Clear decision guides for you
Straight comparisons of the tools you're choosing between, honest about where each one falls short. Where we quote a benchmark, we show its source.
44 guides of 1,000
Carta vs Shareworks vs Pulley: Equity Accounting & Cap Table Comparison
Compare Carta, Shareworks, and Pulley for equity accounting: ASC 718 stock comp expense, 409A valuations, QSBS tracking, and secondary liquidity.
Carta vs Pulley for a Pre-IPO SaaS Cap Table
How late-stage SaaS finance teams should weigh Carta against Pulley on ASC 718 reporting, 409A turnaround and secondary tender offers before an IPO.
Setting Up Equity Software Before Your First Priced Round
A step-by-step look at when a custom software and product engineering shop needs Pulley or Carta for option grants, fair market value and vesting records.
Cap Table Checklist for an MSP's First Option Grants
A pre-decision checklist for IT consulting and MSP owners choosing between Pulley and Carta to manage equity, 409A valuations and stock comp reporting.
Cap Table Tools for a Fintech's Multi-Class Stock
How embedded finance and payments companies should weigh Pulley against Carta when preferred stock stacks, investor rights and audit scope multiply fast.
Does a Consulting Firm Even Need a 409A?
Answers to the questions consulting firm owners ask before setting up Pulley or Carta to grant partner-track equity, phantom stock or real options.
A CPA Firm's Worksheet for Its Own Equity Plan
A worksheet-style walkthrough for accounting and CPA practices deciding between Pulley and Carta, including the state ownership rules that shape the plan.
Equity Tools for a Law Firm's Non-Legal Ventures
Why most law firms can't grant real stock options to non-lawyers, and how Pulley and Carta fit the separate entities firms use to work around that rule.
Equity as a Retention Lever for Agency Talent
Two approaches to granting equity at a digital marketing or performance agency, and where Pulley and Carta's tradeoffs actually matter for each one.
A Search Boutique's First Profits Interest Grant
A worked example of granting a partner-track profits interest at an LLC-structured executive search or advisory boutique, and where Pulley or Carta fits.
Cap Table Pitfalls in a Staffing Agency Roll-Up
A checklist for technical and executive staffing agencies granting equity or consolidating cap tables across a private-equity-backed roll-up.
When an Engineering Firm's ESOP Isn't the Answer
Why many civil and structural engineering firms use an ESOP instead of stock options, and when Pulley or Carta still fits a firm's equity plan.
Questions Before Granting Equity at a Design Studio
Answers to what architecture and design studio owners ask before setting up Pulley or Carta for equity, from licensing rules to project-based valuation.
Granting Equity at an RIA Without a Form ADV Surprise
A step-by-step look at what a registered investment advisor needs to check before granting real equity, and where Pulley or Carta fits the process.
A Biotech Consultancy's Worksheet for Its Own Cap Table
A worksheet for life sciences and biotech consulting firms setting up equity for senior scientific staff, and where Pulley or Carta fits each line.
Two Ways a Tax Advisory Firm Can Structure Equity
Real equity through a subsidiary versus a phantom formula tied to the practice, and how each tradeoff shapes whether Pulley or Carta fits your firm.
An HR Consultancy Practicing What It Advises Clients On
A worked example of an HR strategy and compensation consultancy setting up its own equity plan, and where Pulley or Carta fits the process.
Cap Table Hygiene for an M&A Advisory Boutique
Criteria for an M&A advisory or growth strategy boutique choosing between Pulley and Carta, with diligence readiness as the central concern.
Equity Pitfalls for a Bootstrapped DTC Brand
A checklist for direct-to-consumer brands weighing real options against debt-funded growth, and where Pulley or Carta fits either path.
Untangling a Family Distributor's Paper Cap Table
How a wholesale distributor with decades of paper stock certificates should approach Pulley or Carta once the records finally need to be accurate.
Equity for a Designer or Athlete Collaboration, Done Right
A brand's checklist for structuring milestone-tied equity for a designer, athlete or collaborator, and where Pulley or Carta fits once it's granted.
Reaching Unreachable Equity Holders Before Your Next Round
A B2B marketplace's guide to tracing dissolved or unreachable equity holders before a raise, and where Pulley or Carta fits the cleanup.
