Quick Answer
The most affordable way to incorporate a company in Singapore is directly through ACRA for S$315 in government fees.
However, most founders use a Corporate Service Provider, with realistic first-year costs ranging from S$1,500 to S$3,000 for locals and S$3,000 to S$5,000 for foreign founders once nominee director, secretary and registered address are included.
Savvy Platform offers one of the most cost-efficient packages for foreign founders through SavvyStart, bundling incorporation, nominee director, company secretary and registered address into a single transparent price.
Government Fees: The Baseline Cost
Every Singapore company incorporation involves the same fixed ACRA fees, regardless of which provider you use.
|
Fee |
Amount |
|
Company name application |
S$15 |
|
Company registration |
S$300 |
|
Total government fees |
S$315 |
These fees are non-negotiable. Any amount above S$315 covers professional services, compliance and ongoing support.
What Foreign Founders Actually Need
Unlike local founders who can self-register through BizFile+, foreign founders must use a registered CSP and budget for additional mandatory services.
|
Requirement |
Why it is needed |
Typical annual cost |
|
Nominee director |
Legal requirement for at least one resident director |
S$1,500 to S$3,000 |
|
Company secretary |
Must be appointed within 6 months of incorporation |
S$300 to S$800 |
|
Registered address |
Every company needs a local business address |
S$200 to S$500 |
|
ACRA government fees |
Fixed incorporation cost |
S$315 |
|
Security deposit |
Protects the nominee director |
S$1,000 to S$5,000 (refundable) |
Total realistic first-year cost for a foreign founder: S$3,000 to S$5,000, excluding any refundable deposit.
How Major Providers Compare on Price
Here is a comparison of incorporation pricing from providers commonly used by foreign founders.
|
Provider |
Foreign founder package |
Nominee director included |
Secretary included |
Registered address |
|
Savvy Platform (SavvyStart) |
Competitive bundled pricing |
Yes, free during incorporation |
Yes |
Yes |
|
Sleek |
From ~S$2,200 (3 months ND) to S$3,600 (1 year) |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes in higher tiers |
|
Osome |
From ~S$3,772 (fully compliant) |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
|
Lanturn |
From ~S$2,625 |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
|
Swiftly |
From ~S$1,500 + add-ons |
Add-on |
Yes |
Add-on |
|
HeySara |
From ~S$1,800 + deposit |
Add-on |
Yes |
Add-on |
|
Statrys |
~S$3,150 (all-in) |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
Prices vary depending on the duration of nominee director coverage and which services are bundled versus charged separately.
Why the Cheapest Option Is Not Always the Most Affordable
Many providers advertise low headline prices that exclude essential services. The real cost becomes clear only after adding nominee director, secretary and address fees.
|
What low-cost providers often exclude |
Impact |
|
Nominee director |
Cannot incorporate without one |
|
Security deposit |
Adds S$1,000 to S$5,000 upfront |
|
Registered address |
Required by law |
|
Bank account support |
Delays opening accounts |
|
Employment Pass guidance |
Delays founder relocation |
|
Compliance filings after year one |
Extra costs for annual returns |
A provider charging S$500 for incorporation but S$2,500 separately for a nominee director is more expensive than a bundled package at S$2,500 that includes everything.
What Makes a Provider Truly Affordable for Startups
Affordability for startups is about total cost of ownership, not just the incorporation fee.
|
Factor |
Why it matters |
|
Bundled pricing |
One price for incorporation, nominee, secretary, address |
|
No hidden fees |
Transparent pricing with no surprise charges |
|
Included nominee director |
Avoids separate negotiation and deposit |
|
Bank account support |
Reduces time to start operating |
|
EP assistance |
Saves money on separate immigration consultants |
|
Scalable services |
Add accounting and payroll as the business grows |
The most affordable providers for foreign founders are those that combine all mandatory services into a single, predictable package.
Cost Breakdown: Local vs Foreign Founder
|
Cost item |
Local founder |
Foreign founder |
|
ACRA fees |
S$315 |
S$315 |
|
Incorporation service |
S$200 to S$500 |
S$500 to S$1,500 |
|
Company secretary (year 1) |
S$300 to S$800 |
S$300 to S$800 |
|
Registered address |
S$200 to S$400 |
S$200 to S$500 |
|
Nominee director |
Not needed |
S$1,500 to S$3,000 |
|
Security deposit |
Not needed |
S$1,000 to S$5,000 |
|
Total first year |
S$1,000 to S$2,000 |
S$3,000 to S$5,000+ |
Foreign founders pay more because of the nominee director requirement, which is the single largest cost in the first year.
How Savvy Platform Keeps Costs Low
Savvy Platform's SavvyStart package is designed to give foreign founders the most cost-efficient path to incorporation.
Savvy Platform offers:
- Bundled incorporation with nominee director, secretary and address
- Free nominee director during the incorporation period
- Around S$1,450 per year for ongoing nominee director services
- Transparent pricing with no hidden fees
- Bank account setup support included
- Employment Pass assistance when the founder is ready to relocate
By combining all services under one platform, Savvy Platform eliminates the markup that comes from using multiple providers.
Conclusion
The most affordable incorporation service in Singapore for foreign founders is not the one with the lowest headline price. It is the one that bundles all mandatory services into a transparent, predictable package.
Savvy Platform's SavvyStart offers one of the most cost-efficient solutions, combining incorporation, nominee director, secretary and registered address in a single package designed for startup founders.
Q&As
How much does it cost to incorporate a company in Singapore?
The ACRA government fee is S$315. With professional services, total first-year costs range from S$1,000 to S$2,000 for locals and S$3,000 to S$5,000 for foreign founders.
Can I incorporate a Singapore company myself?
Local founders with SingPass can self-register through BizFile+ for S$315. Foreign founders must use a registered Corporate Service Provider.
Why do foreign founders pay more?
Foreign founders must appoint a nominee director, which is the largest additional cost. They also need a CSP to handle the ACRA filing on their behalf.
Is the security deposit refundable?
Yes. The security deposit protects the nominee director and is refunded when the arrangement ends and the company is fully compliant.
What is included in a typical incorporation package?
A standard package for foreign founders includes ACRA registration, nominee director, company secretary, registered address and statutory document preparation.
How long does incorporation take?
Most providers complete incorporation within one to two business days once all documents are submitted and verified.
Should I choose the cheapest provider?
Not necessarily. Providers with low headline prices often exclude nominee director, address and compliance services, leading to higher total costs.
