Cap table software tracks who owns what in your company — shares, options, SAFEs and convertible notes — and increasingly bundles 409A valuations, scenario modeling and investor reporting. Founders often underestimate how closely investors scrutinize cap table hygiene during due diligence, so the right platform pays off well before an exit. The market splits by stage and geography: lightweight, low-cost tools for early-stage teams, full-stack platforms for Series A and beyond, and EU-first options for cross-border equity.
This guide compares five of the most widely used cap table platforms in 2026 across pricing, ideal use case, and standout strengths, each linking directly to its official site so you can start free or request a demo.
Cap table software comparison at a glance
| Platform | Pricing | Best For | Link |
|---|---|---|---|
| Carta | — | — | Visit → |
| Pulley | — | — | Visit → |
| Ledgy | — | — | Visit → |
| Cake Equity | — | — | Visit → |
| Eqvista | — | — | Visit → |
Pricing reflects publicly available information as of June 2026; many vendors use quote-based pricing that scales with stage and stakeholders. Always confirm current pricing and law-firm compatibility before committing.
The best cap table & equity management platforms in 2026, compared
Carta
Best overall
Best for: US companies at Series A and beyond that want a full-stack equity platform accepted by every law firm.
| Pricing short | Free (Launch); $5K–$80K/yr |
| Best for short | Series A and beyond |
| Coverage | 40,000+ companies |
| Bundle | Cap table + 409A + fund admin |
| Acceptance | Default for US law firms & VCs |
| Standout | Breadth and law-firm acceptance |
- Full-stack: cap table, 409A, ESOP, board consents, liquidity
- Free Launch tier for early-stage companies
- Default workflow for US law firms and institutional VCs
Pulley
Best for early-stage
Best for: Pre-seed to Series A founders, especially in the YC ecosystem, who want strong modeling at lower cost.
| Pricing short | Free <25 holders; $1,200+/yr |
| Best for short | Pre-seed to Series A |
| Strength | SAFE & note modeling, 409A |
| Free tier | Up to 25 stakeholders |
| Cost | 20–40% below Carta |
| Standout | Founder-friendly modeling & education |
- Free for up to 25 stakeholders — enough for most pre-seed
- Strong SAFE, note and fundraising modeling tools
- Audit-compliant 409A valuations at lower cost than Carta
Ledgy
Best for Europe
Best for: European or cross-border companies needing EU compliance, IFRS 2 reporting and multicurrency support.
| Pricing short | Free <25 holders; from ~€2,000/yr |
| Best for short | EU & cross-border |
| Strength | EU compliance, IFRS 2, multicurrency |
| Schemes | EMI, VSOP, BSPCE support |
| Acceptance | Most accepted by UK/EU firms |
| Standout | Purpose-built for European equity |
- Purpose-built for EU and cross-border equity structures
- IFRS 2 reporting and multicurrency support
- Most widely accepted by UK and EU law firms
Cake Equity
Best for early-stage & APAC
Best for: Angel to pre-seed startups scaling headcount and managing equity across employees, advisors and investors.
| Pricing short | Startup-friendly tiers |
| Best for short | Early-stage & APAC |
| Strength | Lightweight ESOP & cap table |
| Rating | 4.8/5 on G2 |
| Region | Strong in APAC/Australia |
| Standout | Simple, affordable, fast migration |
- Lightweight ESOP and cap table for growing startups
- Strong in APAC and Australia
- Founders report saving thousands switching from Carta
Eqvista
Best budget option
Best for: Angel to seed US companies wanting cost-effective cap table basics with bundled 409A.
| Pricing short | Competitive / budget |
| Best for short | Angel to seed (US) |
| Strength | Cap table + 409A + ASC 718 |
| Cost | Cheapest US option |
| Compliance | 409A valuations coordinated |
| Standout | Budget-friendly basics |
- Cheapest US cap table option with bundled 409A
- Covers ASC 718 reporting needs
- Best when cost matters more than advanced features
How to choose the right cap table software
Match the platform to your stage and geography. If you have raised under $1M, start free with Carta Launch or a comparable free tier and migrate your spreadsheet. US companies at Series A and beyond typically standardize on Carta because virtually every startup law firm and institutional investor has a Carta workflow — though Pulley delivers around 90% of the functionality at 20–40% lower cost. European or cross-border companies should look at Ledgy first, since it understands EU equity structures (EMI, VSOP, IFRS 2) in a way US-centric tools do not. Whatever you choose, always confirm compatibility with the law firm drafting your stockholder consents before signing.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is cap table software?
Cap table (capitalization table) software tracks your company’s ownership structure — who holds what shares, options, SAFEs and convertible notes — and often adds 409A valuations, scenario modeling and investor reporting. It replaces error-prone spreadsheets with an audit-ready system of record.
What is the best cap table software in 2026?
Carta is the US default from Series A onward thanks to its breadth and law-firm acceptance, while Pulley delivers most of the same functionality at lower cost for early-stage founders. European companies should look at Ledgy, and budget-conscious US teams at Eqvista or Cake Equity.
Is there free cap table software?
Yes. Carta Launch is free for early-stage companies, Pulley is free for up to 25 stakeholders, and Ledgy has a free tier for small cap tables. These cover most pre-seed needs; you typically upgrade as you raise institutional rounds.
Carta or Pulley — which is better?
Carta wins on breadth and is the default for US law firms and investors, making it the safer choice at Series A and beyond. Pulley delivers roughly 90% of the functionality at 20–40% lower cost and is popular with early-stage and YC founders.
Which cap table tool is best for European startups?
Ledgy is purpose-built for European and cross-border equity, with support for EMI, VSOP and BSPCE schemes, IFRS 2 reporting and multicurrency. US-centric tools like Carta and Pulley have more limited support for European equity structures.
Discover more from Kurums | Business Intelligence
Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.
