CPA-tested · 2026

Ownr Review (2026): is it legit, and is it worth it?

Ownr lets you incorporate a Canadian business online in about 15 minutes, for a fraction of a law firm's fee. We have pointed dozens of clients to it for their incorporations, and the process has been consistently smooth. Here is what it costs, how it works, and where it falls short.

Ownr vs a lawyer
Where are you incorporating?
your estimate
$1,500for a standard incorporation
$800$1.5k$2.25k$3k
Lawyer
$1,500
one-time, 1-2 weeks
Ownr, net
$209
$599 less 15% off + $300 RBC
You save
$1,291
vs the lawyer route

Ownr files the same Articles of Incorporation a lawyer does, in about 15 minutes. Our 15% partner discount plus the $300 RBC cash back bring your net cost to $209.

Ownr: Federal $499 · Ontario/Alberta $599 · BC $699 (gov fees included) · less 15% partner discount · less $300 RBC rebate · CAD, verified May 2026
CPA-recommended
Used by our clients
Federal & provincial
Every province
Updated
May 2026
SP
Sebastien Prost, CPA
Reviewed May 2026 · Recommended to dozens of clients
Quick answer

Is Ownr legit?

Yes. Ownr is a legitimate Canadian platform owned by RBC Ventures (a division of the Royal Bank of Canada) that has registered and incorporated tens of thousands of businesses. It files the same Articles of Incorporation with the federal or provincial government that a lawyer would, so your corporation is fully legally valid. We have recommended Ownr to dozens of clients incorporating their businesses, and the documents, digital minute book, and CRA registration come out complete and accurate. Incorporation costs $499 to $699 depending on your jurisdiction (government fees included). Our 15% partner discount plus the $300 RBC cash back can bring your net cost under $300. The honest caveat: Ownr is built for standard incorporations, so complex share structures, family trusts, and tax-planning setups still need a lawyer.

OverviewPricingPros & consvs a LawyerHow it worksFAQ
Overview

Lawyer-grade incorporation documents, without the lawyer's bill.

Ownr is an RBC-owned platform that registers sole proprietorships and incorporates Canadian companies online. It generates the same government filings a lawyer would (Articles of Incorporation, bylaws, share issuances, a digital minute book), and links directly to RBC business banking. New founders can also pair it with the right business bank account and accounting software.

Online incorporation
Federal or provincial, filed directly with the government in about 15 minutes.
Legal documents
Articles, bylaws, resolutions, and a digital minute book generated automatically.
15% off + $300 RBC
A 15% partner discount on the Ownr fee, plus $300 back when you open an RBC business account.
How we tested

We have recommended Ownr to dozens of clients incorporating across Ontario, British Columbia, and Alberta, and walked through the platform end to end with them. We assessed the document quality, minute book completeness, RBC account linking, and the overall experience. Pricing verified May 2026.

Pricing

What Ownr actually costs in 2026.

One-time fees with government charges included, plus an optional yearly plan for ongoing compliance. Use the calculator above to compare your net cost against a lawyer quote.

Sole Proprietorship
$49 - $89one-time
Best for freelancers and side-hustles.
  • Business Registration Number
  • Business Name Search
  • Registration Documents
  • Unlimited Name Searches
Most popular
Incorporation
$499 - $699one-time
Best for startups and liability protection.
  • Articles of Incorporation
  • Digital Minute Book
  • Shareholder Resolutions
  • Company Bylaws
  • 15% Off + $300 RBC Cash Back Eligible
Managed Corp
$499/ year
Best for ongoing compliance and peace of mind.
  • Annual Return Filings
  • Minute Book Updates
  • Director / Officer Changes
  • Unlimited Support
  • GST/HST Registration

Note: Implementation prices include estimated government fees which vary by province. The $300 RBC Cash Back offer significantly reduces the net cost of incorporation.

Pros & cons

Where Ownr wins, and where it does not.

Strengths
  • Significantly cheaper than a traditional law firm ($1k+ savings).
  • Get up to $300 back when opening an RBC business account.
  • Digital Minute Book included (say goodbye to the dusty physical binder).
  • Automated GST/HST Program account registration.
  • Generates all initial legal docs: Bylaws, Shareholder Resolutions, Director Consents.
Watch-fors
  • Not suitable for complex share structures or tax-planning setups (e.g., family trusts, estate freezes).
  • Limited ability to create custom share classes without legal help.
  • Customer support is online-only (no phone support).
vs a Lawyer

Ownr vs hiring a lawyer to incorporate.

For a standard incorporation, the documents are identical. The difference is cost, speed, and what happens after you incorporate.

