The True Cost of SOC 2 Compliance

Last updated: October 23, 2025

Table of Contents

• Who Needs SOC 2 Compliance?
• Is SOC 2 Legally Required?
• How much does SOC 2 certification cost?
• Is SOC 2 Worth It?
• What’s the Fastest Way To Get SOC 2 Compliant?
• DIY SOC 2 compliance vs. hiring a professional
• Can I Handle SOC 2 Myself or Do I Need To Hire Someone?
• What does DIY SOC 2 cost for companies under 250 employees?
• SOC 2 certification cost by company size
• How Long Does SOC 2 Take With Tools vs. Consultants?
• What are the stages of preparing for a SOC2 audit?
• Who Needs a SOC 2 Report?
• What is a realistic timeframe for compliance?
• Build your ideal SOC 2 compliance plan with Trava
• FAQs

Key Takeaways

• SOC 2 compliance costs between $35,000 for smaller companies and $150,000+ for enterprises, which often operate across multiple business units and regions, and have more evidence to collect and controls to test.
• SOC 2 compliance is worth it for businesses dealing with client information, financial data, or sensitive records.
• It typically takes between three and six months to achieve SOC 2 Type I compliance and 9 to 18 months to attain SOC 2 Type II compliance, depending on your company’s size and current cybersecurity readiness level.
• Partnering with a cybersecurity firm is significantly more efficient than completing SOC 2 internally and will help you win new business sooner.

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. 

Who Needs SOC 2 Compliance?

Determining whether your organization needs SOC 2 compliance hinges on the nature of data handling. Businesses in sectors like finance, healthcare, and technology often find it indispensable due to the sensitivity of the data they manage. However, any entity entrusted with sensitive client information can benefit from SOC 2 compliance.

Is SOC 2 Legally Required?

SOC 2 compliance itself isn’t mandated by law. However, certain industries or contractual obligations might necessitate it. For instance, healthcare organizations need to comply with HIPAA regulations, which often align with SOC 2 criteria. While not a legal mandate universally, it’s increasingly becoming an industry standard.

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.

Is SOC 2 Worth It?

For businesses dealing with client information, financial data, or sensitive records, SOC 2 compliance is worth it. It isn’t just a checkbox exercise. It’s a shield against potential breaches and a signal to clients that their data is treated with utmost care. When weighing the cost against the risks associated with data vulnerabilities, SOC 2 compliance often emerges as a prudent investment.

What’s the Fastest Way To Get SOC 2 Compliant?

The quickest path to SOC 2 compliance is with a trusted cybersecurity partner who has practical experience helping companies find and fix all missing requirements efficiently. 

While internal teams can attempt SOC 2 compliance independently, the process typically requires months of additional work for your team and carries a higher risk of leaving gaps. They also often gather irrelevant or incomplete evidence that delays progress.
On the other hand, experienced partners will run a structured gap analysis upfront to help guide every decision you make. Firms can help you develop policies faster by adapting pre-built templates to your unique needs. They can also help you map controls to SOC 2 criteria and illustrate the kind of evidence that auditors expect. 

Partners like Trava accelerate the process by offering:

• Playbooks and proven frameworks: You’ll get a step-by-step roadmap to compliance based on what’s worked for dozens of previous clients. That means following the best path for your company with fewer inefficiencies along the way.
• Continuous control monitoring: Trava will monitor your controls continuously, helping you find and fix gaps as they emerge instead of days before your deadline. That may be the difference between satisfying a client’s decision-making timeline or losing the opportunity to a competitor.
• Policy and evidence templates: You’ll also get access to pre-built documentation templates and workflows. These directly meet auditors’ expectations, so you never have to guess whether a policy you’re developing will pass an audit when the time comes. 

Startups that want to accelerate the compliance process as soon as possible can take a few simple steps while searching for consultants. For example, enforcing multi-factor authentication (MFA) and single sign-on (SSO) across systems can help you close a common gap today. You might also want to update your list of third-party vendors and keep their certifications on hand to share with the consulting team you hire.

DIY SOC 2 compliance 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.

Can I Handle SOC 2 Myself or Do I Need To Hire Someone?

It’s first important to consider which form of SOC 2 compliance you’d like to reach. Type I evaluates how effective your security controls are at a single point in time. Type II looks at how they perform over a sustained period, typically stretching from 3 to 12 months.

You may be able to handle SOC 2 compliance internally if you have significant cybersecurity expertise on your team. But that’s not the case for most small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). If you allocate time and resources to pursuing SOC 2 compliance internally, that means deprioritizing other tasks and team goals.

