How Much Does SOC 2 Really Cost? (2024 Pricing Breakdown)
TL;DR: SOC 2 Cost Breakdown
- • Total range: $4,995 to $50,000+ depending on approach
- • Compliance platform: $4,995–$40,000/year
- • Auditor fees: Included or $8,000–$15,000 separately
- • Implementation time: 30 days to 12 months
- • Hidden costs: Team time, consulting, renewals can double the price
- • Best value: Automated platforms like LowerPlane ($4,995 all-in)
"How much does SOC 2 cost?" is the first question every founder asks when they realize they need compliance. The answer you'll find on most websites? "It depends."
That's frustrating. So let's cut through the BS and give you real numbers, real trade-offs, and a framework for figuring out what you'll actually pay.
The Short Answer: What SOC 2 Really Costs
Real-World SOC 2 Cost Ranges (2024)
The price difference isn't just random—it's about who does the work. Are you doing it manually? Is software automating evidence collection? Is a consultant billing $300/hour to take screenshots?
Breaking Down SOC 2 Costs: What You're Actually Paying For
SOC 2 certification costs break down into four main categories:
1. Compliance Platform/Software ($0–$40,000/year)
This is the tool you use to manage the compliance process, collect evidence, and prepare for the audit.
Platform Pricing Comparison
What drives the price difference? Number of integrations, quality of automation, support level, and brand premium. LowerPlane focuses on the 50 most common integrations and automates 30-50% of the work, which keeps costs down while delivering fast results.
2. Auditor Fees ($0–$15,000)
You need an independent CPA firm to conduct the actual audit. Some platforms include this in their price; others charge separately.
Auditor Fee Structures
- Included in platform price: LowerPlane ($0 extra), some all-in-one packages
- Separate auditor: $8,000–$12,000 for Type I, $12,000–$15,000 for Type II
- Big 4 auditors: $15,000–$30,000+ (usually overkill for startups)
Pro tip: Auditor fees are often hidden in platform pricing. Always ask: "Is the auditor included, or is that extra?"
3. Implementation & Remediation ($0–$50,000)
If you have security gaps (missing controls, incomplete policies, weak access management), you'll need to fix them before the audit. This is where costs can balloon.
Common Implementation Costs
- Security tools: $0–$5,000/year (password manager, MFA, monitoring)
- Policy templates: $0–$2,000 (free with most platforms)
- Consultant/vCISO: $5,000–$50,000 (hourly rates: $150–$400/hour)
- Engineering time: 20–200 hours depending on gaps
Most startups already have 60-75% of controls in place. Automated platforms identify the gaps and provide templates to close them quickly.
4. Team Time (Often Overlooked)
Your team's time has a cost, even if it's not a direct expense line item.
Time Investment by Approach
- DIY (spreadsheets): 400–600 hours across your team
- Basic automation: 100–200 hours
- Full automation + advisor (LowerPlane): 10–30 hours
- Big consulting firm: 50–150 hours (they do most work, you review)
At a blended rate of $100/hour for your team, 400 hours costs you $40,000 in opportunity cost—more than most platform fees.
Get SOC 2 Certified for $4,995
All-inclusive pricing. Auditor included. 30-day timeline. No hidden fees.
Hidden Costs Nobody Warns You About
The sticker price is only part of the story. Here are the costs vendors don't advertise upfront:
1. Annual Renewals That Increase 20-40%
Many platforms offer "introductory pricing" for year one, then jack up the price at renewal. Vanta customers report 25-40% price increases at renewal. LowerPlane locks in pricing for 3 years.
2. Per-User or Per-Integration Fees
Some platforms charge extra for additional users, integrations, or frameworks. A $15K base price can quickly become $25K with add-ons.
3. "Success" or "Implementation" Fees
Premium platforms often require $5K–$15K "onboarding" or "success" packages for the first year. These are effectively mandatory but listed separately to make the base price look lower.
4. Type II Upgrade Costs
Type I is a point-in-time audit. Type II covers 3-12 months and is what most enterprises actually require. The upgrade often costs an extra $10K–$15K.
5. Multi-Framework Add-Ons
Need ISO 27001 or HIPAA too? Most platforms charge $5K–$15K per additional framework, even though the controls overlap 80-90%.
