← All posts
Best Cap Table Software for Startups in 2026: Free and Paid Options Compared
OPENCAP STACKJuly 2, 2026· 15 min read

Best Cap Table Software for Startups in 2026: Free and Paid Options Compared

# Best Cap Table Software for Startups in 2026: Free and Paid Options Compared Managing equity with spreadsheets works until it does not. One misplaced formula, one forgotten SAFE conversion, one poorly tracked option grant — and suddenly your cap table is wrong in ways that cost real money and real relationships. If you are a startup founder evaluating cap table software for the first time, or looking to switch from a tool that no longer fits, this guide is for you. We compared seven of the best cap table software options available in 2026, covering free tools, mid-range platforms, and enterprise solutions. Each review includes honest pros, cons, pricing, and the type of company it fits best. --- ## Why You Need Cap Table Software (and Why Spreadsheets Fall Short) Spreadsheets are where most founders start, and for a two-person company with a single share class, they can work. But spreadsheets break down fast once any of the following happen: - **You issue SAFEs or convertible notes.** Modeling conversion scenarios across multiple instruments with different caps and discounts is error-prone in a spreadsheet. One wrong cell reference and your dilution math is off. - **You create an employee option pool.** Tracking grants, vesting schedules, exercise windows, and 83(b) elections manually invites mistakes that have tax consequences. - **You raise a priced round.** Investors expect a clean, auditable cap table. Sending a Google Sheet signals that you are not operationally ready. - **You need a 409A valuation.** Most cap table platforms integrate with or provide 409A services. Without one, you are paying a separate firm and manually syncing the results. - **You have more than a few stakeholders.** Once you have 10 or more people holding equity, the administrative burden of a spreadsheet — updating percentages, sending vesting notifications, tracking exercises — becomes a real time sink. Dedicated cap table software eliminates these problems by automating calculations, maintaining an audit trail, and keeping your equity data in one place. The question is not whether you need cap table software, but which one fits your stage, budget, and technical needs. For a deeper primer on capitalization tables themselves, see our guide on [what a cap table is and why it matters](/blog/what-is-a-cap-table). --- ## What to Look for in Cap Table Software Before comparing tools, it helps to know what features actually matter. Here is a checklist of capabilities to evaluate. ### Must-have features - **Accurate cap table modeling** — The software should correctly handle multiple share classes, option pools, convertible instruments (SAFEs, notes), and pro-rata calculations. - **Scenario modeling** — You need to model future rounds, exits, and dilution before they happen, not after. - **Vesting schedule tracking** — Automatic tracking of cliff dates, vesting milestones, and acceleration triggers. - **409A valuation support** — Either built-in valuation tools or a tight integration with a valuation provider. - **Document management** — Storage for board consents, stock purchase agreements, option grant letters, and other equity-related documents. - **Stakeholder portal** — A way for employees and investors to view their holdings without emailing you. ### Nice-to-have features - **API access** — If you want to integrate cap table data into your own systems, dashboards, or workflows. - **SAFE and convertible note management** — Dedicated tools for tracking and modeling conversion scenarios. - **Compliance automation** — Automated 83(b) reminders, tax reporting, and regulatory filing support. - **Data portability** — The ability to export your data in open formats so you are not locked into a single vendor. - **Multi-company support** — Useful for holding companies, studios, or investors managing a portfolio. ### Questions to ask before choosing 1. What is the total cost at my current stage, and how does pricing scale as I add stakeholders? 2. Can I export my full dataset if I want to switch providers later? 3. Does the platform support the specific instruments I use (SAFEs, convertible notes, phantom equity)? 4. How does the platform handle 409A valuations — built-in, partnered, or not at all? --- ## The 7 Best Cap Table Software Tools in 2026 ### 1. OpenCap Stack **Best for: Technical founders, AI-native companies, and teams that want full control over their equity data.