FeatureOwnrAppointed Lawyer
Cost (Incorporation)$499 - $699 (One-time)$1,000 - $2,500+
Time to Complete15 Minutes (Instant Filing)1 - 2 Weeks
Minute BookDigital & Auto-updatedPhysical Binder (Extra cost)
Banking IntegrationInstant RBC Setup + $300 Cash BackManual Paperwork
Post-Incorp SupportAutomated Annual FilingsBillable Hours ($300+/hr)

When a lawyer is still worth it: complex multi-class share structures, family trusts, estate freezes, shareholder agreements, or anything needing custom legal drafting. For a straightforward incorporation, including a basic holding company, Ownr does the same job for a fraction of the cost.

How it works

From name search to minute book in six steps.

1
Name Search (Nuans)
Run a free name search directly on Ownr to see if your business name is available.
2
Select Structure
Choose between Sole Proprietorship (simpler) or Incorporation (liability protection + tax deferral).
3
Company Details
Enter your business address and director details. Ownr auto-generates the Articles of Incorporation.
4
Sign & Pay
Digitally sign the documents. Pay the one-time fee (remember the RBC rebate applies later).
5
Get Your Minute Book
Instantly receive your Certificate of Incorporation and access your digital Minute Book.
6
Claim $300 Rebate
Click the link in your dashboard to open your RBC account and trigger the cash back refund.
Common mistakes we fix
  • Incorporating federally but forgetting to register extra-provincially (Ownr handles this, but pay attention).
  • Selecting the wrong share structure (Start with standard 1-class if you are solo).
  • Forgetting to file the Initial Return (Ownr reminds you, but you must do it).
  • Not converting to a "Managed Corp" plan if you want them to handle Annual Returns automatically.
Incorporation Sprint
We'll handle your entire incorporation process, from name search to minute book, ensuring you're legally set up in 48 hours.
FAQ

9 questions people ask about Ownr.

Is Ownr cheaper than a lawyer?
Yes, significantly. A lawyer typically charges $1,000 to $2,500 for a standard incorporation. Ownr costs $499 to $699 (government fees included), and our 15% partner discount plus the $300 RBC cash back can bring the net cost under $300.
Is My Ownr incorporation legally valid?
100%. Ownr generates the exact same government forms (Articles of Incorporation) that a lawyer would file. Your business is registered directly with the federal or provincial government.
How does the $300 RBC cash back work?
After you pay for incorporation on Ownr, you'll get a special link to open an RBC business bank account. Once the account is open and verified (usually within 60 days), RBC credits your account with $300, effectively reimbursing the Ownr service fee.
Can I use Ownr for a Holding Company?
Yes, for a straightforward holding company, which is just a standard incorporation Ownr handles well. Where you need a lawyer is complex share structures (multiple share classes or an estate freeze) or a family trust, the advanced tax planning that often sits around a holdco but is separate from the incorporation itself.
Does Ownr handle GST/HST registration?
Yes. During the workflow, you can opt to have Ownr register your business for a CRA Business Number and GST/HST program account automatically.
What is the 'Managed Corp' plan?
This is an optional subscription (approx $499/year) where Ownr acts as your virtual legal department. They handle your Annual Return filings, Minute Book updates, and allow unlimited changes to directors/officers without extra legal fees.
Is Ownr worth it?
For a standard incorporation, yes. Ownr produces the same legally valid documents a lawyer would for $499 to $699 (government fees included) versus $1,000 to $2,500 for a lawyer, and our 15% partner discount plus the $300 RBC cash back can drop your net cost under $300. You also get a digital minute book and automated annual-return reminders. It is not worth it if you need complex share structures, a family trust, or other advanced tax planning, where a tax lawyer is the better spend.
How does Ownr work?
Ownr walks you through an online questionnaire: run a free name search, choose between a sole proprietorship and an incorporation, enter your business and director details, then digitally sign. Ownr generates the Articles of Incorporation and supporting documents and files them directly with the federal or provincial government, usually within about 15 minutes. You receive your Certificate of Incorporation and a digital minute book, and can opt into CRA business number and GST/HST registration.
How much does Ownr cost in Canada?
Incorporation is $499 federally (Ontario and Quebec), $599 in Ontario or Alberta, and $699 in British Columbia, with government filing fees included. A sole proprietorship registration is $49. The optional Managed Corp plan is about $499 per year for ongoing compliance. Through our partner link you get 15% off the Ownr fee, and the $300 RBC cash back applies when you open an RBC business account, which together can cover most of the cost.
Keep reading

Related incorporation and accounting guides

Tax Benefits of Incorporating in Canada
Best Business Bank Account in Canada
Xero Accounting for Canadian Businesses
Best Accounting Tools for Canadian Businesses
The bottom line

Incorporate for $209 net, not $1,500.

For a standard Ontario incorporation, Ownr produces the same legal documents a lawyer files, in about 15 minutes. With our 15% partner discount and the $300 RBC cash back, it is our default recommendation for most new founders.

Two paths forward
Start on Ownr (15% off + $300)

Affiliate. LedgerLogic earns a referral fee and you receive the $300 RBC cash back. Editorial stance unaffected.