The best firm to start your business is not the same whether you are launching a micro-enterprise, a single-shareholder SASU or an SAS with several partners. Three families of players share the market. Accounting networks such as In Extenso, Fiducial or Cerfrance, online accountants such as Dougs, and legaltech platforms such as Legalstart or LegalPlace, which specialise in formalities.
This comparison presents what each one covers depending on the legal form, its fees where they are published and the points to check. Figures were taken from the official websites of each player in September 2026.
In short:
- Legaltech platforms (Legalstart, LegalPlace) and online accountants (Dougs) handle simple formations quickly and at low cost. Accounting networks (In Extenso, Fiducial, Cerfrance) provide upstream advice and support after formation, on quotation.
- The SAS is the most demanding form to set up, because its articles are free and its president is treated as an employee.
- The real cost of formation is not limited to fees. Legal costs and the first months of bookkeeping matter just as much.
- The right firm is the one that can also manage the business after registration.
Comparison table of firms to start a business
The table is ordered by type of player, from office networks to legaltech platforms. It is not a scored ranking.
| Criterion | In Extenso | Fiducial | Cerfrance | Dougs | Legalstart | LegalPlace |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Type of player | National accounting network | National accounting network | Mutual accounting network | Online chartered accountant | Formalities legaltech | Formalities legaltech |
| Presence | 280 offices | 850 offices | More than 720 offices | 100% online | 100% online | 100% online |
| Formation fee | On quotation | On quotation | On quotation | €150 excl. VAT, waived with an accounting subscription | SAS at €0, €99 or €199 excl. VAT, plus legal costs | From €0, plus administrative costs |
| Advice on legal form | Formation advisors, company law specialists | Accounting and legal expertise | Advice on legal form and formation | Dedicated legal advisor | Depending on package | Dedicated formalities advisor |
| After formation | Accounting, payroll, tax, annual legal work | Accounting, payroll, legal | Accounting, management advice | Online accounting | Optional legal services | Optional legal services |
Data taken from the official websites of each player in September 2026. Legal costs (legal notice, registration) come on top of fees for companies.
Which support for which legal form
Micro-enterprise or sole proprietorship. Formalities are simple and can be done alone. The need is mainly about choosing the tax and social regime and, if the business grows, moving to a company.
SARL or EURL. The legal framework is stricter, with articles close to the legal template. The majority manager falls under the self-employed scheme. Advice is useful to choose between SARL and SAS and to organise the manager’s pay.
SAS or SASU. This is the most popular form for projects with several shareholders or open to investors. The articles are free, which calls for real drafting as soon as there are several founders, a shareholders’ agreement or fundraising in view. A paid president is treated as an employee, without unemployment insurance, and the choice between salary and dividends is prepared at formation. Formalities include signing the articles, depositing the capital, whose amount is free, publishing a legal notice and filing on the single formalities portal.
Business formation players
In Extenso. An independent French accounting group which, according to its official website, has 280 offices and a service line dedicated to founders and buyers of businesses.
Fiducial. A network of 850 offices in France, combining accounting and legal expertise for founders.
Cerfrance. A mutual network of more than 720 offices that advises on the choice of legal form and formation, historically strong with farmers and very small businesses.
Dougs. An online chartered accountant that sets up the company with a dedicated legal advisor and waives its formation fee with an accounting subscription.
Legalstart and LegalPlace. Legaltech platforms specialised in formalities, with company formations offered from €0 plus legal costs.
Focus on In Extenso, a service line dedicated to formation
In Extenso has created In Extenso Création Reprise, a service line dedicated to founders and buyers of businesses. It brings together 45 formation and takeover advisors, supports 8,000 founders a year and relies on the group’s 280 offices. According to In Extenso, 90% of the businesses it supports pass the three-year mark.
The approach follows a 10-step method, from idea to launch. It covers the fit between the founder and the project, market research, the financial forecast, grants and funding, then drafting the articles and completing the formalities. For an SAS, the group’s company law specialists work with the chartered accountants on setting up the company.
After registration, the same firm handles bookkeeping, payroll, tax and annual legal formalities. It also supports management reporting and the business tax questions that arise from the first year.
Points to check before choosing
- Office networks do not publish formation fees. You need to ask for a quote, and for a micro-enterprise or a very simple SASU, their support may exceed the need.
- Online accountants suit simple projects managed remotely. Advice is more limited for an SAS with several shareholders or a fundraising project.
- Legaltech platforms are fast and inexpensive for formalities. They rely on templates of articles, and the books still need to be entrusted to a chartered accountant after formation.
How to choose a formation firm
- Start from the legal form and the project. Number of shareholders, planned employees, funding needs and development prospects.
- Check who drafts the articles. A legal advisor or chartered accountant who adapts them, or a template completed online.
- Ask for a pay simulation. Salary, dividends or a mix of both, depending on the legal form.
- Look at what comes after formation. Bookkeeping, payroll and annual legal work should be handled without changing contact.
To broaden the comparison to business consulting in general, see our selection of the best business consulting firms.
In summary
For a micro-enterprise or a simple SASU, a legaltech platform such as Legalstart or LegalPlace, or an online accountant such as Dougs, does the job at a clear cost. For an SAS with several shareholders, a funded project or a business that is hiring, an accounting network secures the articles, the owner’s status and the first year of management. In Extenso stands out on this ground with a line dedicated to formation, 45 specialist advisors and support after registration. You can find an In Extenso office near you and compare its proposal with those of Fiducial or Cerfrance.
Frequently asked questions
What is the best firm to start a business in France?
The best firm depends on the legal form and how complex the project is. For a micro-enterprise or a simple SASU, a legaltech platform such as Legalstart or LegalPlace, or an online accountant such as Dougs, is enough. For an SAS with several shareholders, a funded project or a business that is hiring, an accounting network such as In Extenso, Fiducial or Cerfrance provides upstream advice and support after formation.
What is the best firm to set up an SAS?
For an SAS, the key points are drafting the articles and the status of the president, who is treated as an employee. A legaltech platform handles the formalities of a simple SASU from €0 excl. VAT plus legal costs. An accounting network such as In Extenso, with a service line dedicated to formation and company law specialists, is better suited to an SAS with several shareholders or one planning to raise funds.
How much does business formation support cost?
Legaltech platforms offer packages from €0 excl. VAT plus legal costs (Legalstart also offers packages at €99 and €199 excl. VAT). Dougs waives its formation fee, normally €150 excl. VAT, with an accounting subscription. Office networks such as In Extenso, Fiducial or Cerfrance work on a quotation basis. Legal costs, the legal notice and registration, come on top for companies.
SAS or SARL, which one to choose?
The SAS offers wide freedom in its articles and places its president under the employee-like social security scheme, without unemployment insurance. The SARL follows a stricter framework, and its majority manager falls under the self-employed scheme, with generally lower contributions. The choice depends on the number of shareholders, the planned pay and development plans.
Do you need a chartered accountant to start a business?
No, it is not mandatory. A chartered accountant becomes useful to choose the legal form, build a forecast, look for funding and decide on the owner’s pay. For a company, one will be needed anyway to keep the books after formation.
Sources
- In Extenso, business formation and takeover offer (inextenso.fr), accessed September 2026
- Fiducial (fiducial.fr), Cerfrance (cerfrance.fr), Dougs, business formation (dougs.fr), Legalstart, SAS formation (legalstart.fr), LegalPlace, SAS formation (legalplace.fr), accessed September 2026
- Single business formalities portal