5 Best Company Formation Services in French-Speaking Switzerland
Starting a business in Switzerland shouldn't require a law degree. Specialized online services now handle the entire process for CHF 490-530, compared to CHF 3,000+ through traditional notaries.
What You'll Actually Pay
to Form a Company
Before comparing services, understand the full cost breakdown. Every provider charges similar base fees, but the total varies based on partnerships and add-ons.
Total Realistic Budget
Online platforms: CHF 490-530 service fee
Traditional notary: CHF 2,500+ service fee
Total for a Sàrl through online services: CHF 1,100-1,400
The minimum share capital for a Sàrl is CHF 20,000, which must be deposited before registration. For a SA, you need CHF 100,000 minimum (CHF 50,000 paid in).
Quick Comparison: All 5 Services
Compare pricing, timeline, languages and best use cases for each company formation service.
| Provider | Base Price | Timeline | Languages | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| NewCo.ch | CHF 490 | ~3 weeks | FR, DE | Digital-first founders |
| Entreprendre.ch | CHF 490 | 3-4 weeks | FR only | Geneva-based entrepreneurs |
| IFJ.ch | CHF 500 | ~3 weeks | FR, DE, IT | First-time founders |
| Fasoon.ch | CHF 490 | ~2 weeks | FR, DE | Budget-conscious startups |
| Startups.ch | CHF 490 | 2+ weeks | FR, DE, IT | Multi-location needs |
NewCo.ch — Best Overall Experience
Founded in 2020 in Lausanne, NewCo has quickly become the market leader in French-speaking Switzerland with over 2,500 company formations completed.
Price: CHF 490 (notary included)
Timeline: ~3 weeks
Rating: ⭐ 4.9/5 on Google
What Sets Them Apart
Everything happens online. Their nSign technology handles signature authentication digitally, so you never need to visit a notary's office. Constitutive documents are ready within 24 hours and filed with the Commercial Register within 48 hours.
Pricing Breakdown
- Basic plan: CHF 490 (includes articles, legal advice, notarial deed, signature legalization)
- Plus and Extra plans available for additional services
- Partner discount with UBS saves approximately CHF 200 on capital deposit account
The Fine Print
NewCo's fixed pricing means no surprise invoices. What you see is what you pay. They support French and German but not Italian.
Best for: Entrepreneurs who want a modern, fully digital experience with transparent pricing.
Entreprendre.ch — Best for Geneva
Founded in 2019 as part of Fiduciaire Karpeo, combining company formation with ongoing accounting support.
Price: CHF 490 HT
Timeline: 3-4 weeks
Rating: ⭐ 4.7-4.9/5 on Trustpilot and Google
What Sets Them Apart
Co-founder Romain is a certified expert accountant, bringing genuine financial expertise to the formation process. They offer a complete ecosystem: formation, domiciliation, accounting, and tax advice all under one roof.
What Clients Say
Reviews consistently mention "attentive team," "very good advice," and "simple and fast procedures with no hidden costs." The local Geneva presence means you can meet face-to-face if needed.
Services Included
- Sàrl or SA formation from CHF 490
- Sole proprietorship registration
- Domiciliation services
- Ongoing accounting support
The Fine Print
French only. If you need German or Italian support, look elsewhere. Also better suited for straightforward formations rather than complex international structures.
Best for: Geneva-based entrepreneurs who want local expertise and potential long-term accounting partnership.
IFJ.ch — Best for Beginners
Switzerland's national hub for entrepreneurship, having supported over 200,000 people toward independence over 30+ years.
Price: CHF 500 (Sàrl/SA), CHF 200 (sole proprietorship)
Timeline: ~3 weeks
Rating: Strong reputation in startup ecosystem
What Sets Them Apart
The breadth of support. Beyond formation, IFJ offers:
- Business plan development
- Training programs
- Coworking spaces
- Domiciliation services
- Connections to VentureKick and other funding programs
Pricing Breakdown
- Sàrl/SA: CHF 500
- With PostFinance account: CHF 300 (CHF 200 discount)
- Sole proprietorship: CHF 200
The Fine Print
IFJ's business model relies heavily on partnerships with banks, insurers, and other service providers. Their advice isn't always neutral — they'll recommend partners who pay them referral fees.
Best for: First-time founders who want educational resources and a broader support ecosystem beyond just company formation.
Fasoon.ch — Best for Budget
Founded in 2016 in Appenzell, run by the same team behind SWISS21 accounting software.
Price: Up to CHF 490 (Sàrl), CHF 100 (sole proprietorship)
Timeline: ~2 weeks
Rating: Generally positive with some concerns
What Sets Them Apart
The partner model can significantly reduce costs. If you open a bank account with their partners (UBS, etc.) and subscribe to insurance, formation costs drop substantially. Some founders have started companies at nearly zero out-of-pocket cost.
Fasoon also produces a popular podcast for Swiss entrepreneurs and independents.
