Starting and managing a business in Canada can be complicated: legal paperwork, incorporation fees, maintaining a corporate minute book, and managing compliance. Ownr (ownr.co) offers a streamlined SaaS solution to handle all of this in one place — backed by RBC Ventures, it helps entrepreneurs register, incorporate, and stay compliant with ease.
Table Of Content
- Quick Verdict ⭐ 4.0 / 5
- Key Features & Specifications
- Real-World Use Cases & Benefits
- 1. Startup Founders & Entrepreneurs
- 2. Consultants, Freelancers & Side-Hustlers
- 3. Growing Businesses that Want Centralized Legal Storage
- 4. Businesses Leveraging RBC Banking Perks
- User Testimonials & Social Proof
- Expert Insights & Industry Commentary
- Comparison with Top Alternatives
- Pricing & Value Analysis
- Who Should and Shouldn’t Use Ownr
- FAQs (People-Also-Ask)
- Final Verdict & Next Steps
In this review, you’ll learn how Ownr works, the key services it offers, real-world use cases, pros and limitations, how it compares to alternatives, pricing, and whether it’s the right choice for you.
Quick Verdict ⭐ 4.0 / 5
Pros
- Easy, digital-first incorporation process for Canadian businesses.
- Affordable plans: $499 CAD for incorporation, $49 CAD for sole proprietorship.
- Perks via RBC offer: up to $300 refunded when opening an RBC business account within 60 days.
- Built-in “Online Minute Book” to store corporate documents securely, plus legal-document templates.
- Support via live chat, email, and phone for some plans.
Cons
- Trustpilot rating is low (2.8/5), with multiple complaints about billing, support, and transparency.
- Some users report difficulty canceling or renewing subscriptions.
- Support is limited for lower-tier plans; phone support and advanced features reserved for “Managed Corporation.”
- Not suited for complex or non-standard corporate structures (e.g., multi-class shares) — may require a lawyer.
Bottom line: For most small Canadian businesses, Ownr is a cost- and time-effective way to legally form and manage a business entity — especially if you take advantage of the RBC rebate. But if you need highly customized legal structures or ultra-responsive support, there may be trade-offs.
Key Features & Specifications
- Type of Services: Business registration, incorporation (provincial or federal), corporate governance, minute book, legal document storage.
- Business Types Supported: Sole proprietorship, corporation (federal or provincial).
- Plan Options:
- Sole Proprietorship: $49 CAD one-time fee.
- Full Incorporation + 1 Year Online Minute Book: $499 CAD one-time fee (for some jurisdictions).
- Managed Corporation Plan: $599 CAD/year + incorporation fee (~$399+ depending on province) for ongoing support, unlimited company updates, and legal template access.
- RBC Business Account Rebate: Up to $300 back when opening a new account within 60 days.
- Document & Compliance Tools:
- Online minute book storing all company documents securely.
- Unlimited access to legal agreements library (shareholders’ agreements, resolutions, etc).
- Support: Chat, email, phone (phone is more available in higher-tier plan).
- Trust & Legitimacy:
- Medium trust on ScamAdviser (66/100).
- ScamDetector rate: 71.6/100, indicating relatively low risk.
- Trustpilot score: 2.8/5 based on user reviews.
Real-World Use Cases & Benefits
1. Startup Founders & Entrepreneurs
For a solo founder or small team, Ownr simplifies incorporation. You can complete your registration online in minutes, including name search (NUANS), share issuance, and company setup. Once incorporated, the first year of minute book service is included — so corporate documents are generated and stored for you.
2. Consultants, Freelancers & Side-Hustlers
Many service-based entrepreneurs (consultants, creatives, freelancers) want the credibility of a corporation or small business without big legal fees. With its affordable plan and legal-document templates, Ownr becomes a useful bridge between simplicity and legitimacy.
3. Growing Businesses that Want Centralized Legal Storage
Business owners who prefer one dashboard for all compliance — minute book, shareholder agreements, director resolutions — will appreciate Ownr’s organized, cloud-based storage. Also, the ongoing “Managed Corporation” plan makes it easier to stay compliant with unlimited document updates.
4. Businesses Leveraging RBC Banking Perks
Because Ownr is backed by RBC Ventures, there’s a strategic promo: open an RBC business account after incorporating, and you can get a reimbursement (up to $300). This makes Ownr particularly appealing to people who want integrated banking + incorporation.
