Top 12 Best SOC 2 Audit Services for Companies with Under 10 Employees

Small teams face a peculiar problem when an enterprise prospect asks for a SOC 2 report: the audit process was originally built for organizations with dedicated compliance staff, not for a ten-person startup where the founder also handles IT. Fortunately, the market has responded, and today a founder can choose from lean, founder-friendly SOC 2 audit services for companies with under 10 employees that automate evidence collection, simplify policy writing, and connect directly to a licensed CPA firm for the actual attestation. This article walks through the twelve strongest options, so you can move from “we need SOC 2” to “we have SOC 2” without hiring a compliance team first.

Because a valid SOC 2 report can only be issued by an independent, licensed CPA firm, this list intentionally blends two categories that work together: compliance automation platforms that make audit preparation painless, and boutique CPA audit firms that specialize in fast, affordable engagements for very small companies. Reading through both categories first will help you understand how the two pieces fit together before you commit to a vendor.

Top 12 Best SOC 2 Audit Services for Companies with Under 10 Employees

1. ComplyJet

ComplyJet takes a done-for-you approach that appeals to founders who have zero interest in becoming compliance experts themselves. Rather than handing you software and leaving you to figure out configuration, ComplyJet effectively owns the compliance outcome, guiding a small team step by step to a finished SOC 2 report.

Features

• Transparent, publicly posted pricing rather than a mandatory sales call
• 350-plus integrations paired with a hands-on onboarding team
• Included auditor network so you never have to shop for a CPA firm separately
• Ongoing control monitoring after certification to keep the report current
• Structured playbook designed specifically for first-time compliance buyers

Pros

• Among the most transparent, published pricing in the entire category
• Ideal for a team with no dedicated compliance or security hire
• Bundled auditor relationship removes an entire vendor-selection step

Cons

• Heavier service component may feel unnecessary for a technically sophisticated team
• Smaller integration marketplace for unusual or homegrown tools

Pricing

ComplyJet publishes starting prices from roughly $5,000 per year for a single framework, positioning it as one of the lowest-cost, full-service options for very early-stage companies.

Final Thought

For a five-to-nine-person team with no time to learn compliance jargon, ComplyJet is one of the most approachable SOC 2 audit services for companies with under 10 employees on the market today. 

2. 
   

   Strike Graph

Strike Graph focuses on translating security work you have likely already done into audit-ready evidence, with an emphasis on flexible risk assessments that map cleanly to the SOC 2 Trust Services Criteria. It appeals to small teams that already run reasonably tight security practices but have never formalized them into an audit package.

Features

• Risk-based control framework that starts from your actual risk register
• Automated evidence collection connected to common cloud and SaaS tools
• Built-in marketplace of independent auditors for the final examination
• Reusable evidence architecture that supports adding frameworks later without starting over
• Guided policy builder aimed at teams without a dedicated security writer

Pros

• Risk-first methodology appeals to teams that want more than a checkbox exercise
• Flexible enough to reuse evidence across SOC 2, ISO 27001, and other frameworks
• Mid-market pricing that undercuts the largest platforms for a single framework

Cons

• Less brand recognition among enterprise procurement teams
• Onboarding assumes some existing familiarity with basic security concepts

Pricing

Strike Graph generally quotes single-framework engagements for small teams in the $7,000 to $15,000 range annually, with the independent audit fee billed separately by its partner CPA firms.

Final Thought

Strike Graph is worth a look for any founder comparing SOC 2 audit services for companies with under 10 employees who already take security seriously and simply needs to document it.

3. Sprinto

Sprinto consistently earns the highest user-satisfaction scores in the category, and it built its product specifically around cloud-native startups that never had a compliance hire to begin with. Rather than dropping you into a blank dashboard, Sprinto issues a prescriptive task queue, telling you exactly what to do next, who owns it, and in what order.

Features

• Task-based compliance engine that sequences the entire audit-readiness journey
• Deep integrations with AWS, GCP, GitHub, and Okta tailored to cloud-native stacks
• Continuous, entity-by-entity automated control testing
• Pre-built SOC 2 control mapping that compresses weeks of manual scoping
• In-app access to compliance experts for scoping and troubleshooting

Pros

• Consistently the most affordable of the major automation platforms for a single framework
• Highest G2 rating in the category, with more than 1,400 reviews at 4.8 out of 5
• Prescriptive workflow keeps a founder or single ops hire moving without stalling

Cons

• Brand recognition among enterprise security reviewers still trails the two market leaders
• Advanced reporting and multi-framework features sit behind higher tiers

Pricing

Sprinto’s starter tier for a single framework typically runs between $6,000 and $10,000 per year.