** OpenCap Stack is an open-source, API-first cap table management platform built on the [Open Cap Table Alliance (OCTA)](https://github.com/Open-Cap-Table-Coalition) schema. It is designed for founders who want the flexibility to self-host, extend, and integrate their equity data into broader workflows — including AI agent workflows through its MCP (Model Context Protocol) server. **Key features:** - Full cap table management with OCTA-compliant data models - Built-in SAFE and convertible note tracking with conversion modeling - 409A valuation support and scenario modeling - Stakeholder portal with real-time equity visibility - API-first architecture — every feature is accessible programmatically - MCP server for AI agent integration (query your cap table from Claude, GPT, or custom agents) - Document management and data room functionality - Self-hosted or cloud deployment options **Pricing:** Free open-source tier. Cloud-hosted plans available for teams that want managed infrastructure. **Pros:** - Fully open-source — no vendor lock-in, full data ownership - API-first design makes integration with other systems straightforward - MCP server is unique in the market — AI agents can read and interact with cap table data directly - OCTA schema compliance means your data follows an industry-standard format - Active development with a growing feature set **Cons:** - Self-hosting requires technical resources (cloud-hosted option available) - Smaller ecosystem compared to Carta (fewer third-party integrations today) - The platform is newer, so community resources are still growing --- ### 2. Carta **Best for: Funded startups with budget that want a full-service platform with built-in 409A valuations.** Carta is the market leader in cap table management and the name most founders hear first. It offers a comprehensive platform covering cap table management, 409A valuations, fund administration, and liquidity programs. Carta manages equity for thousands of companies and has deep integrations with law firms and fund administrators. **Key features:** - Cap table management with scenario modeling - In-house 409A valuations - Employee equity portal with tax guidance - Fund administration for investors - Board consent and document management - Integration with major law firms for closing transactions **Pricing:** Starts around $3,000/year for early-stage companies. Scales to $10,000+ annually for growth-stage companies. 409A valuations are bundled or available as add-ons depending on the plan. **Pros:** - Market leader with deep institutional credibility - In-house 409A valuations streamline compliance - Comprehensive feature set covering the full equity lifecycle - Strong law firm and investor network effects **Cons:** - Expensive, especially for pre-revenue startups - Long-term contracts can be hard to exit - Data portability has historically been a pain point — migrating off Carta requires effort - Customer support quality varies by plan tier - Pricing increases significantly as you add stakeholders For a detailed comparison of alternatives, see our [Carta alternatives guide](/blog/carta-alternatives-2026). --- ### 3. Pulley **Best for: Early-stage startups that want a clean, modern UI at a lower price point than Carta.** Pulley is a YC-backed cap table management platform that has positioned itself as the simpler, more affordable alternative to Carta. It focuses on early-stage and growth-stage startups and has gained significant traction with YC companies and the broader seed-stage ecosystem. **Key features:** - Cap table management with waterfall analysis - SAFE and convertible note modeling - 409A valuations (partnered) - Employee equity portal - Scenario modeling and dilution analysis - Audit trail and compliance tools **Pricing:** Free for companies with fewer than 25 stakeholders. Paid plans start around $1,000/year. **Pros:** - Clean, intuitive interface that founders can navigate without training - Generous free tier for very early-stage companies - Faster onboarding and data migration compared to Carta - Strong YC community endorsement - Responsive customer support **Cons:** - Fewer advanced features compared to Carta (no fund administration) - 409A valuations are partnered, not in-house - Less suited for complex multi-entity structures - Smaller integration ecosystem --- ### 4. AngelList Stack **Best for: Companies raising through AngelList or managing investors via AngelList syndicates and rolling funds.** AngelList Stack (formerly AngelList Equity) provides cap table management as part of the broader AngelList ecosystem. If you are raising through AngelList — via syndicates, rolling funds, or direct investments — the integration with AngelList Stack is seamless. It handles cap table management, fund administration, and investor communications in one place. **Key features:** - Cap table management integrated with AngelList fundraising - Fund administration for AngelList syndicates and rolling funds - Investor updates and communications - SAFE and convertible note management - Scenario modeling - Document storage **Pricing:** Free for companies raising on AngelList. Standalone cap table management pricing varies. **Pros:** - Deep integration with AngelList fundraising infrastructure - Free for AngelList-connected companies - Investor communication tools are built in - Handles the complexity of syndicate and rolling fund structures well **Cons:** - Most useful if you are already in the AngelList ecosystem - Feature set is narrower than Carta or Pulley for standalone use - Less flexibility for companies that raise outside AngelList - UI can feel dated compared to newer competitors --- ### 5. Captable.io **Best for: Very early-stage companies that need a basic, free cap table tool to get started.