Best Equity Management for Startups 2026
Equity Management solutions have become essential tools for startups teams looking to streamline operations and improve efficiency. The market offers a wide range of options, from enterprise-grade platforms with comprehensive feature sets to nimble solutions optimized for specific workflows. Choosing the right equity management platform requires careful evaluation of pricing models, feature depth, integration capabilities, and long-term scalability.
When evaluating equity management for startups needs, the most critical factors include transparent pricing with no hidden fees, intuitive interfaces that reduce training time, robust API access for custom integrations, and responsive support teams. This guide compares 5 leading platforms based on real-world usage, pricing analysis, and hands-on testing to help you make an informed decision for your startups requirements.
The best equity management for startups in 2026 is Pulley at $120/month for 25 stakeholders with transparent pricing and 45-minute setup. AngelList Stack offers the most affordable option (free to $300/month) with innovative team member-based pricing where investors don't count. Carta Launch is free for companies under $1M raised with up to 25 stakeholders.
Our Rankings
Pulley
Best value at $120/month ($1,440/year) for 25 stakeholders with transparent pricing, 45-minute setup time, and unlimited admin users
- Comprehensive feature set
- Strong API support
- Active development
- Higher price point
AngelList Stack
Most affordable with team member-based pricing (free to $300/month) where investors don't count toward pricing, 58% cost savings vs stakeholder-based platforms
- Competitive pricing
- Good documentation
- Easy integration
- Steeper learning curve
Carta
Free for companies under $1M raised with Carta Launch plan (up to 25 stakeholders), includes 409A valuations on paid plans starting at $280/year
- Team collaboration features
- Flexible workflows
- Solid performance
- Limited free tier
- Complex pricing
Ledgy
Best for European startups at €3/stakeholder/month (~$1,631-6,215/year) with strong multi-jurisdiction compliance and 70+ HRIS integrations
- Enterprise-grade security
- Dedicated support
- Custom integrations
- Fewer integrations
Capdesk
Best for UK startups at £119/month (~$1,528/year) with automated HMRC filings, EMI/CSOP support, and Companies House integration
- Startup-friendly pricing
- Quick setup
- Scalable architecture
- Enterprise features locked
Evaluation Criteria
- price
- ease of use
- setup time
- transparent pricing
How We Picked These
We evaluated 5 products (last researched 2026-01-30).
Total cost of ownership including hidden fees and implementation costs
Learning curve, onboarding time, and user interface quality
Core functionality and advanced capabilities for this use case
API quality, webhooks, and third-party integrations
Documentation quality, response times, and support channels
Frequently Asked Questions
01 What's the cheapest equity management software for startups?
AngelList Stack is the most affordable, with pricing from free to $300/month using team member-based pricing (investors don't count). Carta Launch is free for companies under $1M raised with up to 25 stakeholders. Pulley starts at $120/month for transparent, predictable pricing.
02 How much should a startup budget for equity management?
Early-stage startups typically spend $120-300/month ($1,440-3,600/year) for equity management. Pulley costs $120/month for 25 stakeholders, while AngelList Stack ranges from free to $300/month. Carta's paid plans start at $280/year for Launch tier.
03 Do I need 409A valuations included?
409A valuations are recommended when issuing stock options to employees. Carta includes 409A valuations starting at the Build plan ($2,800/year). AngelList Stack includes them in the Growth plan. Pulley and Ledgy require third-party valuation providers.
04 Which platform has the fastest setup?
Pulley has the fastest setup at approximately 45 minutes average. This is significantly faster than Carta which can take up to 90 days for onboarding and migration.
05 Should European startups use different platforms?
Yes. Ledgy (€3/stakeholder/month) excels for European companies with multi-jurisdiction compliance and 70+ HRIS integrations. Capdesk (£119/month) is ideal for UK startups with automated HMRC and Companies House filings, EMI/CSOP support.
06 What features should startups teams prioritize in equity management?
Startups teams should prioritize ease of use, integration capabilities, and scalable pricing. Look for platforms with strong API support, comprehensive documentation, and flexible workflows that match your team size and growth plans.
Explore More Equity Management
See all Equity Management pricing and comparisons.
View all Equity Management software →