Advertisement
Honest guides, real cost breakdowns, and unbiased tool comparisons for SOC 2, HIPAA, ISO 27001, NIST, and PCI DSS. Built for startups and SMBs who want answers, not a demo request.
Browse All Guides →Not sure which compliance framework you need? Start here. We cover the five most common frameworks with checklists, cost guides, and tool comparisons.
The gold standard for SaaS companies. Type 1 vs Type 2, audit costs, timeline, and which tools actually help.
SOC 2 Guides →Required for healthcare data. Understand the Privacy Rule, Security Rule, and what your BAAs actually need to say.
HIPAA Guides →The international standard. Certification costs, audit process, and whether your startup actually needs it yet.
ISO 27001 Guides →The U.S. government framework that applies to everyone. Identify, Protect, Detect, Respond, Recover.
NIST Guides →Handle credit cards? You need this. Understand the 12 requirements and what level applies to your business.
PCI DSS Guides →Independent reviews of penetration testing companies. Real pricing, methodologies, and what to look for.
Pen Test Reviews →Advertisement
Search for "SOC 2 compliance checklist" and you will get 10 results from companies selling compliance automation software. Their advice is tailored to make their product look necessary. Ours is not.
We do not sell compliance software, consulting, or audits. Our only incentive is giving you useful information.
We publish actual cost ranges for audits, tools, and consultants, not "contact us for a quote."
Enterprise guides assume you have a CISO and a $500K budget. We write for the 20-person team figuring this out for the first time.
Most sites specialize in one framework. We cover all five so you can compare and decide which you actually need first.
No "it depends" hedging. These are real ranges based on market research for a typical 20-100 person SaaS company.
| Framework | DIY Cost | With Platform | Full Consultant | Timeline |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| SOC 2 Type 1 | $15K - $30K | $20K - $50K | $40K - $80K | 2-4 months |
| SOC 2 Type 2 | $20K - $50K | $30K - $70K | $50K - $120K | 6-12 months |
| ISO 27001 | $15K - $40K | $25K - $60K | $40K - $100K | 4-12 months |
| HIPAA | $5K - $20K | $10K - $30K | $20K - $60K | 2-6 months |
| PCI DSS L1 | $50K - $200K | $80K - $250K | $150K - $500K+ | 6-18 months |
Ranges based on 2025-2026 market data. Your costs may vary based on company size, existing infrastructure, and complexity. See our detailed cost breakdowns for each framework.
Advertisement
Practical guides, checklists, and comparisons updated regularly.
A step-by-step checklist covering all five Trust Services Criteria. No vendor bias, no sales pitch.
Vanta vs Drata vs Secureframe vs Sprinto. Real pricing, features, and which is best for your size.
Real numbers from 50+ companies. Broken down by company size, audit firm, and preparation method.
Take our 2-minute quiz to find out which compliance framework your business needs first, and what it will realistically cost.
Which Framework Do I Need? →