BizFile+ vs ACRA: What’s the Difference and When Do You Use Each?
If you are starting or running a business in Singapore, you will often come across the terms ACRA, BizFile+, and now Bizfile. Because these names are closely connected, it is easy to assume that they refer to the same thing.
They do not.
ACRA is Singapore’s statutory board responsible for business registration, corporate regulation, and maintaining the national business registry. BizFile+ was ACRA’s previous online filing and information retrieval system. Since 9 December 2024, BizFile+ has been replaced by the new Bizfile portal, which is now ACRA’s main digital platform for business registration, filing, and business information services.
Understanding the difference can help business owners know where to register a company, file annual returns, update company information, and obtain official business documents.
What Is ACRA?
ACRA stands for the Accounting and Corporate Regulatory Authority.
It is the statutory authority responsible for regulating business entities, public accountants, and corporate service providers in Singapore. ACRA also maintains Singapore's national business registry and provides access to information about registered businesses.
In simple terms:
ACRA = The authority
ACRA establishes and administers the regulatory framework and maintains the official records associated with Singapore-registered business entities.
For example, ACRA is involved in areas such as:
Business and company registration
Corporate compliance
Business information
Annual return requirements
Company and business records
Registration of position holders
Regulatory filings
Corporate service provider regulation
The information maintained by ACRA can include details such as an entity's registration date, business activities, registered office address, financial information, and information relating to business owners, shareholders, directors and officers, subject to applicable access and privacy rules.
What Was BizFile+?
BizFile+ was ACRA's online filing and information retrieval system.
It allowed businesses, professionals, and members of the public to access various electronic services related to Singapore business entities.
Through the former BizFile+ system, users could perform activities such as submitting statutory documents and retrieving or purchasing business information.
However, BizFile+ is no longer the current portal.
ACRA launched the new Bizfile portal on 9 December 2024, replacing BizFile+. The new platform was designed to integrate business registration, filing services, information products and other services into a more streamlined digital experience.
So, if you see an old guide referring to "BizFile+" or "BizFile+ Singapore," it may be describing the previous system.
What Is Bizfile Today?
The current Bizfile is ACRA's one-stop digital portal for business registration, filing and information services.
You can use Bizfile for a range of business-related transactions, including:
Applying for a new business entity name
Registering a new business entity
Managing registered entities
Updating business information
Filing annual returns and declarations
Updating position holder information
Managing shareholder and share information
Registering charges
Applying for cessation or strike-off
Purchasing business information
Accessing various ACRA information products
ACRA's current guidance states that authorised business users can log in to Bizfile through Corppass to carry out transactions for their own entity or on behalf of clients.
ACRA vs Bizfile: What Is the Difference?
The easiest way to understand the relationship is:
ACRA | Bizfile |
Government statutory authority | Online digital service portal |
Regulates and administers Singapore's business registry | Provides access to ACRA's business registration and filing services |
Maintains official business records | Allows users to submit transactions and obtain information |
Establishes regulatory requirements | Provides the digital platform for many filings |
Responsible for corporate regulation | Used for registrations, updates, filings and information purchases |
Therefore, ACRA and Bizfile are not competing platforms.
Bizfile is operated by ACRA as the digital channel through which users access many ACRA services.
BizFile+ vs Bizfile: What Changed?
This is where much of the confusion comes from.
BizFile+
BizFile+ was the previous ACRA online system.
Bizfile
Bizfile is the newer platform launched on 9 December 2024.
ACRA described the new portal as an integrated platform providing access to registry filing services, business information products and API services. It also introduced improvements to data integrity, filing accuracy, navigation and personal data protection.
So if someone asks:
"Should I use BizFile+ or Bizfile?"
The answer is that Bizfile is the current portal. BizFile+ was replaced in December 2024.
When Do You Use ACRA?
You don't normally "log in to ACRA" to perform every business transaction. Instead, ACRA is the authority behind the regulatory framework and registry.
You should refer to ACRA when you need to understand:
1. Singapore business registration requirements
If you are planning to incorporate a company or register another type of business entity, ACRA provides information about the applicable registration process and requirements.
2. Corporate compliance requirements
ACRA publishes guidance on obligations such as annual returns and other statutory filings.
