Best UK Equity Management Platforms for Startups

If you’re a founder, CFO or investor within the UK startup and scale-up scene, you realize messy cap tables result in valuation complications, dilution surprises and compliance nightmares. Over the previous decade, dozens of fairness administration instruments have sprung as much as tame share registers, mannequin situations and facilitate investor reporting. 

After evaluating product sheets, characteristic matrices and real-world person suggestions, I’ve distilled the Greatest 20 Cap Desk Administration Platforms you must take into account in 2026. This listing is tailor-made for fast-growing UK corporations, from early-stage startups to Sequence C+ ventures.

On this information you’ll discover platforms that deal with: share issuance and transfers, situation modelling, UK tax compliance (EMI/SEIS/RSUs), board reporting and investor portals. The listing spans easy fairness trackers via to full-blown governance suites.

What’s Cap Desk Administration?

Cap desk administration is the method of monitoring and modelling an organization’s possession construction. A cap desk information shareholders, forms of securities (shares, choices, warrants), vesting schedules and possession percentages. 

platform helps with valuation modelling, fundraising rounds, compliance reporting and investor communications. For UK corporations, particular tax and authorized documentation additionally issues (together with EMI choice schemes and HMRC filings).

Why It Issues for UK Startups

With no dependable cap desk system:

You threat errors in dilution calculations
UK tax incentives like EMI will be mis-administered
Valuations will be misreported to buyers
Fundraising negotiations decelerate

Getting cap desk administration proper can speed up funding rounds and defend founders’ fairness.

Fast Comparability Desk

Platform
Greatest For
Pricing
Free Trial
Key Characteristic

Carta
Enterprise & VC
Customized
Sure
Audit-ready reporting

Capdesk
European startups
Subscription
Sure
UK/EU compliance

Shareworks
Mid-market
Customized
Sure
World fairness plans

eqvista
Small & early
Reasonably priced
Sure
Simple cap desk enhancing

Gust Fairness Mgmt
Early stage
Tiered
Sure
Built-in with Gust

Pulley
Tech startups
Tiered
Sure
State of affairs modelling

Ledgy
European scale-ups
Customized
Sure
Multi-jurisdiction

Cake Fairness
Small UK corporations
Reasonably priced
Sure
EMI-friendly

Certent
Enterprise
Customized
No
Reporting & compliance

Shoobx
Authorized + fairness
Tiered
Sure
Constructed-in authorized docs

Capshare
Development
Customized
Sure
Waterfall evaluation

EquityEffect
PE & VC
Customized
Sure
Portfolio reporting

Captable.io
Easy cap tables
Free/paid
Sure
Quick onboarding

Eshares
Tech startups
Customized
Sure
Secondary transactions

CapTableCloud
Startup focus
Low
Sure
Clear UX

Solium (Shareworks)
Corporates
Customized
Sure
World fairness mgmt

Vestd
UK founders
Subscription
Sure
EMI & tax workflows

Carta for Startups
Seed to Sequence B
Tiered
Sure
Founder-friendly

Ledgy for Angels
Angel coalitions
Tiered
Sure
Investor portal

Capdesk Professional
Advanced fairness
Customized
Sure
Superior situation instruments

Greatest Cap Desk Administration Platforms

Listed here are the Greatest 20 Cap Desk Administration Platforms you must assessment in 2026, damaged down by what they’re greatest recognized for.

Carta – Institutional-Grade Fairness Administration

Carta is among the most recognised cap desk administration platforms globally, trusted by hundreds of venture-backed corporations and funding corporations. Whereas it started within the US, it’s more and more utilized by UK startups getting ready for institutional funding, advanced share constructions, and exit planning.

For UK founders elevating Seed, Sequence A or past, Carta affords structured fairness monitoring, superior modelling, and investor-ready reporting. Nevertheless, its strongest compliance roots stay US-focused, which issues when evaluating EMI scheme administration.

Key Options

Superior Cap Desk Monitoring

Carta permits you to monitor peculiar shares, desire shares, convertible notes, SAFEs, warrants, and worker choices in a single structured system. Each issuance and switch is logged with a full audit path. For UK corporations getting ready for due diligence, this reduces authorized friction and prevents spreadsheet errors.

State of affairs Modelling & Dilution Forecasting

Carta’s modelling engine permits founders and CFOs to simulate funding rounds, choice pool expansions, and observe conversions. You possibly can clearly see dilution influence earlier than negotiations start. When evaluating Carta vs Capdesk, modelling depth is usually a deciding issue.

Waterfall & Exit Evaluation

If acquisition or IPO discussions are on the horizon, Carta’s waterfall modelling exhibits how proceeds are distributed throughout investor courses. It accounts for liquidation preferences and participation rights, making it helpful for later-stage UK scale-ups.

Investor & Stakeholder Portal

Shareholders can log in to view holdings, vesting schedules, and official statements. This reduces admin for finance groups managing dozens of buyers and worker shareholders.

Compliance & Reporting Instruments

Carta produces structured studies appropriate for audits and institutional buyers. Nevertheless, UK-specific EMI automation shouldn’t be as native as platforms like Vestd or Capdesk. This is a vital consideration for UK startups.

Professionals & Cons

Professionals
Cons

Recognised by VCs
UK tax options much less native

Superior modelling instruments
Enterprise-level pricing

Robust waterfall evaluation
Setup will be advanced

Investor-ready reporting
Could also be extreme for early stage

Scales with funding rounds
Gross sales-led onboarding

Pricing

Carta pricing is customised primarily based on:

Firm stage
Variety of stakeholders
Funding raised
Characteristic necessities

There isn’t a easy checkout worth. Most UK corporations undergo a gross sales course of to obtain a quote.

If pricing transparency is essential, some Carta alternate options akin to Pulley or Cake Fairness could provide clearer tiered plans.

Greatest For Enterprise-Backed UK Startups

Carta is greatest suited to:

Sequence A and past — Managing advanced desire constructions
VC-backed corporations — Aligning with institutional investor expectations
Finance groups — Requiring detailed modelling and audit documentation
Firms getting ready for exit — Needing waterfall situation evaluation

If you’re pre-seed with a easy founder construction, you might not want this stage of infrastructure but.

Use Carta Successfully within the UK

Earlier than launching a funding spherical:

Audit all historic share issuances
Clear vesting schedules
Mannequin a number of valuation situations
Export up to date cap desk studies
Evaluate choice pool growth influence

Doing this earlier than investor conversations prevents pricey surprises.

Greatest Alternate Instrument

Capdesk — A powerful UK-focused cap desk administration platform with built-in EMI scheme workflows and clearer regional compliance help.

Capdesk – UK & European Fairness Administration Specialist

Capdesk is among the most recognised cap desk administration platforms for UK and European startups. In contrast to US-first programs, Capdesk was constructed with European compliance frameworks in thoughts, making it significantly enticing for UK founders managing EMI schemes and cross-border buyers.

For UK startups elevating Seed via Sequence B, Capdesk affords structured fairness monitoring, worker share scheme administration, and funding spherical modelling with stronger regional alignment than many international rivals.

Key Options

UK-Targeted Cap Desk Monitoring

Capdesk permits corporations to handle peculiar shares, desire shares, convertible devices, and worker share choices inside a structured digital cap desk. Each issuance, switch, and vesting occasion is logged clearly. For UK corporations coping with Firms Home filings and investor reporting, this reduces handbook spreadsheet work and authorized threat.

EMI Scheme Administration

One among Capdesk’s strongest benefits is EMI scheme workflow help. The platform assists with grant documentation, vesting schedules, and reporting obligations. When evaluating Carta vs Capdesk, UK EMI automation is usually the place Capdesk stands out.

Funding Spherical Modelling

Capdesk consists of situation modelling instruments that enable founders to simulate dilution throughout funding rounds. You possibly can mannequin valuation modifications, choice pool expansions, and new investor allocations earlier than formal negotiations start.

Worker & Investor Portal

Shareholders and workers can entry a safe portal to view their holdings and vesting progress. This improves transparency and reduces repetitive administrative queries for finance groups.

Compliance & Governance Instruments

Capdesk helps structured documentation aligned with UK and European laws. Audit trails and structured reporting make it appropriate for corporations getting ready for institutional funding or board-level scrutiny.

Professionals & Cons

Professionals
Cons

Robust UK compliance focus
Much less globally dominant than Carta

EMI workflow help
Enterprise pricing for bigger corporations

Clear and intuitive interface
Modelling much less superior than Carta

Good for EU constructions
Fewer US-specific options

Clear stakeholder portal
Might exceed wants of micro startups

Pricing

Capdesk pricing is mostly subscription-based and varies relying on:

Variety of stakeholders                                                                                                                                                                                              
Firm stage
Characteristic tier
Complexity of share construction

In contrast to some international platforms, Capdesk usually supplies clearer tiered plans for startups. Nevertheless, bigger scale-ups could transfer into customized pricing brackets.

If pricing readability is a precedence, Capdesk is usually seen extra favourably than Carta pricing fashions.

Greatest For UK & European Startups Managing EMI Schemes

Capdesk is greatest suited to:

UK startups issuing EMI choices — Requiring structured tax-compliant workflows
Seed to Sequence B corporations — Managing rising investor lists
European scale-ups — Dealing with cross-border fairness constructions
Founders wanting regional alignment — Preferring EU-first compliance programs

In case your investor base is closely US-focused, Carta could really feel extra acquainted to your VCs. However for UK-centric operations, Capdesk usually aligns extra intently with regulatory necessities.