Your first step to compliance involves completing a gap analysis. This will tell you how far away you are from SOC 2 compliance and what processes may need to change before you can reach your goal. If you struggle to complete a gap assessment internally, that’s one clear sign it’s time to find a cybersecurity partner to work on your behalf.

In-house teams often underscope the process, not realizing the additional time these tasks take away from other priorities. Some also struggle to manage timelines, which can lead to missed deadlines and confusion across departments.

Teaming up with a company like Trava makes the entire process quicker and more efficient. It will also free up your IT leaders to focus more on long-term goals and client relations.

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:

1. 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.

2. 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.

3. 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.

4. Internal Readiness Review:

   Internal Audit (optional): Costs might range from $5,000 to $15,000+ if engaging external auditors or allocating internal staff time.

5. Pre-Audit Preparations:

   Readiness Assessment: Minimal external costs, mainly internal staff time.Documentation Review: Minimal external costs, mainly internal staff time.

6. Engaging with Auditors:

   Can range from $2,000 to $10,000+ for initial discussions and coordination with auditing firms.

7. 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.

8. 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.

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:

How Long Does SOC 2 Take With Tools vs. Consultants?

There isn’t a generally accepted timeline for SOC 2 compliance with or without tools. This is because the process becomes highly personalized to your business and its unique needs. For example, SOC 2 Type I looks at your compliance at a snapshot in time, SOC 2 Type 2 evaluates your controls in practice over several months. Companies also have varying levels of readiness for the process. So, your preparation can stretch from several weeks to 12 months or longer. After prep, some companies spend as long as another year on testing and refining.

Timelines for SOC 2 compliance vary significantly. But when you partner with compliance experts, you can expect to finish the process faster. Consultants have optimized business models to identify and resolve SOC 2 compliance issues quickly. They also have years of hands-on experience and understand the unique challenges companies often face while going through this process.

Tools are necessary in the SOC 2 compliance process for gathering and storing evidence to show to auditors. But it’s not just about securing a tool. You also have to consider the time it takes to onboard that tool, creating policies that auditors actually care about, mapping controls to the correct places, and many other tasks. Going after certification with just a tool can be overwhelming.

For example, you can generate policy templates with an automated platform. But you’ll typically need to heavily customize these before submitting them to auditors. That process can quickly become time-consuming and expensive. Also, tools tend to excel at flagging missing controls but rarely provide a clear path for fixing any problems identified. This means your internal team will still need to spend a significant amount of time researching and implementing solutions on its own.

When you partner with a consultant, everything changes. They’ll still use a tool, but they’ll do so much more efficiently. They’ll help you customize policies faster, save time on research, and implement the correct solution sooner. You’ll save a tremendous amount of time in the long run, while allowing your internal team to focus on other things that drive value back to the company. This should make it easier to comply with the five pillars of SOC 2.

The following table takes a closer look at how your SOC 2 experience can change based on whether you use a tool or an experienced team of consultants. Please note that the information represents an estimate for the average company. Your exact timelines will vary, but you should absolutely save time and labor by partnering with consultants:

For most SMEs, consultants may cost more upfront but represent the faster, more efficient path forward. By completing the process sooner, you can leverage your SOC 2 compliance to win more business as quickly as possible.

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:

1. 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.

2. 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.

3. 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.

4. Internal Readiness Review:
   

   Internal Audit (optional): Conduct an internal audit or self-assessment to identify any remaining gaps or issues.

5. 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.

6. 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.

7. 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.

8. 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.

Who Needs a SOC 2 Report?

A SOC 2 report isn’t just a document; it’s a validation of your commitment to security. Companies seeking to partner with you may require a SOC 2 report as proof of your security measures. Understanding the specifics of SOC 2 compliance, such as the SOC 2 compliance checklist and different types like SOC 2 Type 2, is vital in this context.

How Valuable is a SOC 2 Report?

The value of a SOC 2 report extends beyond compliance checkboxes. It’s a testament to your commitment to data security, fostering trust with clients and partners. Sharing SOC 2 report examples, such as a SOC 2 report PDF or a SOC 2 controls list PDF, can help elucidate its worth.

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:

• Assessment and Planning: 2-4 months

• Designing Controls: 6-12 months

• Testing and Implementation: 4-6 months

• Internal Readiness Review: 1-2 months

• Pre-Audit Preparations: 3-6 months

• Engaging with Auditors: 1-2 months before the audit

• SOC 2 Audit: 1-2 weeks

• 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.