Who built this
Hi, I'm Matt. I am a former venture capital associate and startup founder, and I have sat on both sides of the equity table: I have allocated stock to employees as a founder, and I have received equity myself as an early-stage employee.
Why I built this website
While my own experiences with stock and job compensation felt unique at the time, I came to realize they were quite normal. Too many early-stage employees are taken advantage of by their employers when it comes to negotiating complicated equity terms, simply because the information they need is hard to find and expensive to buy. Job candidates deserve advice that is easy to access and affordable. This website is meant to serve as that advice.
What the site does
CompDecoder lets you enter the details of a startup offer and see how the cash and equity compare with typical ranges for your role, stage, and location. An AI review checks your specific award terms against authoritative sources, and our guides explain the concepts that most affect what your offer is actually worth, from RSUs versus ISOs to acquisitions & payouts explained.
Put these terms alongside your cash offer
Have an offer in hand? Enter its details and see where you have room to negotiate before you sign.
Compare my offerCompDecoder’s salary ranges use built-in assumptions, not a verified salary survey. Unverified equity is not counted as annual cash compensation, and an estimated ownership percentage is not a promised payout.