How Much Does SOC 2 Preparation & Audit Cost?

I get this question a lot: What’s the complete cost of a SOC 2 audit, including preparation?

There are a ton of factors that influence the cost of SOC 2 compliance, but I know how frustrating the “it depends” answer can be. So, today, I’m breaking it down specifically for SMBs, showing both the “classic” (aka money-is-no-object) approach and the smarter way to tackle SOC 2.

Classic “Money-is-No-Object” Way

Here’s the typical cost breakdown for companies that go all out—usually with a dedicated compliance officer, fancy compliance automation tools, and high-priced audit services (numbers are based on Secureframe data):

• Readiness Assessment: $15k

• Risk Assessment: $10-20k

• Compliance Prep: $25-50k

• Formal Audit: $5-15k

TOTAL: $55k-$100k 🤯 (Yes, for startups and small companies!)

If paying $55-100k for a SOC 2 audit fits your budget, that’s fantastic—but my services are geared toward those looking for a smarter, more cost-effective approach. In reality, aside from the audit itself (usually $5k-15k), the other 90-95% of these costs are in the readiness assessment, risk evaluation, and compliance prep.

And if you’ve been through a SOC 2, ISO27001, or similar audit before, you’ll know that consultants and auditors often just follow endless questionnaires. For a while now, I’ve thought this could be done more effectively with the right tools and tech—and with today’s AI, that’s now possible. My goal is to equip you with AI-powered tools like the SOC 2 Readiness Assessment and Tailored Policy Package to deliver the same or even better results for a fraction of the price. Imagine spending just a few thousand instead of $50k-$85k. That’s value!

The Smart Way: Using AI to Save Big

Here’s how the cost can look if you’re leveraging AI and a streamlined approach:

• Readiness Assessment: $300

• Compliance Prep & Tailored Policy Package: $3k

• Formal Audit: $5k

TOTAL: $8.3k

It’s night and day—taking the smart, tech-driven route means you’re looking at around $10k total, compared to the $55k-$100k of the old way.

How to Get Started with These Tools

First, start using them! Check out the Readiness Audit here and the Tailored Policy Package here. Or, go for the Ultimate Package, which combines both for a complete, seamless solution. The best part? The policy package integrates perfectly with the readiness assessment questionnaire—saving you even more time and effort.

If you have questions or just want to chat about how this works, hit reply!

Adam

P.S. You know what's scarier than spending $55k on SOC 2? Realizing you didn’t have to…