Carta for startups: Launch program gone, free plan remains
The Carta Launch startup program is gone, but Carta still lists a free plan for early startups on its equity-management plans page (checked October 12, 2026). We have not verified the stakeholder or funding limits of that plan, so confirm them on the plans page. Carta remains a common tool for keeping an investor-ready cap table from incorporation.
At a glance
- Max value
- Referral
- Not required
- Review time
- 0-0 days
- Stages
- Bootstrapped, Pre-seed
Is Carta free for startups?
Carta no longer runs a startup program called Launch, but its equity-management plans page lists a free plan for early startups. The limits that apply to that plan are not verified here, so check the plans page before you rely on it. Carta also lists paid tiers for larger cap tables.
Who needs Carta, and when?
You need a real cap-table tool the moment you issue founder stock and start granting equity, because errors compound and are painful to unwind at a financing or acquisition. Carta suits startups that plan to raise venture capital and will have a growing option pool and multiple stakeholders. A pre-incorporation solo founder can wait; a funded team with employees issuing options should not run equity on a spreadsheet.
What does Carta do beyond the cap table?
Beyond the cap table, Carta handles electronic share and option issuance, 409A valuations (which set the strike price for employee options), board and stakeholder reporting, and scenario modeling for fundraises. For an early startup the core value is a single source of truth for who owns what, kept in a form investors and lawyers trust during diligence.
Carta vs Pulley and a spreadsheet
Cap-table tools differ on price and how much they cost as you grow. Choose by your stage and how many stakeholders you will have.
| Option | Value | Best for | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
CartaThis guide | Free plan for early startups (limits not verified) | The standard, investor-trusted cap table | The Launch program is gone, but a free plan is listed on the equity-management plans page. Confirm its limits there. |
| Check current plans | A modern, founder-friendly Carta alternative | Compare its published plans against Carta before you choose. | |
| Free | The very earliest pre-funding stage only | Fine before you issue options; error-prone and a diligence liability once equity gets real. |
Amounts and pricing change often. Verify current terms on each provider's official page before applying.
Frequently asked questions
Is Carta free for early startups?
Carta lists a free plan for early startups on its equity-management plans page, although the Carta Launch program itself is gone. We have not verified the stakeholder or funding limits for that plan, so confirm them on Carta before you rely on it.
Do I need Carta if I use Stripe Atlas?
They solve different problems and pair well. Stripe Atlas forms the company and issues founder stock at incorporation; Carta manages the cap table over time as you grant options and raise. Atlas gets you a clean starting cap table, and Carta keeps it accurate and investor-ready as ownership changes.
What are the best Carta alternatives for startups?
Pulley is the main alternative, and a spreadsheet works only at the very earliest pre-funding stage. AngelList retired its Stack brand in May 2026. Carta wins on being the investor-trusted standard, which matters during diligence.