Choosing the right Pulley alternative depends on more than pricing alone. Companies should consider how well a platform fits their current equity structure, how it supports 409A and other valuation needs, how its capabilities scale as the company grows, and what additional equity, compliance, or liquidity tools may be needed over time.
The alternatives covered in this article approach these needs differently. Eqvista combines equity management with in-house 409A valuations, broader valuation services, financial modeling, compliance support, and liquidity solutions. Carta offers a broad equity management ecosystem, Ledgy focuses on international and multi-entity requirements, Cake Equity provides accessible startup equity administration, and Shareworks serves complex enterprise equity programs.
We compare these Pulley alternatives based on pricing, 409A and valuation support, stage fit, equity management capabilities, and the key differences that may matter when choosing a new platform.
How We Chose These Pulley Alternatives
Equity management needs vary depending on a company’s stage, number of stakeholders, jurisdiction, and equity structure. We evaluated Pulley alternatives based on equity management capabilities, access to 409A and broader valuation services, pricing transparency, stage fit, migration support, and the ability to support increasingly complex equity structures. We also considered publicly available ratings and reviews on platforms such as G2 and Clutch.
Quick Picks by Stage
The right Pulley alternative can change significantly by stage since companies add stakeholders, raise capital, expand internationally, or develop more complex valuation needs with every new round.
- Pre-seed: Eqvista and Cake Equity are strong choices for founders who want accessible cap table management with free entry-level plans.
- Seed to Series A: Eqvista is particularly useful for companies that need integrated cap table management with unlimited 409A valuations for 12 months.
- Growth stage: Eqvista’s capabilities become more relevant as requirements expand into round modeling, liquidity solutions, financial reporting, specialized valuations such as IP and software valuations, ASC 718 support, and services such as QSBS attestations.
- Pre-IPO/enterprise: Eqvista suits companies that need equity management support, complete with valuation and liquidity capabilities. Carta and Shareworks are also strong choices for large enterprises with complex equity administration needs.
- Global teams: Ledgy is well suited to international teams managing equity plans across multiple entities and currencies.
Eqvista is our best overall pick because it combines equity management with an in-house valuation team, transparent pricing, and capabilities designed to support companies from early stage through pre-IPO.
Best Pulley Alternatives Compared
We compared these platforms based on the factors that matter when choosing a replacement for Pulley, including entry pricing, access to 409A valuations, broader valuation support, and core equity management capabilities. The table below highlights where each provider differs and the types of companies it is best suited for.
| Platform | Best for | Entry pricing | 409A/Valuation offering | Key strengths | Key reason to consider |
| Eqvista | Companies seeking equity management plus comprehensive valuation support | Free tier available Transparent cap table pricing | Unlimited 409A valuations from $990 per year | In-house valuation teamAbility to handle various kinds of valuationsReal-Time Company Valuation®Financial modeling | More valuation depthTransparent pricingLiquidity solutions |
| Carta | Startups focused on fundraising and investor workflows | Free Launch plan for up to 25 stakeholders and $1 million raised | Valuation capabilities available as part of its broader offering | Fundraising workflowsHRIS and payroll integrations | Stronger offerings for fundraising |
| Shareworks by Morgan Stanley | Late-stage, pre-IPO, and public companies | Not disclosed | Comprehensive equity and valuation-related support for organizations with complex structures | Global equity plansHRIS API connectivity | Better suited to sophisticated global equity administration |
| Ledgy | European and international companies | Free tier for up to 50 stakeholders | Valuation services available | Multi-entity managementHRIS integrations | Stronger international, multi-entity, and global plan capabilities |
| Cake Equity | Early-stage companies and founder-led teams | Free for up to 5 stakeholders | Lighter valuation capabilities | Fundraising toolsStakeholder communication | Accessible startup-focused administration |
Pricing and plan details are based on publicly available information as of September 2026 and may change.
