and okay with the mental arithmetic, Rapid’s base package is the cheapest route to a live company.
3. Banking Solutions: Wise vs WorldFirst
WorldFirst (1st Formations)
- 15+ local IBANs (GBP, USD, EUR, AUD, etc.)
- Cashback on a virtual World Card; no FX markup on same-currency spends.
- Trusted by Amazon, AliExpress, TikTok Shop sellers.
- No account-opening fee.
- Not a UK high-street bank, but an EMI regulated by the FCA.
Wise Business (Rapid Formations)
- 9+ local accounts (GBP sort code, US routing, etc.)
- Send money to 160 countries in 40 currencies with transparent mid-market FX.
- One-off £45 onboarding fee charged by Wise.
- Integrates tightly with Xero and QuickBooks.
- Also an FCA-regulated EMI, not a clearing bank.
Which is better?
E-commerce sellers juggling multiple marketplaces may prefer WorldFirst’s marketplace integrations. Freelancers and SMEs who make frequent micro-payments worldwide often gravitate to Wise’s unbeatable FX spreads.
4. Address Services & Renewals
Both firms park your company at an identical Covent Garden postcode—a prestigious Central-London address that looks great on invoices.
Renewal costs are similar (around £39 for the registered office, £26 for service address, and £96–£99 for business mail forwarding).
Mail-scanning for statutory letters is free. For general business mail, both charge about 50p per scanned item.
5. Compliance Extras
Rapid Formations goes heavy on aftercare: first Confirmation Statement filing, GDPR pack, VAT & PAYE application vouchers, monthly solicitor-written guidance notes, and a dedicated CoSec manager in the Plus plan.
1st Formations keeps core compliance à-la-carte; you can add what you need, when you need it. Advantage: you’re not paying for extras you’ll never use.
6. ECCTA 2023 & ID Verification Support
From autumn 2025, Companies House will reject any incorporation that lists an unverified director or PSC.
Both providers are Authorised Corporate Service Providers (ACSPs), so they can complete the passport selfie check in-house for about £15–£20.
Neither charges extra for basic KYC inside the non-resident bundle; you only pay if you need apostilled docs.
7. Speed & Ease of Incorporation
Real-world users report same-day incorporation when ID documents are uploaded promptly.
Rapid’s client portal and 1st’s Online Company Manager look almost identical—clean dashboards with reminders, WebFiling shortcuts and the ability to import other companies.
8. Customer Experience & Reputation
1st Formations: Over 22,000 reviews with a 5-star average; customers highlight “hand-holding,” “super clear instructions,” and quick WorldFirst account setups.
Rapid Formations: Around 11,000 reviews; known for “fast turnaround” and “extras that save future accounting headaches.”
Both companies offer responsive 7-day support, phone lines, and live chat.
9. Hidden Costs & Renewal Shock
| Service | 1st Formations | Rapid Formations |
|---|---|---|
| Registered office | £39 + VAT / year | £39 + VAT / year |
| Director service address | £26 + VAT / year | £26 + VAT / year |
| Business address | £96 – £99 + VAT / year | £99 + VAT / year |
| Company Secretary Service | £149.99 / year | £149.99 / year (free first year with Plus) |
| Telephone answering | £9.99 / month | £29.99 / month (after trial) |
Pro tip: Set a reminder in month 11 to reassess renewal needs—both companies let you cancel or downgrade services.
10. Which One Should You Choose?
| Founder Profile | Best Fit | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Budget-conscious solo founder | Rapid Formations | Cheapest all-inclusive package + Wise access for receiving payments. |
| Multi-currency e-commerce seller | 1st Formations | WorldFirst’s wider IBAN support is better for marketplace payouts. |
| Founder who wants to “set and forget” with full compliance | Rapid Formations (Plus) | Confirmation Statement, VAT, CoSec, phone support—all done for you. |
| Founder who values simplicity and transparency | 1st Formations | One price, no hidden fees, and great onboarding clarity. |
11. Frequently Asked Questions
Q. Do either package guarantee a UK high-street bank account?
A. No. Both refer you to EMIs (WorldFirst or Wise). High-street banks typically require a UK-resident director to apply in person.
Q. Can I downgrade after the first year?
A. Yes. You can move your address service to another provider or file your own Confirmation Statement if needed.
Q. Do I have to be on camera for ID verification?
A. Yes. As per UK law from 2025, identity verification requires a live selfie and passport scan.
Q. Are my printed documents apostilled automatically?
A. No. Apostille services are optional extras (usually around £99), helpful if you're opening a bank account abroad.
12. Final Thoughts
Choosing between 1st Formations and Rapid Formations isn’t about “good” vs “bad”—it’s about matching the bundle to your workflow and appetite for admin.
Either way, you’ll end up with:
- A UK limited company, usually within one working day.
- A London address that keeps your personal details off the public register.
- A practical, FCA-regulated banking solution—no plane ticket required.