Head to head, 2026

Compare offshore jurisdictions side by side

Updated 4 November 20269 places10 measuresYou live in your country
The short answer

Pick any two of the nine places we form companies in and see them side by side on ten measures: tax, privacy, speed, cost over three years, audits, documents, the EU list and crypto rules.

The better option on each measurable row is marked, with a plain "choose this one if" for each side.

Nine places 36 head-to-head comparisons, one tool Every figure includes government fees and comes from the same research as our country pages.
Chapter 1

The jurisdiction comparison tool

Two places, ten measures, one honest answer for each row.

1
Key takeaway

No place wins every row. Decide which two or three rows matter to you, then let those settle it.

Chapter 3

How we compare jurisdictions

Ten measures, chosen because they change what you pay or what you can do.

  • Local company tax: the headline rate for an ordinary company where it's registered. Your own tax is separate.
  • Owners on a public list: whether a stranger can look up shareholder names. Authorities can always see them.
  • Time to form: from a complete application to a registered company.
  • Year one, each year after, three years: our prices, with every government fee included.
  • Audit: whether the law requires audited accounts.
  • Apostille: the official fee to make a document valid abroad, or legalisation where the place isn't in the apostille system.
  • EU tax list: status after the update of 9 October 2026.
  • Crypto client services: the licence or registration needed to handle other people's crypto. Your own crypto needs none.

Costs in different currencies are only compared where both use US dollars or a currency pegged to it. Euro and Swiss franc prices are shown, not ranked.

3
Key takeaway

The cheapest row and the right choice are different things. Use the measures that change your business, not all ten.

Chapter 4

Comparing jurisdictions: questions

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What is the best offshore jurisdiction?
The one that fits your use. For a private 0% holding company, the BVI or Cayman. For US clients, Wyoming. For the Gulf, a UAE free zone. For an EU business online, Estonia.
Which is cheaper to keep, the BVI or Cayman?
The BVI: US$1,159 a year after year one, against US$1,929 for Cayman, with every government fee included.
Is Wyoming or Delaware better for a founder abroad?
Wyoming for the lowest yearly cost, $130.44 against $539. Delaware when investors or US partners ask for it by name.
Which places keep owners off public lists?
Of the nine, Wyoming, Delaware, the BVI, Cayman and RAK ICC. Hong Kong, Estonia and Switzerland show shareholders publicly.
Can I change jurisdiction later?
Often, by forming a new company and moving the business or assets across, which has costs and tax effects of its own. It's cheaper to compare carefully first.
Your pick

Chosen? We'll form it, every government fee in the price.

Formed without a visit, paid in crypto, only after you sign.