Carta vs Pulley: Best Cap Table Software for Startups (2026)

Compare Carta and Pulley for cap table management — pricing, 409A, scenario modeling, and which VCs prefer.

Carta vs Pulley: Cap Table Software Compared (2026)

Carta is the incumbent used by most VCs. Pulley is the challenger with cleaner modeling and often lower pricing at seed and Series A.

Carta fits

Broad investor familiarity, mature 409A, and secondary/liquidity infrastructure at later stages.

Pulley fits

Pre-seed to Series A founders who want faster modeling, cheaper 409As, and modern UX.

Switching

Migration between the two is straightforward. Do it before a priced round to avoid mid-round disruption.

Frequently asked questions

Do VCs require Carta?
No. Any accurate cap table is acceptable. Diligence reviews numbers, not the platform.
Which is cheaper?
Pulley typically wins at seed. Carta scales pricing with holders and complexity.

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