How to Choose suitable Business Structure?

Here are the pros and cons of different Business Structure

Business Structure	Characteristics	Pros	Cons
Sole Proprietorship	- Owned and operated by one individual - No legal distinction between the owner and the business	- Simple to establish and operate - Complete control - Minimal regulatory burden	- Unlimited personal liability - Limited funding options - Business continuity tied to the owner
Partnership	- Owned by two or more individuals - Shared control and responsibility	- More resources and ideas - Shared responsibilities - Simple to form	- Unlimited personal liability - Potential for disputes - Shared profits
Limited Liability Partnership (LLP)	- Partnership with limited liability for some or all partners - Separate legal entity	- Limited liability protection - Flexible management structure - No corporate tax	- More complex to establish - Regulatory compliances - Limited capital raising options
Private Limited Company	- Owned by shareholders - Managed by directors - Limited liability - Separate legal entity	- Limited personal liability - Easier to raise capital - Business continuity	- Regulatory compliances - Higher setup and operating costs - Restrictions on share transfer
One Person Company (OPC)	- Single owner with limited liability - Separate legal entity	- Limited liability - Complete control - Easy to set up and manage	- Limited to small businesses - Not suitable for high-growth ventures - Regulatory compliances
Public Limited Company	- Can sell shares to the public - Separate legal entity - Managed by a board of directors	- Access to significant capital - Limited liability - High public visibility	- Complex to establish and manage - Intense regulatory scrutiny - Expensive to maintain
Cooperative	- Owned and operated by members - Democratic decision-making - Profits shared among members	- Member control - Community focus - Tax advantages in some cases	- Limited capital raising options - Complex governance - Less incentive for individual profit
Non-Profit Organization (Section 8 Company)	- Established for social, charitable, or educational purposes - Not-for-Profit	- Tax exemptions - Social impact - Public trust	- No profit distribution - Strict regulatory requirements - Heavy reliance on fundraising

Here are other factors for better comparison.

Business Structure	Benefits	Liability	Funding Options	Scalability	Regulatory Compliance	Best Suited For
Sole Proprietorship	- Full control and decision-making.- Easy and inexpensive to establish. - Simple tax filing process. - All profits go to the owner.	Unlimited personal liability. The owner is responsible for all debts and legal actions.	Self-funded or small loans. Limited to personal credit and resources.	Limited scalability due to funding and resource constraints.	Minimal regulatory compliance. Basic tax filings and permits as needed.	Individuals starting small-scale or low-risk businesses, freelancers, consultants.
Partnership	- Shared financial commitment. - Combined skills and resources. - Simple to establish with more capital than sole proprietorship. - Direct profit share.	Unlimited personal liability for general partners. Limited liability for limited partners in some structures.	Partnership contributions, loans. Better funding options than sole proprietorship.	Moderate scalability. Depends on the resources and capital of the partners.	Moderate regulatory compliance. Partnership agreements, annual reporting, and tax obligations.	Small businesses with multiple owners, especially in professional services.
Limited Liability Partnership (LLP)	- Limited liability protection. - Flexibility in management. - No corporate tax. Profits distributed and taxed to partners. - More credibility than a general partnership.	Limited liability for partners. Personal assets are generally protected.	Better than partnerships. Access to loans, credit lines.	Good scalability. Easier to attract investors due to limited liability.	Higher than partnerships. LLP agreement, annual filings, and compliance with statutory obligations.	Professional service firms, groups seeking flexible structures with liability protection.
Private Limited Company	- Limited liability for shareholders. - Ability to raise capital through equity. - Perpetual succession. - Enhanced credibility and brand value.	Limited liability. Shareholders are liable only up to their share of investment.	High potential for raising funds through equity, loans, and investors.	High scalability. Suitable for expansion and diversification.	Significant regulatory compliance. Regular filings, statutory audits, and board meetings.	Entrepreneurs looking to scale their businesses, startups requiring significant funding.
One Person Company (OPC)	- Single ownership with limited liability. - Less compliance than a Pvt. Ltd. company. - Benefits of a corporation with a sole proprietor's flexibility. - Easy to manage with complete control.	Limited liability. Personal assets are protected from business liabilities.	Limited options. Mostly self-funded or small loans.	Limited scalability. Must convert to Pvt. Ltd. if it exceeds certain thresholds.	Fewer compliances than Pvt. Ltd. but more than a sole proprietorship. Mandatory conversion to Pvt. Ltd. beyond thresholds.	Solo entrepreneurs needing limited liability without the complexity of a larger company.
Public Limited Company	- Ability to raise funds publicly. - Limited liability protection. - Separate legal entity. - Increased market visibility and prestige.	Limited liability. Shareholders risk is limited to their investment in shares.	High potential for raising capital through public share issuance.	Very high scalability. Ideal for significant expansion and growth.	Stringent regulatory compliance. Mandatory public disclosures, shareholder meetings, regulatory oversight.	Large-scale businesses aiming for high growth, market expansion, and public investment.
Cooperative	- Democratic operation and decision-making.- Profits and benefits shared among members. - Tax advantages in some jurisdictions. -Community-focused and member-driven.	Limited liability in most cases. Liability is typically limited to the cooperative's assets.	Funding through member contributions, grants, and loans.	Scalability can be limited. Depends on the cooperative's objectives and member contributions.	Varied compliance based on cooperative type and jurisdiction. Often includes member meetings and annual reports.	Groups with a common interest, like housing, agricultural, and consumer cooperatives.
Non-Profit Organization (Section 8 Company)	- Tax exemptions and benefits. - Eligibility for grants and donations. - Contributes to social, educational, or charitable causes. - High level of public trust and credibility.	Limited liability. The personal assets of members/directors are protected.	Funding through donations, grants, and sponsorships. Not profit-oriented.	Limited scalability in commercial terms. Focused on social impact rather than business growth.	Stringent regulatory compliance. Regular filings, compliance with NGO-specific laws and regulations.	Social enterprises, charitable organizations, educational initiatives, NGOs focused on societal impact.