Carta vs Pulley: Which is Better in 2026?
Choosing between Carta and Pulley comes down to understanding what each tool does best. This comparison breaks down the key differences so you can make an informed decision based on your specific needs, not marketing claims.
Bottom line: Carta wins this matchup. Our overall Entity Management pick is Pulley. Our free Entity Management pick is Tailor Brands. Pick Pulley if you need a free tier to start with.
Short on time? Here's the quick answer
We've tested both tools. Here's who should pick what:
Carta
Equity management and cap table software
Best for you if:
- • You want cap table management leader
- • You want 409A valuations
Pulley
Equity management for startups
Best for you if:
- • You want a free tier before you commit
- • You want modern cap table management
- • You want more affordable than Carta
| At a Glance | Carta | Pulley |
|---|---|---|
Starts at | $299/monthStarter | FreeFree tier available |
Best For | Finance | Finance |
Rating | 3.7/5 | 4.7/5 |
Free plan | No | Yes |
Choose Carta or Pulley?
Choose Carta if
Equity management and cap table software
- You want cap table management leader
- You want 409A valuations
- Budget matters ($299/month vs Free)
Choose Pulley if
Equity management for startups
- You want a free tier before you commit
- You want modern cap table management
- You want more affordable than Carta
| Feature | Carta | Pulley |
|---|---|---|
| Pricing Model | Paid | Freemium |
| User Rating | ★3.7/5 238 reviews | ★4.7/5 135 reviews |
| Categories | FinanceEntity Management | FinanceEntity Management |
In-Depth Analysis
Carta
Equity management and cap table software
Carta's pricing is quite generous for early-stage startups with its free 'Launch' tier, offering essential cap table and basic 409A.
Watch out
Potential overage fees for stakeholders beyond tier limits.
Strengths
- +Cap table management leader
- +409A valuations
- +Equity management
- +Investor relations
- +Industry standard
Weaknesses
- -Expensive
- -Per-stakeholder pricing
- -Overkill for small companies
- -Complex for simple needs
- -Migration difficult
Key features
Pulley
Equity management for startups
Pulley's Starter tier at $1200/year is fair for early-stage startups needing essential cap table management and 409A valuations.
Strengths
- +Modern cap table management
- +More affordable than Carta
- +Good UX
- +409A valuations
- +Transparent pricing
Weaknesses
- -Smaller than Carta
- -Less features
- -Newer platform
- -Limited integrations
- -US focused
Key features
Pricing: Carta vs Pulley
| Plan | Carta | Pulley |
|---|---|---|
| Tier 1 | Free Launch | $1200 Starter |
| Tier 2 | $299 month Starter | Custom Growth |
| Tier 3 | Custom Growth | N/A |
| Tier 4 | Custom Enterprise | N/A |
Pricing verified from each vendor's public pricing page. Compare in detail on Carta pricing and Pulley pricing.
Who Should Use What?
On a budget?
Pulley has a free tier. Carta is paid only.
Go with: Pulley
Want the highest-rated option?
Carta: 3.7/5 (238 reviews). Pulley: 4.7/5 (135 reviews).
Go with: Pulley
Value user reviews?
Carta: 238 reviews (3.7/5). Pulley: 135 reviews (4.7/5).
Go with: Carta
3 Questions to Help You Decide
What's your budget?
Carta is paid. Pulley is freemium. Pulley lets you start free.
What's your use case?
Both are finance tools. Compare their specific features to decide.
How important are ratings?
Pulley is rated higher: 4.7/5 vs 3.7/5.
Key Takeaways
Carta
- Larger review base (238 reviews)
- Our pick for this comparison
Pulley
- Has a free tier
- Higher user rating: 4.7/5 vs 3.7/5
The Bottom Line
Carta wins this matchup. Our overall Entity Management pick is Pulley. Our free Entity Management pick is Tailor Brands. Pulley has a free tier if you want to test without paying.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Carta or Pulley better?
Carta is rated in our evaluation. Carta is paid and Pulley is freemium.
What are Carta and Pulley used for?
Carta: Equity management and cap table software. Pulley: Equity management for startups.
What does Carta cost vs Pulley?
Carta is a paid tool. Pulley is freemium (free tier + paid plans). Visit their websites for detailed pricing.