If you have ever tried to raise capital or sell a business, you know the nightmare of “The Valuation Question.”
Investors ask, “How much is your company worth?” and if you guess, they laugh you out of the room. If you answer with a spreadsheet you made yourself, they tear it apart.
The traditional solution? Hire a valuation firm. They charge $5,000 to $10,000 and take three weeks to deliver a PDF. For a lean startup or a small business consultant, that is simply not an option.
Equitest is the AI-powered disruption to this expensive industry. It is a professional valuation platform that guides you through the process of determining your company’s worth using Standardized Financial Models (like Discounted Cash Flow, VC Method, and Multiples).
Let’s be honest: Investors don’t just want a number; they want the math behind the number.
Equitest gives you that math. It generates a 30+ page professional report that looks like it came from a Top-Tier accounting firm, but it takes you about 20 minutes to generate.
With a Lifetime Deal starting at just $99, this tool is an absolute no-brainer for Founders, CPAs, and Business Brokers who need credible numbers fast.
In this massive, in-depth Equitest review, I am testing if this tool can really replace a human analyst, or if it’s just a fancy calculator.
Note: This article contains affiliate links. If you buy through them, I may earn a commission, but all opinions are based on my independent research and analysis of the tool.
My Quick Take (TL;DR)
If you need to put a price tag on a business quickly and credibly, here is my honest summary.
What is it?
An AI-driven platform that calculates business valuation using proven financial methodologies (DCF, Multiples, Scorecards) and generates investor-ready PDF reports.
Why is it Special?
The “Report Generator.” Most calculators just give you a number on a screen. Equitest generates a full, white-label report with charts, explanations, and disclaimers that you can hand directly to an investor or bank.
Who is it for?
Startup Founders raising Seed rounds, CPAs offering valuation services, and M&A Advisors.
The Deal: Lifetime Access starting at $99. This gives you 16 valuations (companies) for life.
My Verdict: This is a hidden gem for anyone in finance or fundraising. One single valuation report usually costs $2,000+. Getting 16 of them for $99 is an ROI of nearly 30,000%. It gives you the “Big Firm” look on a bootstrapper’s budget.
Click Here to Get the Equitest Lifetime Deal
What is Equitest?
The best way to describe this platform is as “TurboTax for Business Valuation.”
Just like TurboTax guides you through your taxes with simple questions (“Did you buy a house?”), Equitest guides you through valuation.
It asks:
- “What was your revenue last year?”
- “What is your growth rate?”
- “What industry are you in?”
Then, it runs these numbers through complex algorithms—methods that usually require an MBA to execute correctly—and spits out a defensible valuation range.
It doesn’t just give you one number. It gives you a Weighted Average of multiple methods, showing investors, “We are worth $5M based on Revenue, but $4.5M based on Assets.” This triangulation builds massive trust.
Quick Look: What’s Inside the Deal?
If you are currently paying for tools like ValuAdder or hiring consultants, look at this math.
| Feature | Replaces… | The “Killer” Value | Normal Cost | Deal Status |
| Valuation Reports | $5k Consultants | Professional PDF Output | ~$5,000/ea | ✅ Included |
| DCF Analysis | Complex Excel | Auto-calculated Cash Flow | Hard to DIY | ✅ Included |
| VC Method | Guesswork | Startup-specific logic | N/A | ✅ Included (Plan 3) |
| Cap Table | Carta (Basic) | Managing Equity Splits | ~$200/yr | ✅ Included |
| Pitch Deck | Canva | Auto-filled Slides | Time Saving | ✅ Included |
| Total Value | Your Finance Team | Credibility | ~$10,000+ | $99 (Lifetime) |
Why You Need More Than Just “Revenue x 10”
In 2026, valuations are scrutinized. You can’t just say, “We are a tech company, so we are worth 10x revenue.”
The “Defensibility” Problem
When an investor challenges your valuation, you need to defend it. If you say “I guessed,” you lose. If you say, “This is based on the Berkus Method and a 5-year DCF projection utilizing industry-standard discount rates,” you win. Equitest gives you that language.
The “CPA Opportunity”
If you are an accountant, your clients are constantly asking, “What is my business worth?” Most accountants say, “I don’t do valuations” because it’s too much liability and work. Equitest allows you to say “Yes”. You can charge the client $1,500 for a report that takes you 30 minutes to generate on Equitest. It is a massive profit center for consultants.
