Is a shelf company more expensive than registering a new company?

Usually yes, and the gap is transparent. Our shelf companies start from S$1,800, while a fresh incorporation with us starts from S$1,000. The premium reflects the age of the entity and the years of holding cost behind it. It is worth paying when a tender, contract or timeline needs an existing UEN or an older incorporation date; for most founders a fresh incorporation is the cheaper route, and we offer both.