Use Capdesk Successfully within the UK

Earlier than launching or increasing an EMI scheme:

Add full shareholder registry
Construction vesting schedules correctly
Configure EMI grant documentation
Mannequin dilution for upcoming funding rounds
Share entry with authorized and finance groups

Utilizing Capdesk proactively earlier than a funding spherical retains documentation aligned with HMRC expectations.

Greatest Alternate Instrument

Vestd — One other UK-focused cap desk administration platform recognized for robust EMI scheme automation and founder-friendly pricing.:

Shareworks – Institutional-Grade Fairness Administration

Shareworks by Morgan Stanley is a number one platform for cap desk administration, fairness administration, and compliance. Designed for international startups and growth-stage corporations, Shareworks helps UK companies preserve correct shareholder information, handle EMI schemes, and generate investor-ready studies. Its mixture of detailed situation planning, worker portals, and compliance options makes it a powerful contender for corporations getting ready for institutional funding or advanced exit occasions.

Key Options

Cap Desk & Fairness Monitoring

Shareworks tracks peculiar shares, desire shares, choices, warrants, and convertible devices in a single, structured system. Every issuance, switch, or vesting occasion is logged with a full audit path. UK founders and CFOs profit from lowered handbook errors and correct reporting for due diligence. This functionality is especially helpful when evaluating Shareworks vs Carta for structured cap desk administration.

State of affairs Planning & Dilution Forecasting

Shareworks supplies a modelling engine to simulate funding rounds, choice pool expansions, and observe conversions. Finance groups can visualise dilution influence earlier than investor discussions. This readability permits strategic planning and prevents surprising possession modifications throughout negotiations, giving UK corporations confidence in advanced fundraising situations.

Waterfall & Exit Evaluation

The waterfall software calculates distributions for IPOs or acquisitions, contemplating shareholder courses, liquidation preferences, and participation rights. Scale-ups approaching exits acquire transparency on potential outcomes, which is important for investor reporting and decision-making. For UK founders, this characteristic is essential when planning exit methods or negotiating with institutional buyers.

Worker & Investor Portal

Shareworks affords a self-service portal for workers and buyers to entry holdings, vesting schedules, and official paperwork. This reduces administrative overhead, particularly for startups managing a number of shareholders. The portal enhances communication effectivity, protecting stakeholders knowledgeable with out burdening finance groups.

Compliance & Reporting

Shareworks helps UK-specific fairness compliance, together with EMI scheme administration and reporting. Audit-ready documentation ensures corporations meet regulatory necessities and fulfill institutional buyers. Reporting is structured {and professional}, giving finance groups confidence within the accuracy and legality of their fairness operations.

Professionals & Cons

Professionals
Cons

World recognition
Interface can really feel advanced

Robust cap desk monitoring
Pricing will be excessive for early stage

State of affairs planning & modelling
Implementation requires setup

Audit-ready studies
Could also be greater than wanted for small groups

Worker self-service portal
Buyer help will be sluggish

Pricing

Shareworks pricing is customised primarily based on:

Firm stage
Variety of stakeholders
Options required

UK startups sometimes interact with the gross sales group to obtain a quote. For corporations in search of less complicated or extra clear tiered pricing, Capdesk or Pulley could also be thought-about.

Greatest For UK Scale-Ups & Enterprise-Backed Startups

Firms getting ready for Seed to Sequence B rounds needing structured fairness monitoring
Companies with EMI schemes and a number of worker shareholders
Finance groups requiring detailed reporting and modelling
Companies planning exits or fundraising occasions

Startups on the pre-seed stage with easy founder constructions could not want the total Shareworks platform.

Use Shareworks Successfully within the UK

Audit all historic share issuances
Replace and confirm vesting schedules
Mannequin a number of funding situations
Generate up to date cap desk studies
Guarantee EMI scheme compliance and UK tax issues

Executing these steps earlier than investor conversations prevents administrative errors and surprising problems.

Greatest Alternate Instrument

Capdesk – A UK-focused cap desk and fairness administration platform with built-in EMI scheme workflows, clear compliance reporting, and less complicated tiered pricing for startups.

Eqvista – Institutional-Grade Cap Desk and Fairness Administration

Eqvista is a sturdy cap desk administration and fairness monitoring platform designed for startups, non-public corporations, and buyers. Whereas broadly used within the US, Eqvista is more and more adopted by UK startups getting ready for Seed, Sequence A, or later funding rounds.

 It permits founders, CFOs, and finance groups to handle advanced fairness constructions, monitor shareholder possession, and generate investor-ready studies. Eqvista combines transparency, compliance, and situation planning to assist UK corporations cut back authorized friction and simplify fairness administration.

Key Options

Superior Cap Desk Administration

 Eqvista permits you to monitor peculiar shares, desire shares, SAFEs, convertible notes, warrants, and worker inventory choices in a structured digital system. Each issuance, switch, or cancellation is logged with a full audit path, decreasing the danger of spreadsheet errors and easing due diligence for UK buyers.

State of affairs Modelling & Dilution Forecasting

With Eqvista’s situation modelling instruments, founders can simulate fundraising rounds, choice pool will increase, or observe conversions. This exhibits the potential dilution for every shareholder earlier than negotiations start. In contrast with Carta vs Eqvista, Eqvista affords less complicated UK-specific modelling appropriate for early to mid-stage startups.

Waterfall & Exit Evaluation

 Eqvista helps acquisition and IPO situation modelling, displaying how proceeds will probably be distributed throughout totally different shareholder courses. Liquidation preferences and participation rights are included, making it a sensible software for corporations getting ready for exit planning within the UK.

Investor & Worker Portal

 Shareholders and workers can securely entry their holdings, vesting schedules, and official statements through a web based portal. This reduces administrative overhead for finance groups managing a number of buyers or worker fairness plans.

Compliance & Reporting Instruments

 Eqvista produces structured studies appropriate for audits, HMRC submissions, and institutional buyers. Whereas UK EMI scheme help is extra tailor-made than some US-focused platforms, Eqvista nonetheless supplies enough compliance instruments for many UK startups.

Professionals & Cons

Professionals
Cons

Intuitive interface
Restricted superior modelling for advanced US constructions

UK-friendly EMI help
Enterprise-level pricing for bigger corporations

Detailed audit path
Some options require paid plans

State of affairs and exit modelling
Fewer integrations than Carta

Shareholder portal
Customisation restricted for very advanced cap tables

Pricing

Eqvista pricing is versatile relying on firm measurement and fairness complexity:

Free plan – Primary cap desk administration, as much as 25 stakeholders
Development plan – Superior reporting, limitless stakeholders, situation modelling
Enterprise plan – Customized options, audit-ready studies, devoted help

UK corporations sometimes obtain a quote primarily based on the variety of shareholders, fundraising rounds, and required compliance options.

Greatest For Early-Stage Startups and Groups Managing Fairness & Exits

Eqvista is good for:

Early-stage UK startups — managing founder fairness and early buyers
Seed and Sequence A corporations — getting ready for formal funding rounds
Finance groups — needing clear reporting for audits and HMRC compliance
Founders planning exits — situation planning for IPOs or acquisitions

For quite simple pre-seed constructions, Eqvista could also be greater than required.

Use Eqvista Successfully within the UK

Audit all historic share issuances
Keep clear vesting schedules
Mannequin a number of fundraising and dilution situations
Generate investor-ready studies earlier than negotiations
Evaluate choice pool growth impacts

These steps cut back pricey errors throughout fundraising and guarantee correct UK compliance.

Greatest Alternate Instrument

Capdesk – A UK-focused cap desk platform with built-in EMI scheme administration and powerful native compliance help. For corporations targeted on HMRC-compliant EMI plans, Capdesk is usually a most well-liked different.

Gust – Startup-Targeted Fairness Administration

 Gust is a cap desk and fairness administration platform designed for startups, buyers, and early-stage corporations, with rising adoption amongst UK founders. Whereas it began as a US-based platform, its easy, founder-friendly interface makes it enticing for UK startups getting ready for seed or Sequence A rounds, managing inventory choices, and sustaining clear fairness information. Gust is especially helpful for early-stage corporations on the lookout for simple cap desk administration with out the complexity of enterprise instruments.

Key Options

Cap Desk & Fairness Monitoring

 Gust permits startups to trace all fairness varieties—peculiar shares, desire shares, SAFEs, convertible notes, and worker choices—in a single centralised system. Each issuance, switch, or adjustment is logged for transparency. UK founders profit from decreasing spreadsheet errors and having an organised file for due diligence.

Worker Choice Plans

 Founders can create, handle, and problem worker inventory choices and warrants. Gust supplies vesting schedules, train monitoring, and clear reporting for workers, making it simpler to speak possession and incentives. Whereas not as UK-specific as Vestd for EMI compliance, it covers most traditional choice wants.

Fundraising & Funding Monitoring

Gust helps monitor fundraising rounds, commitments, and investor data. Founders can problem digital time period sheets, mannequin funding situations, and preserve investor-ready information. Its simplicity makes it best for early-stage UK startups elevating Seed or Sequence A rounds.

