Carta Alternatives in 2026: Cap Table Tools With Printed Prices
Eight cap table and equity tools that print a price or a free plan, costed at 50 and 100 stakeholders with a 409A, for finance leads leaving Carta or Pulley.
The best Carta alternative in 2026 for most venture-backed startups is Mantle: its Growth plan is $3,000 a year with unlimited stakeholders and an annual 409A valuation, where Carta quotes every paid plan. Eqvista is the cheapest cap table up to 50 stakeholders at $2 per stakeholder a month, Cake Equity suits teams that want two 409As a year in one bill, and Astrella prices flat bands up to 300 stakeholders. Prices checked on vendor pages on 21 October 2026.
The search matters more this quarter because Pulley shuts down on December 8, 2026 and has named Carta its exclusive transition partner. Pulley customers who want a printed price instead of a Carta contract have the options below.
Key facts8 tools compared: Mantle, Eqvista, Cake Equity, Astrella, Qapita, Ledgy, Capbase, Shareworks…
- 8 tools compared: Mantle, Eqvista, Cake Equity, Astrella, Qapita, Ledgy, Capbase, Shareworks by Morgan Stanley
- Eqvista (best for: Seed-stage companies with up to 50 stakeholders that want the cap table and 409A from one vendor): Free under 20 stakeholders; Premium Cap Table $2 per stakeholder/mo; 409A bundles from $990/yr
- Cake Equity (best for: Startups that issue equity often and want two 409As a year bundled into one annual bill): Free for 5 stakeholders; Build $1,000/yr for 25; Team $2,750/yr for 40 with two 409As
- Astrella (best for: Growth companies between 50 and 300 stakeholders that want a flat band and full-service onboarding): Early Stage $1,200/yr (0 to 25 stakeholders); Emerging $3,200/yr (26 to 100); Accelerate $8,200/yr (101 to 300)
Carta is the default cap table for venture-backed companies, and its free Launch plan covers a company with up to 25 stakeholders and up to $1M raised. Past that, Build, Grow and Scale are sold through sales: the pricing page says each package carries a price per stakeholder and a minimum annual fee, and prints neither. That is the main reason finance leads look elsewhere, along with add-on costs for 409A valuations.
CFOpresso data: Toolradar, the software directory Dupple runs, ranks Carta and Pulley inside its entity management category, which counted 11 evaluated tools in October 2026, four of them with a free plan. Of the eight alternatives on this page, six print a dollar price for a 50-stakeholder company and one prints a euro price, so a buyer can compare most of the list without a sales call.
Methodology: eight tools ranked on the yearly cost of a 50-stakeholder and a 100-stakeholder cap table with one 409A valuation, then on how complete the equity workflow is (options, SAFEs, board consents, ASC 718). Prices were read on each vendor's own pricing page on 21 October 2026, with no hands-on testing.
Top Picks
Based on features, real-world fit, and value for money.
The only tool here that prices by features, not headcount, so the bill does not move as the option pool grows.
Starter $0 with unlimited stakeholders; Essentials $1,200/yr; Growth $3,000/yr with an annual 409A
Venture-backed startups that expect a growing cap table and want one flat yearly price
The lowest per-stakeholder price on this list, with 409A bundles priced by funding stage and an in-house valuation team.
Free under 20 stakeholders; Premium Cap Table $2 per stakeholder/mo; 409A bundles from $990/yr
Seed-stage companies with up to 50 stakeholders that want the cap table and 409A from one vendor
A modern cap table with free managed migration from Carta or Pulley and two 409As a year on Team.
Free for 5 stakeholders; Build $1,000/yr for 25; Team $2,750/yr for 40 with two 409As
Startups that issue equity often and want two 409As a year bundled into one annual bill
| Tool | Pricing | Best for |
|---|---|---|
| Mantle | Starter $0 with unlimited stakeholders; Essentials $1,200/yr; Growth $3,000/yr with an annual 409A | Venture-backed startups that expect a growing cap table and want one flat yearly price |
| Eqvista | Free under 20 stakeholders; Premium Cap Table $2 per stakeholder/mo; 409A bundles from $990/yr | Seed-stage companies with up to 50 stakeholders that want the cap table and 409A from one vendor |
| Cake Equity | Free for 5 stakeholders; Build $1,000/yr for 25; Team $2,750/yr for 40 with two 409As | Startups that issue equity often and want two 409As a year bundled into one annual bill |
| Astrella | Early Stage $1,200/yr (0 to 25 stakeholders); Emerging $3,200/yr (26 to 100); Accelerate $8,200/yr (101 to 300) | Growth companies between 50 and 300 stakeholders that want a flat band and full-service onboarding |
| Qapita | Spark free (25 stakeholders, under $1M raised); Surge $1,600/yr for 40; Growth adds a 409A for 50 | Companies with entities or employees across borders, including Singapore, that want equity advisory too |
| Ledgy | Launch free (plan list: up to 50 stakeholders); Scale priced in euros, check the current price on Ledgy's site | European startups that plan to scale employee equity plans across countries |
| Capbase | Early Stage Startup plan $999/yr, covering incorporation, stock issuance, board setup and the cap table | Founders who have not incorporated yet and want formation and the cap table on one subscription |
| Shareworks by Morgan Stanley | No price on the Shareworks page; sold through Morgan Stanley at Work | Late-stage private companies preparing for an IPO that want one platform before and after listing |
Pricing read from each vendor's own pricing page, checked Nov 2026. 1 of 8 has no standalone price (bundled, usage-based or free to self-host) and is described as charged, not guessed.
