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Show HN: Comparator - I built a free, open-source app to compare job offers

(comparator-one.vercel.app)
83 points MediumD | 1 comments | 24 Jun 25 00:00 UTC | HN request time: 0.206s | source
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MediumD ◴[24 Jun 25 00:00 UTC] No.44361476[source]▶
When I got multiple startup job offers, I realized how hard it was to project out a realistic value behind the equity. Guessing future valuations, dealing with dilution, and running through endless scenarios was a headache—so I built Comparator.

Comparator is a simple, free, open-source tool to help you cut through the complexity of startup compensation. Quickly see what your equity might actually be worth, factor in dilution, and easily compare your offers side by side. It’s completely free, no signups, your data never leaves the browser.

Check out the app here: https://comparator-one.vercel.app

Check out the code here: https://github.com/DevonPeroutky/comparator

replies(1): >>44361684 #
codingdave ◴[24 Jun 25 00:33 UTC] No.44361684[source]▶
> figure out the real value behind the equity.

Zero. Equity is a bonus in case things work out. But for the purpose of deciding on offers - zero.

replies(2): >>44362160 #>>44362372 #
MediumD ◴[24 Jun 25 02:31 UTC] No.44362372[source]▶
While I think it’s good advice to live as if the equity is worth zero, treating all equity as if its worth nothing, seems a bit over-reductionist when equity packages can routinely be worth millions of dollars.

Obviously it’s a crapshoot and should never be seen as a guarantee, I think treating it as zero is bit too far on the opposite extreme.

replies(1): >>44363410 #
stuckonempty ◴[24 Jun 25 06:35 UTC] No.44363410[source]▶
How did you get to equity packages being “routinely” worth millions when tech startups fail somewhere between 75% and >99% of the time (depending on estimates)?

Seems far more likely that startup equity will be worth zero to typical individual contributor employees, not millions

replies(3): >>44363457 #>>44363724 #>>44365074 #
virgilp ◴[24 Jun 25 11:41 UTC] No.44365074[source]▶
By your own measure, if startups fail 99% of the time, shouldn't one value a $1M equity as $10k bonus? "Zero" does seem extreme, agree with the sentiment that "it's less than you think" but if you get lot of equity in a series-C startup, I wouldn't say that's equivalent to 0.
replies(1): >>44370541 #
1. Viliam1234 ◴[24 Jun 25 20:12 UTC] No.44370541[source]▶
Probably not, because even in the 1% when the startup succeeds, there is probably some gotcha. It will turn out that your share was diluted, or your shares are not priority shares unlike the shares that your boss owns, etc... unless you are an expert, you have no idea about the dozen ways you can be screwed even in the unlikely case that the startup succeeds.