FRAMEWORK COMPARISON
SOC 2 vs ISO 27001: Which Should You Choose?
Updated January 2025 · 10 min read
Quick Comparison
| Factor | SOC 2 | ISO 27001 |
|---|---|---|
| Geographic Focus | US-focused, AICPA framework | International standard (ISO) |
| Primary Audience | SaaS, cloud service providers | Global enterprises, EU customers |
| Control Count | 64 controls (5 TSC categories) | 93 controls (14 domains) |
| Timeline | 6-12 months (Type 2) | 8-12 months |
| Cost Range | $25,000 - $75,000 | $35,000 - $95,000 |
| Report Type | Detailed report (can be restricted) | Certificate (public display) |
| Renewal | Annual re-audit | Annual surveillance, 3-year recertification |
Choose SOC 2 If:
- ✓ Your primary customers are US-based enterprises
- ✓ You're a SaaS or cloud service provider
- ✓ Customers specifically request SOC 2 reports
- ✓ You want to limit report distribution (restricted use)
- ✓ You need faster time to compliance (Type 1 option)
Choose ISO 27001 If:
- ✓ You have international customers, especially in EU/UK
- ✓ You want a globally recognized certification
- ✓ You need public proof of security (certificate display)
- ✓ You want a comprehensive ISMS framework
- ✓ Your industry requires ISO standards
Control Overlap: 80-85%
Good news: SOC 2 and ISO 27001 share 80-85% of their controls. This means you can pursue both certifications with minimal additional work.
Overlapping Controls
- • Access control and authentication
- • Encryption (data at rest and in transit)
- • Change management
- • Incident response
- • Vendor risk management
- • Security awareness training
Key Differences
- • ISO requires formal ISMS documentation
- • SOC 2 emphasizes service delivery controls
- • ISO includes physical security requirements
- • SOC 2 has availability/confidentiality categories
Multi-Framework Strategy
Many companies pursue both certifications to maximize market reach:
12-18
Months for both
40%
Cost savings
85%
Shared evidence
Achieve both certifications efficiently
LowerPlane maps shared controls between SOC 2 and ISO 27001, allowing you to reuse 85% of evidence and reduce costs by 40%.
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