Cap Table Management
SaaS Products

Best Cap Table Management Software Buyer Guide

What is Cap Table Management?

Cap Table Management refers to the process of maintaining and updating a capitalization table (cap table), which is a record of a company’s ownership structure. This includes details about:

• Equity ownership (founders, investors, employees)
• Types of equity (common stock, preferred stock, options, warrants, convertible notes)
• Valuation history (price per share, number of shares)
• Dilution over time

Why is Cap Tabe Management Software Important?

Cap table management platforms are essential for startups and growing businesses because they simplify the complex process of tracking ownership and equity.

A capitalization table (cap table) records who owns what portion of a company, including shares held by founders, employees, and investors. As companies grow and raise capital, the structure becomes more complex, involving multiple funding rounds, stock options, convertible notes, and dilution scenarios. Managing all of this manually in spreadsheets is error-prone and time-consuming. Cap table software automates these updates, ensures accuracy, and provides real-time visibility into ownership structures.

What is The Best Cap Table Management for Startups?

In no particular order, here are some of the best cap table management software for startups. These cap table management software platforms are especially useful for startups because through NachoNacho, you can access exclusive deals of up to 100% off. 

J.P. Morgan Cap Table

Intuitive platform with complete onboarding, helping founders manage ownership and equity.

Discount Available: Save up to $10,000/year with up to 100 free stakeholders and complementary onboarding.

Qapita

Full-stack platform offering 20% cashback on all plans, supporting cap tables and cross-border stock plan management.

Discount Available: 20% off. Save up to $2,000/year.

Fidelity Private Shares

Equity platform that also helps with document generation and storage; free launch or 20% discount.

Discount available: 20% off. Save up to $3,000/year.

Carta

Industry-leading platform supporting equity management for companies, investors, and employees; 20% off first year.

Discount Available: 20% off. Save up to $5,000.

Cake Equity

Equity and stock option management designed to motivate teams from day one, with 10% off and premium onboarding.

Discount Available: 10% off. Save up to $2,000.

Pulley

Comprehensive equity platform tailored for all stakeholders, offering 15% discount and custom onboarding.

Discount Available: 15% off. Save up to $3,000.

Eqvista

Cap table and valuation services with 20% lifetime discount on all plans.

Discount Available: 20% off. Save up to $3,000/year.

Benefits of Cap Table Management Software

Improved Accuracy and Efficiency

Cap table management software eliminates the need for error-prone spreadsheets by automating calculations and updates. As companies issue new equity, run fundraising rounds, or manage vesting schedules, the software ensures all ownership data remains accurate and up to date. This drastically reduces the time founders and finance teams spend on manual data entry and reconciliations, freeing them up to focus on strategic tasks.

Fundraising and Investor Readiness

Having a clean, professional cap table is crucial during fundraising. Investors want to see clear ownership breakdowns, dilution impacts, and how their investment will be reflected in the company’s structure. Cap table tools offer scenario modeling and fundraising simulations that allow startups to prepare confidently for due diligence and term sheet negotiations, helping them secure capital more smoothly.

Legal Compliance and Audit Support

Cap table software helps maintain compliance with tax and legal requirements such as 409A valuations, SEC filings, and audit documentation. It ensures all equity-related activities—like grants, option exercises, or stock issuances—are properly documented and stored. This minimizes legal risk and supports audit readiness, especially as a company matures or prepares for an exit.

Employee Transparency and Engagement

Modern platforms often include employee portals where team members can view their stock option grants, vesting schedules, and total ownership value. This transparency boosts trust and morale, and helps employees understand the value of their equity. It’s especially valuable in startups, where equity is often a significant part of compensation.

Secure and Centralized Recordkeeping

Cap table software centralizes all equity-related data in a secure, cloud-based system with role-based access controls. Founders, investors, legal teams, and employees can access the data they need—without compromising security or version control. This centralized approach ensures that everyone is working from the same source of truth.

