How we make this list: we compare pricing pages, product documentation and public user reviews. Rankite is independent; if a vendor ever pays for a featured spot, that listing is clearly labeled Partner.
Key takeaways
- Vanta and Drata lead the category: automated evidence collection, 300-plus integrations and auditor marketplaces for startups to mid-market.
- Secureframe and Sprinto compete on automation depth and customer support for growing SaaS companies.
- Thoropass bundles the audit itself: software plus auditors in one contract, which simplifies budgeting.
- Enterprises with complex GRC needs should evaluate AuditBoard and Hyperproof: broader risk and compliance management beyond SOC 2.
Quick comparison
| Tool | Best for | Starting price | Free plan |
|---|
 Vanta | Startups to mid-market automating SOC 2 | See website (custom quote) | No |
 Drata | Fast SOC 2 with deep integrations | See website (custom quote) | No |
 Secureframe | Automated compliance with strong support | See website (custom quote) | No |
 Sprinto | Growing SaaS companies wanting automation | See website (custom quote) | No |
 Thoropass | Software plus audit in one bundle | See website (custom quote) | No |
 Strike Graph | Flexible, AI-assisted compliance | See website (custom quote) | No |
 AuditBoard | Enterprise GRC including SOC 2 | See website (custom quote) | No |
 Hyperproof | Continuous compliance operations | See website (custom quote) | No |
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We review this list regularly. Vendors can request a listing, send updated pricing or ask about featured placement.
The best SOC 2 compliance software
The enterprise deal is stuck because the prospect asked for your SOC 2 report and you do not have one. SOC 2 compliance software automates the painful parts: connecting to your systems, collecting evidence continuously, mapping controls across frameworks and managing the auditor relationship. These eight are the real options, from startup automation to enterprise GRC.
Starting priceSee website (custom quote)
Free planNo
Vanta built the compliance-automation category. Connect your cloud, identity, HR and ticketing systems, and it continuously collects evidence against SOC 2 controls, flags gaps and tracks remediation. The auditor network and partnerships streamline the actual audit, and Trust Center plus questionnaire automation turn security reviews from weeks into days.
The honest catch is the commercial model. Pricing is custom and scales with headcount and frameworks, so budget carefully as you grow. Some reviewers note persistent upsells for additional products. For startups and mid-market SaaS companies that need SOC 2 fast, Vanta remains the default shortlist entry.
What we like- The category definer: 300-plus integrations for automated evidence collection
- Auditor marketplace and partnerships
- Questionnaire automation for security reviews
Watch out for- Custom pricing that grows with company size
- Some users report upsell pressure on add-ons
Starting priceSee website (custom quote)
Free planNo
Drata is Vanta's chief rival and the choice of teams that prioritize monitoring depth. Continuous control monitoring watches your systems in real time, evidence collection automates across a deep integration list, and multi-framework support lets one implementation cover SOC 2, ISO 27001, HIPAA and more. The implementation guidance is structured and fast.
The catch mirrors Vanta's: custom pricing that scales, and a product evolving fast enough that the interface shifts. Evaluate both head-to-head: the automation philosophies differ slightly, and the sales experience predicts the vendor relationship. For speed-to-audit with strong monitoring, Drata is top-tier.
What we like- Strong automation with real-time control monitoring
- Deep integration library
- Good multi-framework support (SOC 2, ISO 27001, HIPAA, GDPR)
Watch out for- Custom pricing
- The pace of feature releases can mean UI churn
Starting priceSee website (custom quote)
Free planNo
Secureframe competes on execution: automated testing across 200-plus integrations, multi-framework support and customer support that reviewers consistently praise. The onboarding is hands-on, which matters when compliance is new to the team. For companies that want guidance alongside automation, the support reputation is the differentiator.
The honest catch is scale of ecosystem. Fewer marketplace integrations and partnerships than Vanta, and custom pricing like the rest. Demo the evidence collection against your actual stack: the integration quality for your specific tools matters more than the total count.
