SOC 2 Compliance Cost: What You Need to Know

Obtaining SOC 2 certification is a strategic move for SaaS businesses and technology providers to prove data protection for their customers. Traditional SOC 2 audit firms often demand prices above $15,000, making the SOC 2 certification cost seem overwhelming to many companies.

This guide explains the actual SOC 2 cost structure, reveals potential savings, and shows how DSALTA and its partners enable SOC 2 compliance starting from a total cost of just $3,500.

What Is SOC 2 Certification?

SOC 2 (System and Organization Controls 2) is a reporting framework created by the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants (AICPA).

Through the five Trust Services Criteria (TSC), service providers can demonstrate secure management of customer data:

• Security

• Availability

• Processing integrity

• Confidentiality

• Privacy

The SOC 2 reporting framework verifies security, availability, and process integrity for your systems and data processing, building trust with stakeholders. An independent SOC 2 auditor conducts the SOC 2 audit process to achieve compliance.

Typical SOC 2 Cost Structure

The total SOC 2 audit cost is made up of several core factors:

SOC 2 Readiness Assessment

Cost Range: $1,000 – $7,000

The assessment process includes gap evaluations, scoping, and policy blueprint development.

Traditional auditing firms rely on manual work, leading to high costs during this step.

DSALTA enables SOC 2 readiness assessment through automated controls mapping and pre-built templates, resulting in significant cost savings.

SOC 2 Remediation and Implementation

Cost Range: $0 – $10,000+

This process involves internal IT work to close compliance gaps and implement new tools.

DSALTA provides built-in SOC 2 remediation workflows, policy libraries, and integrations to minimize additional expenses.

SOC 2 External Audit

• SOC 2 Type I (focused on a specific point in time — e.g., as of March 31, 2025) costs less.

• SOC 2 Type II requires longer audit durations (typically covering a review period of 3 to 6 months), leading to higher costs.

Traditional SOC 2 audit firms often charge above $15,000 due to manual audit processes and documentation.

With DSALTA’s AI auditing and streamlined evidence collection, our partners charge as low as $3,500 for an External Audit.

SOC 2 Ongoing Compliance

Cost Range: $500 – $4,000 per year

These costs include continuous compliance, SOC 2 evidence collection, and automated monitoring.

DSALTA enables SOC 2 continuous monitoring with real-time alerts and data center visibility — free for the first year — helping you avoid additional consulting expenses.

SOC 2 Comparison Table

What Drives SOC 2 Cost?

The price of SOC 2 compliance depends on several key factors:

• Company size & complexity – More systems, vendors, and processes increase effort.

• SOC 2 Type I vs. Type II – Type I costs less as it reviews a specific point in time, while Type II requires continuous testing.

• Manual vs. automated workflows – Manual processes create higher costs, while automation reduces auditor workload.

• Internal expertise – Organizations with compliance officers require fewer external consulting services.

SOC 2 vs Traditional Audit

The traditional SOC 2 audit approach is time-consuming and costly, involving manual document reviews, consultant-heavy preparation, and disorganized workflows.

In contrast, DSALTA’s SOC 2 compliance platform uses automated gap analysis, policy setup, and controls mapping, making SOC 2 audits quicker, more cost-effective, and easier to manage.

DSALTA: Making SOC 2 Affordable Without Sacrificing Trust

With DSALTA, you gain:

• SOC 2 readiness automation through built-in gap analysis and policy templates

• Easier evidence collection with streamlined audit processes

• Lower auditor labor costs through collaborative workspaces

• Clear, transparent SOC 2 pricing without hidden retainers

Instead of paying $15,000+ for legacy audits, DSALTA customers achieve SOC 2 compliance starting at $3,500.

Key Takeaways

• The high cost of traditional SOC 2 audits comes from manual procedures and extended auditing periods.

• SOC 2 automation lowers total expenses, speeds up implementation, and ensures continuous compliance.

• Modern compliance processes allow businesses to obtain SOC 2 Type I or SOC 2 Type II without excessive costs.

• Choosing the right partner provides trusted services, stronger audit reports, and better ROI.

Preparing for a SOC 2 audit?

Schedule a demo to streamline your SOC 2 process — achieve SOC 2 compliance faster and more cost-effectively.