Menu
01Lock the Trust Services Criteria
Security-only scopes are cheaper and faster. Add Availability, Confidentiality, Processing Integrity, or Privacy only when customers require them.
SOC 2 audit cost in 2026: $10K–$430K across firm tiers.
Type 1 ranges $10K–$150K. Type 2 ranges $15K–$430K. These ranges are built from sourced cost entries and the current directory of 180 audit firms.
Firms in data set
180
Type 1 range
$10K–$150K
Type 2 range
$15K–$430K
SOC 2 Audit Cost Calculator
Estimate your audit cost based on your specific requirements
Estimated Audit Cost
$30K - $90K
Based on your selections
Cost Breakdown
Remember: Total cost includes more than just the audit fee
- • GRC Platform: $12K-$60K/year
- • Internal labor: $25K-$90K
- • Control remediation: $5K-$150K+
- • Optional penetration testing: $15K-$50K
Estimate is in. Want the real number?
Tell us your scope. We send it to firms that fit. They reply with a ballpark, a timeline, and what makes them different.
Free. Side-by-side on price, timeline, and fit. Pick one firm. Have one call.
Pricing by firm tier
Firm tier is the first pricing fork.
Use the table to set the planning envelope before you ask for quotes. Your final fee depends on scope, readiness, systems, criteria, and report timing.
See /soc-2-audit-cost/sources/ for source records and assumptions behind the ranges.
| Factor | Type 1 | Type 2 |
|---|---|---|
| Specialist | $10K–$50K | $15K–$70K |
| Regional | $13K–$45K | $18K–$60K |
| Mid-tier / national | $15K–$80K | $25K–$110K |
| Big Four | $25K–$150K | $45K–$430K |
| Penetration test add-on | $8K–$30K | $8K–$30K |
| GRC platform add-on | $7.5K–$60K | $7.5K–$60K |
Selection method
How to control SOC 2 audit cost
Cost moves when scope moves. Before you ask for proposals, decide what the report must cover and what can wait.
02Choose the right firm tier
A specialist often satisfies SaaS buyers at lower cost. Big Four letterhead is expensive; buy it only when procurement demands it.
03Fix readiness before fieldwork
Gaps found during audit fieldwork are more expensive than gaps found during readiness. Run a readiness check first if evidence ownership is unclear.
FAQ
SOC 2 audit cost questions
The pricing questions buyers ask before they request proposals.
How much does a SOC 2 audit cost?⌄
SOC 2 audit costs vary by firm tier and scope. Type 1 ranges $10K–$150K, Type 2 ranges $15K–$430K. Specialist firms quote $15K–$70K Type 2, Big Four $45K–$430K Type 2. See /soc-2-audit-cost/sources/ for how each range is calculated.
What factors affect SOC 2 audit pricing?⌄
Key factors include auditor tier, company size, number of trust service criteria, system complexity, and readiness level.
How long does a SOC 2 audit take?⌄
Typical timelines are 3‑8 months for Type 1 and 6‑20 months for Type 2, varying by auditor and project complexity.
How much does the annual SOC 2 renewal cost?⌄
Annual Type 2 renewals run roughly 75-90% of the initial audit fee. Readiness work and policy drafting are one-time; renewals just re-test controls over the new observation period.
Can we do a SOC 2 audit ourselves?⌄
No. A SOC 2 report must be issued by a licensed CPA firm. Self-assessments carry zero weight in vendor security reviews and get rejected on sight.
How long is an auditor's SOC 2 quote valid?⌄
Most SOC 2 proposals expire in 30-90 days. Pricing is based on your current scope and headcount. If that changes, the quote gets recalculated.
Is penetration testing included in SOC 2 audit cost?⌄
No. Pen testing is a separate line item, typically $8,000-$30,000 per test, scoped to your application and infrastructure. Some auditors bundle it; most don't.
How much does a SOC 2 audit cost for a startup?⌄
For most startups, a SOC 2 Type 2 audit costs $15,000-$45,000 when using a specialist firm. Specialist auditors run SOC 2 at high volume with streamlined processes, keeping fees in that range for companies under 50 employees with a single-criteria scope. See soc2auditors.org/soc-2-auditors-startups/ for firms with fixed-fee startup packages.
Is a SOC 2 Type 1 cheaper than Type 2?⌄
Yes, consistently. Type 1 is a point-in-time assessment that costs $10K–$150K across all firm tiers. Type 2 requires a 6-12 month observation period and costs $15K–$430K. The gap is driven by audit hours, not risk: Type 2 fieldwork takes 2-4x longer because auditors must test controls over time, not just at a snapshot date.
What's the cheapest legitimate SOC 2 audit?⌄
The floor for a legitimate SOC 2 audit from a licensed CPA firm is around $10,000-$15,000 for a Type 1 with a single trust service criterion at a specialist firm. Below that floor, scrutinize carefully - SOC 2 reports must be issued by a licensed CPA, and providers who cannot demonstrate CPA licensure are not issuing valid reports.
Does SOC 2 cost include the readiness assessment?⌄
No. Readiness assessments are a separate engagement, typically $5,000-$25,000, billed before fieldwork begins. Some auditors roll it into a single contract, but it is still a distinct phase with its own deliverables. See soc2auditors.org/soc-2-readiness-assessment/ for what to expect.
Next comparison
Related tools and directories
Quote matching
Want quotes against the same assumptions?
Send the scope once. We ask matching firms to quote the same audit type, criteria, systems, and target date.
Free. Side-by-side on price, timeline, and fit. Pick one firm. Have one call.