What we like- Automated evidence collection across 200-plus integrations
- Praised customer support and onboarding
- Good multi-framework coverage
Watch out for- Custom pricing
- Smaller ecosystem than Vanta
Starting priceSee website (custom quote)
Free planNo
Sprinto targets growing SaaS companies with full automation: continuous control monitoring, evidence collection and multi-framework coverage (SOC 2, ISO 27001, HIPAA, GDPR, PCI). The product is built for teams that need compliance without hiring a compliance team, and the pricing positions competitively for the growth stage.
The catch is market presence. Less recognized than Vanta or Drata with US enterprise buyers, which can matter when the auditor or the prospect asks what you use. Evaluate the automation against your stack directly. For growth-stage SaaS, the value proposition is strong.
What we like- Strong automation with a focus on SaaS workflows
- Multi-framework support
- Competitive pricing positioning for growth-stage companies
Watch out for- Custom pricing
- Less brand recognition in the US enterprise market
Starting priceSee website (custom quote)
Free planNo
Thoropass (formerly Laika) solves the two-vendor problem: the software and the auditors come in one bundle. Automation handles evidence collection and readiness; Thoropass's audit team handles the actual SOC 2 audit. One contract, predictable budgeting, and no finger-pointing between software vendor and auditor.
The honest catch is the trade: bundling simplifies but reduces choice. If you want a specific audit firm, the bundle may not fit. Custom pricing as usual. For companies that want the audit handled end-to-end with minimal vendor management, the bundle is the point.
What we like- Bundles compliance software with the audit firm: one contract, one throat to choke
- Automation plus human expert guidance
- Clear budgeting
Watch out for- Bundling means less auditor choice
- Custom pricing
Starting priceSee website (custom quote)
Free planNo
Strike Graph differentiates on flexibility: instead of forcing your business into rigid control templates, its framework adapts, with AI assistance speeding evidence mapping and documentation. Companies with unusual architectures or scopes find the adaptability valuable. The approach suits teams that chafe at one-size-fits-all compliance.
The catch is vendor size and recognition. Smaller than the leaders, with less auditor and prospect familiarity. Custom pricing. For standard SaaS SOC 2, the leaders' templates are fine; for complex or unusual environments, Strike Graph's flexibility earns its evaluation slot.
What we like- Flexible control framework that adapts to your business
- AI assistance for evidence and documentation
- Good for companies with unusual scopes
Watch out for- Smaller vendor with less market visibility
- Custom pricing
Starting priceSee website (custom quote)
Free planNo
AuditBoard is the enterprise GRC platform that includes SOC 2 among many frameworks. Internal audit teams, risk management, controls testing and compliance reporting live in one system with serious workflow depth. For enterprises already running audit programs, adding SOC 2 to AuditBoard beats buying a point tool.
The honest catch is the weight. Enterprise pricing, implementation effort and complexity make it wrong for startup SOC 2. This is the pick when compliance is an organizational function, not a fundraising checkbox. Startups should look at the automation specialists above.
What we like- Full GRC platform: audit, risk, compliance and ESG in one system
- Strong for enterprises with internal audit teams
- Deep workflow and reporting
Watch out for- Enterprise pricing and complexity
- Overkill for startup SOC 2
Starting priceSee website (custom quote)
Free planNo
Hyperproof positions compliance as continuous operations: controls monitored year-round, evidence fresh, audits a non-event. The control reuse across frameworks (SOC 2, ISO, HIPAA) reduces duplicate work, and the workflow suits mid-market companies with dedicated compliance owners.
The catch is the audience. Less optimized for the startup "need SOC 2 in 90 days" motion than Vanta or Drata. Custom pricing. For companies treating compliance as an ongoing discipline with staff to own it, Hyperproof's operations focus fits.
