Company Lookup Tools Compared: Finding the Right One for Your Needs
There are dozens of tools for looking up UK company information, ranging from the free Companies House service to enterprise-grade platforms costing thousands per year. Which one is right for you depends entirely on what you need the data for.
Companies House (Free)
The official government registry and the source of truth for all UK company data.
Strengths
- Completely free - no limits on searches or document downloads
- Authoritative - this is where the data originates
- Free API with generous rate limits
- PSC (beneficial ownership) data included
- Filing history going back to digitisation
Limitations
- No credit scores or financial analysis
- No contact information (phone, email, website)
- Basic search functionality - exact name matching only
- No alerts or monitoring features
- No way to filter by SIC code, geography, or incorporation date
Best for: Quick one-off lookups, checking filing status, downloading accounts
Endole
A comprehensive company information platform that enriches Companies House data with credit scores, financial analysis, and contact details.
Strengths
- Detailed company reports with financial analysis
- Credit risk scores and payment predictions
- Director network mapping
- Contact information (email, phone, website)
- Good search filters (industry, location, size)
Limitations
- Credit-based pricing can get expensive for heavy users
- Some contact data is outdated or inaccurate
- No new company monitoring or alerts
Best for: Sales prospecting, credit checks, supplier due diligence
Creditsafe
An enterprise-focused credit reference agency with global coverage.
Strengths
- International coverage (200+ countries)
- Real-time credit scores updated daily
- Monitoring and alerts for changes to watched companies
- API for integration into existing workflows
- Compliance tools for KYC/AML
Limitations
- Enterprise pricing - not practical for small businesses or freelancers
- Requires a sales conversation to get started
- Minimum contract commitments
Best for: Enterprise credit risk management, international due diligence, compliance teams
Company Check
A free-to-use platform that presents Companies House data in a more accessible format.
Strengths
- Free basic access
- Clean, easy-to-read company profiles
- Financial summary with key ratios
- Director search functionality
Limitations
- Limited features compared to paid alternatives
- Ad-supported free tier
- No API access on free plan
- No new company monitoring
Best for: Quick company snapshots, basic financial overview, casual research
OpenCorporates
The largest open database of companies in the world, covering 140+ jurisdictions.
Strengths
- Unmatched jurisdictional coverage - from the UK to the Cayman Islands
- Open data ethos - basic data is freely accessible
- Useful for cross-border research
- API available for data integration
Limitations
- Data can lag behind the source registries
- Limited financial data
- No credit scores or risk analysis
Best for: International company research, cross-jurisdictional investigations, journalists
NewcoHunter
Purpose-built for monitoring newly incorporated UK companies - a different use case from the lookup tools above.
Strengths
- Real-time monitoring of new Companies House registrations
- Filter by SIC code, geography, and incorporation date
- Weekly email digests of matching new companies
- CSV export for CRM integration
- Simple, transparent pricing from £29/month
Limitations
- Focused on new companies - not a general company lookup tool
- No credit scores (yet)
- UK-only (US expansion planned)
Best for: B2B sales teams, accountants, and service providers who want to reach businesses at the point of incorporation
Quick Comparison Table
| Tool | Price | New Co. Alerts | Credit Scores | API | International |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Companies House | Free | No | No | Yes | UK only |
| Endole | From £19.95 | No | Yes | Yes | UK focused |
| Creditsafe | Enterprise | Yes | Yes | Yes | 200+ countries |
| Company Check | Free / Paid | No | Basic | Paid | UK only |
| OpenCorporates | Free / Paid | No | No | Yes | 140+ jurisdictions |
| NewcoHunter | From £29/mo | Yes | No | Planned | UK (US planned) |
Which Should You Choose?
- Just need to look up a company? Start with Companies House - it's free and authoritative
- Need credit risk data? Endole for SMEs, Creditsafe for enterprise
- Want to find new companies as they register? That's what NewcoHunter is built for
- Researching companies internationally? OpenCorporates for breadth, Creditsafe for depth