Why Automated Valuation is Trending in 2026
I noticed this tool trending because the “Exit Market” is heating up.
The Rise of Micro-Acquisitions
Platforms like Acquire.com have made buying and selling small SaaS companies common. But buyers are savvy. They want to see the numbers. Equitest provides the standard “Data Room” documents that serious buyers expect to see before making an offer.
The “Founder-Led” Fundraising
Founders are raising capital earlier, often before they have a CFO. Equitest acts as a “Fractional CFO,” helping early-stage founders understand their own equity value before they give too much of it away to a shark.
A Look Inside Equitest: Key Features & Benefits
This isn’t just a calculator. It’s a full financial modeling suite.
1. Multiple Valuation Methods
What it is: The tool doesn’t rely on just one formula.
Why it matters: Different businesses need different methods.
- DCF (Discounted Cash Flow): Best for established businesses with steady profits.
- Berkus Method: Best for pre-revenue startups (valuing the idea and team).
- Multiples: Best for comparing against other companies in your industry.
Real-World Scenario: You are a pre-revenue AI startup. A standard DCF would show you are worth $0 because you have no profit. Equitest allows you to use the Berkus Method or Risk Factor Summation, which might value you at $2M based on your IP and team.
2. The Professional PDF Report
What it is: A 20-30 page document generated instantly.
Why it matters: Presentation is everything.
Real-World Scenario: You walk into a bank for a loan. You drop a 30-page bound report on the desk detailing your assets, risks, and projections. The banker takes you seriously. The report includes charts, definitions of terms, and a clear “Conclusion of Value.”
3. Cap Table Management
What it is: A tool to track who owns what % of the company.
Why it matters: It prevents “Equity Messes.”
Real-World Scenario: You give 5% to an advisor and 10% to a co-founder. Equitest tracks the dilution. When you raise money, it calculates exactly how much your 60% stake will dilute down to.
4. Pitch Deck Creator
What it is: It pulls your financial data into a slide format.
Why it matters: Consistency.
Real-World Scenario: You spend hours making a slide deck, but then your revenue projections change. You have to update every slide manually. Equitest syncs the valuation data directly into the deck presentation, ensuring your “Ask” matches your “Valuation.”
5. Investment Proposal Letters
What it is: Auto-generated cover letters for investors.
Why it matters: It frames the narrative.
Real-World Scenario: The tool generates a formal letter summarizing the investment opportunity, the valuation, and the terms. It saves you from writing the awkward “Please give me money” email from scratch.
The Standout Feature: “Combined Methodology”
The genius of Equitest is that it blends art and science.
It allows you to assign Weights.
- You can say: “I want the Valuation to be 50% based on DCF and 50% based on Market Multiples.”
- The Benefit: This smooths out outliers. If one method says $10M and another says $2M, the weighted average gives you a realistic $6M middle ground that is much harder for an investor to argue against.
How Does Equitest Work?
It is designed for non-experts but is powerful enough for pros.
- Step 1: Questionnaire. You answer qualitative questions. “Is the management team experienced?” “Is the market growing?” (This feeds the qualitative valuation methods).
- Step 2: Financial Input. You input your P&L (Profit and Loss) data. Revenue, Expenses, Net Income. You can import this or type it in.
- Step 3: Adjustments. The tool asks for “Add-backs” (e.g., “Did you pay yourself a salary that was below market rate?”). This adjusts the EBITDA to show the true earning power of the business.
- Step 4: Select Methods. Choose which valuation methods to apply (e.g., DCF, Asset-Based).
- Step 5: Generate. Click the button. The AI crunches the numbers and produces the PDF.
Equitest Pricing & AppSumo Deal Details
This is a tiered lifetime deal. The main difference is the Number of Companies and Advanced Methods.
| Feature | Plan 1 (Starter) | Plan 2 (Pro) | Plan 3 (Expert) |
| Price | $99 | $198 | $297 |
| Companies | 16 Companies | 35 Companies | 60 Companies |
| Methods | 6 Methods | 9 Methods | 10 Methods (Inc. VC) |
| Risk Analysis | ❌ No | ❌ No | ✅ Monte Carlo / VAR |
| Pitch Deck | ✅ Included | ✅ Included | ✅ Included |
| Cap Table | ✅ Included | ✅ Included | ✅ Included |
ROI Anchor Logic: The “Hidden Math”
Professional Valuation: Costs $5,000.
Equitest Plan 3: Costs $297 (One-time).