Pricing Breakdown
- Sàrl: Up to CHF 490 (lower with partners)
- Sole proprietorship: CHF 100
- Fiduciary partners cover 50% of Fasoon's fees if you use their services
The Fine Print
The "free" formation requires commitments. You'll pay for banking and insurance services long-term, which may cost more than simply paying for formation upfront. Some client reviews mention surprise invoices for services they didn't expect.
Best for: Founders comfortable with partner commitments who want the fastest timeline and lowest upfront costs.
Startups.ch — Mixed Reviews
Switzerland's largest company formation service with 26 locations nationwide and over 35,000 successful formations.
Price: From CHF 490
Timeline: 2+ weeks
Rating: Mixed (positive service, some delays reported)
What Sets Them Apart
Scale and reach. With offices across German and French-speaking Switzerland, they can handle complex multi-canton situations. They support all national languages including Italian.
What Clients Say
Reviews are polarized. Many praise the service quality and comprehensive support. However, Trustpilot reviews reveal a pattern: some clients report that "once you have paid, they are extremely slow to create the legal entity" and that "the assigned lawyer is barely responding" with delays of "several weeks."
Multiple clients also report heavy solicitation from partner companies after formation.
The Fine Print
The initial CHF 490 price often increases. Several reviews mention unexpected additional costs surfacing during the formation process.
Best for: Founders who need multi-canton presence or Italian language support, and who don't mind potential partner solicitations.
How to Choose
the Right Service
Your best option depends on your specific situation.
Choose NewCo if
You want a modern, fully digital experience.
- Fully digital process
- Transparent pricing matters most
- Based in Vaud or Valais
- Want no-surprise invoices
Choose Entreprendre.ch if
You're Geneva-based and want local support.
- You're in Geneva
- Want ongoing accounting support
- Prefer face-to-face meetings
- Need French-only service
Choose IFJ if
This is your first company and you need guidance.
- First-time founder
- Need training and mentorship
- Want funding program connections
- Value educational resources
Choose Fasoon if
Budget is your primary concern.
- Budget is primary concern
- Fine with partner commitments
- Speed matters (2-week timeline)
- Comfortable with banking partnerships
Choose Startups.ch if
You need Italian support or multi-canton presence.
- Need Italian language support
- Have multi-canton requirements
- Prioritize nationwide presence
- Don't mind partner solicitations
Foreigners &
Cross-Border Workers
Good news: nationality doesn't matter for company formation. Here's what you need to know about residency requirements and special situations.
One manager with signing rights must reside in Switzerland
One board member with signing rights must reside in Switzerland
Sole proprietorship ideal for complementary activity
Possible, but may affect benefits — consult your cantonal office
Timeline: What to Expect
Typical Sàrl formation takes 20-25 business days:
| Day | Step |
|---|---|
| 1-2 | Submit documents through chosen provider |
| 2-5 | Capital deposit account opening |
| 5-7 | Notarial deed preparation and digital signing |
| 7-10 | Commercial Register filing |
| 10-25 | Commercial Register processing (varies by canton) |
Fastest: NewCo and Fasoon tend to be fastest. Startups.ch reviews suggest occasional delays.
Additional Resources for
Swiss Entrepreneurs
Beyond formation services, several organizations can help you succeed.
Cautionnement Romand
Facilitates bank credit access for SMEs with guarantees up to CHF 1,000,000.
GENILEM
Association helping entrepreneurs in Vaud and Geneva build viable, innovative businesses.
Federal Unemployment Support
If registered at ORP, you may receive up to 90 days of continued benefits during company creation.
Domiciliation Services
Every Sàrl needs an official Swiss address. Without premises, expect ~CHF 100/month.
Ready to Start Your Company?
For most French-speaking Swiss entrepreneurs, NewCo.ch offers the best combination of price, experience, and transparency. Pick a service, gather your documents, and you could be registered within three weeks.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does it really cost to form a Sàrl in Switzerland?
Total realistic budget is CHF 1,100-1,400 through online services. This includes: CHF 490-530 service fee, CHF 550 commercial register, CHF 145-300 capital deposit account, and CHF 30-50 per signature authentication. Traditional notaries charge CHF 2,500+ for the same service.
What's the minimum capital required for a Sàrl?
The minimum share capital for a Sàrl is CHF 20,000, which must be deposited before registration. For a SA, you need CHF 100,000 minimum with at least CHF 50,000 paid in.
Can foreigners start a company in Switzerland?
Yes! Nationality doesn't matter for company formation. However, at least one manager (Sàrl) or board member (SA) with individual signing rights must reside in Switzerland.
How long does company formation take?
Typical Sàrl formation takes 20-25 business days. The fastest providers (NewCo, Fasoon) complete the process in about 2-3 weeks. Some providers like Startups.ch may have longer timelines.
Can I form a company while unemployed?
Yes, but significant participation in your new company may affect unemployment benefits. Consult your cantonal unemployment office (ORP) first. You may receive up to 90 days of continued benefits during company creation.