Reporting & Audit Path

 Gust generates cap desk snapshots, fairness allocation studies, and audit-ready documentation. Whereas extra light-weight than Carta or Capdesk, it supplies enough reporting for early-stage buyers and authorized checks.

Professionals & Cons

Professionals

Easy, user-friendly interface for founders
Tracks a number of safety varieties and fairness allocations
Worker choice administration included
Reasonably priced for early-stage startups
Fast setup, minimal onboarding friction

Cons

UK EMI automation is proscribed in comparison with Vestd or Capdesk
Superior modelling and situation planning are primary
Much less suited to advanced Sequence B+ constructions
Fundraising and compliance options are usually not as deep as Carta

Pricing

 Gust pricing is mostly simple and tiered:

Free or low-cost choices for early-stage startups
Paid plans scale primarily based on variety of stakeholders and cap desk complexity In contrast to Carta, Gust affords clear upfront pricing for small UK startups.

Greatest For Early-Stage UK Startups

 Gust is greatest suited to:

Seed to Sequence A startups — Managing easy fairness and early buyers
Founders — Protecting a clear, audit-ready cap desk with out enterprise complexity
Worker inventory choice administration — Speaking possession clearly to group members
Startups elevating their first rounds — Providing investor-ready visibility

For very advanced constructions, a number of desire shares, or later-stage rounds, Carta or Capdesk could also be extra acceptable.

Use Gust Successfully within the UK

 Earlier than elevating capital:

Audit present shares and SAFEs
Arrange worker choice plans with clear vesting
Mannequin funding situations manually for transparency
Keep up to date cap desk snapshots for buyers

Greatest Alternate Instrument

 Capdesk — A UK-focused cap desk platform with robust EMI scheme help and detailed compliance options, higher suited to startups getting ready for institutional funding.

Pulley – Fashionable Fairness Administration for Scaling Startups

Pulley is a cap desk and fairness administration platform constructed for venture-backed startups that need clear fairness information, investor-ready reporting, and structured choice administration from day one. Whereas Pulley is US-based, it’s more and more utilized by UK founders with US holding corporations or these raised from US enterprise capital corporations.

Pulley positions itself between light-weight instruments and heavy enterprise platforms like Carta. It’s designed for startups transferring from Seed to Sequence B, the place fairness constructions turn out to be extra advanced and investor scrutiny will increase.

Key Options

Cap Desk & Fairness Administration

 Pulley permits corporations to handle peculiar shares, most well-liked shares, SAFEs, convertible notes, warrants, and worker inventory choices in a single central dashboard. Each transaction is logged with a full audit path. For UK founders working a Delaware dad or mum, this ensures investor-ready documentation with out spreadsheet errors.

Superior State of affairs Modelling

 Pulley consists of detailed professional forma modelling instruments that simulate funding rounds, dilution, and choice pool changes. Founders can check totally different valuation situations earlier than negotiating a time period sheet. That is significantly helpful throughout Seed and Sequence A rounds when possession percentages materially influence management and future dilution.

409A Valuations & Compliance Assist

 For US entities, Pulley integrates 409A valuation companies and board consent workflows. Whereas UK EMI scheme automation shouldn’t be its core energy, corporations with US choice plans profit from built-in compliance documentation and valuation monitoring.

Worker Fairness Portal

 Workers obtain entry to a transparent dashboard displaying vested shares, train home windows, and possession percentages. This reduces confusion and improves transparency round inventory choice plans. It additionally minimises back-and-forth questions throughout funding rounds or exits.

Investor Reporting & Board Administration

 Pulley supplies share certificates, cap desk snapshots, waterfall evaluation, and board approvals. In comparison with less complicated instruments, its reporting capabilities are extra detailed, which makes due diligence smoother throughout enterprise rounds.

Professionals & Cons

Professionals Robust situation modelling for venture-backed startups Clear, trendy interface Built-in 409A valuation help Detailed investor reporting instruments Scales properly from Seed to Sequence B

Cons Restricted native UK EMI scheme automation Pricing increased than entry-level instruments Greatest suited to US entities or Delaware holding corporations Could also be too superior for very early pre-seed startups

Pricing

Pulley pricing is tiered primarily based on stakeholder depend and have entry.

Starter plans sometimes start with early-stage pricing appropriate for Seed startups.
 Development plans improve primarily based on complexity and variety of shareholders.
Customized pricing obtainable for later-stage corporations.

Whereas not the most affordable choice for UK startups, it affords stronger modelling and reporting than primary cap desk software program.

Greatest For Enterprise-Backed UK Startups with US Constructions

Pulley is greatest suited to:

UK founders with a Delaware dad or mum firm elevating US enterprise capital.
 Seed to Sequence B startups needing superior dilution modelling.
 Firms getting ready for institutional VC due diligence.
 Startups issuing commonplace US inventory choice plans.

If your organization operates purely underneath UK EMI schemes with out US publicity, Vestd or Capdesk could present higher native compliance automation.

Use Pulley Successfully

Earlier than fundraising:

 Enter all SAFEs and convertible notes precisely
 Mannequin a number of valuation situations earlier than time period sheet negotiations
 Keep up to date cap desk snapshots for board conferences
 Evaluate dilution influence of choice pool will increase
 Use the worker portal to make sure choice transparency previous to closing a spherical

Greatest Alternate Instrument

Carta – A broadly adopted fairness administration platform with broader international compliance capabilities and deeper institutional investor integrations, although sometimes at a better worth level.

Ledgy – Fairness Administration Constructed for European Scaleups

Ledgy is an fairness administration platform designed for European startups and scaleups that want structured cap desk administration, worker participation monitoring, and compliance help throughout a number of jurisdictions. Headquartered in Switzerland, Ledgy has robust adoption throughout the UK and Europe, significantly amongst venture-backed startups from Seed via Sequence C and past.

In contrast to entry-level cap desk instruments, Ledgy is constructed for corporations managing advanced funding rounds, growth-stage reporting, and worldwide worker fairness schemes. It’s particularly enticing for UK startups elevating from European VCs or working cross-border groups.

Key Options

Cap Desk & Fairness Monitoring

 Ledgy centralises peculiar shares, desire shares, convertible devices, warrants, and worker choice swimming pools in a single structured dashboard. Transactions are recorded with full audit historical past, decreasing reliance on spreadsheets. For UK startups getting ready for institutional due diligence, this supplies investor-ready readability and model management.

Superior State of affairs Modelling

 Ledgy permits founders and CFOs to mannequin funding rounds, liquidation preferences, and dilution outcomes. This consists of waterfall evaluation and exit simulations. Firms negotiating Sequence A or Sequence B phrases profit from clear possession projections earlier than signing a time period sheet.

Worker Participation & ESOP Administration

 Ledgy helps structured worker fairness programmes, together with vesting schedules, cliff intervals, and grant documentation. Workers obtain personalised dashboards displaying vesting progress and possession worth. Whereas not as EMI-specialised as Vestd, Ledgy helps UK-compliant choice constructions and cross-border fairness participation.

Compliance & Authorized Workflows

The platform integrates authorized documentation, board approvals, and share issuance workflows. For UK and EU startups managing a number of jurisdictions, this reduces handbook coordination with legal professionals and finance groups. Ledgy additionally helps information room exports for audits and fundraising.

Investor & Stakeholder Reporting

 Ledgy supplies detailed cap desk snapshots, downloadable studies, and exit modelling instruments. Buyers acquire structured visibility into possession percentages and liquidation outcomes. In comparison with lighter instruments, Ledgy affords stronger reporting for growth-stage corporations.

Professionals & Cons

Professionals Robust European compliance focus Superior modelling and waterfall evaluation Clear interface appropriate for scaleups Cross-border fairness help Trusted by EU venture-backed startups

Cons Larger pricing than early-stage instruments Could also be extreme for very small pre-seed startups EMI automation much less specialised than UK-only suppliers

Pricing

Ledgy pricing is often customised primarily based on firm stage, variety of stakeholders, and have necessities.

Starter plans for early-stage corporations
 Development pricing for Sequence A to C startups
 Customized enterprise tiers for later-stage scaleups

Whereas pricing is increased than primary cap desk software program, the reporting and modelling capabilities justify the fee for corporations with advanced fairness constructions.

Greatest For UK and European Enterprise-Backed Scaleups

Ledgy is greatest suited to:

UK startups elevating from European VCs
 Sequence A to Sequence C corporations with a number of desire courses
 Scaleups with cross-border workers
Finance groups requiring structured reporting and exit modelling

For early-stage UK startups with easy EMI schemes, Vestd or Capdesk could present a more cost effective answer.

Use Ledgy Successfully within the UK

Earlier than a funding spherical: Guarantee all historic share issuances are precisely recorded Mannequin dilution and liquidation preferences previous to time period sheet negotiation Keep up to date board approvals and documentation inside the system Use worker dashboards to make clear vesting earlier than main bulletins

Greatest Alternate Instrument

Pulley – A powerful choice for UK founders working a Delaware dad or mum firm and elevating US enterprise capital, with deeper 409A valuation integrations.

