This blog was updated July 2025.
Achieving SOC 2 compliance is a crucial milestone for organizations that handle sensitive customer data. It shows clients that you take their security seriously, and it can help you win new business. But earning SOC 2 certification is a complex and lengthy process that can quickly become expensive.
The question for most companies is whether the benefits of completing SOC 2 compliance outweigh the costs. The answer is generally yes, but to make the case within your organization, you may need deeper insight into the true costs of SOC 2 compliance.
This blog offers a detailed look at SOC 2 compliance, SOC 2 audit costs, and other factors that can impact the price.
How much does SOC 2 certification cost?
SOC 2 certification costs range from $35,000 to more than $150,000, depending on your company’s size, scope, and approach. This includes the audit itself, which an external SOC 2 consultant will complete, and the costs of preparing your business to pass.
A SOC 2 auditor typically costs between $10,000 and $50,000. The remaining expenses go toward improving your company’s cybersecurity posture. You can do that internally or rely on the same SOC 2 audit firm to guide you.
If you already have robust policies and practices in place, you may need to spend very little retrofitting your digital infrastructure. But if you have minimal controls in place, your costs could climb toward the higher end of the quoted range.
Another key factor impacting cost is the method your company uses to improve compliance. DIY internal processes can be less expensive than partnering with a third-party SOC 2 readiness company. But many businesses lack the internal cybersecurity expertise necessary to achieve SOC 2 readiness independently.
DIY SOC 2 sompliance vs. hiring a professional
One of the first decisions you’ll need to make is whether to complete the process internally or hire a professional to guide you. Both options can be effective, but they offer distinct pros and cons.
DIY Compliance Option
DIY approaches can reduce your upfront SOC 2 compliance costs. But they often expand timelines, lead to compliance gaps, and increase the odds of failing your audit.
You could end up spending more in the long run to fix these issues than what you would have paid to hire a professional. But DIY is still a viable path if you have the appropriate internal cybersecurity experts.
Outsourcing Compliance Option
Partnering with a consultant costs more upfront, but you get a lot of value for the extra expense. Your compliance team will streamline improvements, minimize risks, and help you pass your SOC 2 compliance audit on the first try. This can save you a considerable amount of money over the long run.
Trava Security offers flexible support that can be tailored to your specific needs. If you have some internal expertise, we can complete your SOC 2 readiness assessment to verify you’re ready for audit. Or, if you’re interested in being more hands-off, consider our Compliance as a Service model. It’s a turnkey solution that delivers everything you need to earn SOC 2 Type I or SOC 2 Type II certification.
Not sure if you need a SOC 2 expert? This guide helps you decide—and choose the right one.
What does DIY SOC 2 cost for companies under 250 employees?
For companies with fewer than 250 employees, the cost estimates for each stage of preparing for a SOC 2 audit might differ compared to larger organizations due to differences in scale, complexity, and resource availability. Here’s a breakdown:
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Assessment and Planning:
Scoping: Similar to larger organizations, minimal cost, mainly internal staff time for scoping exercises.
Identify Applicable Trust Service Criteria: Minimal cost, mostly internal staff time for analysis.
Gaps Analysis: Can range from $2,000 to $10,000+ depending on the complexity, involving consultant fees for assessments or internal staff resources.
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Designing Controls:
Control Implementation: Costs might range from $5,000 to $30,000+ for implementing necessary controls, policies, and procedures.Documentation: Minimal external costs, mainly internal staff time.
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Testing and Implementation
Testing Controls: Can range from $5,000 to $20,000+ involving internal staff time and potentially external testing services or tools.Remediation: Costs can range from $2,000 to $15,000+ for addressing identified issues.
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Internal Readiness Review:
Internal Audit (optional): Costs might range from $5,000 to $15,000+ if engaging external auditors or allocating internal staff time.
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Pre-Audit Preparations:
Readiness Assessment: Minimal external costs, mainly internal staff time.Documentation Review: Minimal external costs, mainly internal staff time.
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Engaging with Auditors:
Can range from $2,000 to $10,000+ for initial discussions and coordination with auditing firms.
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SOC 2 Audit:
The cost for the SOC 2 audit itself can range widely from $10,000 to $50,000+ based on the scope and complexity.
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Post-Audit Follow-Up:
Address Findings: Costs to address identified findings might range from $5,000 to $20,000+ depending on the number and severity of issues.
Smaller companies might have fewer systems and controls to manage, potentially reducing costs in certain areas compared to larger organizations. However, the need for compliance with SOC 2 standards and the associated expenses largely depends on the complexity and scope of their operations, rather than just the employee count. As with larger organizations, obtaining detailed quotes and considering all expenses is essential for budgeting and planning for SOC 2 compliance.
Trava gets you SOC 2 certified up to 75% faster than DIY
SOC 2 certification cost by company size
Your SOC 2 certification cost will also vary by the size of your company. Businesses with larger employee bases tend to have more robust systems, managing a greater number of users and devices. This increases the complexity of your SOC 2 report, adding to your costs.
Here’s what to expect based on your company size:
| Company Type | Number of Employees | Average SOC 2 Certification Cost | Notes |
| Startup | Under 50 | $35,000 to $60,000 | Often minimize consultant services to save money, but at the cost of increasing risk |
| Midsized | 51 to 250 | $60,000 to $100,000 | Typically use a hybrid approach blending DIY work with consultant support |
| Enterprise | 251+ | $100,000 to $150,000+ | Typically fully managed or consultant-led due to complexity |
What are the stages of preparing for a SOC2 audit?
