AngelList vs Carta: Side-by-Side Comparison (2026)
Quick Verdict
Choose AngelList if you...
prefer a startup platform approach
Choose Carta if you...
prefer a cap table & equity platform
Feature Comparison
| Feature | AngelList | Carta |
|---|---|---|
| Category | Startup Platform | Cap Table & Equity |
| Starting Price | Free | $84/mo |
| Enterprise Price | N/A | Custom |
| Free Tier | Yes Basic profile only | Yes Basic cap table for <25 stakeholders |
| Data Source | Self-reported by startups and investors | Customer cap table data + 409A valuations |
| SEC Verified | No | No |
| Founder Facing | Yes | Yes |
| Grant Data | No | No |
| Accelerator Data | No | No |
| Warm Intro Paths | No | No |
AngelList Strengths
- 1Direct fundraising tools (rolling funds, SPVs)
- 2Startup job board integration
- 3Angel investor network
- 4Free basic access
Carta Strengths
- 1Industry-leading cap table management
- 2409A valuations included
- 3Investor connect marketplace
- 4Equity plan administration
AngelList Weaknesses
- Investor data is self-reported and often outdated
- Shifted focus to fund management (AngelList Venture)
- Limited search and filtering capabilities
- No SEC-verified check sizes or filing data
Carta Weaknesses
- Investor database is a secondary feature
- Limited to Carta ecosystem investors
- No comprehensive VC fund directory
- No grant or accelerator data
Explore Individual Alternatives
Consider Free Startup Funding — Built for Founders
The free, SEC-verified startup funding database. Unlike AngelList and Carta, it is designed specifically to help founders find funding — not to serve investors or corporate strategy teams.
- SEC-verified VC data from Form D filings
- Federal grant database from Grants.gov
- Accelerator and angel network directory
- Free tier with 10 contact reveals per month
- Built specifically for founders, not investors
?AngelList vs Carta: Frequently Asked Questions
Is AngelList or Carta better for early-stage founders?
AngelList is more founder-facing. AngelList targets founders directly, while Carta is primarily designed for founders. For founders who also need grants and accelerators, Free Startup Funding covers all three funding types at no cost.
How do AngelList and Carta compare on pricing?
AngelList starts at Free with a free tier (Basic profile only). Carta starts at $84/mo and offers a free tier (Basic cap table for <25 stakeholders). Enterprise pricing for AngelList is N/A vs Custom for Carta.
Does AngelList or Carta use SEC-verified data?
Neither platform sources data directly from SEC Form D filings. AngelList relies on self-reported by startups and investors. Carta relies on customer cap table data + 409a valuations. Free Startup Funding verifies all VC data against SEC EDGAR Form D filings.
Which platform includes grant data — AngelList or Carta?
Neither AngelList nor Carta includes grant or non-dilutive funding data. If federal and state grants are important to your funding strategy, Free Startup Funding provides a comprehensive Grants.gov-sourced grant database at no additional cost.
What is the main difference between AngelList and Carta?
AngelList is a startup platform platform (platform for startups, angel investors, and job-seekers), whereas Carta is a cap table & equity tool (cap table management and 409a valuations). Their data sources also differ: AngelList uses self-reported by startups and investors, while Carta relies on customer cap table data + 409a valuations.