** Captable.io offers a straightforward, free cap table tool focused on simplicity. It was acquired by the LTSE (Long-Term Stock Exchange) and provides basic cap table functionality without the complexity or cost of full-featured platforms. If you have just incorporated and need to record your founder share split and initial option pool, Captable.io handles that well. **Key features:** - Basic cap table management - Share class tracking - Simple scenario modeling - Stakeholder records - Document storage **Pricing:** Free. **Pros:** - Completely free — no paywalls or tiered restrictions - Simple enough that any founder can use it immediately - Good for recording the basics at incorporation - Backed by LTSE, which focuses on long-term company building **Cons:** - Very limited feature set compared to other tools on this list - No 409A valuation support - No SAFE or convertible note modeling - Minimal reporting and analytics - You will likely outgrow it quickly once you raise a round --- ### 6. Shareworks (Morgan Stanley) **Best for: Large companies, late-stage startups, and public companies managing complex equity programs.** Shareworks, now part of Morgan Stanley at Work, is an enterprise equity management platform. It handles the complexity that comes with hundreds or thousands of equity holders, multiple equity plan types, and the regulatory requirements of late-stage and public companies. It is not typically the right choice for seed-stage startups, but it is worth knowing about if you are planning for scale. **Key features:** - Enterprise cap table management - Employee stock purchase plan (ESPP) administration - RSU and performance share tracking - Global equity compliance (multi-country tax and regulatory support) - Financial reporting and ASC 718 expense tracking - Participant portal for equity holders **Pricing:** Custom enterprise pricing. Expect five-figure annual contracts. **Pros:** - Handles the full complexity of late-stage and public company equity - Global compliance support for companies with international employees - Deep financial reporting and accounting integrations - Backed by Morgan Stanley's institutional infrastructure **Cons:** - Overkill for early-stage startups - Expensive — not viable for companies without significant revenue - Onboarding and implementation take months, not days - UI is enterprise-grade, which means functional but not elegant --- ### 7. Eqvista **Best for: Companies that need combined cap table management and 409A valuation tools on a budget.** Eqvista offers cap table management alongside built-in 409A valuation tools, which makes it an interesting option for companies that want both capabilities in a single platform without paying Carta-level prices. It serves companies from incorporation through later growth stages. **Key features:** - Cap table management with waterfall analysis - Built-in 409A valuation tools - SAFE and convertible note tracking - Electronic share certificates - Scenario modeling - Board management tools **Pricing:** Free tier for basic cap table management. Paid plans with 409A valuation features start around $3,000/year. **Pros:** - Combined cap table and 409A valuation in one platform - Free tier is functional for basic needs - Electronic share certificates reduce paperwork - Reasonable pricing for the feature set **Cons:** - UI is less polished than Carta or Pulley - 409A valuations may not be accepted by all auditors (check with your legal counsel) - Smaller user community means fewer peer resources - Some features feel bolted on rather than deeply integrated --- ## Feature Comparison Table | Feature | OpenCap Stack | Carta | Pulley | AngelList Stack | Captable.io | Shareworks | Eqvista | |---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---| | **Free tier** | Yes | No | Yes (< 25) | Yes (AngelList) | Yes | No | Yes | | **Cap table management** | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | | **SAFE/note modeling** | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | No | N/A | Yes | | **409A valuations** | Yes | Built-in | Partnered | Partnered | No | Yes | Built-in | | **Scenario modeling** | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Basic | Yes | Yes | | **Stakeholder portal** | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | No | Yes | Yes | | **API access** | Yes | Limited | Limited | Limited | No | Limited | No | | **Open-source** | Yes | No | No | No | No | No | No | | **MCP/AI integration** | Yes | No | No | No | No | No | No | | **Data portability** | Full (OCTA) | Limited | Moderate | Limited | Limited | Limited | Moderate | | **Self-hosting** | Yes | No | No | No | No | No | No | | **Multi-entity** | Yes | Yes | Limited | Yes | No | Yes | Yes | | **Enterprise compliance** | Growing | Yes | Limited | Limited | No | Yes | Limited | --- ## When to Switch from Spreadsheets to Software There is no universal trigger, but here are the five most common signals that it is time to move off spreadsheets: 1. **You are about to raise a priced round.