Filing Your Confirmation Statement: Software vs WebFiling
When it's time to file your company's confirmation statement with Companies House, you have two main options: use the free Companies House WebFiling service, or use dedicated filing software. Both get the job done, but the experience is quite different.
This comparison helps you decide which approach is right for your company — whether you're filing for one company or managing several.
Quick Comparison
| Feature | Companies House WebFiling | Filing Software |
|---|---|---|
| Cost | £50 (CH fee only) | £50 CH fee + software fee |
| Pre-populated data | Partial — some fields pre-filled | Full — all company data loaded from CH |
| Deadline tracking | Email reminders (optional) | Dashboard with all deadlines visible |
| Multiple companies | Separate login per company | All companies in one place |
| SIC code editing | Basic text entry | Searchable autocomplete |
| Filing history | Available on CH website | Integrated with your other filings |
| Support | Companies House helpline | Software provider support |
| Other filings | Separate from CT600/accounts | Integrated with tax and accounts filing |
Companies House WebFiling
How It Works
WebFiling is Companies House's own online service. You create an account (or log in if you already have one), find your company, and work through the confirmation statement form.
The service shows you the information Companies House currently holds and asks you to confirm it's correct. If your SIC codes need updating, you can change them as part of the filing.
Strengths
Free to use — You only pay the £50 Companies House filing fee. There's no additional cost for the filing tool itself.
Direct access — You're filing directly with Companies House, so there's no intermediary. What you submit is what they receive.
Available now — WebFiling is well-established and has been operating for years. Note that changes are coming to WebFiling for accounts filing from 2027, but confirmation statement filing is expected to remain available.
Limitations
Manual process — You need to log in to a separate system with separate credentials. If you manage multiple companies, you need to switch between them manually.
No deadline tracking — WebFiling doesn't proactively show you when your CS01 is due. You can sign up for email reminders, but these are separate from your tax and accounts deadlines.
No integration — Your confirmation statement filing is completely separate from your company accounts and tax return. You're managing three different filing obligations across two different systems.
Basic SIC code entry — If you need to update your SIC codes, WebFiling requires you to know the exact code. There's no searchable lookup within the filing form.
Filing Software
How It Works
Filing software connects to Companies House electronically and pre-populates your company details automatically. You review the information, make any changes (like updating SIC codes), enter your authentication code, and submit.
The key difference is that the software already knows about your company — it pulls your data from Companies House so you're reviewing rather than entering information.
Strengths
Pre-populated data — Your registered office, directors, PSCs, SIC codes, and shareholders are loaded automatically from Companies House. You just need to check they're correct.
All deadlines in one place — Filing software typically shows your CS01 deadline alongside your accounts and CT600 deadlines. You can see at a glance what's due and when.
Multiple companies — If you have more than one company (or you're an accountant filing for clients), you can manage all your confirmation statements from a single dashboard without switching logins.
Better SIC code editing — Most software provides a searchable autocomplete for SIC codes, so you can find the right code by typing a description of your business activities.
Integrated filing — Your confirmation statement sits alongside your other filings. When you're managing your company's compliance, everything is in one place.
Limitations
Additional cost — Filing software charges a fee on top of the £50 Companies House fee. Depending on the provider, this can range from £12 to £30 per filing, or be included in an annual subscription.
Account required — You need to create an account with the software provider and set up your company, which takes a few minutes the first time.
Who Should Use WebFiling?
WebFiling is a good choice if:
- You have one company with straightforward details
- You're comfortable managing separate logins for different filings
- You want to minimise cost (free beyond the CH fee)
- You don't need deadline tracking beyond Companies House's email reminders
- You file your accounts and CT600 through a different method anyway
Who Should Use Filing Software?
Filing software makes more sense if:
- You manage multiple companies and want all CS01 deadlines in one place
- You already use software for your company accounts or tax return and want everything integrated
- You value the time saving of pre-populated data over the cost saving of WebFiling
- You're an accountant or bookkeeper filing for clients
- You want automated reminders that cover all your filing obligations
The Bigger Picture: 2027 and Beyond
It's worth noting that Companies House is changing how software filing works. From April 2027, all company accounts must be filed through approved software — WebFiling for accounts will be withdrawn.
While this change doesn't directly affect confirmation statements (WebFiling for CS01 is expected to continue), the direction of travel is clear: Companies House is moving towards software-based filing across the board. If you're going to need filing software for your accounts anyway, using it for your CS01 as well makes sense.
Cost Comparison
| Method | CH Fee | Software Fee | Total per Filing |
|---|---|---|---|
| WebFiling | £50 | Free | £50 |
| Filing software (typical) | £50 | £12–£30 | £62–£80 |
| Accountant | £50 | £50–£150 | £100–£200 |
Summary
Both WebFiling and filing software will get your confirmation statement filed correctly with Companies House. WebFiling is free and straightforward for single-company directors who are happy managing separate systems. Filing software costs more but saves time through pre-populated data, centralised deadline tracking, and integration with your other company filings. If you manage multiple companies or want everything in one place, software is the more practical choice.