Short Reviews of Each Platform
Each alternative solves a slightly different problem for companies considering a move from Pulley. The following reviews focus on the situations in which switching makes sense, the capabilities that matter most, and the limitations to consider before choosing a platform.
1. Eqvista
Best for: Companies that want equity management and valuation services in one place.
Why consider it instead of Pulley? Eqvista goes beyond basic cap table administration by combining a diverse set of equity management tools with valuation, financial modeling, compliance support, and liquidity solutions. Its free tier also gives smaller companies an accessible starting point.
Key capabilities: Cap table and equity management, unlimited NACVA-certified 409A valuations, Real-Time Company Valuation®, financial modeling, compliance tools, and broader valuation services.
Main trade-off: Companies looking only for basic cap table management may not need the broader valuation, modeling, compliance, and liquidity capabilities available through Eqvista.
2. Carta
Best for: Startups that place significant importance on fundraising and deal workflows.
Why consider it instead of Pulley? Carta has a deep feature set and strong offerings for fundraising. This can make it attractive for companies that want equity administration closely connected to capital-raising activity.
Key capabilities: Fundraising workflows, investor management, equity reporting, deal closings, priced round modeling, and HRIS and payroll integrations.
Main trade-off: Paid-plan pricing is less transparent, particularly for companies that need more advanced functionality.
3. Shareworks by Morgan Stanley
Best for: Late-stage, pre-IPO, and public companies with sophisticated equity programs.
Why consider it instead of Pulley? Shareworks is designed for complex equity administration and provides greater depth for global plans and reporting requirements.
Key capabilities: Global equity plans, robust reporting, regulatory support, and real-time HRIS data sharing through APIs.
Main trade-off: Its enterprise orientation and pricing make it less practical for smaller companies. It also does not offer a free or self-serve tier.
4. Ledgy
Best for: European companies and international teams managing complex equity arrangements.
Why consider it instead of Pulley? Ledgy provides stronger support for multi-entity structures, international operations, and global equity plans. Its HRIS integrations and automation can also reduce administrative work as companies grow.
Key capabilities: Multi-entity cap tables, equity plan automation, HRIS integrations, automated granting workflows, investor and employee dashboards, and Companies House reporting.
Main trade-off: Its valuation offering has less native US 409A depth than Eqvista, while advanced functionality is geared toward larger organizations.
5. Cake Equity
Best for: Early-stage founders seeking simple equity administration with global and fundraising support.
Why consider it instead of Pulley? Cake Equity provides an accessible entry point and supports common startup instruments such as SAFEs and convertible rounds. It can be a practical choice for teams that want straightforward equity administration without a complex setup.
Key capabilities: Cap table management, SAFE and convertible support, fundraising tools, and stakeholder communication.
Main trade-off: Add-on fees for valuations can increase costs, while its valuation capabilities are lighter than platforms discussed here.
Why Eqvista Stands Out as a Pulley Alternative
Eqvista combines cap table and equity management with a broader set of valuation, financial modeling, compliance, and liquidity capabilities. Its platform supports different types of securities, including shares, options, warrants, SAFEs, and other convertible securities. Its valuation practice extends beyond 409A to business valuations, ASC 718, purchase price allocation, IP valuation, and other private-company valuation requirements.
Eqvista provides unlimited 409A valuations starting at $990 per year with lifetime audit support. The valuation work is handled by a 100% in-house team with NACVA, CFA, CVA, and IRS Enrolled Agent credentials.
Standard 409A valuations are typically completed within 5-10 business days. Expedited options start at $490 and can be completed in as little as 1 business day.
Eqvista Real-Time Company Valuation® provides an ongoing view of company value between formal valuation events. Companies can also use financial modeling and compliance services and tools for waterfall analysis, round modeling, QSBS attestations, and 83(b) elections.
For companies approaching later stages, Eqvista also supports controlled tender offers and private-company liquidity needs.
