Cake Equity vs Carta
Choose Cake Equity if you want published paid-plan prices and managed cap-table migration; choose Carta if you qualify for its larger free tier or need HRIS and payroll integrations. Both offer cap-table and equity management for startups, but their free-plan limits, pricing visibility, and included workflows differ.
Last updated October 27, 2026.
At a glance
| Dimension | Cake Equity | Carta |
|---|---|---|
| Free plan | Free for up to 5 stakeholders | Free for up to 25 stakeholders and $1M raised |
| Published paid pricing | Build $1,000/year; Team $2,750/year; Pro custom | Contact sales |
| Paid plans | Build, Team, Pro | Build, Grow, Scale |
| Stakeholders on paid plans | 25 Build; 40 Team; 100 Pro included | Up to 50 Build; flexible limit on Grow and Scale |
| HRIS and payroll integrations | Not published | Included in core features |
| 409A valuations | Two yearly on Team and Pro; annual add-on for Build | Included on Grow and Scale |
| Migration and onboarding | Free managed cap-table migration | White-glove onboarding from Build |
| Cross-border equity | International option pools on Pro | Not published in corporation plan details |
| Fundraising tools | SAFE notes and fundraising modeling on Build | SAFE fundraising on Launch; priced-round modeling on Build |
| Advanced reporting | Stock-based compensation and Form 3921 on Pro | Form 3921 on Grow; ASC 718 and IFRS on Scale |
| Support | Email, chat, and calls; dedicated Slack channel on Pro | Email, chat, and phone |
Scroll the table sideways to compare each row.
Which should you choose?
Choose Cake Equity if
- Teams that want published annual prices for paid plans
- Companies moving an existing cap table with managed migration
- Teams managing international option pools
Choose Carta if
- Eligible startups with six to 25 stakeholders seeking a free plan
- Teams that need HRIS and payroll integrations
- Companies seeking priced-round closings or advanced compliance workflows
The verdict
The deciding factor is what your company needs to do now. Cake Equity is a fit for teams comparing known annual prices, moving an existing cap table, or managing cross-border option pools. Carta is a fit for eligible companies with more than five stakeholders that want a free plan, and for teams seeking HRIS and payroll integrations or its broader fundraising and compliance workflows. Compare the required paid plan and add-ons before committing to either.
Cake Equity vs Carta: common questions
- Are Cake Equity and Carta still available?
- Yes. Both vendors currently offer sign-up or sales paths for their equity management products, so this is a viable comparison for a buyer choosing between them.
- Which has the larger free plan, Cake Equity or Carta?
- Carta Launch is free for eligible companies with up to 25 stakeholders and $1 million raised. Cake Equity's free plan covers up to five stakeholders; accounts with more than five can view an imported cap table for free but need a paid plan for actions such as issuing equity.
- How much do Cake Equity and Carta cost?
- Cake Equity publishes annual prices of $1,000 for Build and $2,750 for Team, with custom Pro pricing. Carta publishes its free Launch eligibility but directs buyers to sales for paid-plan prices.
- Which offers HRIS and payroll integrations?
- Carta lists HRIS and payroll integrations among its core equity management features. Cake Equity does not publish those integrations in its pricing information.
- Can Cake Equity or Carta provide 409A valuations?
- Yes. Cake Equity includes two 409A valuations per year on Team and Pro and offers a $1,500 annual add-on for Build. Carta includes 409A valuations on Grow and Scale.
- Can I migrate an existing cap table to Cake Equity or Carta?
- Cake Equity advertises free managed cap-table migration, including reconciliation before going live. Carta lists white-glove onboarding from its paid Build plan.
- Which is suited to an international equity program?
- Cake Equity explicitly lists international option pools on Pro. Carta's corporation plan details do not specify an equivalent feature, so a buyer with cross-border requirements should confirm the relevant countries and workflows with each vendor.
- Which supports later-stage compliance reporting?
- Cake Equity lists stock-based compensation reporting, Form 3921 reporting, and Rule 701 tracking on Pro. Carta lists Form 3921 on Grow and ASC 718, IFRS, and Rule 701 features on Scale.