Top 10 Alternatives to Gust in 2025: A Comprehensive Comparison
In 2025, the startup ecosystem continues to evolve with innovative platforms that offer unique features for connecting startups with investors, managing equity, and enhancing overall business growth. Here’s an in-depth look at the top 10 alternatives to Gust, comparing them on key data points for startups seeking tailored solutions.
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1. AngelList
- Pricing: Free for startups to raise funds (other services may have costs).
- Key Features: Large database of investors and startups, syndicates for smaller investments, integrated hiring platform, connects to social media for network growth.
- Members: Over 5 million.
- Startups: Over 100,000.
- Funding Raised: Known to be substantial through numerous deals.
- Focus: Angel and VC funding, early-stage companies.
- Learn more about AngelList
2. SeedLegals
- Pricing: Known for transparent pricing, specific details not provided in search results.
- Key Features: Customizable legal contracts, expert support, faster fundraising processes, cap table management.
- Customer Rating: 4.9/5 (based on 83 reviews on Capterra).
- Focus: Legal documents, fundraising, equity management.
- Geographic Focus: Primarily UK and Europe.
- Explore SeedLegals
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3. Carta
- Pricing: Not explicitly stated in the search results.
- Key Features: Cap table management, 409A valuations, equity plan administration, scenario modeling, HRIS integrations.
- Focus: Equity management, cap tables, valuations.
- Users: Trusted by high-growth companies.
- Discover Carta
4. Ledgy
- Pricing: Not explicitly stated in search results.
- Key Features: Cap table management, ESOP administration, HRIS integrations, scenario modeling, data security.
- Customer Rating: 4.9/5 (based on 28 reviews on Capterra).
- Focus: Equity management for high-growth companies.
- Learn more about Ledgy
5. Eqvista
- Pricing: Not explicitly provided in search results.
- Key Features: Cap table management, share and option issuance, 409A valuations, equity operations management.
- Customer Rating: 4.8/5 (based on 21 reviews on Capterra).
- Focus: Cap table management and equity operations.
- Geographic Focus: Global.
- Explore Eqvista
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6. Vestd
- Pricing: Not explicitly stated in search results.
- Key Features: Easy share issuance, FCA regulated, integrated with Companies House (UK), equity management tools, user-friendly interface.
- Customer Rating: 4.9/5 (based on 97 reviews on Capterra).
- Focus: Equity sharing in the UK.
- Regulation: FCA regulated.
- Discover Vestd
7. Shareworks (by Morgan Stanley)
- Pricing: Not explicitly stated in search results.
- Key Features: Equity compensation solution, unified plan management, flexible solution, multiple plan type support, reporting capabilities.
- Customer Rating: 3.2/5 (based on 19 reviews on Capterra).
- Focus: Equity compensation management.
- Provider: Part of Morgan Stanley.
- Learn more about Shareworks
8. InvestNext
- Pricing: $299/month flat rate.
- Key Features: Investor management, fundraising tools, reporting features, deal management, customer service support.
- Customer Rating: 4.8/5 (based on 20 reviews on Capterra).
- Focus: Alternative investment management.
- Customer Service Rating: 4.5/5.
- Features Rating: 4.7/5.
- Explore InvestNext
9. Pipedrive
- Pricing: Starts at $14.90 per user per month.
- Key Features: Visual sales pipelines, deal management, automation of sales workflows, real-time sales analytics, mobile app.
- Focus: Sales CRM, deal management, pipeline tracking.
- Integration: Integrates with other tools.
- Discover Pipedrive
10. HubSpot CRM
- Pricing: Free plan available, paid plans for advanced features.
- Key Features: Contact management, email tracking, deal pipelines, free plan availability, scalable with premium features.
- Focus: CRM, marketing, sales, customer service.
- Users: Suitable for startups.
- Explore HubSpot CRM
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FAQ
1. What is AngelList and how can it help startups?
AngelList is a comprehensive platform that connects startups with angel investors, venture capital firms, and talent. It offers tools for fundraising, job postings, and creating company profiles. Learn more about AngelList
2. How does SeedLegals support startups with their legal needs?
SeedLegals is focused on helping startups with fundraising, legal documents, and equity management, providing customizable contracts and expert guidance primarily in the UK and Europe. Discover SeedLegals
3. What services does Carta provide for startups?
Carta is a comprehensive equity management and valuation platform that offers cap table management, 409A valuations, and equity plan administration, among other services. Explore Carta
4. How can Ledgy assist high-growth companies with equity management?
Ledgy offers equity management solutions including cap table management, ESOP administration, and HRIS integrations, making it ideal for high-growth companies. Learn more about Ledgy
5. What features does Eqvista offer for equity operations?
Eqvista provides cap table management, share and option issuance, and 409A valuations, focusing on efficient equity operations for startups globally. Discover Eqvista
