In this guide
Quick answer
Carta Launch is free for up to 25 stakeholders and $1M raised. Build, Grow and Scale are quote-only, priced by package, stakeholder count and add-ons with a minimum annual fee. A 50-stakeholder company needs a custom quote; Vendr reports a median Carta contract of $15,450 a year.
Key takeaways
- Cheapest option: Launch is free for up to 25 stakeholders and $1M raised.
- Most venture-backed companies need Grow, where 409A valuations and Form 3921 start.
- Biggest hidden cost: stakeholder growth, since price scales per stakeholder with a minimum fee.
- Best way to save: clean the stakeholder list and bring Pulley or Cake Equity quotes.
Carta is the cap table most investors and lawyers expect to see, and its pricing reflects that. Only the Launch plan has a price on the page, and it is free. Everything above it is quoted by package, stakeholder count and add-ons.
This guide explains what each plan includes, what drives the quote and what buyers report paying.
How much does Carta cost?
Launch
$0
Cap table management, securities issuance, 83(b) forms, ISO management, SAFE modeling, HRIS and payroll integration
Build
Custom
Launch features plus priced round modeling, deal closings, deal pro forma, white-glove onboarding
Grow
Custom
Build features plus board meetings, Form 3921, 409A valuations and 409A audit support
Scale
Custom
Grow features plus ASC 718 and IFRS reporting with audit support, exit modeling, IPO advisory, SSO for admins
Carta cap table management (Launch, Build, Grow, Scale). Source: carta.com, Quote-only vendor, no list prices
What each Carta plan includes
| Feature | Launch | Build | Grow | Scale |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Stakeholders | Up to 25 | Up to 50 | Flexible | Flexible |
| Cap table, issuance, 83(b), SAFE modeling | Included | Included | Included | Included |
| Priced round modeling and deal closings | Not included | Included | Included | Included |
| Board meetings and Form 3921 | Not included | Not included | Included | Included |
| 409A valuations | Not included | Not included | Included | Included |
| ASC 718 and IFRS reporting | Not included | Not included | Not included | Included |
| Exit modeling and IPO advisory | Not included | Not included | Not included | Included |
| SSO for admins | Not included | Not included | Not included | Included |
Carta cost calculator
What drives the quote
Carta prices paid plans by package, number of stakeholders and optional add-on products, with a minimum annual fee. Stakeholder count is the main driver, so every new hire with options and every new investor can push you into a higher bracket at renewal. Add-ons such as Total Compensation, Equity Advisory, Liquidity and QSBS Attestation are sold separately, and the free Launch plan ends once you pass 25 stakeholders or $1M raised.
- Stakeholder growth. Pricing is per stakeholder with a minimum fee, so hiring and fundraising raise the bill at renewal.
- Leaving Launch. Passing 25 stakeholders or $1M raised ends the free plan.
- 409A lives on Grow. Companies that only need a 409A still have to buy the Grow package or source one elsewhere.
- Add-on products. Total Compensation, Equity Advisory, Liquidity and QSBS Attestation are priced separately.
- Audit-ready reporting. ASC 718 and IFRS reporting with audit support are Scale features.
Carta does not publish list prices for these plans, so there is no calculator here. Use the checklist above to shape the quote you ask for.
Hidden costs to budget for
| Scenario | Annual cost | Change |
|---|---|---|
| Launch (up to 25 stakeholders, under $1M raised) | $0 | Free |
| Priced round with 50 stakeholders, so Build | Custom | Quote by stakeholders and add-ons |
| 409A and Form 3921 needed, so Grow (50 stakeholders) | Custom | Higher package, quote only |
Which Carta plan should you choose?
- Launch. Choose if you have up to 25 stakeholders and have raised under $1M.
- Build. Choose if you are closing a priced round with up to 50 stakeholders.
- Grow. Choose if you need 409A valuations, board meetings and Form 3921.
- Scale. Choose if auditors need ASC 718 or IFRS reports, or you are planning an exit or IPO.
Is Carta worth the price?
Carta is the default cap table for venture-backed companies and investors expect it, which is worth something. It is expensive for what early-stage companies use, so seed teams should compare cheaper tools before leaving the free Launch plan.
You are likely overpaying if: You pay for Grow or Scale features you do not use, your stakeholder count includes former employees with nothing left to track, or you buy 409A through Carta without comparing standalone providers.