Global Scalability and Flexibility

For companies operating internationally or offering global stock plans, advanced cap table tools support multi-country compliance, multiple currencies, and local tax regulations. This enables startups to scale their teams globally while staying compliant and avoiding legal pitfalls.

Key Features of Cap Table Management

Cap Table Visualization

• Real-time, interactive view of ownership structure
• Tracks shares, options, warrants, and convertible notes

Equity Issuance & Grant Management

• Issue and track stock options, RSUs, and SAFEs
• Automate vesting schedules and grant documentation

Fundraising & Dilution Modeling

• Scenario planning tools to model new funding rounds and dilution impact
• Waterfall analysis for exit scenarios (e.g., acquisition or IPO)

Employee Equity Portals

• Dashboards for employees to view their equity, vesting progress, and grant documents

409A Valuations & Compliance

• Helps generate or integrate with certified 409A valuations
• Ensures compliance with tax and legal regulations (e.g., IRS, SEC)

Investor & Stakeholder Reporting

• Exportable reports for board members, VCs, and legal counsel
• Detailed audit trails and transaction history

Document Management & E-Signatures

• Generate, store, and execute equity-related legal documents (e.g., option grants, SAFEs)

Integrations & API Access

• Syncs with payroll, HRIS, accounting, and legal tools
• Open API for customized workflows

Permissions & Role-Based Access

• Set different access levels for founders, employees, investors, and legal teams

Global Stock Plan Support (for advanced platforms)

• Handle equity plans across jurisdictions with tax/regulatory compliance

How to Choose a Cap Table Management Software for Your Startup

Choosing the best cap table software for your startup depends on your company’s stage, size, growth plans, and specific equity needs. Here's a clear guide to help you make an informed decision:

1. Assess Your Company’s Stage and Complexity

Startups in the early stages with a small number of stakeholders might be fine with free or low-cost tools that cover basic cap table functions. As your company grows, especially post-fundraising, you’ll need features like 409A valuation support, option management, and scenario modeling. Choose a platform that can grow with your company and scale as your cap table becomes more complex.

2. Prioritize Must-Have Features

Make a list of essential features based on your current and near-future needs. Key features to consider include:

• Cap table visualization
• Equity grant and vesting management
• Scenario modeling for fundraising
• 409A valuations
• Employee access and equity dashboards
• Legal document generation
• Global stock plan support

Focus on the tools that offer what you need now without overpaying for features you won’t use right away.

3. Consider Your Budget

Cap table software ranges from free plans (great for early-stage companies) to premium platforms that cost thousands per year. Look for tools offering discounts for startups, free trials, or startup launch programs (e.g., J.P. Morgan Cap Table, Eqvista, or Fidelity Private Shares). Make sure to factor in any additional fees for valuations or onboarding services.

4. Evaluate Customer Support and Onboarding

Onboarding equity management software can be complex. Choose a vendor that offers strong onboarding support, training, and responsive customer service. Premium onboarding packages and dedicated account managers can save time and prevent critical setup errors.

5. Ensure Security and Compliance

Your cap table contains sensitive financial and legal information. Choose a platform with strong security standards, role-based access controls, data backups, and compliance certifications (such as SOC 2 or GDPR).

6. Check Integrations and Flexibility

If you use tools like Gusto, QuickBooks, or HRIS platforms, make sure your cap table software can integrate smoothly. APIs or third-party integrations can help reduce manual effort and keep your data in sync across systems.

7. Get Recommendations and Read Reviews

Talk to other founders, VCs, or startup legal advisors about their experiences. Also, read product reviews on trusted platforms like G2, Capterra, or Product Hunt to get real-world feedback on usability and customer support.

8. Get a Discount For Your Cap Table Management Software for Startups

NachoNacho houses the best collection of software discounts that your startup can take advantage of to grow without stretching your budget. This includes huge discounts on top cap table software such as Carta, Cake Equity, and J.P. Morgan Cap Table.