CartaCarta Launch
Carta's free cap table tier for early-stage US startups
Free Carta cap table and equity management for eligible early-stage US startups
- Best for
- Idea, Pre-seed, Seed
- Available in
- United States
- Program type
- Free Tier
- Last verified
- Apr 20, 2026
About this program
Carta Launch is the free tier founders use to keep a real cap table from day one without buying paid software. It covers the basics a venture-backed early-stage company actually needs: stakeholder records, founder equity, SAFEs, option grants, and ESOP tracking, all in a format that investors and auditors already know how to read.
Most founders end up on Carta by default because their investors are on Carta. That network effect is worth stating plainly: the cap table tool your lead investor already uses is a meaningfully better choice than a technically-equivalent competitor, because every future equity event (an investor transferring, a secondary, an option grant to a key hire) involves fewer rounds of manual reconciliation. Launch lets founders sit inside that network from incorporation without paying for the full Carta surface until the company has grown into it.
The main thing to know is that the free tier is not open-ended. Carta publishes thresholds for stakeholder count and fundraising stage that define eligibility, and those thresholds have shifted before and can shift again. Before making plans around a specific cutoff, check Carta's current pricing. Alternatives like Pulley and AngelList Stack exist for founders who want a different default; the choice matters most once you have multiple investors and option grants to coordinate.
What you get
- Free Carta cap table and equity management for eligible early-stage US startups
- Offer type: Free Tier
Eligibility
US-incorporated startups below Carta Launch's published thresholds for stakeholder count and fundraising stage. Teams that exceed the thresholds, raise priced rounds beyond a certain size, or need advanced features typically transition to a paid Carta plan.
- Stage
- Idea, Pre-seed, Seed
- Region
- United States
- Incorporation required
- Yes
How to apply
- Go to carta.com and start a Launch account.
- Provide company incorporation details, including Delaware C-corp paperwork if applicable.
- Import your cap table or set it up from scratch, including founder equity, SAFEs, and any existing option grants.
- Stay on Launch until you exceed Carta's published thresholds or need a feature outside the free tier, then move to a paid Carta plan.
Frequently asked questions
Is Carta Launch really free?
Yes, for companies that stay within Carta's published Launch thresholds. Pricing starts once you exceed those thresholds, raise a priced round beyond a certain size, or need features outside the free tier. The exact cutoffs are on Carta's pricing page and have been revised over time.
What triggers a move from Carta Launch to a paid plan?
Typically one of three things: stakeholder count rising above the Launch cap, a priced round that exceeds Carta's free-tier size threshold, or a feature need outside Launch's scope (for example, larger 409A workflows or international equity support). The specifics change, so confirm on Carta directly before making plans around a particular cutoff.
Does Carta Launch include 409A valuations?
409A availability inside Launch has varied over time and by company stage. Confirm the current inclusion on Carta's pricing page, and assume you may need to add a paid add-on or upgrade if you need a 409A before a priced round.
What are the main alternatives to Carta for cap tables?
Pulley, AngelList Stack, and Shoobx are the most commonly compared alternatives for early-stage US startups. Carta is the most widely adopted among venture-backed companies and has the broadest investor-side reach, which is usually the reason teams default to it. The choice matters most once you have multiple investors and option grants to manage.
Is Carta Launch available outside the US?
Carta operates internationally, but Launch is targeted at US-incorporated companies. Founders outside the US should check Carta's country and entity support before assuming the Launch terms apply to their setup.
You'll be redirected to Carta to apply. FounderDeals never handles applications.
Alternatives to Carta Launch
Other payments & fintech programs founders weigh against Carta. Each links out to the provider's official page.
