SparkLaunch vs Carta vs Pulley
The best cap table for your startup depends on your stage. SparkLaunch is free forever — start there.
SparkLaunch
Free
Basic features, no CC required.
Cap table (basic)
SAFEs (1x free)
AI tools (1x each)
Community access
Incorporation ($399)
Carta
$0-$360/yr
Free tier: 25 stakeholders
25 free stakeholders
409A from $450
Option grants
Industry standard
Enterprise scale
Pulley
$1,200/yr
Startup tier: 25 stakeholders
25 stakeholders (Startup)
409A from $900
Data room included
Modern interface
Carta alternative
Full Feature Comparison
| Feature | SparkLaunch | Carta | Pulley |
|---|---|---|---|
| Free Tier | Yes (Basic) | Yes (25 stakeholders) | No |
| Paid Plan Starting Price | $199/yr (Startup) | $360/yr (Build) | $1,200/yr (Startup) |
| Stakeholder Limit (Free) | Basic features | 25 | N/A |
| Cap Table Management | Free (Basic) | ||
| SAFE Rounds | Free (1x) / Paid (3x+) | ||
| Convertible Notes | |||
| Dilution Modeling | Free (3 preset) / Paid | ||
| Waterfall Analysis | Coming Soon | ||
| Equity Incentive Plans | Coming Soon | ||
| Option Grants & Vesting | Growth+ ($499/yr) | ||
| 409A Valuations | From $450 | From $900 | |
| 83(b) Elections | Coming Soon | ||
| Data Room | Growth+ ($499/yr) | Paid Add-on | Included |
| Delaware Incorporation | $399 | ||
| Registered Agent | Included 1st year | ||
| Investor CRM | Startup+ ($199/yr) | ||
| Pitch Deck Builder | Growth+ ($499/yr) | ||
| AI Business Tools | Free (1x each) | ||
| Landing Page Builder | Free (10 leads) | ||
| Founder Community | |||
| Ideal For | Pre-seed to Seed | Seed to Series C+ | Seed to Series B |
Why SparkLaunch
Free Cap Table (Basic)
Get started with basic cap table features at $0. For exports and advanced features, upgrade to Startup ($199/yr).
Full Founder Platform
Cap table is just one piece. Get AI tools (free), investor CRM (Startup+), pitch deck builder (Growth+), and community.
Incorporation Included
Neither Carta nor Pulley incorporates companies. SparkLaunch does ($399 with 1st year agent).
Modern, Founder-First UX
Built for first-time founders, not finance teams. Clean, simple, AI-powered.
Lower Entry Point
SparkLaunch Startup plan is $199/yr vs Carta's $360/yr or Pulley's $1,200/yr for basic paid features.
Why Carta
Industry Standard
Most widely used cap table software. Investors and lawyers know it. Great for institutional fundraising.
Full Equity Lifecycle
409A valuations, option grants, vesting schedules, tender offers, and liquidity events.
Enterprise Features
Built for Series A+ companies with 100+ stakeholders, multiple option pools, and complex cap tables.
Legal Integrations
Deep integrations with attorneys, auditors, and board management tools.
Why Pulley
Modern Carta Alternative
Cleaner UX, lower prices, and faster 409A valuations ($900 vs Carta's $450+).
Founder-Friendly Design
Built by founders for founders — simpler than Carta, more modern interface.
Data Room Included
Unlike Carta, Pulley includes a data room in standard plans.
Faster Growth
Rapidly growing as the Carta alternative for Seed-Series B companies.
FAQs
When should I switch from SparkLaunch to Carta or Pulley?
When you need 409A valuations, complex option pools, or have 50+ stakeholders. For most pre-seed and seed startups, SparkLaunch's cap table is sufficient. Consider switching when you raise a Series A with formal equity incentive plans.
Can I export my data from SparkLaunch?
Yes — SparkLaunch supports cap table exports on paid plans (Startup $199/yr+). You can migrate to Carta or Pulley when ready.
Is Pulley really better than Carta?
Different, not necessarily better. Pulley is newer, cheaper, and simpler. Carta is the industry standard with more features. Pulley is great for startups who don't need Carta's full feature set.
What about 409A valuations?
SparkLaunch doesn't offer 409A valuations. Carta starts at $450, Pulley at $900. You need a 409A before issuing stock options. For SAFEs and founder stock, you don't need one initially.
What's included in SparkLaunch's free tier?
Basic cap table, 1 SAFE tracking, dilution modeling (3 preset scenarios), 1x use of each AI tool, landing page (10 leads), and community access. For more features, upgrade to Startup ($199/yr) or Growth ($499/yr).
Start with a Free Cap Table
No credit card required. Basic cap table features free. Migrate to Carta or Pulley anytime if you outgrow us.