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Quick verdict: Thoropass and Vanta are solving different problems. Thoropass sells one contract that covers both the compliance software and the CPA audit. Vanta sells the software; you choose your own auditor from the open market. The right answer depends on whether you want fewer handoffs or more choice.
Choose Thoropass if you want one contract for software plus an in-house CPA audit and fewer handoffs.
Choose Vanta if you want the largest integration library and the freedom to pick any auditor from the open market.
What Is the Real Difference Between Thoropass and Vanta?
Thoropass and Vanta both automate SOC 2 evidence collection, map controls, and track remediation. The split happens at the audit itself: Thoropass performs the audit in-house through a separate legal entity (Laika Compliance, LLC dba Thoropass Assurance, AICPA peer-review registered); Vanta readies your evidence and then steps aside while you hire an independent CPA firm to do the attestation.
That difference shapes everything downstream: your contract structure, your total cost, your auditor relationship, and how much flexibility you have at renewal.
Thoropass (formerly Laika) was founded by Austin Ogilvie and Sam Li with the explicit thesis that bundling software and audit under one roof removes the friction companies feel managing two vendors. Its “Connected Audit” workflow, powered by a feature called First Pass AI, cut average audit cycles from 73 days to 29 days. As of 2026, Thoropass has 575+ G2 reviews.
Vanta, founded in 2018 in San Francisco, took the opposite stance: build the best evidence automation layer in the market and remain neutral on who performs the audit. With 15,000+ customers, 400+ integrations, and 35+ frameworks, it is the largest compliance platform by customer count. Vanta launched AI Agent 2.0 in January 2026. Neither path is universally better; they are structurally different bets.
Thoropass vs. Vanta at a Glance
| Attribute | Thoropass | Vanta |
|---|---|---|
| Model | Bundled: software + in-house CPA audit | Software only; BYO auditor |
| What’s included | Platform, evidence automation, SOC 2 audit by Thoropass Assurance | Platform, evidence automation, 400+ integrations, Trust Center (add-on) |
| All-in first-year cost (SMB) | $35,000–$80,000 (25–300 employees) | $10,000–$50,000 platform + $15,000–$50,000 auditor |
| Frameworks | SOC 2, ISO 27001, ISO 42001, HITRUST, PCI DSS 4.0, HIPAA, GDPR | SOC 2, ISO 27001, HIPAA, PCI DSS, GDPR, FedRAMP, 35+ total |
| Integrations | Broad (mainstream SaaS stack) | 400+ (largest catalog on the market) |
| G2 reviews | 575+ | 2,424 reviews, 4.6 stars |
| Best for | Companies that want a single vendor, predictable pricing, shorter audit cycles | Companies that want maximum auditor flexibility and the widest integration coverage |
How Much Does Each Cost All-In?
For a 25–100 employee SaaS company running its first SOC 2 Type 2, Thoropass bundles platform plus audit for roughly $35,000 per year. The AWS Marketplace floor for the platform alone is $8,700/year plus a $5,800/year SOC 2 audit subscription; Vendr’s aggregate average lands at about $30,728/year across deal sizes. For 100–300 employees the bundled cost runs around $78,000.
Vanta’s platform starts at $10,000–$15,000/year for a single framework, $25,000–$50,000 at growth stage, and $50,000–$80,000+ at enterprise. Each additional framework adds roughly $5,000/year. A Trust Center costs an extra $6,000/year.
Add a separate auditor to the Vanta path: $15,000–$50,000 for a SOC 2 Type 2 from a CPA firm, depending on scope and firm. That puts the Vanta all-in total at $25,000–$100,000 for a first-year startup engagement, with wide variance based on the auditor you choose.
The practical difference: Thoropass gives you pricing predictability in one contract. Vanta gives you leverage to shop the auditor side competitively. For cost-conscious teams willing to do the selection work, Vanta’s total can come in lower. For teams that want a single number and a single renewal conversation, Thoropass is simpler.
For a broader look at what SOC 2 audits cost across the market, see our SOC 2 audit cost guide.
Is a Bundled In-House Audit as Independent as a Separate Firm?
Structurally, yes, with one caveat to flag in enterprise procurement. Thoropass conducts audits through Laika Compliance, LLC dba Thoropass Assurance, a separate legal entity with AICPA peer-review registration. That separation satisfies the AICPA Code of Professional Conduct independence requirements, and the resulting SOC 2 report carries the same standing as a report from any other peer-reviewed CPA firm.
The caveat: Thoropass Assurance and Thoropass, Inc. share common ownership. AICPA rules do not prohibit this structure, but some enterprise procurement teams and InfoSec questionnaire processes flag same-ownership arrangements as a matter of internal policy, regardless of whether the AICPA’s requirements are met. If your prospects include large financial institutions, federal contractors, or other buyers with strict vendor independence policies, confirm with your procurement team before committing.
For companies that sell primarily to mid-market and commercial SaaS buyers, the structure is not a practical obstacle. The 73-to-29-day audit cycle improvement matters more than the ownership footnote.
Which Fits a First SOC 2 vs. a Scaling Program?
For a first SOC 2, Thoropass’s bundled model removes the most common source of confusion: which vendor is responsible when something stalls. One team manages your timeline, one contract governs scope, and one support line answers both software and audit questions. First-time buyers often underestimate how much coordination overhead an auditor-software handoff takes.