Cake Fairness – Easy Fairness Administration for Rising Startups

Cake Fairness is a cap desk administration platform constructed particularly for early-stage startups that need readability with out complexity. In contrast to enterprise-heavy programs, Cake Fairness focuses on simplicity, clear reporting, and clear pricing.

For UK founders managing Seed rounds, angel buyers, or worker choice swimming pools, Cake Fairness supplies structured fairness monitoring with out overwhelming finance groups. It’s significantly enticing for startups that need visibility over possession with out coming into a prolonged gross sales course of.

Whereas not as institutionally embedded as Carta, Cake Fairness has gained traction globally as a consequence of its ease of use and clear pricing construction.

Key Options

Digital Cap Desk Administration

Cake Fairness permits you to monitor peculiar shares, desire shares, convertible notes, SAFEs, and worker choice plans inside a structured dashboard. Each issuance and transaction is recorded with a transparent audit path. For UK startups transferring away from spreadsheets, this reduces errors and simplifies investor reporting.

Worker Share Scheme Monitoring

Cake Fairness helps choice vesting schedules, cliffs, and worker fairness grants. UK startups operating EMI schemes can monitor grants and vesting milestones inside the platform, though it could not provide the identical native HMRC automation depth as Capdesk.

State of affairs Modelling & Dilution Forecasting

Founders can mannequin fundraising rounds, valuation modifications, and choice pool expansions. The platform supplies visible dilution insights so that you perceive possession influence earlier than signing time period sheets. When evaluating Cake Fairness vs Carta, modelling is less complicated however extra accessible for early-stage groups.

Investor Reporting Dashboard

Buyers obtain structured summaries of their holdings and transaction historical past. This reduces electronic mail back-and-forth and ensures transparency throughout funding rounds. For UK corporations elevating capital from angels or syndicates, this readability builds credibility.

Clear Pricing Construction

In contrast to sales-led enterprise instruments, Cake Fairness affords clear tiered pricing primarily based on stakeholder depend. For founders who need predictable prices, this makes budgeting simpler in comparison with platforms with customised quotes.

Professionals & Cons

Professionals
Cons

Clear pricing
Much less superior modelling than Carta

Simple setup
Restricted enterprise options

Founder-friendly interface
Fewer integrations

Good for early-stage
Not best for advanced VC constructions

Clear investor dashboard
UK EMI automation not absolutely native

Pricing

Cake Fairness makes use of a tiered pricing mannequin primarily based on the variety of stakeholders.

Starter Plan – Appropriate for small founder groups
Development Plan – Consists of superior reporting and modelling
Scale Plan – Designed for bigger shareholder teams

Pricing is publicly listed, which appeals to UK startups in search of value certainty. There isn’t a heavy gross sales onboarding course of, in contrast to some institutional platforms.

Greatest For Clear Fairness Administration

Cake Fairness is greatest suited to:

Pre-seed and Seed UK startups — Managing founder fairness and early buyers
Angel-backed corporations — Monitoring easy desire share constructions
Small finance groups — Needing simple cap desk oversight
Startups wanting pricing transparency — Avoiding enterprise-level negotiations

If you’re getting ready for Sequence B with layered liquidation preferences and sophisticated investor rights, you might ultimately require a extra superior platform.

Use Cake Fairness Successfully within the UK

Earlier than elevating capital:

Audit historic share issuances
Guarantee vesting schedules are precisely recorded
Mannequin dilution situations earlier than investor conferences
Put together up to date cap desk exports
Evaluate choice pool measurement forward of negotiations

Doing this prevents disputes and ensures readability throughout due diligence.

Greatest Alternate Instrument

Capdesk – A UK-focused cap desk administration platform with robust EMI scheme workflows and deeper regional compliance help. For startups closely reliant on EMI tax benefits, Capdesk will be the higher match.

Certent – Enterprise Fairness Administration for Advanced Organisations

Certent is an enterprise-grade fairness administration and monetary compliance platform designed for big non-public corporations, pre-IPO companies, and publicly listed organisations. In contrast to light-weight cap desk instruments geared toward early-stage startups, Certent focuses on governance, regulatory reporting, and sophisticated fairness administration.

For UK scale-ups getting ready for IPO, multinational corporations managing international worker share plans, or finance groups coping with superior accounting requirements, Certent supplies structured oversight and compliance infrastructure. It’s significantly robust in monetary reporting alignment with IFRS and US GAAP, which is important for cross-border companies.

Whereas smaller startups could discover it extreme, Certent turns into extremely related as soon as fairness constructions, reporting obligations, and audit necessities improve in complexity.

Key Options

Superior Cap Desk Administration

Certent helps advanced share constructions together with peculiar shares, desire shares, RSUs, PSUs, convertible devices, and international worker fairness plans. Each transaction is logged inside a managed system designed for audit readiness. For UK corporations getting ready for institutional funding or IPO scrutiny, this considerably reduces governance threat.

Monetary Reporting & IFRS Compliance

One among Certent’s core strengths is fairness compensation accounting underneath IFRS 2 and ASC 718. Finance groups can produce structured expense studies, truthful worth calculations, and disclosures appropriate for auditors and regulatory our bodies. In contrast with Certent vs Carta, Certent is usually most well-liked for deep accounting integration.

World Fairness Plan Administration

Certent helps multinational worker share schemes throughout jurisdictions. UK corporations working subsidiaries overseas can administer grants, vesting schedules, and compliance reporting centrally. That is priceless for corporations with cross-border payroll and tax publicity.

Disclosure Administration & Regulatory Reporting

Certent consists of disclosure administration instruments aligned with public firm necessities. This characteristic turns into important for UK companies planning AIM listings or full IPO processes, the place reporting precision is non-negotiable.

State of affairs Modelling & Waterfall Evaluation

For corporations approaching liquidity occasions, Certent supplies modelling instruments to simulate funding rounds, acquisitions, and exit proceeds distribution. Liquidation preferences and participation rights are factored into the evaluation, supporting strategic planning.

Professionals & Cons

Professionals
Cons

Robust IFRS reporting instruments
Not appropriate for early-stage startups

IPO-ready infrastructure
Enterprise-level pricing

World fairness plan help
Advanced onboarding course of

Audit-focused structure
Overkill for easy cap tables

Superior disclosure administration
Requires finance group involvement

Pricing

Certent pricing is customised primarily based on:

Firm measurement
Variety of fairness holders
Reporting necessities
World plan complexity

There isn’t a public pricing web page. UK corporations sometimes interact in a gross sales session to find out scope and value. This locations Certent firmly within the enterprise class relatively than the startup-friendly pricing tier occupied by instruments like Cake Fairness.

Greatest For Pre-IPO and Public Firms Requiring Superior and Monetary Reporting

Certent is greatest suited to:

Pre-IPO UK scale-ups — Making ready for public markets
Public corporations — Managing regulatory disclosures
Multinational organisations — Administering international fairness plans
Finance groups — Requiring IFRS-compliant reporting

If you’re a Seed or Sequence A startup with a easy founder construction, Certent will seemingly exceed your present wants.

Use Certent Successfully within the UK

Earlier than IPO preparation:

Consolidate all historic fairness transactions
Align accounting therapy with IFRS 2 requirements
Mannequin exit and liquidity situations
Put together structured disclosures for regulatory assessment
Coordinate with auditors early within the course of

Utilizing Certent strategically throughout pre-IPO planning can forestall pricey reporting revisions later.

Greatest Alternate Instrument

Carta – A powerful different for venture-backed UK corporations that require institutional-grade cap desk administration with out full public firm reporting infrastructure.

Shoobx – Automated Fairness and Company Governance Platform

Shoobx is an fairness administration and company governance platform designed for venture-backed startups that need structured cap desk management, automated authorized workflows, and board-level governance instruments in a single system. Now working underneath the Constancy Non-public Shares model, Shoobx is often utilized by US startups, however it’s related for UK founders with Delaware holding corporations or these elevating US institutional capital.

Shoobx goes past primary cap desk software program. It combines fairness monitoring with built-in authorized doc automation and governance administration, making it appropriate for startups transferring from Seed via Sequence C and getting ready for advanced funding rounds.

Key Options

Cap Desk & Fairness Administration

 Shoobx centralises peculiar shares, most well-liked shares, SAFEs, convertible notes, warrants, and worker inventory choices in a structured digital ledger. Every issuance is tied to authorized documentation and board approvals. For UK founders with US entities, this reduces compliance threat and ensures investor-ready accuracy throughout due diligence.

Automated Authorized Documentation

 One among Shoobx’s core strengths is automated era of authorized paperwork tied on to fairness occasions. Share issuances, board consents, choice grants, and financing rounds robotically produce standardised authorized paperwork. This reduces handbook coordination between founders and authorized counsel.

Fundraising & Financing Workflows

 Shoobx helps priced fairness rounds, convertible devices, and investor onboarding. Time period sheets and financing paperwork combine into the platform’s governance workflow. Firms getting ready for institutional VC rounds profit from structured documentation and clear reporting.

Board & Company Governance Administration

 The platform consists of board resolutions, shareholder approvals, and governance file monitoring. For corporations scaling towards Sequence B and past, this supplies structured compliance infrastructure that light-weight instruments usually lack.

Worker Fairness & Choice Administration

 Shoobx manages vesting schedules, grant approvals, and choice workout routines. Workers obtain clear documentation and digital information of their holdings. Whereas not tailor-made particularly to UK EMI schemes, it really works successfully for US inventory choice plans.

