SOC 2 and ISO 27001 cost calculator
Estimate what SOC 2 or ISO 27001 will cost in the first year and every year after, and how long it takes, from six questions about your company.
What SOC 2 and ISO 27001 really cost
The audit fee is only part of the bill. Most of the first-year cost is preparation: closing gaps, writing policies, setting up tools and collecting evidence, whether your own team does it, a consultant helps, or a compliance platform automates part of it. After the first year the cost drops, but it does not stop: SOC 2 is audited every year and ISO 27001 has yearly surveillance audits.
- Audit fees. Paid to an independent CPA firm for SOC 2 or an accredited certification body for ISO 27001. They grow with the number of systems, locations and people in scope.
- Preparation. A consultant, a compliance platform, or your own team’s time. Starting from scratch roughly doubles this compared with a company whose controls are largely in place.
- Penetration test. Not always required by the standard, but most enterprise customers ask for a recent one.
- Tools and fixes. Device management, logging, security training and similar tools that close gaps.
SOC 2 Type 1, Type 2 or ISO 27001?
SOC 2 Type 1Fastest start
Shows that controls are designed properly at one date. Quicker and cheaper, and useful to unblock a deal, but most customers soon ask for Type 2.
SOC 2 Type 2Common in the US
Shows that controls worked over an observation period of three to twelve months. The report most US software and service customers ask for.
ISO 27001Common in Europe and Asia
A certificate for your information security management system, valid three years with yearly surveillance audits. Often expected by customers in Europe, the UK and Japan.
How long does it take?
Preparation usually takes one to six months depending on where you start. A Type 1 report follows soon after. A Type 2 report adds the observation period, so a first Type 2 is typically six to twelve months away. ISO 27001 needs the management system to run, with an internal audit and a management review, before the two-stage certification audit.
Frequently asked questions
How accurate is this estimate?
It gives ranges based on typical published prices for small and mid-sized companies, adjusted for your answers. Real quotes depend on the auditor, your exact scope and your location, so use it for budgeting and ask auditors for quotes.
Is SOC 2 cheaper than ISO 27001?
In the first year they cost about the same for a similar scope. Over three years ISO 27001 is often a little cheaper, because surveillance audits cost less than a yearly SOC 2 Type 2 audit. Many companies end up with both and reuse most controls.
Can we do it without a consultant?
Yes, especially if some controls are already in place. Expect more of your own team’s time; a compliance platform or an agent that collects evidence automatically reduces it.
Is this calculator free?
Yes. No account is needed. If you add your contact details and download the PDF, Sourceably saves them so our team can help you, unless you tick "Don’t contact me".