Best Business Valuation Software for Brokers, CPAs, and Owners in 2026
Quick Answer
The best business valuation software in 2026 segments by use case: SMB valuations (business brokers, M&A advisors, CPAs), credentialed appraisals (ABV / CVA / ASA), startup / tech valuations, and cap-table + 409a. BizEquity ($199-499/mo + per-valuation, Wayne, PA) is the most widely-used SMB valuation platform with ~250k+ valuations annually. ValuSource ($1,895-3,995+/year, Idaho-based, 40+ years in market) is industry standard for credentialed appraisers doing complex middle-market valuations. PeerComps ($295-995/mo) is the SMB transaction comparable database (~50,000+ closed deals). Equidam ($99-499/mo, Rotterdam) and Eqvista ($25-300/mo, Wyoming) target startup + tech valuation. Carta ($0-2,800+/mo, SF, ~$300M+ ARR, $7B+ valuation) is industry-standard cap-table + 409a. Aranca (custom pricing, Mumbai + Princeton) provides outsourced valuation services for mid-large enterprises. CT Strategic Partners runs retained buy-side mandates and references QoE-adjusted valuations for our buy-side clients.
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Business valuation software is the platform layer that produces standardized business valuations for SMBs, middle-market companies, startups, and PE portfolio companies. In 2026, the market segments by use case: SMB (broker / advisor / CPA), credentialed appraisal (ABV / CVA / ASA), startup / tech, and cap-table + 409a.
For M&A buyers, valuation software matters because (1) seller-stated valuations are often inflated; software-driven analysis identifies QoE-adjustable items, (2) market-comparable databases (PeerComps) provide sector benchmarks beyond seller assumptions, (3) for portfolio companies, cap-table + 409a software (Carta, Eqvista) becomes essential post-close.
This guide compares 7 leading valuation platforms with pricing, ideal use cases, and trade-offs.
What this guide covers
- 7 leading valuation platforms: BizEquity (SMB, $199-499/mo), ValuSource (credentialed appraisers, $1,895-3,995+/yr), PeerComps (SMB comp database, $295-995/mo), Equidam (startup/tech, $99-499/mo), Eqvista (cap-table + 409a, $25-300/mo), Carta (industry-standard cap-table + 409a, $0-2,800+/mo), Aranca (outsourced services).
- SMB: BizEquity is most widely-used.
- Credentialed appraisals: ValuSource industry standard.
- Startup / tech: Equidam + Eqvista + Carta.
- Cap-table + 409a: Carta industry standard.
- Outsourced custom valuation: Aranca.
Comparison: top 7 options at a glance
| Vendor | Best for | Pricing range | HQ | Key feature |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| BizEquity | Business brokers, M&A advisors, CPAs | $199-499/month + per-valuation | Wayne, PA | Most widely-used SMB valuation platform |
| ValuSource | CPA-led valuations + ABV-credentialed appraisers | $1,895-3,995+/year | Hailey, ID | Industry standard for credentialed appraisers |
| PeerComps | SMB valuation + comp database | $295-995/month + per-valuation | Boulder, CO | Strong SMB transaction comparable database |
| Equidam | Startup + tech valuation | $99-499/month | Rotterdam, Netherlands + US ops | Best startup / tech-vertical valuation |
| Eqvista | Cap-table management + 409a valuation | $25-300/month | Wyoming + global | Cap-table + 409a combined |
| Carta | Cap-table + 409a + portfolio valuation | $0-2,800+/month (depends on tier) | San Francisco, CA | Industry-standard cap-table + 409a |
| Aranca | Mid-large enterprise valuation services | Custom (typically $5-50k+/valuation) | Mumbai, India + Princeton, NJ | Outsourced valuation services |
How we evaluated
- Use case. SMB: BizEquity, PeerComps. Credentialed: ValuSource. Startup/tech: Equidam, Eqvista, Carta. Cap-table + 409a: Carta.
- Methodology depth. ValuSource leads on methodology depth (DCF, multiples, asset-based). BizEquity is algorithm-driven.
