Ownr is a Canadian business registration platform backed by RBC that lets you register a sole proprietorship or incorporate a company without navigating government portals yourself. This review covers what Ownr actually does, what it costs, who it is genuinely useful for, and when you are better off doing it yourself or using an alternative.
What Ownr Does
Ownr automates two things: business name registration (sole proprietorship) and incorporation. It handles the name search, fills in the provincial government forms, submits the application, and delivers your registration documents. It also includes a digital minute book for incorporated companies.
Ownr currently operates in Ontario, British Columbia, Alberta, and Quebec. It does not cover Saskatchewan, Manitoba, Nova Scotia, New Brunswick, Newfoundland, or PEI — for those provinces, you register directly through the provincial registry or use an alternative service.
Pricing (2026)
| Service | Ownr Fee | Government Fee | Total |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sole Proprietorship Registration | $49 | $60 (ON) / $40 (BC) / ~$60 (AB) | ~$109–$109 |
| Provincial Incorporation (ON) | $499+ | $300 | ~$799+ |
| Federal Incorporation | $499+ | $200 | ~$699+ |
For sole proprietorships, Ownr’s $49 service fee is competitive. The DIY government fee alone is $60 in Ontario — so you pay $49 extra for Ownr to do the filing for you, which is reasonable for newcomers unfamiliar with provincial portals. Annual membership plans ($149/year) include ongoing compliance features and access to legal document templates.
What Ownr Does Well
- Guided process: Clear step-by-step flow that is less intimidating than government portals for newcomers or first-time business owners.
- Name search: Includes a NUANS-style name availability check before you commit to a name.
- Document delivery: Registration documents arrive by email, ready to take to a bank.
- RBC integration: Ownr has a partnership with RBC that allows you to open a business bank account directly from the Ownr dashboard — useful if you plan to bank with RBC.
- Digital minute book: For incorporated companies, Ownr maintains your corporate records digitally, which replaces the traditional physical minute book.
Where Ownr Falls Short
- Price for incorporation: At $499+ for the Ownr service fee (before government fees), incorporation through Ownr is significantly more expensive than doing it yourself online ($200 federal) or using lower-cost alternatives like Ownr’s own competitor Ownr for sole proprietorships vs. federal DIY.
- Limited provinces: Not available outside Ontario, BC, Alberta, and Quebec.
- Ongoing costs: The full feature set requires an annual membership. The one-time registration is cheaper but leaves you without the compliance tracking tools.
- No legal advice: Ownr is a software tool, not a law firm. For complex structures, share classes, or shareholder agreements, you still need a lawyer.
Who Should Use Ownr
Ownr makes the most sense for:
- First-time business registrants in Ontario, BC, Alberta, or Quebec who want a guided process and are willing to pay a modest convenience fee
- Newcomers to Canada who are not familiar with provincial government portals
- Existing RBC customers who want to open a business bank account at the same time as registering
When to Skip Ownr
- Sole proprietorship DIY: Ontario’s Business Registry (ontario.ca/businessregistry) is straightforward. The $60 government fee and 15 minutes of your time gets you the same registration without the $49 Ownr fee. BC ($40) and Alberta (~$60) are similarly simple online.
- Federal incorporation: Corporations Canada’s online portal ($200) is clean and processes same-day. For a straightforward numbered corporation or simple named corporation, DIY is perfectly viable.
- Outside Ownr’s provinces: Register directly through your provincial registry.
Alternatives to Ownr
- Government portals (free + government fee): Ontario Business Registry, BC Registry Services, Alberta Corporate Registry, Registraire des entreprises (Quebec)
- Ownr competitors: Ownr.ca remains one of the more polished options, but Goodlawyer, Fountain Legal, and provincial legal tech startups offer incorporation services with legal review included
- Traditional law firms: For complex structures, add approximately $1,000–$3,000 for full incorporation with lawyer review
Verdict
Ownr is a good product for what it does. For sole proprietorship registration, the $49 service fee is a reasonable price to pay for simplicity, especially if you are not comfortable navigating government websites. For incorporation, the value proposition is weaker — DIY through Corporations Canada or provincial registries saves several hundred dollars for the same result.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does Ownr provide a Business Number (BN) from the CRA?
Ownr registers your business with the provincial government. The CRA Business Number is a separate registration done through the CRA’s Business Registration Online (BRO) portal, which is free. Some provinces (including Ontario) automatically issue a BN when you register, but CRA program accounts (GST/HST, payroll) still need to be set up separately.
Is my Ownr registration recognized by banks?
Yes. The Business Name Registration certificate (formerly called Master Business Licence in Ontario) that Ownr delivers is the document Canadian banks require to open a business bank account.
Does Ownr work for Quebec businesses?
Ownr offers registration in Quebec, but Quebec has distinct requirements — registrations must comply with the Office québécois de la langue française, and all business names must be in French or have a French version. Ownr handles these requirements, but the process takes longer than in other provinces.