37 Side-by-Side Guides
Compare Entity Types & Options
Side-by-side breakdowns of business structures, registration options, and compliance trade-offs for foreign investors entering India.
Side-by-Side Analysis
Browse Comparisons
37 comparisons across all categories
100% FDI Sectors vs Restricted FDI Sectors in India
India permits 100% foreign ownership in most sectors via the automatic route — but defense, multi-brand retail, media, and banking still carry caps and conditions that every foreign investor must navigate.
Annual Compliance Cost — Pvt Ltd vs LLP vs OPC in India
A line-by-line cost breakdown so foreign founders know exactly what they will spend each year on ROC filings, audits, and professional fees.
Apostille vs Embassy Attestation for India Company Registration
Your documents need authentication before India accepts them. The method depends on one thing: whether your country signed the Hague Convention.
Automatic Route vs Government Approval Route for FDI in India
Two paths for foreign investment into India. One takes days. The other takes months. Know which one applies to your sector before you start.
Branch Office vs Liaison Office in India
Two ways for foreign companies to establish a presence in India without incorporating a separate entity. The differences matter more than you think.
Branch Office vs Subsidiary Company in India
Keep it as a branch or incorporate a separate entity? The tax rate alone should tell you something.
Canadian Corporation vs Indian Private Limited Company
Federal vs provincial incorporation in Canada, MOA/AOA in India — two very different systems with comparable 22-26% corporate tax rates and an active bilateral treaty.
Closing a Branch Office vs Closing a Liaison Office in India
Both require RBI approval through an AD bank, but a branch office closure involves tax assessments and profit repatriation that can stretch the timeline to 18 months.
Company Registration in Maharashtra vs Karnataka
Mumbai or Bangalore? The two most popular states for foreign-invested companies in India have different local rules. Here is what varies.
Contract Manufacturing vs Own Factory Setup in India
Build or outsource? For foreign manufacturers entering India, this decision determines your capital outlay, time to market, and eligibility for PLI incentives.
Converting a Branch Office to a Subsidiary in India
Why foreign companies convert their Indian branch offices into subsidiaries — and the practical steps to do it without disrupting operations.
Corporate Tax Rates — India vs Global Comparison
India's effective corporate tax rate of 25.17% under Section 115BAA sits right at the global GDP-weighted average. Here is how India stacks up against 25+ economies — and what Pillar Two means for your tax planning.
Delhi vs Mumbai vs Bangalore vs Hyderabad for Foreign Companies
Mumbai charges INR 168/sq ft for office space while Hyderabad charges INR 72 — but rent is only one variable in a four-city equation.
Direct FDI vs Holding Company Route (Mauritius/Singapore/Netherlands)
Route your investment directly or through an intermediate holding — the post-2017 treaty landscape has changed the math entirely.
Domestic Company vs Foreign Company — Tax and Legal Classification in India
Same business, different tax rates. The classification of your Indian entity as 'domestic' or 'foreign' under tax law changes everything.
Employment Visa vs Business Visa for India
One lets you earn a salary in India, the other gets you deported if you try — know the difference before you book your flight.
Entity Setup vs Employer of Record (EOR) in India
Own entity gives you control and tax efficiency at scale. EOR gives you speed and simplicity for small teams. The crossover point is around 15-20 employees.
GST Regular vs Composition Scheme in India
Two GST registration options with very different compliance loads. For foreign-invested companies, one is almost always the right pick.
India-Singapore DTAA vs India-Mauritius DTAA
Both treaties lost their capital gains exemption in 2017 — but the withholding rates, LOB clauses, and anti-abuse provisions create real differences for FDI routing today.
Indian Private Limited Company vs Singapore Pte Ltd
India and Singapore are both popular incorporation destinations for Asia-Pacific businesses. Here is how the two company structures compare.
Indian Private Limited Company vs UK Limited Company
Two Commonwealth legal systems, two very different compliance environments. A comparison for UK founders expanding to India.
Indian Private Limited Company vs US LLC
Setting up in India instead of (or alongside) a US LLC? The legal frameworks are fundamentally different. Here is what matters.
Liaison Office vs Project Office vs Branch Office in India
Three ways to establish a foreign presence in India without incorporating — each with sharply different rules on revenue, tax, and duration.
LLP vs Partnership Firm in India
Both have partners. Both share profits. But the liability protection and FDI eligibility are worlds apart.
NRE Account vs NRO Account in India
Two bank accounts, two very different purposes. Every NRI and foreign investor in India needs to know the difference.
Old Tax Regime vs New Tax Regime in India
India's dual tax system affects both individuals and companies. Updated for Budget 2025 — which regime saves your Indian entity more money?
Private Limited Company vs LLP in India
Which entity type fits your India entry strategy? A side-by-side breakdown for foreign investors.
Private Limited Company vs One Person Company (OPC) in India
Solo founder entering India? Here is how OPC stacks up against the traditional Private Limited structure.
Private Limited vs Public Limited Company in India
When does a foreign investor need a Public Limited Company in India? Less often than you think.
Section 8 Company vs Trust in India
Two structures for not-for-profit work in India. One offers corporate governance. The other offers flexibility. Which fits your mission?
Selling a Subsidiary vs Voluntary Liquidation in India
Two exit routes for foreign investors leaving India — one preserves value through a buyer, the other winds down through a court-supervised process.
Sole Proprietorship vs Private Limited Company in India
The simplest structure versus the most trusted. For foreign investors, the choice has implications beyond just paperwork.
Statutory Audit vs Tax Audit vs Internal Audit in India
Three different audits, three different laws, three different deadlines — miss one and your foreign subsidiary faces penalties starting at INR 1.5 lakh.
Strike-Off vs Voluntary Liquidation of a Company in India
Two ways to close an Indian company. One is simpler. The other is more thorough. Choose based on your company's situation.
Subsidiary vs Joint Venture in India
Go it alone or partner with an Indian company? The answer depends on your sector, your capital, and how much control you need.
UAE Free Zone Company vs Indian Private Limited Company
Zero-percent corporate tax in a free zone or a full-access Indian entity? The right structure depends on where your customers and operations actually sit.
Wholly Owned Subsidiary vs LLP for Foreign Investors in India
95% of foreign investors choose the Private Limited Company — here is why the LLP rarely works for FDI, despite its simpler compliance.
Resources
Explore More
Supplement your comparison research with country guides, glossary definitions, and real-world case studies.
Country Guides
50 country-specific registration guides with step-by-step processes, timelines, and document requirements.
Business Glossary
85+ terms explained in plain language — from FEMA to DSC, every acronym and regulation decoded.
Real-World Scenarios
See how businesses structured their India entry across different countries and sectors.
Not Sure Which Structure Is Right?
We will walk you through the trade-offs based on your business model, country of residence, and investment plans.