How to pay less for Carta
- Stay on Launch as long as you can. Launch is free up to 25 stakeholders and $1M raised.
- Clean the stakeholder list. Former employees and fully settled holders can inflate the count that drives price.
- Negotiate multi-year and caps. Vendr reports multi-year commitments can unlock 10 to 20% discounts. Ask for stakeholder caps and capped annual increases.
- Unbundle 409A. Compare Carta's Grow package against a standalone 409A plus a cheaper cap table tool.
- Get competing quotes. Pulley and Cake Equity publish lower entry pricing for early-stage companies.
- Ask to waive onboarding. Vendr reports onboarding and migration fees are often negotiable.
Copy-ready renewal email
Hi [Account manager], Our Carta [plan] renewal is on [renewal date]. We currently have [stakeholder count] stakeholders and expect [projected count] over the next 12 months. We would like to renew for a [term] term with a stakeholder cap of [cap], no annual increase above [increase cap], and [add-ons] included. We are also reviewing Pulley and Cake Equity. Can you share your best offer by [date]?
Carta alternatives and what they cost
| Tool | Entry price | Cheaper when |
|---|---|---|
| Pulley | $1,200 per year (Startup, 25 stakeholders) | You are early stage and want published pricing |
| Cake Equity | $1,000 per year (Build, 25 stakeholders); free plan available | You want the lowest cost with 409A as a $1,500 add-on |
| Eqvista | $2 per stakeholder per month (Premium Cap Table); free under 20 stakeholders | You want 409A and cap table bundled from $990 a year |
The bigger picture: why Carta bills drift
Carta bills drift because they grow with the company. Every hire with options and every new investor is a stakeholder, the contract renews once a year, and the finance lead who signed it at seed is rarely the one reviewing it at Series B.
Per-employee fees grow quietly
Carta costs rise with headcount and nobody re-checks the rate.
Spend analytics and budget tracking
Spend per vendor tracked against budget as the company grows.
Escalators hide in multi-year terms
Annual uplifts and module fees are buried in the order form.
Contract management with renewal alerts
Terms, escalators and renewal dates in one repository with alerts.
Modules added without approval
Add-ons get switched on and show up on the next invoice.
Purchase requests with approvals
Every upgrade routes through approval before it is bought.
Invoices carry one-off fees
Implementation, off-cycle and support fees are hard to check.
AP automation with PO matching
Invoices matched to POs and receipts; exceptions held before payment.
Vendor records are incomplete
Tax, bank and contract details are scattered across teams.
One vendor record with verified documents and ERP sync.
The bottom line
Carta is worth it when investors, auditors and a growing option pool need a standard system, but not before. Stay on Launch while you can, clean stakeholders before renewal and negotiate caps on stakeholder growth and price increases. Zapro makes that annual review a scheduled task with an owner instead of a surprise invoice.
Carta pricing FAQs
How much does Carta cost?
Carta Launch is free for up to 25 stakeholders and $1M raised. Build, Grow and Scale are quote-only and priced by package, stakeholders and add-ons with a minimum annual fee. Vendr reports a median Carta contract of $15,450 a year.
Is there a free version of Carta?
Yes. Carta Launch is free for companies with up to 25 stakeholders that have raised $1M or less. It includes cap table management, securities issuance, 83(b) forms, ISO management and SAFE modeling, with email, chat and phone support.
How much is Carta for larger companies?
Carta does not publish Grow or Scale prices. Vendr reports that late-stage companies with 500 or more stakeholders typically pay $30,000 to $75,000 or more a year, depending on add-ons, share classes and overall cap table complexity.
Can you get a discount on Carta?
Yes, through negotiation. Vendr reports buyers save an average of 12.85%, and multi-year commitments can unlock 10 to 20%. Ask to cap stakeholder overages and annual increases, and to waive onboarding fees before you sign.
Is Carta billed monthly or annually?
Carta's paid plans are annual subscriptions with a minimum annual fee, priced by stakeholder count. Carta does not publish a monthly option, so plan for one invoice a year and a renewal conversation before it.
What is the cheapest alternative to Carta?
Cake Equity has a free plan and a Build plan at $1,000 a year for 25 stakeholders. Pulley starts at $1,200 a year for 25 stakeholders. Both suit early-stage companies that do not yet need Carta's audit and IPO features.