Professionals & Cons

Professionals Built-in authorized doc automation Robust governance and board workflow instruments Designed for venture-backed progress corporations Institutional-grade compliance construction Appropriate for advanced financing rounds

Cons Primarily US-focused Much less suited to UK-only EMI constructions Larger value than primary cap desk platforms Could also be extreme for very early-stage startups

Pricing

Shoobx pricing is often customised primarily based on firm stage and governance complexity.

Early-stage packages for venture-backed startups
 Larger tiers for corporations with a number of financing rounds
 Enterprise-level choices for later-stage non-public corporations

In comparison with light-weight fairness instruments, Shoobx pricing displays its deeper authorized automation and governance capabilities.

Greatest For Enterprise-Backed Startups Making ready for Institutional Funding

Shoobx is greatest suited to:

Startups elevating US institutional VC rounds Firms needing automated authorized documentation Sequence A to Sequence C corporations managing advanced most well-liked constructions Boards requiring structured governance information

If your organization operates solely underneath UK EMI schemes with out US publicity, Vestd or Capdesk could present extra domestically aligned compliance help.

Use Shoobx Successfully

Earlier than fundraising:

 Guarantee all historic fairness issuances are recorded with supporting documentation.
 Align board approvals inside the governance workflow
 Use built-in authorized templates for brand new financing rounds
 Keep up-to-date cap desk exports for investor assessment

Greatest Alternate Instrument

Carta – A broadly adopted fairness administration platform providing robust reporting, international compliance options, and deeper integrations throughout non-public markets, usually most well-liked by bigger venture-backed corporations.

Capshare – Fairness Administration with Investor Relations Focus

Capshare is an fairness administration platform designed to simplify cap desk administration, fundraising workflows, and investor communication. Initially constructed for venture-backed startups, it later grew to become a part of Shareworks by Morgan Stanley, strengthening its institutional credibility.

For UK startups transferring past spreadsheets and getting ready for structured fundraising, Capshare affords organised fairness monitoring and investor reporting instruments. Whereas it’s not as closely targeted on UK EMI schemes as some region-specific platforms, it supplies strong infrastructure for managing shareholder information and funding rounds.

Capshare sits between early-stage simplicity instruments and enterprise-heavy compliance programs, making it related for rising UK corporations coming into extra formal funding environments.

Key Options

Structured Cap Desk Administration

Capshare permits you to file peculiar shares, desire shares, convertible notes, SAFEs, and worker choices inside a managed dashboard. Transactions are logged with an audit path, decreasing handbook errors and making due diligence smoother for UK buyers.

For founders evaluating Capshare vs Carta, Capshare usually appeals to corporations that need structured fairness oversight with out transferring absolutely into enterprise-level complexity.

Fundraising Workflow Assist

One among Capshare’s strengths is fundraising administration. It permits corporations to handle investor information, monitor commitments, and doc share issuances in a central system. For UK startups closing Seed or Sequence A rounds, this reduces administrative friction.

Shareholder & Investor Portal

Buyers can log in to view their holdings, paperwork, and transaction historical past. This reduces ongoing communication overhead and retains reporting constant. For finance groups managing a number of angel buyers, this centralised entry improves transparency.

State of affairs Modelling

Capshare consists of primary modelling instruments to forecast dilution throughout funding rounds or choice pool expansions. Whereas not as deep as some enterprise platforms, it affords enough visibility for early and mid-stage startups.

Compliance & Documentation Instruments

Capshare supplies structured documentation and reporting outputs helpful throughout audits or fundraising. Nevertheless, UK-specific EMI automation shouldn’t be its core focus, which issues for corporations closely reliant on tax-advantaged choice schemes.

Professionals & Cons

Professionals
Cons

Clear fundraising workflow instruments
Restricted UK EMI automation

Robust investor portal
Fewer superior accounting instruments

Backed by Morgan Stanley
Pricing not absolutely clear

Audit-friendly reporting
Might require onboarding help

Appropriate for VC-backed corporations
Not best for very small startups

Pricing

Capshare pricing shouldn’t be publicly listed in easy tier kind.

Prices sometimes depend upon:

Variety of stakeholders
Funding stage
Required reporting options
Stage of help

UK corporations typically must request a quote. In contrast with Cake Fairness, Capshare pricing could really feel much less clear however aligns with venture-backed progress corporations.

Greatest For VC-Backed and Development-Stage UK Firms Formalising Fairness Governance

Capshare is greatest suited to:

VC-backed UK startups — Managing structured funding rounds
Sequence A and Sequence B corporations — Monitoring desire shares and choice swimming pools
Finance groups — Requiring formal investor reporting
Firms scaling governance processes — Shifting past spreadsheets

If you’re pre-seed with solely founder shares, Capshare could also be extra infrastructure than you at present want.

Use Capshare Successfully within the UK

Earlier than closing a funding spherical:

Add all historic share issuances
Confirm investor particulars and subscription paperwork
Mannequin dilution outcomes for negotiation readability
Put together structured cap desk exports
Evaluate worker choice allocations

Taking these steps earlier than authorized completion reduces surprises and strengthens investor confidence.

Greatest Alternate Instrument

Eqvista – A versatile cap desk administration platform providing clear pricing and accessible modelling instruments, usually appropriate for early to mid-stage UK startups.

EquityEffect – Institutional Fairness Administration for Rising Firms

EquityEffect is an fairness administration platform constructed for personal corporations that want structured cap desk administration, investor reporting, and compliance oversight. It’s designed for rising companies which have moved past early-stage simplicity and require stronger governance processes.

For UK scale-ups managing a number of funding rounds, advanced desire constructions, or getting ready for due diligence, EquityEffect affords centralised fairness monitoring with audit-ready controls. Whereas it doesn’t place itself as a light-weight startup software, it supplies structured oversight that turns into more and more essential as shareholder counts develop.

EquityEffect sits between mid-market and enterprise fairness platforms, making it appropriate for corporations scaling operations and formalising investor relations.

Key Options

Structured Cap Desk Administration

EquityEffect helps peculiar shares, desire shares, convertible devices, warrants, and worker share schemes inside a managed dashboard. Each issuance, switch, or cancellation is logged with a full transaction historical past. For UK corporations getting ready for institutional assessment, this reduces reliance on handbook spreadsheets.

When evaluating EquityEffect vs Carta, EquityEffect focuses strongly on governance controls relatively than enterprise ecosystem branding.

Investor Reporting & Stakeholder Portal

The platform features a safe portal the place buyers and shareholders can entry holdings, transaction information, and fairness paperwork. This centralised visibility reduces communication overhead and improves reporting consistency throughout funding rounds.

For UK corporations with a number of angel buyers or household workplaces, this construction strengthens transparency.

Compliance & Audit Controls

EquityEffect is constructed with audit-readiness in thoughts. It helps structured documentation workflows and reporting outputs appropriate for authorized assessment. For finance groups managing growing compliance obligations, this management layer is important.

State of affairs Planning & Dilution Forecasting

Founders and CFOs can mannequin funding rounds, choice pool changes, and valuation modifications. The modelling instruments present visibility into dilution earlier than closing offers. Whereas not as accounting-heavy as enterprise platforms, it supplies enough strategic planning functionality.

Worker Fairness Monitoring

EquityEffect permits monitoring of worker choice grants, vesting schedules, and efficiency circumstances. UK corporations operating EMI or progress share plans can preserve structured oversight, though region-specific automation could require supplementary compliance processes.

Professionals & Cons

Professionals
Cons

Robust governance controls
Pricing not publicly listed

Structured investor portal
Not best for very early-stage startups

Audit-focused structure
EMI automation restricted

Appropriate for mid-market corporations
Onboarding could require steering

Clear cap desk monitoring
Fewer integrations than bigger ecosystems

Pricing

EquityEffect pricing is customised primarily based on:

Firm measurement
Variety of stakeholders
Complexity of fairness construction
Reporting necessities

There isn’t a public tiered pricing web page. UK corporations sometimes request a session to outline scope and value. This positions EquityEffect nearer to mid-market platforms relatively than entry-level startup instruments.

Greatest For Development-Stage UK Firms Strengthening Fairness Governance and Audit Readiness

EquityEffect is greatest suited to:

Development-stage UK corporations — Managing a number of funding rounds
Mid-market corporations — Formalising fairness governance processes
Finance groups — Requiring structured audit documentation
Firms getting ready for due diligence — Organising shareholder information

If you’re pre-seed with solely founder shares, this stage of governance could exceed your wants.

Use EquityEffect Successfully within the UK

Earlier than coming into due diligence or fundraising:

Reconcile all historic share issuances
Verify vesting schedules and grant documentation
Mannequin dilution situations for negotiation readability
Generate structured studies for buyers
Evaluate shareholder communications inside the portal

Taking these steps strengthens investor confidence and reduces transaction friction.

Greatest Alternate Instrument

Certent – A extra enterprise-focused platform suited to IPO-bound or publicly listed corporations requiring deeper monetary reporting integration.

Captable.io – Light-weight Fairness Monitoring for Early-Stage Startups

Captable.io is an easy cap desk administration platform constructed for early-stage startups that need readability over possession with out enterprise-level complexity. It focuses on simple fairness monitoring, primary modelling, and shareholder visibility.