Pricing is designed to scale according to stakeholder count and company stage, with a transparent structure that can make future costs easier to forecast.
This makes Eqvista particularly relevant for companies that do not want their cap table provider to stop at equity administration. Instead, the same provider can support valuation, financial reporting, modeling, compliance, and liquidity needs as the business develops.
How to Migrate from Pulley to Eqvista
Switching from Pulley does not have to mean rebuilding your entire cap table manually. Eqvista offers white-glove migration at no charge, with a dedicated migration specialist handling the transfer, reconciliation, and validation of your existing cap table data. Companies can complete the migration within 1–5 working days.
Pulley customers who sign up for Eqvista can get the remainder of their current Pulley term added at no charge and save 30% off their current Pulley invoice. The offer also includes a Year-2 price lock, unlimited 409A updates, lifetime audit support, and support defending previous Pulley 409A valuations.
Here’s how the migration works:
- Provide your Pulley data. You can either give an Eqvista migration specialist access to your Pulley account or export and securely share your cap table, stakeholder information, and supporting company documents.
- Eqvista transfers and validates your cap table. The migration team creates your company account in Eqvista and transfers, maps, reconciles, and validates your existing cap table and equity records.
- Review your migrated data. Once the transfer is complete, Eqvista invites you to review the migrated cap table and confirm that the information is accurate.
- Complete the transition. Once your company reviews and approves the cap table, it can continue managing its equity records through Eqvista.
FAQs About Pulley Alternatives
How long do I have to switch from Pulley?
Pulley will cease operations on December 8, 2026. According to Pulley, customers will retain access to their data until January 31, 2027. Companies should still choose and begin transitioning to a replacement platform well before these deadlines.
What should I look for in a Pulley alternative?
Look for a platform that fits your company’s stage, equity structure, valuation needs, and expected growth. Important factors include support for different security types, 409A valuations, pricing structure, migration support, reporting capabilities, and whether the platform can support more complex requirements as your company grows.
Can I switch from Pulley to a free cap table platform?
Yes. Eqvista and Cake Equity offer free cap table tiers that can be useful for early-stage startups. Companies can then move to paid plans as their stakeholder count and equity management requirements grow.
Which Pulley alternative is best for 409A valuations?
Eqvista stands out for companies that prioritize 409A valuations because the work is handled by its in-house valuation team, with unlimited 409A plans starting at $990 per year, lifetime audit support, and expedited turnaround options available. Eqvista also provides broader valuation services for companies whose requirements become more complex as they grow.
How do I migrate from Pulley to Eqvista?
You can migrate from Pulley to Eqvista by providing access to your Pulley account or sharing an exported spreadsheet of your cap table data. Eqvista’s migration team will transfer, reconcile, and validate the data, with migrations completed in as little as 1–5 business days. White-glove migration is currently offered at no charge, and Pulley customers can also get the remainder of their current Pulley term added free, save 30% off their current Pulley invoice, and receive a Year-2 price lock.
Our Verdict: What Is the Best Pulley Alternative?
The best Pulley alternative depends on your company’s stage and equity management needs. Eqvista stands out for its flexible and transparent pricing, broader valuation services, and feature depth.
Its free tier suits early-stage companies, while unlimited 409A valuations make it particularly useful from Seed through growth stages. As companies reach Growth and Pre-IPO stages, its valuation, modeling, compliance, and liquidity capabilities become increasingly relevant.
For companies moving from Pulley, Eqvista currently offers white-glove migration at no charge, the remainder of the current Pulley term added free, 30% off the current Pulley invoice, and a Year-2 price lock. The offer also includes unlimited 409A updates, lifetime audit support, and support defending previous Pulley 409A valuations.
Carta and Shareworks remain strong options for enterprise-focused equity administration, while Ledgy is particularly relevant for international and multi-entity equity management.
For startups building out their broader financial infrastructure, Cheqly can complement equity management platforms with business banking and related financial services.