What we like- Built for ongoing compliance operations, not just audit prep
- Good control reuse across frameworks
- Strong for mid-market compliance teams
Watch out for- Custom pricing
- Less startup-focused than Vanta or Drata
What to check before you buy
Start with your timeline and audit firm. If you need SOC 2 Type II in six months, ask each vendor for a realistic implementation plan against your stack, and confirm auditor availability: the software is ready before the auditors are, usually. Thoropass's bundle sidesteps the auditor search entirely.
Then verify the integrations that matter. "300 integrations" is marketing; the five systems holding your evidence (AWS, Google Workspace or Okta, GitHub, Jira, your HRIS) are the evaluation. Ask for a live evidence-collection demo on systems like yours. Manual evidence upload is the failure mode these tools exist to prevent.
Finally, price the total program, not the software. Software quote plus audit fees plus internal time: the audit itself often costs as much as the software for small companies. Get auditor quotes in parallel with software quotes, because the cheapest software with the most expensive audit is not the cheapest program.
The Type I vs Type II decision
SOC 2 Type I attests that controls are designed properly at a point in time; Type II attests they operated effectively over months (usually 3-12). Prospects increasingly demand Type II. The practical path: implement with the software, get Type I quickly to unblock deals, then run the observation period for Type II.
Budget the timeline honestly. From zero to Type II typically takes 6-12 months including the observation window; software compresses the readiness phase, not the auditor's calendar. Start the clock early: the observation period cannot be rushed.
How we chose
We started with the searches buyers actually run: SOC 2 compliance software, Vanta alternative and SOC 2 automation. For each candidate we checked the vendor's own site for current positioning, confirmed active development, and compared automation depth, integrations, auditor relationships and company-size fit against public reviews on G2, Capterra and practitioner discussion. Where a price could not be verified on the vendor's page, we wrote "See website" rather than guessing.
Frequently asked questions
How much does SOC 2 compliance software cost?
Custom-quoted across the board. Market ranges: startups typically pay low five figures annually for automation platforms; mid-market pays more with additional frameworks; the audit itself adds a similar amount. Always budget software plus audit plus internal time together.
How long does SOC 2 certification take?
Type I: 2-4 months from a standing start with automation software. Type II: 6-12 months including the 3-12 month observation period. Software compresses readiness; it cannot compress the auditor's observation window. Start early if deals depend on it.
Do I need SOC 2 if I am a small startup?
You need it when enterprise prospects ask for it, which in B2B SaaS is increasingly early. Early-stage startups can sometimes start with a security questionnaire and a roadmap; Series A and beyond, SOC 2 becomes table stakes. Do not buy software before you have a real deadline.
Vanta vs Drata: which is better?
Both automate SOC 2 well. Vanta has the larger ecosystem (integrations, auditor marketplace, Trust Center). Drata emphasizes real-time monitoring depth. Evaluate both on your stack: the integration quality for your specific tools and the sales experience decide. There is no consensus winner.
Can software alone make me SOC 2 compliant?
No. Software automates evidence collection and tracks controls, but compliance requires actual security practices: access reviews, incident response, vendor management, training. The software proves what you do; it does not do it for you. Budget internal ownership alongside the tool.
What is the difference between SOC 2 Type I and Type II?
Type I assesses control design at a point in time; Type II assesses operating effectiveness over a period (typically 3-12 months). Type II carries more weight with enterprise buyers. Most companies do Type I first to unblock deals, then complete the Type II observation period.
Sources we checked (8)
- https://www.vanta.com
- https://www.drata.com
- https://www.secureframe.com
- https://www.sprinto.com
- https://www.thoropass.com
- https://www.strikegraph.com
- https://www.auditboard.com
- https://www.hyperproof.io
Is your product missing or out of date?
We review this list regularly. Vendors can request a listing, send updated pricing or ask about featured placement.
Shihab Mia · Founder, Rankite
Shihab has spent more than a decade helping SaaS and e-commerce brands grow through search. He writes Rankite's software buying guides from pricing pages, documentation and public user reviews. More about Shihab.