Sole trader vs limited company – Which is better?

What is the difference between a sole trader and a limited company? 

Understanding the difference between being a sole trader and a limited company is important.  

For sole traders, the self-employed business owner and the business is treated as one legal entity, while for a limited company, the business is seen as a distinct legal entity that is separate from its shareholders and directors.  

This means that a sole trader is responsible for both personal and business debts so personal assets such as a house and car could be at risk if something goes wrong. In comparison, a limited company’s finances are separate from the shareholders’ or directors’ personal finances so they are only responsible for the amount of money that they put into the business.  

Paperwork is another key difference. Being a sole trader comes with very few formalities, while limited companies have much more reporting and management responsibilities such as registering with Companies House, filing accounts and adhering to strict recording keeping requirements.  

Is it better to be a sole trader or a limited company? 

The business structure that is the best option for you is dependent on your personal circumstances.  

There are both advantages and disadvantages to being a sole trader or limited company. 

Sole trader is the easiest business structure to set up and it involves a limited amount of paperwork and obligations, but you might be at a disadvantage when it comes to accessing business finance, benefiting from tax reliefs and attracting customers. 

Setting up as a limited company is more complicated and involves more costs and paperwork, but it can open you up to many advantages including raising funding, boosting your reputation among customers and being more tax efficient.  

Advantages of being a sole trader 

Sole trader is the most popular form of business structure in the UK. Official government figures show that at the start of 2023, 3.1m (56%) of the UK’s 5.5m businesses were sole proprietorships.  

The advantages of being a sole trader include:  

• Start immediately: There is no requirement to register with Companies House so you can get going with your business as soon as you want to.
• Very little paperwork: You only need to submit an annual self-assessment tax return and you don’t need to pay Corporation Tax or file company accounts to the Government. There are also minimal record keeping requirements, unlike limited companies which must follow strict record keeping regulations.   
• Control over your business: You are the only one in the business so you can make all the decisions without needing to consult shareholders or partners. 
• Keep everything: You run your business as an individual and retain all the profits that you make after you’ve paid tax. 
• More privacy: Your financial information remains private, unlike that of limited companies which is accessible by anyone via Companies House. 

Disadvantages of being a sole trader 

The disadvantages of being a sole trader include: 

• Unlimited liability: You take on all the risks associated with running a business and you hold all the responsibility for its debts. You may need to sell off personal assets such as your house to pay those debts. 
• Limited funding opportunities: Raising business finance can be difficult as lenders and investors tend to favour limited companies. This means the growth of your business could be slower than if you were running a limited company. 
• Less tax efficient: Sole traders pay 20-45% income tax, compared to limited company owners who pay 19% corporation tax. Sole traders are taxed on the profits or losses of the sole trade personally, regardless of what profits they physically withdraw from their business bank account. Consequently, when the business is doing well, and you can afford to leave some of the profits in the business, it may be time for you to form a limited company. 
• Less credibility: Some organisations choose to not work with sole traders due to the lack of legal protection compared to limited companies.
• No protection over your business name: Unlike limited companies, your business name is not protected. This means anyone can trade under the same name as you which could cause confusion. 

Advantages of being a limited company 

Official Government figures show that at the start of 2023, 2.1m (37%) of the UK’s 5.5m businesses were actively trading limited companies.  

The process of becoming a limited company is known as incorporation.  

Before setting up as a limited company, it is important to understand the advantages and disadvantages. 

The advantages include: 

• Limited liability: A limited company is legally separate from shareholders and directors so you are not personally liable for any losses made by the business.
• More tax efficient: Running your business as a limited company provides the potential for more profitability. Unlike sole traders who pay 20%-45% income tax, limited companies pay 19% corporation tax so they tend to be more tax efficient. They also qualify for a wider range of allowances and tax deductible expenses. In addition, shareholders can withdraw dividends from the business which don’t attract National Insurance and have a lower income tax rate than a salary.
• Funding opportunities: Being a limited company opens you up to more opportunities to access funding. Business finance lenders and investors tend to favour limited companies over sole traders due to the level of legal protection and tax benefits.  
• More credibility: Operating as a limited company can encourage more confidence and trust among suppliers and customers. Some businesses prefer to not work with non-limited companies.  

Disadvantages of being a limited company 

The disadvantages of being a legal company include: 

• More complex to set up and run: Being a limited company involves more paperwork and administration than operating as a sole trader. The actions you need to take include registering with and paying a fee to Companies House, filing annual accounts to Companies House, filing company accounts and tax returns to HM Revenue & Customs, following PAYE (Pay as You Earn) procedures and filing a Confirmation Statement to Companies House. All these complexities mean it is advisable to employ the services of an accountant.
• Less privacy: Limited companies have less privacy than unincorporated businesses because the accounts and other documents they file with Companies House are on public record and can be accessed by anyone. 

Can I change from being a sole trader to a limited company? 

Being a sole trader is a good option for many small business owners and self-employed people starting their own venture as it’s the easiest business structure to set up. However, there may become a point when you decide it’s better to be a limited company and it is perfectly possible to make the switch.  

There are various reasons for why you might decide to change your business structure to a limited company. They include: 

• Your profits are increasing and you want to be more tax efficient. 
• You are looking to raise business funding. 
• You want to boost your business’ reputation and image in the eyes of existing and potential customers. 
• You want to bring on board new talent

Switching from sole trader to a limited company can be a difficult decision, so it’s recommended that you discuss your options with an accountant.

Date published 17 Dec 2021 | Last updated 29 Aug 2024

Andy Gibbs, ATT, CTA

Andy is a qualified Chartered Tax Adviser (CTA), holds the STEP Advanced Certificate in Trust and Estate Accounting, and has dealt with both tax compliance and tax advisory projects across a range of industry sectors. He joined us from one of the big four accountancy firms where he looked after the affairs of high-net-worth individuals and private equity executives. Prior to this he worked at a local regional practice where he dealt with the affairs of owner managed businesses and private individuals. In January 2024 Andy was promoted from Head of Group Technical, to Director of Services, leading two of our Group companies which provide payroll and tax consulting support to our network of accountants. Andy also manages a highly qualified and experienced team providing technical support and offering practical solutions in relation to the accounting, tax and practice needs of TaxAssist franchisees and staff.

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