What You Get at Each Price Point
Let's break down what you actually receive at different price tiers:
$4,995/year (LowerPlane)
Best Value- ✅ Automated evidence collection (50+ integrations)
- ✅ Pre-built policy templates (15+ policies)
- ✅ Dedicated compliance advisor
- ✅ Auditor coordination included
- ✅ Type I & Type II reports
- ✅ 30-day average timeline
- ✅ 3-year price lock
- ✅ Unlimited team members
Best for: Startups and mid-market companies that want fast, affordable certification with human support
$15,000–$25,000/year (Drata, Secureframe)
- ✅ Automated evidence collection (60-75+ integrations)
- ✅ Pre-built policy templates
- ✅ Email/chat support (24-48 hour response)
- ✅ Self-service auditor coordination
- ⚠️ Auditor fees often separate (+$10K–$15K)
- ✅ 60-90 day average timeline
- ⚠️ Price increases at renewal common
Best for: Companies that want strong automation and don't need hands-on guidance
$25,000–$40,000/year (Vanta)
- ✅ Automated evidence collection (300+ integrations)
- ✅ Pre-built policy templates
- ✅ Brand name recognition
- ⚠️ Advisor only on enterprise plans
- ⚠️ Auditor often separate (+$10K–$15K)
- ✅ 60-90 day timeline
- ⚠️ Price increases 25-40% at renewal
Best for: Well-funded companies that value brand recognition and need many integrations
How to Choose the Right Option for Your Company
Here's a simple decision framework:
Choose Based on Your Situation
Choose LowerPlane ($4,995) if:
- • Budget is under $15K
- • You want fast certification (30 days)
- • You value human support over chatbots
- • You use common tools (AWS, Google, GitHub, Okta)
- • You're a seed to Series B startup
Choose Mid-Tier Platform ($15K–$25K) if:
- • You have complex or unusual tech stack
- • You need 75+ specific integrations
- • Your team is comfortable with self-service
- • Budget isn't a primary concern
Choose Vanta ($25K–$40K) if:
- • Brand recognition matters to your customers
- • You're well-funded (Series C+)
- • You need 100+ integrations
- • Price isn't a major factor
Choose Big Consulting ($50K+) if:
- • You're a large enterprise
- • You need multiple complex frameworks
- • You have compliance requirements beyond SOC 2
- • You have unlimited budget and want white-glove service
Real Customer Examples: What Companies Actually Paid
Case Study: SaaS Startup (15 employees)
What they paid with LowerPlane: $4,995 total
- • Platform fee: $4,995/year (auditor included)
- • Team time: ~15 hours ($1,500 opportunity cost)
- • New tools: $0 (already had necessary security tools)
- • Total Year 1: $6,495
Timeline: 28 days from start to audit completion
Comparison: Same Company with Vanta
What they would have paid: $41,000+ total
- • Platform fee: $28,000/year
- • Auditor: $12,000 (not included)
- • Implementation package: $5,000 (required)
- • Team time: ~40 hours ($4,000)
- • Total Year 1: $49,000
Timeline: 65 days (industry average for Vanta)
Comparison: DIY Approach
What they would have paid: $30,000+ in hidden costs
- • Software: $0
- • Auditor: $15,000
- • Consultant: $8,000 (40 hours at $200/hour)
- • Team time: ~400 hours ($40,000 opportunity cost)
- • Total Year 1: $63,000 (including opportunity cost)
Timeline: 6+ months, high failure risk
Frequently Asked Questions
What's the difference between Type I and Type II pricing?
Type I is a point-in-time audit (one day) and costs less. Type II covers 3-12 months of continuous compliance and is what most enterprises require. Type II typically costs $8K–$12K more than Type I when priced separately. LowerPlane includes both in the base price.
Why is LowerPlane so much cheaper than Vanta?
We focus on the 50 most common integrations instead of 300+, which reduces engineering costs. We automate 30-50% of the work (vs. 20-30% for others), reducing manual labor. We don't have a massive sales team or fancy offices. And we lock pricing for 3 years instead of raising it at renewal. Most importantly: we include the auditor in our price, while others charge separately.
Are there any hidden costs with LowerPlane?
No. Our $4,995 price includes the platform, auditor, advisor support, and all frameworks in our base package. The only additional costs would be if you need additional frameworks beyond SOC 2 (we charge $2,995/year for ISO 27001, HIPAA, etc.) or if you need to purchase security tools you don't already have (password manager, MFA, etc.).
How much does SOC 2 renewal cost in Year 2 and beyond?
With LowerPlane: same price for 3 years ($4,995/year). With other platforms: expect 15-40% increases. Vanta customers commonly report $28K in year 1 becoming $35K–$40K by year 3. The audit itself must be renewed annually, which is why continuous monitoring is important—it makes renewals much faster and cheaper.
Can I negotiate pricing with compliance platforms?
Sometimes, especially with mid-tier and premium platforms. Discounts of 10-20% are possible if you pay annually upfront, commit to multiple years, or if you're at the end of their sales quarter. LowerPlane has fixed public pricing—we don't negotiate because we're already at the lowest price point.
What's the ROI of spending more on a premium platform?
Honestly, for most startups, there isn't one. The SOC 2 report you get from LowerPlane looks identical to one from Vanta to your customers—auditors follow the same standards. Premium platforms offer more integrations and brand recognition, but unless you specifically need those 300+ integrations, you're paying $20K–$35K/year extra for features you won't use. Invest that money in your product instead.
Related Resources
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Michael Rodriguez
Compliance Advisor at LowerPlane. Former auditor at a Big 4 firm. Has helped 200+ companies get SOC 2 certified. Passionate about making compliance transparent and affordable.