Pulley for Startups
Free cap table tier for early-stage US startups, positioned as a Carta alternative
Free Pulley cap table tier 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
Pulley is the cap table most founders evaluate when they are looking for a Carta alternative that keeps the free tier honest. The mechanics are familiar: stakeholder records, equity issuance, ESOP tracking, 409A valuations, scenario modeling across priced rounds. The differentiation sits in the founder experience. Pulley's interface is built around the operations a founder actually does in the first two years (issue a grant, model a round, run a 409A) rather than around the workflows a large-cap-table ops team needs once there are hundreds of shareholders.
For early-stage US startups, the practical question is which of Pulley Launch and Carta Launch to land on. The core functionality overlaps meaningfully, and the decision usually tips on one of two factors: whether your lead investor has already standardized on one (Carta has the broadest investor-side reach), or whether you care enough about the founder experience to choose independently. Founders picking on their own often prefer Pulley; founders following their investor often end up on Carta.
The free tier is self-serve with no partner gating. Specific stakeholder and fundraising thresholds have been revised over time, so treat the current Pulley pricing page as the source of truth rather than a number a peer company mentioned. Migration from Carta or a spreadsheet is supported; teams with complex instruments sometimes need a manual reconciliation pass during onboarding.
What you get
- Free Pulley cap table tier for eligible early-stage US startups
- Offer type: Free Tier
Eligibility
US-incorporated startups below Pulley's published stakeholder and funding thresholds. Eligibility is self-serve; teams that exceed the free-tier cutoffs or need features outside the startup scope transition to a paid Pulley plan.
- Stage
- Idea, Pre-seed, Seed
- Region
- United States
- Incorporation required
- Yes
How to apply
- Sign up at pulley.com with your company details.
- Import an existing cap table or set one up from scratch, including founder equity, SAFEs, and any prior option grants.
- Stay on the free startup tier until you exceed Pulley's published thresholds or need a feature outside the free scope.
- Upgrade through billing when a priced round, stakeholder count, or specific feature need triggers a paid plan.
Frequently asked questions
Who is Pulley best for?
Early-stage US founders who want a free cap table that handles the first two years of equity events without feeling like a stripped-down tier of a larger enterprise product. Pulley is typically chosen by teams that care about founder experience and do not already have their cap table on a tool their lead investor has standardized on.
How does Pulley compare to Carta Launch?
Both are free cap-table tiers targeting early-stage US startups, and the core functionality (stakeholder records, equity issuance, ESOP tracking, 409A valuations) substantially overlaps. Carta has the broadest investor-side network, which is the main reason most venture-backed teams default to it. Pulley leans into a founder-friendly interface and faster product iteration. Founders often pick based on which tool their lead investor already uses.
What triggers the paid tier?
Typically one of three things: stakeholder count exceeding Pulley's published free-tier cap, a priced round above a specific size, or a feature need outside the free tier (for example, more advanced 409A workflows or international equity support). The specific cutoffs have been revised between pricing versions; verify current thresholds on the Pulley pricing page.
Can I migrate an existing cap table from Carta?
Yes. Pulley supports imports from Carta, spreadsheets, and other cap-table tools. The migration is typically straightforward for simple cap tables; complex instruments (warrants, secondaries, international equity) sometimes need manual reconciliation with Pulley's team during onboarding.
Is Pulley usable outside the US?
Pulley's primary focus is US-incorporated companies. International support exists but is less mature than for US entities; founders outside the US should check Pulley's current country and entity support before assuming the free tier applies to their setup.
You'll be redirected to Pulley to apply. FounderDeals never handles applications.
Alternatives to Pulley for Startups
Other payments & fintech programs founders weigh against Pulley. Each links out to the provider's official page.