- Comparable database quality. PeerComps has ~50,000+ SMB closed-deal comparables. ValuSource has industry-specific databases. BizEquity has industry benchmarks across 16M+ businesses.
- Subscription vs. per-valuation pricing. Per-valuation: BizEquity, PeerComps, Aranca. Subscription: ValuSource, Carta, Equidam, Eqvista.
- Credentialing fit. ABV/CVA/ASA appraisers need ValuSource. CPAs and business brokers can use BizEquity or PeerComps.
BizEquity
BizEquity is the most widely-used SMB business valuation platform. ~250k+ valuations performed annually across business brokers, M&A advisors, CPAs, and wealth managers. Strong adoption among lower-middle-market business brokers.
- Most widely-used SMB valuation platform.
- Strong CPA + business broker adoption.
- Industry benchmarks across 16M+ businesses.
- Quick valuations (under 10 minutes).
- Algorithm-driven (less appraiser flexibility than ValuSource).
- Subscription required even for occasional users.
- Best for small-business valuations, not complex middle-market.
When BizEquity is the right choice: you’re a business broker, M&A advisor, CPA, or wealth manager needing fast SMB valuations.
ValuSource
ValuSource is the industry standard for ABV/CVA/ASA credentialed business appraisers. ~40+ years in market. Strong adoption among CPA valuation practices doing complex middle-market + estate / tax / divorce valuations.
- Industry standard for credentialed appraisers.
- Supports complex middle-market valuations.
- Strong methodology support (DCF, market multiples, asset-based).
- Detailed report generation.
- Steep learning curve.
- Expensive for occasional users.
- Less SMB-friendly than BizEquity.
When ValuSource is the right choice: you’re a credentialed appraiser (ABV, CVA, ASA) or CPA valuation practice doing complex middle-market valuations.
PeerComps
PeerComps is the SMB transaction comparable database. Strong adoption among business brokers and M&A advisors needing SMB market-comparable data for valuations.
- Strong SMB transaction comparable database (~50,000+ closed deals).
- Industry-specific multiples.
- Per-valuation pricing option.
- Good for SMB market-comparable analysis.
- Smaller than BizEquity for SMB volume.
- Less methodology flexibility than ValuSource.
- Subscription required.
When PeerComps is the right choice: you’re a business broker or M&A advisor needing SMB market-comparable data with industry-specific multiples.
Equidam
Equidam is the startup + tech-vertical valuation platform. ~50,000+ valuations performed. Strong adoption among startups and VC analysts.
- Best for startup + tech valuation.
- Strong VC-comparable database.
- European + US data.
- Good for early-stage / pre-revenue companies.
- Less SMB-traditional than BizEquity.
- Subscription required.
- Limited middle-market support.
When Equidam is the right choice: you’re a startup, tech founder, or VC analyst needing tech-vertical valuation.
Eqvista
Eqvista is the cap-table management platform with built-in 409a valuation. Strong adoption among startups + tech companies wanting cap-table + 409a in one platform.
- Combined cap-table + 409a valuation.
- Best pricing for startups.
- Clean UX.
- Good for early-stage / Series A-B.
- Limited middle-market support.
- Less rigorous valuations than ValuSource.
- Smaller customer base than Carta.
When Eqvista is the right choice: you’re a startup wanting cap-table + 409a valuation combined.
Carta
Carta is the industry-standard cap-table + 409a valuation platform. ~$300M+ ARR, $7B+ valuation. Strong adoption across startups and VC funds.
- Industry-standard cap-table + 409a.
- Strong VC fund administration features.
- Good integrations with payroll + tax tools.
- Free tier for early-stage startups.
- Expensive at higher tiers.
- Primarily startup / tech focused.
- Less business-broker market share.
When Carta is the right choice: you’re a startup, growth-stage tech, or VC fund needing cap-table + 409a + portfolio valuation.
Aranca
Aranca is the outsourced valuation services firm. Strong adoption among mid-large enterprises and PE firms needing custom valuations done by credentialed appraisers.