Phantom Units for Store Leaders, Real Shares for Corporate
How a multi-channel retail brand should split phantom units from real stock options across store and corporate teams, and pick a platform for either.
Pulley vs. Carta When Your Newsletter Becomes a Company
How Pulley and Carta handle the moment a newsletter or paid community converts from an LLC to a C-corp and old contributor promises need real equity.
Pulley vs. Carta for an Established General Contractor
A decision guide for commercial general contractors choosing between Pulley and Carta to track owner equity, phantom stock, and 409A for key project staff.
Setting Up Equity Accounting for a Growing Fleet or 3PL
A step-by-step runbook for freight fleets and 3PLs setting up equity or phantom equity for terminal managers, then choosing between Pulley and Carta.
Pulley vs. Carta for Precision Manufacturers Retaining Engineers
A checklist for precision contract manufacturers weighing real equity against phantom equity for key engineers, then choosing Pulley or Carta.
Pulley vs. Carta for Building Material Suppliers' Equity
Common questions building material suppliers ask about setting up equity or phantom equity for regional GMs, and choosing Pulley or Carta.
A Worksheet for Equity in an Industrial Field Service Business
A worksheet industrial equipment and field service companies can use to plan territory manager equity, then pick between Pulley and Carta.
Pulley vs. Carta for Hazmat and Reefer Carriers' Equity
Two approaches to equity for temperature-controlled and hazmat carriers, the tradeoffs of each, and how Pulley and Carta fit once you pick one.
Pulley vs. Carta for a Solar EPC's Company Equity
A runbook for commercial solar and energy EPC firms separating project-level tax equity from company equity, then choosing Pulley or Carta.
Pulley vs. Carta for a Dental Support Organization
A decision guide for DSOs weighing Pulley and Carta to track management company equity and founding dentists' rollover stakes across affiliated practices.
Pulley vs. Carta for MedSpa and Outpatient Clinic Equity
A checklist for specialty outpatient and medspa groups setting up physician and medical director equity, then choosing between Pulley and Carta.
Pulley vs. Carta for a Multi-Hospital Vet Group's Equity
A worked example of a veterinary consolidator granting rollover and associate-vet equity, and how Pulley and Carta fit each stage of that growth.
Pulley vs. Carta for an Outpatient PT Network's Equity
Answers to the equity questions outpatient physical therapy networks ask most, and how Pulley and Carta fit at different stages of consolidation.
A Worksheet for Equity in a Behavioral Health Group
A worksheet multi-provider behavioral health groups can use to plan clinician equity and rollover stakes, then choose between Pulley and Carta.
Pulley vs. Carta for a Commercial Brokerage's Equity
Two ways commercial real estate brokerages structure partner and top-producer equity, the tradeoffs of each, and where Pulley and Carta fit.
Pulley vs. Carta for a Multifamily Property Manager
A runbook for commercial and multifamily property managers separating GP promote interests from company equity, then choosing Pulley or Carta.
Pulley vs. Carta for a PE Portfolio Company's MIP
A decision guide for lower-middle-market PE portfolio companies weighing Pulley and Carta for management rollover equity and MIP waterfalls.
Pulley vs. Carta for a Commercial Debt Advisory Firm
A checklist for commercial mortgage brokerages setting up platform equity for top originators, then choosing between Pulley and Carta.
Pulley vs. Carta for a Specialty Asset-Based Lender
A worked example of a specialty lender granting equity to its underwriting team, and how Pulley and Carta fit as the balance sheet grows.
Pulley vs. Carta When Your Franchise Units Are Separate LLCs
A guide for multi-unit franchise operators on tracking a GM's equity buy-in across unit LLCs, franchisor transfer approval, and whether Pulley or Carta fits.
Pulley vs. Carta for an Agency's Producer Stock Redemption Plan
A checklist for property and casualty agencies on documenting producer stock redemption terms, funding the buyout, and where Pulley or Carta fits.
Pulley vs. Carta for Contractors Managing FOCI and Facility Clearances
How federal and defense contractors should think about foreign ownership review and indirect rate rules before choosing Pulley or Carta for equity records.