6. What makes Vestd a unique platform for UK startups?
Vestd stands out by offering easy share issuance to team members and investors, being regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority and integrated with Companies House in the UK. Explore Vestd
7. What does Shareworks by Morgan Stanley provide?
Shareworks is an equity compensation management platform that offers unified plan management and reporting capabilities, suitable for companies needing comprehensive equity solutions. Learn more about Shareworks
8. How does InvestNext benefit alternative investment management?
InvestNext offers investor management, fundraising tools, reporting features, and deal management for real estate and other alternative investments. Discover InvestNext
9. What CRM features does Pipedrive offer for startups?
Pipedrive provides a sales-focused CRM with visual sales pipelines, deal management, automation of sales workflows, and real-time analytics, starting at $14.90 per user per month. Learn more about Pipedrive
10. What is HubSpot CRM and how can it help startups?
HubSpot CRM is a free platform with tools for contact management, email tracking, deal pipelines, and scalable with premium features, making it suitable for startups. Explore HubSpot CRM
References
About the Author
Violetta Bonenkamp, also known as MeanCEO, is an experienced startup founder with an impressive educational background including an MBA and four other higher education degrees. She has over 20 years of work experience across multiple countries, including 5 years as a solopreneur and serial entrepreneur. She’s been living, studying and working in many countries around the globe and her extensive multicultural experience has influenced her immensely.
Violetta is a true multiple specialist who has built expertise in Linguistics, Education, Business Management, Blockchain, Entrepreneurship, Intellectual Property, Game Design, AI, SEO, Digital Marketing, cyber security and zero code automations. Her extensive educational journey includes a Master of Arts in Linguistics and Education, an Advanced Master in Linguistics from Belgium (2006-2007), an MBA from Blekinge Institute of Technology in Sweden (2006-2008), and an Erasmus Mundus joint program European Master of Higher Education from universities in Norway, Finland, and Portugal (2009).
She is the founder of Fe/male Switch, a startup game that encourages women to enter STEM fields, and also leads CADChain, and multiple other projects like the Directory of 1,000 Startup Cities with a proprietary MeanCEO Index that ranks cities for female entrepreneurs. Violetta created the "gamepreneurship" methodology, which forms the scientific basis of her startup game. She also builds a lot of SEO tools for startups. Her achievements include being named one of the top 100 women in Europe by EU Startups in 2022 and being nominated for Impact Person of the year at the Dutch Blockchain Week. She is an author with Sifted and a speaker at different Universities. Recently she published a book on Startup Idea Validation the right way: from zero to first customers and beyond and launched a Directory of 1,500+ websites for startups to list themselves in order to gain traction and build backlinks.
For the past several years Violetta has been living between the Netherlands and Malta, while also regularly traveling to different destinations around the globe, usually due to her entrepreneurial activities. This has led her to start writing about different locations and amenities from the POV of an entrepreneur. Here’s her recent article about the best hotels in Italy to work from.
About the Publication
Fe/male Switch is an innovative startup platform designed to empower women entrepreneurs through an immersive, game-like experience. Founded in 2020 during the pandemic "without any funding and without any code," this non-profit initiative has evolved into a comprehensive educational tool for aspiring female entrepreneurs.The platform was co-founded by Violetta Shishkina-Bonenkamp, who serves as CEO and one of the lead authors of the Startup News branch.
Mission and Purpose
Fe/male Switch Foundation was created to address the gender gap in the tech and entrepreneurship space. The platform aims to skill-up future female tech leaders and empower them to create resilient and innovative tech startups through what they call "gamepreneurship". By putting players in a virtual startup village where they must survive and thrive, the startup game allows women to test their entrepreneurial abilities without financial risk.
Key Features
The platform offers a unique blend of news, resources,learning, networking, and practical application within a supportive, female-focused environment:
- Skill Lab: Micro-modules covering essential startup skills
- Virtual Startup Building: Create or join startups and tackle real-world challenges
- AI Co-founder (PlayPal): Guides users through the startup process
- SANDBOX: A testing environment for idea validation before launch
- Wellness Integration: Virtual activities to balance work and self-care
- Marketplace: Buy or sell expert sessions and tutorials
Impact and Growth
Since its inception, Fe/male Switch has shown impressive growth:
- 3,000+ female entrepreneurs in the community
- 100+ startup tools built
- 5,000+ pieces of articles and news written
Partnerships
Fe/male Switch has formed strategic partnerships to enhance its offerings. In January 2022, it teamed up with global website builder Tilda to provide free access to website building tools and mentorship services for Fe/male Switch participants.
Recognition
Fe/male Switch has received media attention for its innovative approach to closing the gender gap in tech entrepreneurship. The platform has been featured in various publications highlighting its unique "play to learn and earn" model.