Which online incorporation provider is the cheapest in Switzerland?
Short answer: For incorporating an LLC or stock corporation, prices with a banking partner range between CHF 100 and CHF 300 among the four providers compared here. Jurata starts at CHF 100, Startups.ch at CHF 189, Fasoon at CHF 190, and IFJ at CHF 300. Without a banking partner, the prices are CHF 480 (Jurata), CHF 290 (Fasoon), CHF 289 (Startups.ch), and CHF 500 (IFJ).
Which services are included in the respective price and what requirements apply for a partner price differs depending on the provider.
Why do the prices differ so much?
For an LLC or stock corporation, it is not enough to just fill out a form. Before the incorporation can be entered in the commercial register, proof must be provided that the capital has been paid into a capital contribution account: An LLC requires a minimum share capital of CHF 20'000 (Art. 773 Abs. 1 OR), a stock corporation requires a minimum share capital of CHF 100'000, with at least CHF 50'000 having to be paid in upon incorporation (Art. 621 Abs. 1 OR, Art. 632 Abs. 2 OR).
Since this banking step is required for a cash incorporation anyway, the incorporation providers offer cheaper conditions in cooperation with partner banks. Those who use the respective banking partner for the capital contribution account get the incorporation cheaper because the bank partnership is directly integrated into the already necessary incorporation process.
Those who do not want to use a banking partner pay the higher price without the partner offer. Selected providers like Jurata additionally handle the communication with the partner bank. This makes the capital contribution process even easier for founders.
This also explains why a price comparison should never be just a single number: The crucial question is whether the cheapest price is tied to a bank that fits your incorporation anyway.
The prices for LLC and stock corporation at a glance
Provider | Price with banking partner | Price without banking partner |
|---|---|---|
Jurata | from CHF 100 | CHF 480 |
Fasoon | from CHF 190 | CHF 290 |
Startups.ch | from CHF 189 | CHF 289 |
IFJ | from CHF 300 | CHF 500 |
What services are included in the price?
Short answer: The basic service is the same for all four providers – free consultation, preparation of all incorporation documents, notary fees, and submission to the commercial register are included everywhere. There are differences in the verification of company name and purpose as well as in the guarantee. Only one provider offers a free trademark search.
Service | Jurata | Fasoon | Startups.ch | IFJ |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Free consultation | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ |
Verification of company name & business purpose | ✅ | – | ✅ | ✅ |
Notary fees included | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ |
Preparation of all incorporation documents | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ |
Submission to the commercial register | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ |
Commercial register entry guaranteed or money back | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ | – |
Free trademark search | ✅ | – | – | – |
Verification of company name and purpose. An inadmissible company name or an unclearly formulated purpose is the most common reason why the commercial registry office rejects an application. Jurata, Startups.ch, and IFJ verify both before submission. At Fasoon, this verification is not designated as a service.
Guarantee. Jurata, Fasoon, and Startups.ch promise the commercial register entry or money back. IFJ does not specify a guarantee.
Trademark search. A company name that is admissible under commercial register law can still infringe a registered trademark. Only Jurata includes a trademark search free of charge in the incorporation package.
What additional costs apply to all providers?
Short answer: In addition to the provider price, three items are added to every LLC or stock corporation incorporation that no provider covers – the commercial register fees, the notarization of signatures, and, depending on the bank, the fee for the capital contribution account. Together, these are usually between CHF 650 and CHF 1'100.
Commercial register fees. These go directly to the cantonal commercial registry office and are based on the legal form and scope of the entry. For an LLC or stock corporation with cash contribution, they are usually between CHF 600 and CHF 800. The providers quantify this fee differently on their websites – this is a matter of estimation, not service.
Notarization of signatures. The signatures on the commercial register application must be notarized. Depending on the notary or municipality, this costs around CHF 20 to CHF 50 per signature.
Capital contribution account. For paying in the share or stock capital, a blocked account at a bank is required. Depending on the bank, the fee for this is between CHF 0 and around CHF 300. With the providers' partner banks, the account is free of charge in many cases.