For UK founders managing Seed rounds, angel investments, or small worker choice swimming pools, Captable.io affords a sensible different to spreadsheet-based cap tables. Whereas it doesn’t compete immediately with enterprise programs like Certent or institutional platforms like Carta, it serves startups that want construction with out heavy onboarding.

Captable.io is greatest positioned for founder-led corporations that need digital fairness information with out committing to excessive pricing tiers or advanced compliance modules.

Key Options

Easy Digital Cap Desk Administration

Captable.io permits startups to file peculiar shares, desire shares, convertible notes, and worker choice grants inside a clear dashboard. Transactions are logged in a structured format, decreasing spreadsheet errors and model management points.

For UK startups elevating their first institutional capital, this creates a extra skilled presentation throughout due diligence.

Primary Dilution Modelling

Founders can simulate funding rounds and examine dilution influence throughout shareholders. Whereas not as detailed as superior modelling instruments present in Carta or Certent, it supplies sufficient readability for early-stage fundraising discussions.

When evaluating Captable.io vs Eqvista, Eqvista sometimes affords deeper reporting, whereas Captable.io focuses on simplicity.

Shareholder Dashboard

Buyers and workers can entry a portal to view their holdings and vesting schedules. This central entry reduces handbook communication and improves transparency with angel buyers.

For UK corporations with a rising shareholder base, this characteristic prevents confusion round possession percentages.

Vesting Schedule Monitoring

Captable.io helps vesting schedules for worker fairness and founder shares. UK corporations operating EMI schemes could must pair this with exterior compliance recommendation, as region-specific tax automation is probably not native.

Exportable Reviews

The platform permits export of cap desk summaries and shareholder breakdowns. These studies will be shared with authorized advisors, accountants, and potential buyers forward of fundraising.

Professionals & Cons

Professionals
Cons

Simple to make use of
Restricted enterprise options

Appropriate for early-stage
Primary modelling depth

Clear interface
Restricted UK-specific compliance instruments

Shareholder entry portal
Not best for advanced VC constructions

Decrease pricing tier
Fewer integrations

Pricing

Captable.io sometimes affords simple pricing primarily based on:

Variety of stakeholders
Characteristic entry stage
Reporting necessities

It typically falls inside entry-level to mid-tier pricing in contrast with bigger platforms. UK founders on the lookout for value predictability usually discover it interesting.

For extra superior modelling and compliance performance, alternate options akin to Eqvista or Carta could also be thought-about.

Greatest For  Early-Stage UK Startups In search of Easy

Captable.io is greatest suited to:

Pre-seed UK startups — Shifting away from spreadsheets
Angel-backed corporations — Monitoring easy desire constructions
Small groups — Needing readability with out complexity
Founders managing early worker fairness — Recording vesting schedules

If you’re getting ready for Sequence B with layered liquidation preferences, taking part desire shares, and institutional reporting necessities, you might ultimately outgrow this platform.

Use Captable.io Successfully within the UK

Earlier than elevating capital:

Reconcile all share issuances and transfers
Report founder vesting schedules precisely
Mannequin proposed funding rounds
Export up to date cap desk studies for buyers
Evaluate choice pool allocations

Taking these steps reduces errors and prevents disputes throughout authorized assessment.

Greatest Alternate Instrument

Cake Fairness – A founder-friendly platform providing clear pricing and stronger early-stage modelling instruments, usually most well-liked by UK startups in search of simplicity.

eShares by Carta – Institutional-Grade Fairness Administration Platform

eShares, now absolutely rebranded as Carta, started as one of many earliest digital cap desk platforms for venture-backed startups. Right now, Carta is among the most generally adopted fairness administration programs globally, utilized by hundreds of startups, growth-stage corporations, and enterprise capital corporations.

For UK founders, eShares via Carta is especially related in case you function a Delaware dad or mum firm, elevate US enterprise capital, or plan to scale internationally. It’s constructed for corporations that require structured compliance, detailed reporting, and investor-grade governance from Seed via late-stage funding.

Key Options

Cap Desk & Fairness Monitoring

 eShares centralises peculiar shares, most well-liked shares, SAFEs, convertible notes, RSUs, and inventory choices in a single safe dashboard. Each issuance is tied to documentation and approvals, making a clear audit path. This reduces spreadsheet threat and simplifies due diligence for institutional buyers.

409A Valuations & Compliance

 Carta integrates 409A valuations immediately inside the platform. Firms can request, retailer, and monitor valuations with out separate authorized coordination. For UK founders working US entities, this ensures compliance with IRS necessities for choice pricing.

Fundraising & State of affairs Modelling

 The platform permits corporations to mannequin priced rounds, simulate dilution, and run waterfall analyses. Founders can see the influence of liquidation preferences earlier than signing a time period sheet. In comparison with lighter instruments, Carta affords deeper modelling for advanced enterprise rounds.

Worker Fairness Administration

 Workers entry dashboards displaying vesting schedules, train home windows, and possession percentages. Automated grant workflows and digital signatures simplify administration. This improves transparency throughout hiring and retention conversations.

Investor & Fund Administration

 Carta extends past firm cap tables. Enterprise funds use it for LP reporting, portfolio monitoring, and fund administration. This ecosystem impact makes it enticing to startups backed by US institutional buyers already utilizing the platform.

Professionals & Cons

Professionals Market chief in fairness administration Robust compliance and reporting instruments Built-in 409A valuation companies Superior modelling and waterfall evaluation Broadly trusted by enterprise capital corporations

Cons Pricing increased than most alternate options Primarily US-focused Much less specialised for UK EMI-only corporations Advanced characteristic set for very early startups

Pricing

Carta pricing is tiered primarily based on firm stage and stakeholder depend.

Early-stage startup plans
 Development-stage plans for Sequence A to C
Customized enterprise pricing for late-stage non-public corporations

Whereas Carta pricing is mostly increased than entry-level cap desk software program, it displays its institutional-grade compliance and reporting depth.

Greatest For Enterprise-Backed Startups with US Publicity

Shares by Carta is greatest suited to:

UK founders with Delaware holding corporations
 Startups elevating US institutional VC
 Firms getting ready for advanced most well-liked share constructions
 Development-stage companies needing waterfall and exit modelling

For UK-only corporations working EMI schemes with out US buyers, Vestd or Capdesk could present extra domestically aligned compliance performance at a decrease value.

Use Carta Successfully

Earlier than a funding spherical:

 Guarantee all SAFEs and convertible notes are precisely recorded
 Request an up to date 409A valuation earlier than issuing choices
 Run dilution situations earlier than finalising time period sheets
 Keep board approvals inside the governance workflow

Greatest Alternate Instrument

Ledgy – A powerful European-focused fairness platform providing superior modelling and cross-border compliance options, usually most well-liked by UK and EU scaleups.

Captable.io – Easy, Clear Cap Desk Administration 

Captable.io, also known as Cap Desk Cloud in broader searches, is a light-weight fairness administration platform constructed for early-stage startups that need a clear, reasonably priced solution to handle their cap desk with out enterprise complexity.

It’s significantly appropriate for founders at pre-seed and seed stage who want structured fairness monitoring however are usually not but coping with multi-layered most well-liked share courses or institutional governance necessities. For UK startups managing easy share constructions or early angel rounds, Captable.io affords an easy different to heavier platforms like Carta or Ledgy.

Key Options

Cap Desk & Share Monitoring

 Captable.io permits founders to handle peculiar shares, desire shares, SAFEs, convertible notes, and choice swimming pools inside a centralised dashboard. Every issuance is recorded with transaction historical past, decreasing reliance on spreadsheets. That is best for UK startups getting ready for angel funding or early enterprise capital conversations.

State of affairs Modelling

 The platform consists of primary dilution modelling instruments that enable founders to simulate funding rounds and choice pool changes. Whereas not as superior as Pulley or Carta, it supplies sufficient visibility for seed-stage negotiation planning.

Fairness Grant Administration

 Captable.io helps worker fairness monitoring, together with vesting schedules and grant documentation. Founders can problem inventory choices and monitor train exercise. It doesn’t concentrate on UK EMI automation, however it helps common choice monitoring.

Investor Reporting

 The system generates cap desk summaries, possession breakdowns, and exportable studies appropriate for investor updates. This simplifies due diligence for early-stage rounds.

Doc Storage & Audit Path

 Founders can add and retailer share certificates, agreements, and board approvals inside the platform. Each fairness motion is time-stamped for accountability and transparency.

Professionals & Cons

Professionals Reasonably priced pricing for early-stage startups Easy person interface Fast onboarding course of Appropriate for angel and seed rounds Clear fairness monitoring with out complexity

Cons Restricted superior modelling instruments Not constructed particularly for UK EMI schemes Much less appropriate for Sequence B and past Fewer enterprise-level compliance options

Pricing

Captable.io pricing is mostly structured to help early-stage corporations.

Free or low-cost entry plans for very small startups
 Paid tiers primarily based on variety of stakeholders
 Scalable pricing as fairness constructions develop

In comparison with Carta pricing, Captable.io is considerably extra reasonably priced for small groups.

