Incorra vs Tide: Which is better for UK company formation?

Overview

Tide and Incorra both offer UK company formation, but they approach the problem from very different angles. Tide is a digital business bank that bundles free formation with its banking product. Incorra is an AI-native company management platform that treats formation as the first step in a longer lifecycle. This comparison is designed to help you choose the right tool depending on what you actually need.

Formation process

Tide offers free company formation bundled with opening a Tide business current account. The process is straightforward: you fill in your company details, Tide submits them to Companies House, and you get a bank account at the same time. It typically takes a few hours for standard formation.

Incorra also handles Companies House filing directly. The formation flow walks you through choosing a company name, selecting SIC codes, appointing directors, and setting up your share structure. Where Incorra differs is that Incorra Agent, the built-in AI, checks your company name availability in real time and flags potential issues before you submit. Formation is just the entry point into a full management dashboard.

Pricing

Tide formation is free, which is a significant advantage if cost is your primary concern. However, Tide monetises through its banking product and optional paid plans for additional features like invoicing and expense management.

Incorra charges for its subscription plans, which bundle formation with ongoing compliance tracking, tax management, financial analytics, document storage, and AI assistance. If you only need to incorporate and nothing else, Tide is cheaper. If you need ongoing management, Incorra's bundled approach can be more cost-effective than piecing together multiple tools.

AI and automation

This is where the two platforms diverge most significantly. Tide has some automation features within its banking app, like automatic categorisation of transactions and invoice reminders. It does not have a conversational AI agent or proactive compliance alerts.

Incorra is built around Incorra Agent, a conversational AI that understands your company's full context. It can answer questions about your filing deadlines, explain your tax obligations, help you draft board minutes, and proactively alert you when action is needed. The AI is not a bolt-on feature; it is the core interface.

Compliance tracking

Tide does not actively track Companies House filing deadlines or remind you about confirmation statements, annual accounts, or director changes. You are responsible for managing your compliance calendar separately.

Incorra provides a real-time compliance dashboard that tracks all statutory deadlines. It monitors your Companies House filing status, sends alerts before deadlines, and lets you file changes directly through the platform. If your confirmation statement is due in 30 days, you will see it prominently on your dashboard.

Accounting integrations

Tide integrates with Xero, QuickBooks, FreeAgent, and Sage, making it easy to sync your bank transactions with your accounting software.

Incorra supports Xero, QuickBooks, and FreeAgent integrations as well, but also connects to Open Banking via TrueLayer and Stripe for payment data. The financials dashboard aggregates data from all connected sources into a single view with AI-powered spending analysis.

Banking

Tide is a bank. It offers a business current account with a debit card, UK sort code and account number, faster payments, and direct debits. This is its core product and it does it well.

Incorra is not a bank. It recommends banking partners and helps you compare options, but does not hold your money. If you need a business bank account, you will still need to open one separately.

Document management

Tide stores invoices and receipts within its app. It does not manage corporate documents like articles of association, board resolutions, or share certificates.

Incorra provides a full document management system covering both financial documents and corporate records. Incorra Agent can help you understand and even draft documents based on your company's context.

Tax support

Tide does not provide direct tax support. You would need a separate accountant or tax software.

Incorra includes a tax management module covering Corporation Tax, VAT, and PAYE. It calculates estimated liabilities, tracks payment deadlines, and surfaces deductions you might be missing. It does not replace an accountant for complex situations, but it provides a solid foundation for routine tax management.

Verdict

Choose Tide if you primarily need a free business bank account and want formation thrown in at no cost. Tide is a proven, reliable banking product with a large user base and solid integrations. If your post-formation plan is to hand everything off to an accountant and just need a bank, Tide is a sensible choice.

Choose Incorra if you want a platform that stays with you after formation. Incorra is built for founders who want to actively manage their company without juggling multiple disconnected tools. The AI agent, compliance automation, and integrated financials make it a better fit for anyone who wants ongoing visibility and control over their company's operations.

Both are legitimate options. The right choice depends on whether you see formation as a one-off event or the beginning of an ongoing relationship with your company's data.