Carta Overview

Carta is a comprehensive equity management platform designed to help companies manage cap tables, valuations, and equity plans. It simplifies the complex process of issuing and tracking ownership in private companies, providing transparency and compliance for startups, investors, and employees.

Key Features of Carta

Cap Table Management: Maintain accurate records of company ownership, including stock issuances, transfers, and option grants.
409A Valuations: Obtain fair market value assessments for private company stock to comply with IRS regulations.
Equity Plan Administration: Manage stock option plans, issue grants, and track vesting schedules.
Board and Stockholder Management: Facilitate approvals, consents, and communications with board members and stockholders.
Liquidity Solutions: Enable secondary transactions and tender offers for private company shares.

What Makes Carta Unique

Integrated Platform: Combines cap table management, valuations, and compliance in one solution, reducing administrative overhead.
Carta Total Comp: Offers a comprehensive compensation planning tool that integrates with equity data.
Investor Services: Provides fund administration and portfolio monitoring tools for venture capital firms.
Scenario Modeling: Allows companies to model different financing and exit scenarios to understand potential outcomes.
ASC 718 Reporting: Generates automated stock-based compensation expense reports for financial statements.

Is Carta Right for Me?

Carta is ideal for startups, private companies, and venture capital firms that need to manage complex equity structures and maintain compliance with regulatory requirements. It's particularly valuable for high-growth companies planning for future funding rounds or exits.

Signs You Need Carta

You're spending excessive time managing equity manually

Using spreadsheets to track cap tables
Difficulty generating accurate ownership reports
Errors in equity calculations

When Carta Isn’t the Right Fit

You're a small startup with a simple cap table

Few shareholders and option holders
No immediate plans for funding or growth

Customizing Carta

User Permissions: Set granular access levels for different stakeholders
Custom Fields: Add company-specific data points to equity records
API Integration: Connect Carta data with other business systems
Reporting: Create custom reports tailored to specific needs
Workflow Automation: Set up automated processes for approvals and notifications

Is Carta Worth It?

Carta is worth it for startups, growing companies, and venture capital firms seeking to streamline equity management, cap table maintenance, and valuation processes. Its platform can save significant time and reduce errors in complex financial operations, potentially leading to better decision-making and smoother fundraising rounds. Carta's free tier offers essential cap table management for young startups, while paid tiers provide advanced features for complex equity structures and compliance needs.

How Much Does Carta Cost?

Pricing is one of the most important evaluation factors when buying software. We have pricing insights contributed by current and former customers of Carta to help you make the best purchasing decision for your use case.

See what Carta costs

Competitors to Carta

Vendor	Reasons to Consider	Best For
Pulley	User-friendly interface and scenario modeling capabilities	Early-stage startups and companies with simpler equity structures
Ledgy	Strong focus on European markets and compliance	European startups and companies with international equity structures
Cake Equity	Simplified equity management with focus on Australian market	Australian startups and SMEs
Shareworks	Robust equity management platform with global capabilities	Large private companies and pre-IPO organizations