Greatest For Pre-Seed and Seed Startups

Captable.io is greatest suited to:

Pre-seed founders issuing founder shares and early choices
 Seed-stage startups elevating angel or small VC rounds
 Firms wanting to maneuver away from spreadsheets
 Small groups needing easy fairness reporting

If you’re getting ready for advanced Sequence A negotiations with layered liquidation preferences, platforms like Pulley, Ledgy, or Carta could present stronger modelling instruments.

Use Captable.io Successfully

Earlier than elevating capital:

 Report all founder shares precisely.
 Enter SAFEs and convertible notes as they’re issued
 Keep up to date cap desk exports for buyers
 Observe choice grants and vesting schedules constantly

Utilizing Captable.io early can forestall cap desk clean-up points throughout later institutional due diligence.

Greatest Alternate Instrument

Ledgy – A stronger alternative for UK and European scaleups managing extra advanced funding rounds and cross-border worker fairness constructions.

Solium Shareworks – Enterprise Fairness Administration for World Public

Solium, now generally known as Shareworks by Morgan Stanley, is an enterprise-grade fairness administration and share plan administration platform constructed for public corporations, late-stage non-public corporations, and multinational organisations. It’s broadly adopted by listed corporations and pre-IPO scale-ups that require structured governance, international compliance, and institutional-level reporting.

For UK corporations getting ready for IPO or working internationally, Solium Shareworks supplies deeper compliance infrastructure than startup-focused cap desk instruments. It isn’t designed for early-stage founder fairness monitoring. As a substitute, it helps advanced international share plans, regulatory reporting, and cross-border worker fairness administration.

Key Options

World Fairness Plan Administration

 Solium Shareworks manages inventory choices, RSUs, efficiency shares, and worker share buy plans throughout a number of jurisdictions. It helps giant worker populations and sophisticated vesting constructions. For UK public corporations with international groups, this ensures constant fairness plan oversight.

Regulatory & Compliance Reporting

 The platform consists of structured reporting aligned with IFRS and different accounting requirements. Public corporations profit from automated disclosures, tax reporting workflows, and audit-ready documentation. This reduces handbook coordination between finance, authorized, and HR groups.

IPO & Pre-IPO Readiness Instruments

 Solium helps corporations getting ready for public itemizing by sustaining detailed shareholder information, fairness plan documentation, and compliance historical past. This supplies institutional-grade file protecting forward of IPO occasions.

Worker Portal & Brokerage Integration

 Workers can view their holdings, vesting schedules, and transaction historical past via a safe portal. Integration with Morgan Stanley brokerage companies permits smoother share transactions and liquidity occasion processing.

Superior Reporting & Analytics

 Finance groups acquire entry to detailed fairness expense monitoring, valuation reporting, and board-ready summaries. In comparison with lighter instruments like Cake Fairness or Captable.io, Solium supplies considerably deeper monetary oversight.

Professionals & Cons

Professionals Enterprise-level international fairness administration Robust IFRS and regulatory reporting capabilities Designed for public and pre-IPO corporations Scalable for multinational organisations Backed by Morgan Stanley infrastructure

Cons Not appropriate for early-stage startups Larger implementation and licensing prices Advanced onboarding course of Overbuilt for easy founder cap tables

Pricing

Solium Shareworks pricing is often customised primarily based on firm measurement, variety of individuals, and international plan complexity.

 Implementation and onboarding charges widespread
 Ongoing administration prices primarily based on scale

In comparison with startup-focused fairness instruments, pricing displays its enterprise positioning and regulatory depth.

Greatest For Public Firms and Pre-IPO Scale-Ups with World Fairness Plans

Solium Shareworks is greatest suited to:
Pre-IPO UK scale-ups getting ready for itemizing
 Public corporations managing regulatory disclosures
 Multinational organisations administering international fairness plans
 Finance and HR groups requiring structured accounting and compliance reporting

If you’re a Seed or Sequence A startup with a easy founder cap desk and restricted worker fairness complexity, platforms like Pulley, Ledgy, or Cake Fairness are extra acceptable to your stage.

Use Solium Shareworks Successfully

Earlier than IPO or main liquidity occasions:

 Guarantee all historic grants and vesting information are reconciled
 Align IFRS reporting outputs with finance group necessities
 Keep up to date shareholder registers
 Coordinate brokerage integrations for worker liquidity planning

Greatest Alternate Instrument

Certent – A powerful different for public corporations and pre-IPO corporations requiring structured fairness administration and accounting compliance, with comparable enterprise positioning.

Vestd – UK-Targeted EMI & Share Scheme Administration Platform

Vestd is a UK-based fairness administration platform constructed particularly for British startups that want EMI-compliant share schemes, founder fairness monitoring, and Firms Home integration. In contrast to international platforms constructed for US constructions, Vestd is designed round UK company regulation and HMRC necessities.

It’s significantly fashionable with pre-seed to Sequence A startups issuing EMI choices and progress shares.

Key Options

EMI & CSOP Scheme Automation

Vestd automates Enterprise Administration Incentive schemes and Firm Share Choice Plans. It helps HMRC notifications, grant documentation, and compliance monitoring. For UK founders, this reduces authorized admin and avoids widespread EMI submitting errors.

Digital Cap Desk Administration

The platform tracks peculiar shares, progress shares, desire shares, and choice swimming pools in a single centralised dashboard. Each share issuance and switch is logged, decreasing spreadsheet reliance.

Firms Home Integration

Vestd syncs with Firms Home filings, guaranteeing shareholder registers stay aligned with statutory information. This can be a robust benefit over US-based instruments.

Worker Fairness Portal

Workers can log in to see vesting schedules, train home windows, and share worth estimates. This improves transparency and retention conversations.

Doc Automation

Share agreements, board resolutions, and allotment paperwork are generated inside the system, decreasing authorized coordination prices.

Professionals & Cons

Professionals

Robust UK EMI automation Firms Home integration Founder-friendly pricing Easy onboarding Constructed particularly for UK regulation

Cons

Restricted US 409A performance Superior modelling is primary Much less suited to advanced worldwide constructions

Pricing

Vestd pricing is tiered primarily based on firm measurement and scheme complexity:

Starter plans for early-stage corporations
 Development plans for Sequence A startups
 Customized pricing for bigger organisations

Vestd pricing is clear in comparison with Carta pricing, making it enticing to UK founders avoiding enterprise contracts.

Greatest For UK Startups Issuing EMI Choices

Vestd is good for:

Pre-seed and Seed UK startups — Establishing EMI schemes appropriately

 Founder-led companies — Managing progress shares and vesting

 Startups elevating angel rounds — Sustaining clear statutory information

 HR groups — Administering choice grants compliantly

If you happen to function a Delaware holding firm, Pulley or Carta could also be extra acceptable.

Greatest Alternate Instrument

Capdesk Professional – For UK startups getting ready for institutional VC with extra advanced reporting wants.

Carta for Startups – Institutional Fairness Infrastructure from Day One

Carta for Startups is the entry-level providing of Carta, designed particularly for early-stage venture-backed corporations. It supplies institutional-grade cap desk administration, 409A valuations, and investor reporting from Seed stage onwards.

Whereas Carta originated as eShares, it’s now a world fairness administration platform utilized by hundreds of venture-backed corporations.

Key Options

Cap Desk Administration

Carta centralises SAFEs, most well-liked shares, peculiar shares, inventory choices, and convertible notes inside a structured digital ledger. Each issuance is recorded with board approvals and documentation connected, decreasing spreadsheet threat. This creates a clear audit path that buyers anticipate throughout Seed and Sequence A due diligence.

409A Valuation Providers

Built-in 409A valuation requests enable startups to acquire and retailer compliant valuations immediately contained in the platform. This ensures choice strike costs meet IRS necessities for US entities. For UK founders with Delaware holding corporations, this removes the necessity to coordinate separate valuation suppliers.

State of affairs Modelling

Founders can simulate priced rounds, choice pool will increase, and dilution influence earlier than signing a time period sheet. Waterfall modelling exhibits how liquidation preferences have an effect on exit outcomes. This visibility strengthens negotiation positioning throughout enterprise capital discussions.

Board & Investor Reporting

Carta generates cap desk snapshots, board consents, shareholder approvals, and waterfall analyses in structured codecs. Reviews are export-ready for investor updates and information rooms. This simplifies due diligence and reduces back-and-forth throughout financing rounds.

Worker Dashboard

Workers obtain a safe portal displaying vesting schedules, grant particulars, and possession percentages. Clear visibility into fairness reduces confusion round choice worth and train home windows. This improves communication between founders, HR, and group members.

Professionals & Cons

Professionals

Robust enterprise capital ecosystem Institutional investor familiarity Superior modelling instruments Built-in compliance

Cons

Pricing increased than UK-focused instruments Not EMI-specific Advanced characteristic set for small startups

Pricing

Carta pricing for startups is tiered by funding stage and stakeholder depend:
Free or discounted early-stage plans obtainable

 Paid progress plans for Sequence A and past
 Customized enterprise contracts

Greatest For Enterprise-Backed Startups with US Publicity

Carta for Startups is suited to:

UK founders with Delaware mother and father
 Seed to Sequence B startups
 Firms elevating US institutional VC
 Startups planning multi-class most well-liked constructions

If you’re UK-only and EMI-focused, Vestd could also be more cost effective.