- Outsourced (no software learning curve).
- Credentialed appraisers.
- Strong middle-market + large-cap support.
- Custom methodology selection.
- Not software, pay per valuation.
- Slower turnaround than software.
- Custom pricing varies.
When Aranca is the right choice: you need a one-off custom valuation done by credentialed appraisers without buying valuation software.
How to choose: buying criteria
1. Match software to use case
SMB valuation: BizEquity. Credentialed: ValuSource. Startup: Equidam, Eqvista, Carta. Cap-table + 409a: Carta.
2. Subscription vs. per-valuation
Per-valuation (BizEquity, PeerComps, Aranca) for occasional users; subscription (ValuSource, Carta) for regular use.
3. Comparable database quality
Sector-specific multiples matter for accuracy. PeerComps and ValuSource lead on SMB; Carta on startup.
4. Methodology flexibility
Complex middle-market valuations need methodology flexibility (ValuSource); SMB valuations can use algorithm-driven (BizEquity).
5. Reporting and presentation
Business brokers and M&A advisors need client-ready PDF reports. All major platforms support this.
Dangers and traps when selecting
1. Algorithm-only valuations on complex deals
BizEquity / algorithm-driven tools are fine for SMBs; complex middle-market deals need credentialed appraiser flexibility (ValuSource).
2. Inflated seller-stated valuations
Seller-stated EBITDA often includes add-backs that QoE rejects. Software-driven analysis identifies these.
3. Wrong comparable set
Using national comparables on a regional business inflates valuations. Use sector + geography filters.
4. Skipping the QoE adjustment
Even with valuation software, run QoE on $5M+ deals.
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About the Author
Christoph Totter is the founder of CT Acquisitions, a buy-side partner headquartered in Sheridan, Wyoming. We work directly with 100+ buyers, search funders, family offices, lower middle-market PE, and strategic consolidators, including direct mandates with the largest consolidators that other intermediaries cannot access. The buyers pay us when a deal closes, not the seller. No retainer, no exclusivity, no contract until close. Connect on LinkedIn · Get in touch
Best Business Valuation Software: Frequently Asked Questions
What is the best business valuation software?
Depends on use case. SMB (business brokers / M&A advisors): BizEquity (most widely-used) or PeerComps (best comp database). Credentialed appraisers (ABV/CVA/ASA): ValuSource (industry standard). Startup / tech: Equidam, Eqvista, Carta. Cap-table + 409a: Carta (industry standard).
How much does business valuation software cost?
Pricing varies 10-50x. SMB: $25-995/month (BizEquity, PeerComps, Eqvista). Credentialed: $1,895-3,995+/year (ValuSource). Enterprise / Carta: $0-2,800+/month depending on tier. Outsourced (Aranca): $5-50k+/valuation.
Is there free business valuation software?
Carta has a free tier for early-stage startups. Some online calculators (SCORE, SBA Worth-Calculator) provide basic estimates but are not professional-grade. For SMB / middle-market: budget $200-1,000+/month for a professional platform.
BizEquity vs. ValuSource: which is better?
Different audiences. BizEquity is algorithm-driven, fast (under 10 minutes), and used by ~250k+ SMB valuations annually by business brokers, M&A advisors, CPAs. ValuSource is credentialed-appraiser-driven, supports complex methodology (DCF, market multiples, asset-based), and is the industry standard for ABV/CVA/ASA appraisers.
What about Carta?
Carta is the industry-standard cap-table + 409a valuation platform for startups + growth-stage tech + VC funds. ~$300M+ ARR, $7B+ valuation. Different use case from SMB / middle-market business valuation (BizEquity, ValuSource, PeerComps).
How does CT Strategic Partners value businesses?
We coordinate QoE reports on every buy-side mandate. We reference market-comparable databases (PeerComps for SMB, sector-specific data) and run methodology cross-checks (DCF + market multiples + asset-based). We work with your QoE provider and valuation appraiser; we don’t replace them.