Mantle
The only tool here that prices by features, not headcount, so the bill does not move as the option pool grows.
- Pricing
- Starter $0 with unlimited stakeholders; Essentials $1,200/yr; Growth $3,000/yr with an annual 409A
Best for: Venture-backed startups that expect a growing cap table and want one flat yearly price
Pros
- Every plan, the free Starter included, covers unlimited stakeholders
- Growth includes an annual 409A valuation, VIP support and SOC 2 Type 2 report access
- Essentials adds concierge onboarding, board actions with e-signature and in-platform option exercising
Cons
- ASC 718 and QSBS attestation sit on the custom Enterprise plan
- Growth's flat price is higher than Eqvista for a small cap table that needs no 409A
Eqvista
The lowest per-stakeholder price on this list, with 409A bundles priced by funding stage and an in-house valuation team.
- Pricing
- Free under 20 stakeholders; Premium Cap Table $2 per stakeholder/mo; 409A bundles from $990/yr
Best for: Seed-stage companies with up to 50 stakeholders that want the cap table and 409A from one vendor
Pros
- Premium Cap Table at 50 stakeholders is $1,200 a year by our arithmetic, the lowest cap table price here
- 409A bundles include unlimited 409A updates and renewals plus the Premium Cap Table
- A Pulley offer adds the rest of your Pulley term free and takes 30% off your current Pulley invoice
Cons
- Pricing above 50 stakeholders is custom, so a Series A company needs a quote
- Bundle prices are by stage and can vary with revenue and capital structure
Cake Equity
A modern cap table with free managed migration from Carta or Pulley and two 409As a year on Team.
- Pricing
- Free for 5 stakeholders; Build $1,000/yr for 25; Team $2,750/yr for 40 with two 409As
Best for: Startups that issue equity often and want two 409As a year bundled into one annual bill
Pros
- Team includes two audit-ready 409A valuations a year, warrants and option exercising
- Managed migration from Carta, Pulley or a spreadsheet is free, and most finish in 2 to 5 business days
- Team adds an MCP connection so an AI assistant can query the cap table
Cons
- Each stakeholder above the included block costs $60, so Team reaches $6,350 at 100 stakeholders
- Team is billed annually only, and add-ons need an annual plan
Astrella
Banded pricing with every feature on every package, from EQ Private Company Solutions.
- Pricing
- Early Stage $1,200/yr (0 to 25 stakeholders); Emerging $3,200/yr (26 to 100); Accelerate $8,200/yr (101 to 300)
Best for: Growth companies between 50 and 300 stakeholders that want a flat band and full-service onboarding
Pros
- All listed features, ASC 718 and IFRS included, are available on any package
- The Emerging band covers 26 to 100 stakeholders at one price
- Full-service onboarding with a dedicated implementation manager and unlimited hotline support
Cons
- 409A, 83(b), HRIS and corporate actions are add-ons priced through an expert
- The page notes that partnership or custom pricing can differ from the standard figures
Qapita
A cap table and equity plan platform with a free starter tier and a 409A report included on Growth.
- Pricing
- Spark free (25 stakeholders, under $1M raised); Surge $1,600/yr for 40; Growth adds a 409A for 50
Best for: Companies with entities or employees across borders, including Singapore, that want equity advisory too
Pros
- Spark has the same free gate as Carta Launch, so an early company can start at no cost
- Growth includes a 409A valuation report, board consents, 83(b) forms and Form 3921
- Enterprise adds ASC 718 and IFRS financial reporting and SSO
Cons
- Growth adds $60 per stakeholder a year above 50, so 100 stakeholders cost $6,000
- Surge adds $40 per stakeholder a year above 40
Ledgy
A European equity platform with a free Launch plan and paid plans priced in euros.
- Pricing
- Launch free (plan list: up to 50 stakeholders); Scale priced in euros, check the current price on Ledgy's site
Best for: European startups that plan to scale employee equity plans across countries
Pros
- Launch is free and its plan list allows up to 50 stakeholders
- Launch includes automated document workflows, compliance reports and valuation services
- Scale adds integrations and offboarding workflows for larger equity plans
Cons
- Paid plans are priced in euros, so a US company should check the current price on Ledgy's site
- Launch support is self-serve
Capbase
A company-formation platform with an automated cap table, compliance calendar and investor CRM.
