Xc.legal
Entity Structuring

Cross-Border Entity Comparison Tool.

Picking a holding-company jurisdiction or operational structure shouldn't take a week of partner billable hours. Xc.legal compares entity options across 180+ countries — cost, capital, tax, substance, ownership, and timeline — in a single side-by-side view.

  • 180+ jurisdictions, 40+ entity types
  • Tax + treaty network analysis
  • Substance requirements (BEPS / ESR / ATAD)
  • Foreign ownership & nominee restrictions
  • Annual maintenance cost estimates
  • Weighted scoring + PDF export
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Entity comparison preview

Side-by-side comparison of holding-company options.

Free preview
CriterionDIFCADGMSingaporeCayman
Setup cost$8,000$7,500$1,200$3,500
Min. capitalNoneNoneS$1None
Corp tax9% / 0%*9% / 0%*17%0%
Treaties140+140+90+0
SubstanceRequiredRequiredRequiredESR
100% foreign ownedYesYesYesYes
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The structuring question is rarely 'which country' — it's 'which combination'

Most cross-border deals end up with two or three entities across two or three jurisdictions: an operating company close to revenue, a holding company close to favourable treaties, and sometimes an IP or finance company in a third location. Comparing these on a partner's whiteboard takes hours; comparing them in Xc.legal takes minutes — and the output is a citation-backed table you can share with finance, tax, and counsel.

Inputs we factor in (and most spreadsheets don't)

  • Beneficial ownership disclosure thresholds and public/private register
  • CFC rules of the parent jurisdiction
  • Withholding tax on dividends, interest, and royalties
  • Substance test triggers (mind & management, employees, premises)
  • Currency restrictions and capital-control regimes
  • Time to bank account opening (often the real bottleneck)

Built for in-house counsel, founders, and corporate-services firms

If you're an in-house lawyer benchmarking holding structures, a founder choosing between QFC and DIFC, or a corporate-services firm preparing client recommendations — this is the tool that replaces ten browser tabs.

Frequently asked questions

What does the cross-border entity comparison tool do?
It compares legal entity options across multiple jurisdictions side-by-side — incorporation cost, minimum capital, ownership restrictions, tax treatment, substance requirements, and timeline to formation — so you can pick the right structure before you commit.
Which entity types are covered?
LLCs, branch offices, free-zone companies, holding structures (Cayman, BVI, Luxembourg, Netherlands, Singapore, Hong Kong, DIFC, ADGM, QFC), partnerships (LP, LLP, LLLP), and special-purpose vehicles.
Can I compare more than two jurisdictions?
Yes. Free: 2 entities. Pro: up to 5. Enterprise: unlimited side-by-side comparison with downloadable PDF and weighted scoring.
Does it factor in tax treaties and substance rules?
Yes. Each entity row includes corporate tax rate, withholding tax exposure, double-tax treaty network size, and economic substance requirements (BEPS, ATAD, GCC ESR).
How is the data updated?
Our regulatory team reviews each jurisdiction monthly. Any rate change, threshold change, or new substance requirement is timestamped and notified to subscribers via the Regulatory Alerts feed.
Is this a substitute for tax or legal advice?
No. Xc.legal is a software platform, not a law firm or tax advisor. Comparisons are for structuring research only and ship with the UPL disclaimer. Always engage qualified counsel before incorporating.

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Cross-Border Entity Comparison Tool.

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