The Reality: One single use pays for the tool 16x over.
If you are a consultant, and you sell one valuation report to a client for $500 (which is very cheap), you have paid for the Plan 3 license and made a $200 profit immediately. The remaining 59 valuations are pure profit.
My Recommendation:
- Founders: Buy Plan 1 ($99). It covers 16 valuations (which really means 16 different companies—you can re-value the same company unlimited times). That is more than enough for one startup.
- Consultants/CPAs: Buy Plan 3 ($297). You need the VC Method and Monte Carlo Simulations to impress high-end clients. Plus, 60 company slots allow you to run a full agency business on this tool for years.
Check the Equitest Deal Plan & Features
Pros & Cons of This Lifetime Package
The user feedback is generally positive, highlighting the specialized nature of the tool.
The Pros
- ✅ Incredible Support: User “ld___” noted that the CEO had an hour-long video call with them. That level of dedication is rare. It shows the team cares deeply about user success.
- ✅ Credibility: As “JB008” mentioned, “A third-party assisted valuation gives a lot more credibility.” Using Equitest looks much better than presenting your own Excel sheet. It removes the “Founder Bias” appearance.
- ✅ Time Savings: “ALEX47874” mentioned it saved them “so much time and effort.” What takes 2 weeks in Excel takes 20 minutes here.
- ✅ Educational: It teaches you how investors think. By seeing which inputs change the valuation, you learn what levers to pull in your business to increase its value.
The Cons
- Requires Financial Data. You can’t just press a button and get a number. You do need to have your P&L and balance sheet numbers ready. But this is actually a good thing—garbage in, garbage out. The tool forces you to be organized.
- Plan Limits. Plan 1 doesn’t include the “Venture Capital Method.” This is a bit of a bummer if you are a high-growth startup, so I strongly recommend upgrading to Plan 3 if you are raising VC money.
Best Use Cases for Equitest
Who actually needs this platform?
The Startup Founder
You are raising a Seed Round.
- The Benefit: You use the Berkus Method inside Equitest to justify a $4M valuation to an angel investor, even though you only have $50k in revenue. The report explains why the team and IP are worth that much.
The Business Broker / M&A Advisor
You help people sell their coffee shops or agencies.
- The Benefit: You use Equitest to create a “Listing Packet” for every client. It makes your brokerage look incredibly high-tech and justifies your commission fee.
The Accountant (CPA)
Your clients trust you with their taxes.
- The Benefit: You upsell an “Annual Business Health Check” package. For an extra $500/year, you provide a Valuation Report showing them how their business value has grown. Equitest does the work; you get the credit.
Get Lifetime Access to Equitest Today
Equitest Alternatives
This is the pivotal section. You are looking at Equitest because you don’t want to spend $5,000 on a consultant. But is it better than the other software options out there?
Let’s compare Equitest against the Top 7 Players in the Business Valuation space to see where the smart money goes.
Equitest vs BizEquity
BizEquity is the “Big Data” giant in valuation.
Big Data vs. Specific Data
- Where BizEquity Wins: Market Data. BizEquity has a massive database of private company sales. It benchmarks you against 33 million businesses. It is very powerful for benchmarking.
- Where Equitest Wins: Price. BizEquity is an enterprise tool sold to banks and wealth managers for thousands of dollars a year. Equitest gives you the same core methodologies (DCF, Multiples) for a one-time $99. Unless you are a bank, BizEquity is overkill. Equitest is the “Democratized” version.
- Verdict: BizEquity for Banks; Equitest for Business Owners.
Equitest vs ValuAdder
ValuAdder is the classic “Desktop Software” for valuation.
Modern Cloud vs. Old School
- Where ValuAdder Wins: Legacy. It has been around for 15+ years. Older CPAs are used to its interface.
- Where Equitest Wins: User Experience (UX). ValuAdder looks like Windows 95. It is clunky and hard to learn. Equitest is a modern, cloud-based web app with AI guidance. It feels like 2026 software. Plus, ValuAdder charges $275/year for a license. Equitest is $99 for life.
- Verdict: ValuAdder for Old-School CPAs; Equitest for Modern Founders.
Equitest vs Carta (409A)
Carta is the standard for “409A Valuations” (Official IRS Tax Valuations).
Compliance vs. Strategy
- Where Carta Wins: IRS Compliance. If you are issuing stock options to employees and need a strictly legal “409A Valuation” to avoid tax penalties, you must use a certified provider like Carta.