- Pricing
- Early Stage Startup plan $999/yr, covering incorporation, stock issuance, board setup and the cap table
Best for: Founders who have not incorporated yet and want formation and the cap table on one subscription
Pros
- Incorporation, stock issuance, board setup and the cap table sit on one yearly plan
- The cap table updates automatically as shares are issued and deals close
- Includes a compliance calendar for state and federal filing dates
Cons
- The pricing page does not state a stakeholder limit or a 409A option
- Built for the first years of a company, not for a large option pool
Shareworks by Morgan Stanley
An equity compensation platform for private and public companies, run by Morgan Stanley at Work.
- Pricing
- No price on the Shareworks page; sold through Morgan Stanley at Work
Best for: Late-stage private companies preparing for an IPO that want one platform before and after listing
Pros
- Serves private and public companies, so the platform can stay in place through an IPO
- Covers reporting events such as 409A valuations and Section 16 filings
- Backed by Morgan Stanley's equity administration services
Cons
- No list price, so every comparison needs a quote
- Built for mature equity programs, which is more platform than a seed-stage company needs
What it is
A Carta alternative is cap table software that records who owns what in a private company (shares, options, SAFEs, warrants), issues and signs equity grants, models funding rounds and, on most paid plans, includes or sells the 409A valuation that sets option strike prices.
Why it matters
We priced two companies on published list prices, billed yearly, with one 409A valuation each. At 50 stakeholders: Mantle Growth and Qapita Growth tie on price with a 409A included, Cake Equity Team costs $3,350 with two 409As, and Eqvista's Seed bundle of 409A plus Premium Cap Table starts at $1,990. Astrella's Emerging band is $3,200 for the cap table, with the 409A sold as an add-on.
At 100 stakeholders the order changes. Mantle's price does not move because it does not meter stakeholders. Qapita Growth rises to $6,000 and Cake Team to $6,350, both from per-stakeholder overage fees, while Astrella's flat band stays at $3,200 up to 100. Eqvista moves to custom pricing above 50. These totals are our arithmetic on each vendor's printed rates. The full cost model at 25, 50 and 100 stakeholders is in our cap table software pricing comparison.
Key features to look for
Pricing
Methodology: on 21 October 2026 we read the pricing pages of Carta, Mantle, Eqvista, Cake Equity, Astrella, Qapita, Ledgy and Capbase, the Shareworks product page and Pulley's shutdown FAQ. Yearly totals at 50 and 100 stakeholders are our arithmetic on printed prices. Where a vendor prints no price, we say so and do not estimate. Our criteria are on how we rate.
Carta Launch is free up to 25 stakeholders and $1M raised; Build covers up to 50 stakeholders and Grow and Scale have flexible limits, all through sales. Toolradar keeps profiles of Carta, Pulley and Ledgy. For free plans only, see free cap table software.
Eqvista's 409A bundles run from $990 a year before funding to $2,590 at Series A. Cake Equity sells a 409A as a $1,500-a-year add-on on Build, and our guide to what a 409A valuation costs compares standalone providers. Qapita's Growth plan includes 50 stakeholders, and Astrella's Accelerate band covers 101 to 300.
Pulley customers: Pulley's FAQ says the app and support stop on December 8, 2026, data stays viewable in a limited format until January 31, 2027, and customers who opt in by November 30 keep their Pulley price for a first year on Carta. Pulley will not assist a move to any other provider, so export your cap table and documents before you choose.
| Plan | Price | Best for |
|---|---|---|
| Carta Launch | Free | Up to 25 stakeholders and $1M raised |
| Carta Build, Grow, Scale | Contact sales | Per-stakeholder price with a minimum annual fee, quoted |
| Mantle Growth | $3,000/yr | Unlimited stakeholders, annual 409A, VIP support |
| Eqvista Premium Cap Table | $2 per stakeholder/mo | E-signing, SAFEs, board resolutions, Rule 701, Form 3921; custom above 50 |
| Cake Equity Team | $2,750/yr | 40 stakeholders included, two 409As a year, warrants |
| Astrella Emerging | $3,200/yr | 26 to 100 stakeholders, every listed feature |
| Qapita Growth | $3,000/yr | 50 stakeholders, 409A report, board consents |
| Ledgy Launch | Free | Cap table and equity plans, self-serve support |
| Capbase Early Stage Startup | $999/yr | Incorporation, stock issuance, board setup and cap table |
| Shareworks | Contact sales | Equity compensation for private and public companies |
The bottom line
Pick Mantle if your cap table will keep growing and you want one flat yearly price with a 409A. Pick Eqvista for the lowest cost up to 50 stakeholders, Cake Equity for two 409As a year in one bill, and Astrella for flat bands up to 300 stakeholders. Stay with or move to Carta when your investors and lawyers already work in it and a quote is acceptable. Board materials usually sit next to the cap table; see board reporting software and the cheapest board portals, and the CFO software pricing index for the wider budget.
This page is general information, not personalized financial advice. Confirm stakeholder counts, contract terms and migration scope with each provider before you sign.
Cite this: CFOpresso, "Carta Alternatives in 2026: Cap Table Tools With Printed Prices", November 2026.
Frequently asked questions
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Sources
Prices and plan details come from each vendor's own pricing page, re-checked by the Toolradar pricing tracker.
Some offers on this page may be paid placements or contain affiliate links.
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