Preparing for a SOC 2 audit involves several stages to ensure a comprehensive and successful compliance process. These stages generally include:
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Assessment and Planning:
Scoping: Define the scope of the audit, including systems, services, and controls to be assessed.
Identify Applicable Trust Service Criteria: Determine which Trust Service Criteria (e.g., security, availability, confidentiality, processing integrity, privacy) are relevant to your organization.
Gaps Analysis: Assess current controls against SOC 2 requirements to identify gaps that need to be addressed.
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Designing Controls:
Control Implementation: Develop and implement controls and policies aligned with SOC 2 requirements and the identified gaps.
Documentation: Create documentation detailing control objectives, procedures, and evidence to support compliance.
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Testing and Implementation:
Testing Controls: Conduct testing to ensure that implemented controls are functioning effectively.
Remediation: Address any deficiencies found during testing and refine control implementation.
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Internal Readiness Review:
Internal Audit (optional): Conduct an internal audit or self-assessment to identify any remaining gaps or issues.
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Pre-Audit Preparations:
Readiness Assessment: Evaluate the organization’s readiness for the official SOC 2 audit.
Documentation Review: Ensure all necessary documentation and evidence are in order for the audit.
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Engaging with Auditors:
Engagement with Auditors: Interact and coordinate with the chosen auditing firm or auditor to schedule the audit, clarify expectations, and address any concerns.
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SOC 2 Audit:
On-Site or Remote Audit: The auditing firm performs the assessment, reviewing controls, evidence, and documentation to validate compliance.
Evidence Presentation: Present evidence and provide explanations as needed during the audit process.
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Post-Audit Follow-Up:
Audit Report Review: Review the draft SOC 2 report provided by the auditor.
Address Findings: Address any findings or recommendations provided in the report.
Final Report Issuance: Receive the final SOC 2 report from the auditor.
Throughout these stages, ongoing communication, collaboration among various stakeholders, continuous improvement, and a proactive approach to addressing any identified issues are crucial to ensuring a successful SOC 2 audit and ongoing compliance.
Get the SOC 2 Compliance Checklist
What is a realistic timeframe for compliance?
It’s important to note that these timeframes are estimates and can vary significantly based on the organization’s unique circumstances. Some stages may overlap, and the timeline might be expedited or prolonged based on the organization’s readiness, resources, and the efficiency of the compliance efforts. Additionally, engaging experienced consultants or experts can often streamline the process and reduce the duration of certain stages.
The total time required to complete all stages of preparing for a SOC 2 audit can vary widely based on factors such as the organization’s readiness, the complexity of systems, the number of controls to be implemented, and the resources dedicated to the compliance effort.
Roughly estimating the time across all stages:
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Assessment and Planning: 2-4 months
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Designing Controls: 6-12 months
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Testing and Implementation: 4-6 months
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Internal Readiness Review: 1-2 months
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Pre-Audit Preparations: 3-6 months
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Engaging with Auditors: 1-2 months before the audit
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SOC 2 Audit: 1-2 weeks
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Post-Audit Follow-Up: 3-6 months
Summing these estimated durations across all stages, preparing for a SOC 2 audit might typically take anywhere from approximately 1.5 to 2.5 years, considering the range of activities involved, potential overlaps between stages, and the timeframes needed for comprehensive preparation, testing, and post-audit actions.
It’s important to note that these estimates are approximate and can significantly vary based on the organization’s specific circumstances, level of preparedness, complexity, and the efficiency of the compliance efforts. Organizations with robust existing controls and prior compliance efforts might require less time, while those starting from scratch or facing significant compliance gaps may take longer.
Build your ideal SOC 2 compliance plan with Trava
Earning SOC 2 certification can have a profound impact on your business.
Trava recently guided Chain.io through its compliance process. With our vCISO services, the logistics company was able to increase customer confidence and expand its operations to target new enterprise customers. CEO Eric Green says, “The Trava team was a great partner for bringing best practice and prioritization expertise.”
We have a 100% compliance certification success rate and can support your business with as much or as little of the SOC 2 process as you’d like. We’ll help you save time and reduce risk with expert support tailored to your company’s unique needs. But don’t take our word for it. Talk to a Trava compliance and security expert today to learn more about how we can help.
FAQs
How much does SOC 2 certification cost?
SOC 2 certification costs range between $35,000 and $150,000+. Your expenses can vary based on how much of the process you complete internally, the size of your company, and the scope of your compliance goals.
How much does a SOC 2 audit cost?
A SOC 2 audit costs between $10,000 and $50,000. To complete it, you’ll need to hire a CPA firm licensed by the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants (AICPA) and make sure they meet all relevant trust services criteria.
Note that you’ll also have expenses as you prepare your business for the audit. These can vary widely based on how far your company is from its compliance goals today. The further away from SOC 2 readiness you are, the more you may need to spend to prepare.
Do I need a SOC 2 consultant?
While not required, working with a SOC 2 consultant is generally the right move. They can save you time throughout the process, minimize your risk of failing the audit, and verify that any security changes you make are in the best long-term interests of your company.
What factors affect SOC 2 certification costs the most?
The primary factors influencing the costs of your SOC 2 compliance program include company size, the number of systems involved in achieving your security goals, and your current level of readiness.
Another key factor is whether you’re handling the process internally or hiring a consultant. The latter costs more, but using SOC 2 compliance software or SOC 2 compliance services can minimize risk substantially.