- Where Equitest Wins: Fundraising Strategy. Carta is for taxes; it gives you a low number (to keep strike prices low). Equitest is for Fundraising; it helps you justify a high number to investors. You use Equitest to sell your company; you use Carta to pay your taxes. They serve opposite goals.
- Verdict: Carta for Tax Compliance; Equitest for Raising Capital.
Equitest vs EquityNet
EquityNet is a crowdfunding and planning platform.
Crowdfunding vs. Analysis
- Where EquityNet Wins: Network. EquityNet lets you publish your profile to investors on their platform. It’s a fundraising network.
- Where Equitest Wins: The Report. EquityNet is about the profile; Equitest is about the Report. The PDF output from Equitest is far more detailed regarding the specific math of the valuation (using 10+ methods in Plan 3). It is a stronger analytical tool for “Defense” during negotiation.
- Verdict: EquityNet for Exposure; Equitest for Justification.
Equitest vs Excel (DIY)
Excel is the default “Free” option.
Free vs. Correct
- Where Excel Wins: Flexibility. You can build any formula you want.
- Where Equitest Wins: Error Reduction. “Human Error” in Excel kills deals. A broken formula in cell C45 can change your valuation by $1M. Equitest’s algorithms are hard-coded and tested. You can’t “break” the math. Plus, Excel doesn’t auto-generate a 30-page PDF with nice charts and definitions.
- Verdict: Excel for Scratchpads; Equitest for Presentations.
Equitest vs Human Consultants
Hiring a CPA or a valuation firm is the traditional route.
Custom vs. Fast
- Where Humans Win: Nuance. A human can argue, “Yes, revenue is down, but that’s because we pivoted strategy.” They can tell a story better than an algorithm.
- Where Equitest Wins: Speed & Cost. A human takes 3 weeks and costs $5,000. Equitest takes 20 minutes and costs $99. For 90% of early-stage discussions, you don’t need the $5,000 human yet. You need a credible starting number.
- Verdict: Humans for M&A Exits ($10M+); Equitest for Seed Rounds.
Equitest vs Acquire.com Calculator
Acquire.com (MicroAcquire) has a built-in valuation tool.
Quick Check vs. Deep Dive
- Where Acquire Wins: SaaS Specifics. It is highly tailored to “SaaS Multiples” specifically for their marketplace. It’s great for a 2-minute check.
- Where Equitest Wins: Comprehensive Analysis. Acquire gives you a multiple range. Equitest gives you a Discounted Cash Flow (DCF), Asset-Based, and Risk Factor Summation. It looks at the whole business, not just the ARR multiple. It’s much more robust for off-platform deals.
- Verdict: Acquire for Listing; Equitest for Negotiating.
All Competitors Matrix
| Tool | Pricing Model | Best For… | Report Quality | Speed |
| Equitest | Lifetime ($99) | Strategic Valuation | ✅ Pro PDF | ⚡ 20 Mins |
| BizEquity | Sub () | Banks / Wealth | ✅ Enterprise | ⚡ Fast |
| ValuAdder | Sub ($275/yr) | Desktop Users | ⚠️ Outdated | 🐢 Medium |
| Carta | Sub ($3k/yr) | 409A Tax | ✅ Legal | 🐢 Slow |
| Excel | Free | DIY Modeling | ❌ Manual | 🐢 Slow |
| Consultant | Project ($5k+) | Complex M&A | ✅ Custom | 🐢 3 Weeks |
| EquityNet | Freemium | Crowdfunding | ⚠️ Basic | ⚡ Fast |
Is This Lifetime Deal a Smart Business Investment?
Let’s do the financial math for Plan 1 ($99).
Scenario: You are a Startup Founder preparing for a Seed Round.
- Option A (Hire a Consultant): You pay a cheap freelance CFO $1,500 to build a model.
- Option B (Equitest): You pay $99 (One-time).
The ROI Math:
- You save $1,401 instantly on the first use.
- Deal Confidence: Having a professional report gives you the confidence to ask for a $5M valuation instead of $4M. If that 1% difference in equity is saved, you just made $50,000 in value from a $99 tool.
- Consultant Upsell: If you are an advisor, you can buy Plan 3 ($297) and sell one report for $1,000. You profit $700 on day one and have 59 credits left. It’s a money-printing machine for agencies.
How to Redeem the Equitest Deal
- Buy: Purchase the code on AppSumo.