For example, Singapore companies must meet their annual return requirements, and ACRA provides guidance on who can file and what information needs to be checked before submission.
3. Regulatory information
If you need information about corporate regulatory requirements, ACRA is the appropriate official source.
4. Official business information
ACRA maintains the national business registry and provides access to business information and information products.
When Do You Use Bizfile?
You use Bizfile when you actually need to carry out many of the available online transactions.
For example:
Registering a company
If you have decided to incorporate a Singapore company, the registration transaction is completed through Bizfile.
ACRA currently lists the fee for registering a new business entity as S$300, in addition to the S$15 fee for applying for a new business entity name.
Filing an annual return
Companies can file their annual returns through Bizfile. The process uses information from previous filings, allowing users to review and update relevant details.
Updating company information
Bizfile can be used for transactions involving company information and position holders, depending on the type of change.
Checking business information
You can use Bizfile to search for businesses and purchase ACRA information products such as Business Profiles, People Profiles, certificates, extracts and registers.
Managing compliance tasks
The Bizfile dashboard can also provide alerts relating to upcoming or overdue filing deadlines.
What Is an ACRA Business Profile?
Another common source of confusion is the phrase "ACRA Business Profile."
An ACRA Business Profile is an official information product containing key information about a registered business entity.
Depending on the entity, this can include information such as:
UEN
Entity name
Business activities
Registration or incorporation date
Position holder information
Business owner or partner information
Business Profiles can be purchased through Bizfile.
This means:
ACRA provides the official business registry and information.
Bizfile provides the digital platform through which you can access or purchase many of those services and products.
Common Situations: Which One Do You Use?
Let's make it practical.
"I want to register a company in Singapore."
Use: Bizfile
The company registration transaction is submitted through ACRA's Bizfile portal.
"I want to file my company's annual return."
Use: Bizfile
Annual returns can be filed through the Bizfile annual filing service.
"I want to understand Singapore's annual filing requirements."
Use: ACRA
ACRA provides the official regulatory guidance explaining filing obligations.
"I want to buy a company's Business Profile."
Use: Bizfile
Business information products such as Business Profiles are available through Bizfile.
"I want to understand who regulates companies in Singapore."
Answer: ACRA
ACRA is the statutory authority responsible for Singapore's business registry and relevant corporate regulatory functions.
"I found an old article telling me to use BizFile+."
Check the date.
The old BizFile+ system was replaced by the new Bizfile portal on 9 December 2024. Current instructions should refer to Bizfile, rather than BizFile+.
Can a Company Secretary Handle Bizfile Transactions?
Yes. Businesses can handle their own filings, but they can also engage a corporate service provider (CSP) to file on their behalf.
ACRA's current guidance specifically recognises company officers and corporate service providers as users who can carry out certain filings.
This is one reason many businesses choose to work with a professional corporate secretary.
A corporate secretary can help businesses keep track of important corporate compliance matters, prepare required documents and assist with filings through the appropriate ACRA systems.
Why Understanding the Difference Matters
Knowing the difference between ACRA and Bizfile may seem like a small detail, but it becomes important when managing corporate compliance.
For example, searching for "ACRA website" may give you regulatory information, while looking for "Bizfile" takes you toward the digital platform used for transactions.
Similarly, searching for "BizFile+" can lead you to older guides that may no longer accurately describe the current interface or process.
The simple distinction is:
ACRA is the authority. Bizfile is the portal. BizFile+ was the previous portal.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is BizFile+ still used in Singapore?
No. ACRA's new Bizfile portal replaced BizFile+ on 9 December 2024.
Is Bizfile owned by ACRA?
Bizfile is ACRA's one-stop digital portal for business registration, filing and information services.
Is ACRA the same as Bizfile?
No. ACRA is the statutory authority, while Bizfile is its online portal for many business registration, filing and information services.
Can I register a company through Bizfile?
Yes. Business registration is one of the services available through Bizfile.
Can I file annual returns through Bizfile?
Yes. Companies can file annual returns through the Bizfile portal.
Can I purchase an ACRA Business Profile through Bizfile?
Yes. ACRA Business Profiles are among the information products available through Bizfile.
Do I need a company secretary to use Bizfile?
Not necessarily. Certain filings can be completed by company officers, while businesses can also engage a corporate service provider to file on their behalf.
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