Carta

From FreeFree plan

US startups (and UK companies via Carta's former Capdesk plans) that want one platform from first SAFE through 409As, ASC 718 reporting and an eventual IPO.

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Quick overview

Pricing: Free (Launch); paid plans quote-based
Plans: US plans for private corporations (as of October 2026): Launch free for companies with up to 25 stakeholders and $1M raised (cap table, securities issuance, exercising and repurchasing, 83(b), investor management, equity reporting, HRIS and payroll integration, SAFE modeling, SAFE fundraising and closings, email/chat/phone support; the plan card also lists ISO management, which Carta's comparison table shows from Build). Build up to 50 stakeholders (adds priced round modeling, Deal Closings, Deal Pro Forma, white-glove onboarding). Grow, flexible stakeholder limit (adds board meetings, Form 3921, 409A valuations and 409A audit support). Scale, flexible stakeholder limit (adds ASC 718/US GAAP and IFRS reporting with audit support, Rule 701, exit modeling, IPO advisory, admin SSO). Paid plan prices are not published: each package has a price per stakeholder with a minimum annual fee (contact sales). Add-ons sold separately: Total Compensation, Equity Advisory, Liquidity (tender offers), QSBS Attestation. UK plans (former Capdesk): Launch free up to 25 stakeholders and $1M raised; Build, Grow and Scale with unlimited stakeholders; EMI share plans and EMI/CSOP valuations on Grow; 409A and IFRS/UK GAAP reporting on Scale.
G2 rating: Not yet verified
Comparisons: Featured in 2 comparisons

Key features

Free Launch plan with SAFE fundraising and closings up to 25 stakeholders and $1M raised
SEC-registered transfer agent for US companies, with online exercises, repurchases and transfers
409A valuations with audit support from the Grow plan
ASC 718 and IFRS reporting with audit support on the Scale plan
Priced round modeling, Deal Pro Forma, exit modeling and UK EMI/CSOP tools (former Capdesk)

Pros

Free Launch plan is a full product, not a trial
Covers cap table, 409A, ASC 718 and tender offers in one vendor
SEC-registered transfer agent for US companies
Widely used, so investors and law firms often know it

Cons

No published prices for paid plans
ASC 718 and US exit modeling sit on the top Scale plan
Moving past 25 stakeholders or $1M raised means a paid contract with a minimum annual fee

Carta in our comparisons

Accounting & Finance

Best Cap Table Software

Carta is the best cap table software for most startups: free up to 25 stakeholders and $1M raised, and it scales to 409As and ASC 718. Pick Cake Equity if you want published prices.

Emily RodriguezUpdated October 2026

Accounting & Finance

Carta alternatives

Pick Cake Equity if you are a US startup leaving Carta over price: published plans, free migration and two 409As a year on Team. Pick Ledgy if you are in the UK or Europe. Stay on Carta if you want one vendor for everything up to IPO.

Emily RodriguezUpdated October 2026