- Plan Selection: Pro Tip: If you are raising venture capital, you need Plan 3 ($297). The “VC Method” and “Monte Carlo Simulation” included in Plan 3 are exactly what sophisticated investors want to see. Don’t cheap out on the lower tier if you want big money.
- Account: Create your account at Equitest.net.
- Redeem: Apply the code in the billing settings.
- Start: Click “New Valuation.” Enter your company name and choose your industry carefully (this sets the market multiples).
Final Verdict: Is This Cost-Friendly Deal Worth It?
After testing the DCF accuracy, the “Berkus Method” logic, and the quality of the final PDF, my final verdict is a solid 4.9-Star BUY.
It is the “Founder’s Secret Weapon.”
- It kills the “Imposter Syndrome” when talking to investors.
- It kills the Expensive Consultant Fees.
- It brings Wall Street Modeling to Main Street for $99.
If you own a business, you need to know what it’s worth. Equitest tells you—and helps you prove it to the world.
Secure Your Equitest License Before The Timer Runs Out
Note: This deal is highly stackable. Plan 3 is the sweet spot for maximum credibility with the VC valuation methods included.
About the Author: Why I Care About This So Much
I bootstrapped my first company and had no idea what it was worth. I practically gave away equity because I didn’t have the data to defend my price.
Equitest solves that problem. It arms you with the same math the VCs use, leveling the playing field. I write these reviews so founders never leave money on the table again.
If you want to see the other tools I use to scale and sell businesses, check out my full AppSumo deal reviews page.
FAQ: Your Equitest Questions, Answered
What is Equitest?
Equitest is an AI-powered business valuation platform that generates strategic valuation reports using methods like DCF, market multiples, and startup-specific models for planning, fundraising, and selling a business.
Is this an official certified appraisal?
No, Equitest provides a strategic Calculation of Value, not a legally certified appraisal like a 409A or court-approved valuation. It is ideal for strategic decisions but not for IRS or legal disputes.
Can Equitest value a pre-revenue startup?
Yes, Equitest supports pre-revenue startups using methods like the Berkus Method, Scorecard Method, and Risk Factor Summation, which focus on team, traction, and potential rather than revenue.
What if I don’t have historical financial data yet?
You can use financial projections. Equitest allows 3 to 5 year forecasts, and the DCF method values your business based on discounted future earnings.
Is my financial data secure with Equitest?
Yes, Equitest uses encrypted servers and does not share your private financial data with third parties. You fully own your valuation report.
Can I export my valuation to Excel?
Yes, you can export financial inputs and valuation summaries, though the primary output is a professional, investor-ready PDF report.
Does Equitest support international businesses?
Yes, valuation methods like DCF and multiples are universal, and you can change report currency symbols such as USD, EUR, or GBP.
What is the Monte Carlo Simulation in Plan 3?
Monte Carlo Simulation runs thousands of valuation scenarios to produce a probability range, showing investors the likely value range rather than a single number.
Can I customize or edit the valuation report?
Yes, you can edit report text, add your company branding, and adjust the weight of each valuation method, including excluding methods that are not relevant.
Do Equitest valuation credits expire?
No, valuation credits included in the lifetime deal never expire and can be used whenever you need a new valuation.
Is there a money-back guarantee?
Yes, AppSumo provides a 60-day money-back guarantee, allowing you to test the valuation depth risk-free.
Does Equitest manage cap tables?
Yes, all plans include cap table management to track ownership of common stock, preferred shares, and options through funding rounds.
Is Equitest suitable for Main Street businesses?
Yes, Equitest includes SDE multiples, making it suitable for valuing restaurants, retail stores, service businesses, and other small businesses.
How fast can I generate a valuation report?
If your financials are ready, you can generate a complete valuation report in under 20 minutes with guided inputs.
Does Equitest include a pitch deck?
Yes, Equitest automatically generates an investor-ready pitch deck based on your valuation data to help present your financial story visually.
Hi, I’m Fahim — a SaaS tools reviewer and digital marketing expert with hands-on experience helping businesses grow using the right software. I research, test, and personally use a wide range of AI, business, productivity, marketing, and email tools for my agency, clients, and projects. I create honest, in-depth reviews and guides to help entrepreneurs, freelancers, startups, and digital agencies choose the best tools to save time, boost results, and scale smarter. If I recommend it, I’ve used it — and I only share what truly works.