** Investors and their lawyers will scrutinize your cap table. A spreadsheet invites questions about accuracy. Software provides an audit trail. 2. **You have more than 5 equity holders.** Once you have founders, an option pool, and a few investors or advisors, the manual overhead of keeping a spreadsheet accurate becomes a real cost. 3. **You are issuing SAFEs or convertible notes.** Modeling conversion scenarios — especially with multiple SAFEs at different caps and discounts — is where spreadsheets fail most dangerously. The math is not hard, but getting every cell formula right across every scenario is. 4. **You need a 409A valuation.** If you are granting stock options, you need a 409A valuation. Most cap table platforms either include this or integrate directly with valuation providers, saving you the trouble of manual data reconciliation. 5. **An employee asks about their equity.** The moment someone on your team wants to see their vesting schedule, exercise price, or ownership percentage, you need a system that can give them accurate, self-service answers. Forwarding a spreadsheet is not a good look. If any of these sound familiar, you have outgrown spreadsheets. The good news is that most cap table tools — including [OpenCap Stack](https://opencap.co) — offer free tiers or open-source options that let you start without a financial commitment. --- ## Frequently Asked Questions ### What is the best free cap table software? For basic needs, Captable.io and Pulley (under 25 stakeholders) offer functional free tiers. For teams that want full-featured, truly free cap table software with no stakeholder limits, OpenCap Stack's open-source edition provides complete cap table management, SAFE tracking, scenario modeling, and API access at no cost. ### Can I switch cap table software after I have started? Yes, but the difficulty depends on where you are moving from and to. Platforms that support data export in standard formats (like OCTA schema) make migration easier. If your current provider makes it hard to export your data, that is worth factoring into your decision now. OpenCap Stack's OCTA-compliant data model is designed specifically for portability. ### Do I need cap table software if I have not raised funding yet? You do not strictly need it before raising, but setting up your cap table correctly at incorporation saves significant cleanup later. Free tools like OpenCap Stack or Captable.io let you start with zero cost, so there is no reason to wait. ### What is an MCP server, and why does it matter for cap table management? MCP (Model Context Protocol) is a standard that allows AI agents — like Claude or custom-built tools — to interact with software directly. OpenCap Stack's MCP server means that AI agents can query your cap table data, run scenario analyses, and generate reports without manual data entry or screen-scraping. For companies building AI-native workflows, this turns the cap table from a static record into a live data source that agents can reason about. --- ## The Bottom Line The best cap table software depends on your stage, budget, and how you work. - If you want **full control, open-source flexibility, and API-first design**, [start with OpenCap Stack](https://opencap.co). - If you want a **full-service platform and have the budget**, Carta remains the market standard. - If you want **simplicity and affordability**, Pulley is the strongest mid-range option. - If you are **raising through AngelList**, their integrated stack is the path of least resistance. - If you are **pre-funding and just need the basics**, Captable.io gets you started at no cost. - If you are **enterprise-scale**, Shareworks handles the complexity. - If you need **cap table and 409A in one place on a budget**, Eqvista is worth evaluating. No matter which tool you choose, the most important step is choosing one. A cap table sitting in a spreadsheet is a liability. A cap table in dedicated software is an asset. --- *Ready to take control of your equity data? [Sign up for OpenCap Stack](https://opencap.co) — open-source, API-first, and free to start.*

Check your site's AX Score

Free scan, 6 categories, under 60 seconds. See how your site ranks on the agentic web.

Run a free audit →