ACRA BizFile vs ACRA Business Profile: What’s the Difference?
If you are starting, managing, or checking a company in Singapore, you will often come across two terms: ACRA BizFile and ACRA Business Profile.
Although they are closely connected, they are not the same thing.
BizFile is the online platform operated by the Accounting and Corporate Regulatory Authority (ACRA) for business registration, filings, updates, and access to business information. A Business Profile, on the other hand, is an official information product that contains key details about a registered business entity.
Understanding the difference can help business owners, investors, banks, suppliers, and professionals know which one they actually need.
What Is ACRA BizFile?
BizFile is ACRA's one-stop online portal for business-related services in Singapore.
Businesses and individuals can use BizFile to perform various activities, including:
- Registering a new business or company
- Filing annual returns and other statutory filings
- Updating business or company information
- Searching for registered business entities
- Accessing and purchasing ACRA information products
- Searching for people associated with businesses
- Checking certain business information for free
ACRA describes BizFile as its portal for business registration, filing, and information services.
For example, if you want to search for a company, you can use BizFile's Entity Search by entering the company's name or Unique Entity Number (UEN). From there, you can purchase the company's Business Profile.
So, BizFile is the platform where you perform the activity or access the information.
What Is an ACRA Business Profile?
An ACRA Business Profile is an official document containing key information about a registered business entity.
It can include information such as:
- Entity name
- Unique Entity Number (UEN)
- Date of incorporation or registration
- Business activities
- Registered address
- Details of directors and other position holders
- Information about business owners or partners, depending on the entity type
- Shareholder-related information where applicable
ACRA lists the Business Profile as an information product intended for obtaining basic entity information, including the UEN, entity name, registration date, and details of position holders, business owners or partners.
The Business Profile is therefore useful when you need an official snapshot of a company's registered information.
ACRA BizFile vs Business Profile: The Main Difference
The easiest way to understand the difference is:
BizFile = the platform
Business Profile = the document/information product obtained through the platform
Think of BizFile as the online service centre and the Business Profile as one of the official documents you can obtain from that service centre.
For example, if you want to verify the basic details of a Singapore company, you can search for the entity through BizFile and purchase its Business Profile.
What Can You Do Through BizFile?
BizFile provides access to several business-related functions, not just Business Profiles.
1. Register a Business
Entrepreneurs can use BizFile for registering different types of business entities in Singapore.
2. File Annual Returns
Companies and other applicable entities can complete their required annual filings through the platform.
3. Update Business Information
Businesses can use ACRA's online services to update relevant registered information.
4. Search for Businesses
BizFile's Entity Search allows users to search for businesses using their entity name or UEN.
5. Purchase Business Information
Users can purchase different ACRA information products, including Business Profiles, People Profiles, Corporate Compliance and Financial Profiles, extracts, certificates, and registers.
6. Conduct Basic Business Checks
ACRA also recommends using its business information to perform basic checks, such as confirming whether an entity is live and checking its registered address. A Business Profile can provide additional information for more detailed checks.
What Information Does a Business Profile Provide?
A Business Profile gives you a more structured view of a specific registered entity.
For example, if you are checking a Singapore private limited company, the profile can provide important information about the company and its registered position holders.
This can be useful when:
- Verifying a potential business partner
- Checking a supplier or customer
- Conducting basic due diligence
- Confirming company registration details
- Checking directors or shareholders
- Providing company information to a bank or professional adviser
- Confirming a company's business activities
ACRA states that its Business Profile can be used to obtain basic entity information and details of position holders, business owners or partners.
How Much Does an ACRA Business Profile Cost?
As of 2026, ACRA lists the standard Business Profile price at S$5.50.
ACRA states that the profile can be purchased through BizFile using the entity name or UEN. The processing time is generally within 15 minutes.
There are also circumstances where an eligible business can receive a free Business Profile after completing certain transactions, such as business registration, renewal, or applicable annual filings. Since March 2026, eligible free Business Profiles are delivered to the BizFile inbox as an attachment.
Can You Search a Company for Free on BizFile?
Yes.
ACRA provides free BizFile search functions that allow users to check basic information about a business, including its status and registered address. You do not need to log in to use these free search functions.
However, a free search and a purchased Business Profile are different.
A free search can help you quickly check whether a business exists and view certain basic information, while the Business Profile provides a more comprehensive official information product.
When Should You Get a Business Profile?
You may want to purchase a Business Profile when you need official company information for verification or documentation purposes.
For example, imagine that your Singapore company is entering into a contract with a new supplier.
You may want to verify:
- Is the company registered?
- What is its UEN?
- What business activities are registered?
- Who are the relevant directors or position holders?
- What is the registered address?
- Who are the shareholders, where applicable?
A Business Profile can provide important information for this type of basic due diligence.
ACRA also provides other information products when you need deeper checks. For example, its Corporate Compliance and Financial Profile (CCFP) combines Business Profile information with compliance and financial information.
Is BizFile the Same as ACRA?
Not exactly.
ACRA is Singapore's statutory board responsible for, among other things, administering the country's business registration and corporate regulatory framework.
BizFile is ACRA's online portal used for business registration, filings, information searches, and related services.
Business Profile is an ACRA information product that you can obtain through BizFile.
This distinction is important because people sometimes use "ACRA BizFile" and "ACRA Business Profile" interchangeably, even though they refer to different things.
BizFile vs Business Profile: A Simple Example
Suppose you want information about ABC Pte. Ltd.
You would generally:
Step 1: Go to BizFile and search for ABC Pte. Ltd. using its name or UEN.
Step 2: Review the available search information.
Step 3: If you need the official Business Profile, select the relevant entity and purchase the profile.
Step 4: Download the Business Profile after the transaction is processed.
The Business Profile can also be verified using ACRA's verification services, including trust Bar.
In other words, BizFile is where you access the service; the Business Profile is what you obtain.
Why Is This Difference Important for Singapore Businesses?
Understanding this difference becomes particularly useful when dealing with company incorporation, compliance, banking, contracts, due diligence, and corporate administration.
For example, a newly incorporated company may need its Business Profile when dealing with banks, customers, suppliers, or other organisations that require evidence of company details.
At the same time, the company's ongoing compliance activities—such as required filings and updating relevant information, are handled through the BizFile platform.
For businesses that regularly need company information, ACRA also offers API access to Business Profile information for eligible organisations requiring automated access to multiple profiles.
Final Takeaway
ACRA BizFile and the ACRA Business Profile are connected, but they serve different purposes.
BizFile is the online portal where businesses and the public can access ACRA's business registration, filing, search, and information services.
The Business Profile is an official ACRA information product containing key details about a particular registered business.
If you simply want to check whether a business exists and view basic information, BizFile's free search may be sufficient. If you need a formal record containing more detailed company information, you may need to obtain the Business Profile.
For Singapore businesses, knowing which service you need can save time and help ensure that you use the correct ACRA information for your business or compliance requirement.
Need Help With Singapore Corporate Compliance?
Managing company registration, annual filings, corporate records, and other ACRA requirements can become time-consuming, especially for business owners who are focused on running their companies.
Tianlong Services helps businesses in Singapore with corporate secretarial and compliance-related services, including company incorporation, annual return filing, corporate secretary services, and ongoing statutory compliance.
If you need professional assistance with your Singapore company's ACRA filings and corporate compliance requirements, Tianlong Services can help you manage the process efficiently and stay on top of your statutory obligations.