Sphere vs Steward
Which Compliance AI tool is better in 2026?
Sphere
AI-native global tax compliance engine for sales tax, VAT and GST
Steward
AI-first AML platform for complex investor onboarding
Side-by-side
Sphere is the more established option (raised $21M); pricing is comparable on both sides.
| Metric | Sphere | Steward |
|---|---|---|
| Taglinei | AI-native global tax compliance engine for sales tax, VAT and GST | AI-first AML platform for complex investor onboarding |
| Foundedi | 2023🏆 | 2024 |
| HQi | San Francisco, US | New York, US |
| Employeesi | 11-50🏆 | 1-10 |
| Neuron scorei | 70🏆 | 62 |
| Total fundingi | $21M🏆 | $5M |
| Latest roundi | Series A · Nov 2025 | Seed · Mar 2026 |
| Valuationi | — | — |
| Cheapest paid plani | Pricing not disclosed | Pricing not disclosed |
| Free plani | ✗ | ✗ |
| Free triali | ✓ | ✓ |
| Top tier pricei | Pricing not disclosed | Pricing not disclosed |
| Pricing summaryi | Free trial | Free trial |
| Categoriesi |
Capability matrix
Developer-facing capabilities and access signals for Sphere and Steward.
| Capability | Sphere | Steward |
|---|---|---|
| MCP support | ✗ | ✗ |
| Public API | ✓ | ✓ |
| Webhooks | ✗ | ✗ |
| OAuth 2.0 | ✗ | ✗ |
| SDK languages | — | — |
| Free plan | ✗ | ✗ |
| Free trial | ✓ | ✓ |
| Verified | ✗ | ✗ |
| Active deal | ✗ | ✗ |
🟢 Strengths of Sphere
- Has raised more capital ($21M vs $5M)
- Higher Neuron score (70 vs 62)
- More mature (2023)
🔵 Strengths of Steward
- Newer company (2024)
Which should you choose?
Choose Steward if price matters most — it starts at Free trial, which is friendlier for teams watching burn. Both AI Compliance tools ship core features, so the cost delta often decides it for small teams and solo operators.
Choose Sphere if you want the most established option — it has raised $21M, suggesting more runway for enterprise features, support, and long-term roadmap. For mission-critical workflows or larger teams, that stability often outweighs a lower monthly price.
Frequently asked questions
Sphere vs Steward — which is better?
It depends on your priority. Sphere has raised more capital and is the more established option; Steward has broader feature depth. See the side-by-side table above.
Is Sphere cheaper than Steward?
No — Steward's cheapest paid plan is Free trial, while Sphere's is Free trial.
Do Sphere and Steward offer free plans?
Sphere: Free trial only. Steward: Free trial only.
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