User Testimonials & Social Proof
- Trustpilot: Mixed reviews — some users praise the ease of registration, while others complain of billing issues and poor service.
- Reddit: Several users offer real feedback: “Support lines are slow, and if your incorporation deviates from their template, things get tricky.”
“Be careful with their renewal — support is hard to reach and canceling can be frustrating.” Reddit
“If you don’t pay for their service, they lock down your minute book access.” - Partner Feedback: Avalon Accounting notes Ownr’s pricing is competitive, and the platform is more supportive than DIY government filing but less hands-on than a legal firm.
Expert Insights & Industry Commentary
- Avalon Accounting believes Ownr strikes a good balance: “More support than the DIY route, less expensive than hiring a lawyer.”
- Ownr’s Blog highlights how their incorporation packages simplify government filings, eliminate paperwork, and reduce errors — making it especially helpful for first-time entrepreneurs.
- On the flip side, some small-business owners report that Ownr’s templated approach may not suit more complex structures (e.g., multiple share classes).
Comparison with Top Alternatives
| Platform | Service Focus | Pricing (approx) | Strengths | Trade-Offs |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ownr | Incorporation + compliance | $499 (incorporation), $49 (sole prop), $599/year (managed) | Streamlined digital onboarding, minute book, legal documents, RBC rebate | Billing complaints, templated docs, limited customization |
| Lawyer / Law Firm | Legally tailored incorporation | Varies (~$1,000+) | Highly customized agreements, legal advice | Expensive, slower |
| DIY Government Registration | Basic incorporation | Government fees only (e.g. Ontario ~$300) | Cheapest option in terms of direct cost | No document templates, no legal guidance, manual minute book tracking |
Pricing & Value Analysis
Ownr’s pricing is relatively transparent:
- Incorporation: $499 CAD (plus tax) for full incorporation + minute book for 1 year.
- Managed Corporation: $599 CAD/year (plus initial incorporation fee) for ongoing compliance and legal-document access.
- Sole Proprietorship: $49 CAD (one-time).
RBC Rebate: Up to $300 back if you open an RBC business bank account within 60 days.
Value Considerations:
- For first-time incorporators, Ownr’s package reduces the barrier to launching.
- For long-term corporates, “Managed” plan helps with legal upkeep.
- The RBC rebate can offset much of the cost — if you plan to use RBC for banking.
Who Should and Shouldn’t Use Ownr
Best suited for:
- First-time entrepreneurs in Canada looking for a fast and reliable way to register or incorporate.
- Freelancers or small-business owners who need a formal business structure with minimal legal complexity.
- Business owners who value document organization and compliance in a digital dashboard.
- Founders who plan to open a business bank account with RBC, to benefit from the rebate.
Less suitable for:
- Businesses that require custom or complex legal structures (e.g., specialized share classes, investors).
- Users seeking full legal advice (Ownr offers templates but not legal counsel).
- Entrepreneurs who don’t want to commit to a year of compliance or plan to cancel immediately.
- Those who need fully dedicated customer support — as lower-tier users may face longer wait times.
FAQs (People-Also-Ask)
Q: How much does it cost to incorporate with Ownr?
A: Incorporation with Ownr starts at $499 CAD for most jurisdictions and includes a one-year online minute book.
Q: Is Ownr legit?
A: Yes. Ownr is owned by RBC Ventures, and its website is rated medium trust by ScamAdviser (66/100). It’s used by over 235,000 business owners.
Q: Can I get a refund if I open an RBC business account?
A: Yes — Ownr offers up to $300 back if you open an RBC business account within 60 days of incorporation, and keep it open for a year.
Q: What ongoing support does Ownr provide?
A: Through its “Managed Corporation” plan, you get unlimited company updates, access to legal templates, and help with filings.
Final Verdict & Next Steps
Ownr is a powerful SaaS platform for Canadian entrepreneurs who need a streamlined, digital solution for incorporation and compliance. With transparent pricing, document storage, legal templates, and the bonus of an RBC rebate, it brings convenience and cost-savings—especially for small to medium-sized businesses.
But it’s not without its drawbacks: users mention inconsistent support, limited customization, and occasional billing issues. For more complex legal needs, you might still need a lawyer.
