What is the Difference Between PVT. LTD. Company and LTD. Company?

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The main difference between a Pvt. Ltd. (private limited) company and an Ltd. (public limited) company lies in the ownership structure and the ability to trade shares publicly. Here are the key differences between the two:

  1. Ownership Structure: Pvt. Ltd. companies are owned by a small group of shareholders, often friends, relatives, or close associates. On the other hand, Ltd. companies are open to public investment, and their shares can be freely traded on the stock exchange.
  2. Share Transferability: Shares in a Pvt. Ltd. company are privately held and cannot be easily transferred without the approval of other shareholders. In contrast, shares in an Ltd. company can be bought and sold by anyone, making them more liquid.
  3. Number of Shareholders: Pvt. Ltd. companies typically have a smaller number of shareholders, with at least two and a maximum of 50. Ltd. companies, on the other hand, can have an unlimited number of shareholders.
  4. Public Offering: Ltd. companies can invite investments from the general public and make public offerings, while Pvt. Ltd. companies do not offer their shares for sale to the general public.
  5. Regulatory Environment: Pvt. Ltd. companies operate under a more lenient regulatory environment, as they are not subject to the same strict guidelines or rules for managing business operations as Ltd. companies.
  6. Working Capital: Ltd. companies often maintain larger working capital reserves because their shares are traded publicly, making it easier for individuals and institutions to invest in the company.

In summary, Pvt. Ltd. companies are typically smaller, privately-owned businesses with a limited number of shareholders, while Ltd. companies are open to public investment and have a more extensive ownership structure.

Comparative Table: PVT. LTD. Company vs LTD. Company

Here is a table highlighting the differences between a Private Limited Company (Pvt. Ltd.) and a Public Limited Company (Ltd.):

Feature Private Limited Company (Pvt. Ltd.) Public Limited Company (Ltd.)
Meaning A privately held company with a small number of shareholders A corporate entity with public ownership of its shares
Formation Requires at least 2 members Requires at least 7 members
Maximum Number of Members Limited to 200 members No restriction on the maximum number of members
Shares Shares are not offered to the general public Shares can be purchased by anyone
Ownership Owned by a small group of promoters Owned and operated by the general public
Articles of Association Must frame its own articles of association Can either frame its own articles of association or adopt the Table A of Schedule I of the Companies Act
Public Offering Does not invite investments from the general public Invites investments from the general public through an initial public offering (IPO)
Minimum Paid-up Capital Not required to have a specific minimum paid-up capital Required to have a minimum paid-up capital of ₹5,00,000
Directors Requires a minimum of 2 directors Requires a minimum of 3 directors
Legal Suffix Must include "Private Limited" or "Pvt. Ltd." in the company name Must include "Limited" or "Ltd." in the company name

In summary, a Private Limited Company is a closely held company with a small number of shareholders, while a Public Limited Company is a corporate entity with public ownership of its shares, allowing anyone to purchase shares and invest in the company.