Vanta’s advantage grows as your program matures. A company running SOC 2, ISO 27001, and HIPAA across multiple engineering environments benefits from Vanta’s 400+ integrations and its multi-framework coverage. At that stage you likely have an internal GRC function that can manage auditor relationships, and the Vanta path lets you select a specialist firm for each framework rather than routing everything through one provider.
A few practical questions to settle the fit:
- Does your procurement process require fully independent auditors (separate ownership, not just separate entity)? If yes, Vanta is the cleaner path.
- Are you running only SOC 2 in year one with no in-house compliance staff? Thoropass’s bundled model reduces the project management burden.
- Do you have unusual infrastructure (air-gapped, on-prem, or a non-standard SaaS stack)? Vanta’s larger integration catalog is more likely to have a native connector.
- Does your sales pipeline include federal or heavily regulated buyers? Vanta is FedRAMP 20x Moderate Authorized as of April 2026; Thoropass is not.
See our full Thoropass review and Vanta review for deeper coverage of each platform’s strengths.
How Do You Choose the Auditor Side of the Decision?
If you choose Vanta, you still need to select a CPA firm, negotiate scope, and manage that relationship. That choice determines a significant portion of your first-year cost and timeline.
Our directory includes 13 verified CPA firms that integrate directly with Vanta. These firms have established workflows for pulling evidence from Vanta’s platform, which means they know where the automated controls live and do not need a lengthy onboarding call to understand your evidence package. First-year Type 2 fees among them commonly start around $15,000 and reach roughly $25,000 for a standard SaaS scope.
You can filter those firms by several criteria:
- Turnaround time (some offer 6-8 week Type 2 cycles; others run 12-16 weeks)
- Startup specialization vs. enterprise GRC experience
- Industry vertical (HIPAA-focused firms differ meaningfully from cloud-native SaaS specialists)
- Price
Browse them at /auditors-for-vanta/.
If budget is the primary variable, picking a Vanta-integrated auditor at the $15,000 end of the market puts your total first-year cost at roughly $25,000–$30,000, which is below Thoropass’s bundled entry point. If speed matters more, look for firms advertising 6-8 week Type 2 cycles with Vanta.
With Thoropass, this decision is made for you: you use Thoropass Assurance. That removes the selection work entirely and cuts handoff risk, but it also means you cannot shop the auditor side for price or specialty. For a broader view of the auditor market beyond Vanta-integrated firms, see our best SOC 2 auditors guide.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does Thoropass include the SOC 2 audit?
Yes. Thoropass bundles compliance automation software with an in-house CPA audit performed by Laika Compliance, LLC dba Thoropass Assurance, a separate legal entity with AICPA peer-review registration. You sign one contract and get both the platform and the attestation. The bundled platform plus SOC 2 Type 2 runs $35,000–$80,000 for SMB customers (25–300 employees).
Does Vanta include the audit?
No. Vanta automates evidence collection and prepares your environment for audit, but you must engage a separate licensed CPA firm to perform the attestation. An independent auditor is an AICPA requirement; Vanta cannot issue a SOC 2 report itself. Separate auditor fees typically run $15,000–$50,000 for a Type 2 engagement.
Is Thoropass’s in-house audit independent?
Structurally, yes. Thoropass Assurance is a separate legal entity with AICPA peer-review registration, which satisfies AICPA Code of Professional Conduct independence requirements. Some enterprise procurement policies flag same-ownership arrangements as a matter of internal policy regardless of legal structure. Check with your procurement team if your buyers include federal contractors or large financial institutions.
Which is cheaper all-in?
For a standard SMB SOC 2 Type 2, both paths land in similar territory. Thoropass bundled runs roughly $35,000–$80,000. Vanta platform ($10,000–$50,000) plus a separate auditor ($15,000–$50,000) totals $25,000–$100,000 depending on firm and scope. Vanta can be cheaper if you select a cost-efficient Vanta-integrated auditor; Thoropass offers more predictability in one contract.
Can I use Vanta with any auditor?
Yes. Vanta works with any licensed CPA firm. Our directory lists 13 verified CPA firms that integrate directly with Vanta, with first-year Type 2 fees commonly starting around $15,000 for a standard SaaS scope. You choose on price, turnaround, and industry specialty at /auditors-for-vanta/.
Bottom Line
The Thoropass vs. Vanta question comes down to how you want to structure the audit side of your program.
Choose Thoropass if you want one contract, a 29-day average audit cycle, and no auditor selection process. It suits first-time SOC 2 buyers without in-house compliance staff who want to hand the whole process to one vendor and get a report at the end. Read our Thoropass review to go deeper on the platform.
Choose Vanta if you want the largest integration catalog, multi-framework flexibility, and the freedom to select the auditor who best fits your timeline, budget, and industry. It suits companies with in-house GRC functions, fast-growing stacks, or enterprise buyers who require fully independent auditors. Our directory of Vanta-integrated auditors is where to start the selection.
Comparing SOC 2 software? See our side-by-side breakdown of all 12 compliance platforms — pricing, best-for, and what each one gets wrong. Independent editorial, no pay-to-rank.