Greatest Alternate Instrument

Pulley – A powerful competitor providing cleaner pricing and powerful modelling.

Ledgy for Angels – Fairness Visibility for Early Buyers

Ledgy is broadly generally known as a scale-up fairness platform, however it additionally supplies visibility instruments that angel buyers and syndicates worth. Whereas not an investor CRM, it permits angels to entry structured cap tables and monitor portfolio fairness in corporations utilizing Ledgy.

For UK and European angel networks investing in venture-backed startups, Ledgy supplies cleaner visibility than spreadsheet-based reporting.

Key Options

Investor Entry Portal

Ledgy supplies a safe investor login the place angels can view real-time possession percentages, share courses, and dilution influence. As a substitute of ready for quarterly PDF updates, buyers entry stay cap desk information. Exit modelling instruments inside the portal enable angels to know potential returns underneath totally different valuation situations.

Cap Desk Transparency

Startups can grant managed, read-only entry to particular buyers with out exposing delicate inner information. This reduces handbook reporting and repeated electronic mail updates. Angels acquire visibility into share actions, new issuances, and funding rounds with out counting on spreadsheets.

State of affairs Modelling

Ledgy consists of liquidation desire modelling that exhibits how most well-liked shares, participation rights, and seniority have an effect on payout distribution. Angels can assessment how totally different exit valuations influence their possession returns. This readability is especially priceless throughout follow-on rounds with layered desire constructions.

Cross-Border Compliance Assist

The platform helps European share courses and jurisdiction-specific fairness constructions. For UK angels investing throughout EU markets, this ensures readability when coping with various company legal guidelines and shareholder rights. It simplifies oversight when portfolios span a number of nations.

Knowledge Room Exports

Ledgy permits structured cap desk exports and documentation downloads for due diligence. Angels taking part in follow-on rounds can entry clear, organised information immediately from the system. This reduces friction throughout secondary transactions or institutional funding rounds.

Professionals & Cons

Professionals

Robust European compliance focus Clear investor dashboards Superior modelling instruments Appropriate for scale-ups

Cons

Larger value for small startups Not designed particularly for angel portfolio administration Much less EMI-specific than UK-only instruments

Pricing

Ledgy pricing is customised primarily based on firm stage and stakeholder depend.

Development-stage plans dominate utilization
 Customized enterprise tiers obtainable

Greatest For Angel-Backed European Startups

Ledgy works properly for:

UK startups elevating European VC
 Angels wanting structured fairness transparency
 Sequence A to C scaleups
 Cross-border investor teams

If you’re an angel investor managing a broad portfolio, AngelList or devoted portfolio instruments could complement Ledgy.

Greatest Alternate Instrument

Carta – Broader ecosystem integration for US enterprise networks.

Capdesk Professional – Superior UK Fairness Administration for VC-Prepared Startups

Capdesk Professional is a UK-focused fairness administration platform designed for startups and scale-ups getting ready for institutional funding. In contrast to less complicated cap desk instruments, Capdesk Professional combines sturdy compliance help, EMI scheme administration, and investor reporting to satisfy the calls for of venture-backed corporations.

For UK founders elevating Seed, Sequence A, or later rounds, Capdesk Professional supplies a single system to handle fairness, monitor shareholder possession, mannequin funding situations, and put together investor-ready documentation. Its UK compliance options, significantly for EMI schemes and HMRC reporting, make it probably the most related platforms for native startups in search of structured governance and tax effectivity.

Capdesk Professional is trusted by fast-growing UK startups that want each operational simplicity for early-stage groups and the sophistication required to align with VC expectations.

Key Options

Superior Cap Desk Administration

 Capdesk Professional tracks peculiar shares, desire shares, SAFEs, convertible notes, and worker choices in a single structured system. Each transaction is recorded with an audit path, decreasing errors and simplifying due diligence.

EMI Scheme Administration

 UK startups can handle EMI share choice grants immediately inside Capdesk Professional, with structured vesting schedules and compliance checks. This ensures alignment with HMRC necessities and reduces administrative complexity.

State of affairs Modelling & Dilution Forecasting

 Founders and finance groups can simulate funding rounds, choice pool changes, and observe conversions. This permits clear visibility on dilution influence earlier than investor negotiations.

Investor & Worker Portal

 Shareholders and workers can securely entry their holdings, vesting schedules, and official statements. This centralisation reduces admin work and improves transparency throughout fundraising.

Reporting & Compliance Instruments

 Capdesk Professional supplies UK-specific studies appropriate for audits, HMRC submissions, and investor assessment. Finance groups profit from structured outputs that help governance and tax compliance.

Professionals & Cons

Professionals
Cons

Robust UK EMI compliance
Enterprise pricing for small startups

Investor-ready reporting
Superior options could require onboarding

State of affairs modelling instruments
Much less international help than enterprise programs

Simple-to-use portal for shareholders
Some integrations restricted

Tracks advanced desire shares
Could also be overkill for pre-seed groups

Pricing

Capdesk Professional pricing is mostly customised primarily based on:

Variety of shareholders
Stage of funding
Required compliance and reporting options

UK corporations sometimes undergo a gross sales course of to acquire a quote, reflecting the platform’s enterprise-level flexibility.

Greatest For Development-Stage UKStartups Making ready for EMI Compliance and Investor Reporting

Capdesk Professional is greatest suited to:

VC-backed UK startups — Managing structured funding rounds
Sequence A and past — Monitoring desire shares and choice swimming pools
Finance groups — Making ready investor-ready documentation
Startups utilizing EMI schemes — Guaranteeing HMRC compliance

For pre-seed startups with solely founder shares, Capdesk Professional could present extra performance than at present required.

Use Capdesk Professional Successfully within the UK

Audit all historic share issuances and guarantee right shareholder information
Configure EMI choice grants and vesting schedules in compliance with HMRC
Mannequin a number of funding situations to know dilution influence
Export investor-ready cap desk studies forward of due diligence
Keep an accessible shareholder portal to scale back admin work

Capdesk Professional vs Options

When evaluating Capdesk Professional vs Carta or Eqvista:

Capdesk Professional supplies stronger UK EMI compliance
Carta has deeper institutional modelling and international adoption
Eqvista affords less complicated onboarding and pricing for smaller groups

For UK startups prioritising structured EMI administration and VC readiness, Capdesk Professional is usually probably the most acceptable alternative.

Greatest Alternate Instrument

Eqvista – Gives versatile cap desk administration and clear pricing, appropriate for early-stage UK startups that want simple modelling with out enterprise complexity.

Our Perspective – Selecting the Proper Fairness Administration Platform for UK Startups

Choosing the precise fairness administration platform isn’t just about monitoring shares—it’s about guaranteeing compliance, getting ready for funding rounds, and managing investor expectations effectively. For UK startups, instruments like Capdesk Professional and Cake Fairness provide robust UK-specific EMI scheme help, whereas platforms akin to Carta and Certent present institutional-grade modelling for advanced situations. Early-stage founders could profit from light-weight choices like Captable.io or Eqvista, whereas growth-stage or pre-IPO corporations require enterprise capabilities.

When evaluating choices, take into account:

Stage of your startup — Early-stage vs growth-stage vs pre-IPO
Investor expectations — VC-ready documentation and audit trails
UK compliance — EMI scheme administration and HMRC reporting
Future scalability — Capacity to deal with growing shareholder numbers and funding rounds

By aligning platform capabilities together with your firm’s stage and funding technique, you guarantee easy fairness administration, stronger investor confidence, and structured progress.

 FAQs

What’s a cap desk and why is it essential for UK startups? A cap desk is a file of an organization’s fairness possession, together with shares, choices, and convertible devices. It ensures transparency, helps fundraising, and helps handle investor relations.
How do EMI schemes combine with fairness administration platforms? Platforms like Capdesk Professional and Cake Fairness enable structured EMI choice monitoring, vesting schedules, and HMRC-compliant reporting.
Can UK startups mannequin dilution earlier than a funding spherical? Sure, most platforms present situation modelling instruments to simulate fairness influence of latest funding, choice swimming pools, or convertible devices.
What kind of reporting is required for UK buyers? UK buyers usually anticipate cap desk summaries, shareholder studies, and investor-ready paperwork appropriate for audits or due diligence.
Are these platforms HMRC-compliant for EMI reporting? Platforms akin to Capdesk Professional and Cake Fairness present UK-specific options for EMI compliance, although lighter instruments could require handbook HMRC reporting.
How do desire shares have an effect on cap desk calculations? Choice shares can embody liquidation preferences and participation rights, that are factored into dilution and exit situation modelling.
Can worldwide workers be included in UK fairness administration platforms? Enterprise platforms like Certent and Carta help international fairness plans, whereas UK-focused instruments could require handbook changes for cross-border workers.
How usually ought to the cap desk be up to date? Ideally, after each funding spherical, share issuance, or choice grant. Common updates forestall errors and facilitate due diligence.
Do these platforms deal with convertible notes or SAFEs? Sure. Most platforms permit you to monitor convertible devices and mannequin their influence on fairness possession throughout conversion occasions.
Which platform is greatest for pre-seed UK startups? Light-weight platforms like Captable.io or Eqvista are appropriate as a consequence of simplicity and decrease pricing, whereas Capdesk Professional or Carta is extra acceptable for VC-backed or growth-stage corporations.