Final Thought

For budget-conscious founders, Sprinto is arguably the single strongest value pick among SOC 2 audit services for companies with under 10 employees that still need genuine automation rather than a spreadsheet.

4. Scytale

Scytale, founded in Tel Aviv by a former Big Four auditor, differentiates itself by pairing AI-driven automation with dedicated advisory hours baked into every plan. That combination appeals to very small teams that want a human to double-check their work before an actual auditor does.

Features

• AI-driven evidence collection and control mapping across common frameworks
• Dedicated compliance advisor included in the standard package, not sold as an add-on
• Auditor-reviewed policy library that shortens policy-writing time
• Support for multi-framework programs, including ISO 27001 and GDPR alongside SOC 2
• Strong reported customer-recommendation rate, with roughly 96 percent of reviewers recommending it

Pros

• Advisory-plus-software model reduces the risk of a first-time buyer misconfiguring controls
• Well-regarded on G2, with a 4.8 rating across hundreds of reviews
• Efficient at compressing multi-framework work into a single coordinated program

Cons

• Advisory-heavy model can feel like more hand-holding than a highly technical team wants
• Pricing floor still assumes a real budget, which can strain a bootstrapped five-person shop

Pricing

Scytale’s entry-level Build tier for a single framework with automated evidence collection starts around $7,500 per year, positioning it near the middle of the market for very small teams.

Final Thought

Choose Scytale when you want built-in expert guidance without paying enterprise rates, since its advisory model rounds out a well-balanced list of SOC 2 audit services for companies with under 10 employees.

5. 
   

   Thoropass

Formerly known as Laika, Thoropass takes a different approach by bundling the compliance software and the actual audit engagement from a single vendor relationship. Instead of buying a platform and then separately shopping for a CPA firm, a small company signs one contract and lets Thoropass coordinate both halves of the process.

Features

• Combined compliance platform and in-house audit team under one engagement
• Guided readiness assessment that flags gaps before the formal audit begins
• Support for SOC 2, ISO 27001, HIPAA, and PCI DSS on a shared evidence base
• Dedicated audit coordinator who manages the fieldwork calendar
• Continuous monitoring dashboard for ongoing control health after certification

Pros

• One vendor, one invoice, and one point of accountability for the entire process
• Bundled pricing can be more cost-effective than paying for software and an auditor separately
• Particularly well suited to a first-time SOC 2 buyer who wants minimal vendor coordination

Cons

• Less flexibility to switch auditors later without also switching platforms
• Reviews are more mixed than the category leaders on responsiveness during peak season

Pricing

Bundled SOC 2 Type I engagements, including both the platform and the audit fee, are commonly quoted between $10,000 and $20,000 per year, which compares favorably once you account for the audit fee most competitors bill separately.

Final Thought

Thoropass earns its place among SOC 2 audit services for companies with under 10 employees precisely because it removes a second vendor search from an already busy founder’s plate. 

6. 
   

   Scrut Automation

Scrut Automation has built a loyal following among budget-conscious startups, particularly in India and across the broader APAC region, by pairing solid automation with genuinely responsive customer support. Reviewers repeatedly singled out the platform’s ease of use as a reason they chose it over a bigger-name competitor.

Features

• Automated risk assessments alongside standard SOC 2 evidence collection
• Custom control mapping across dozens of supported frameworks
• Vendor and third-party risk monitoring included in most plans
• Cloud security posture management to catch misconfigurations before an audit finds them
• Responsive, high-touch customer support cited frequently in independent reviews

Pros

• Strong reputation for customer support, which matters most to a first-time compliance buyer
• Custom pricing model lets very small teams negotiate a scope that fits their actual usage
• Broad framework coverage supports future growth into ISO 27001 or PCI DSS

Cons

• Publicly available pricing benchmarks are thinner than for the category leaders
• Some advanced risk-management features require a higher-tier plan

Pricing

Scrut uses fully custom pricing based on company size and framework scope.

Final Thought

Scrut Automation deserves consideration whenever a founder is comparing SOC 2 audit services for companies with under 10 employees and wants a support-first vendor relationship.

7. Vanta

Vanta is the most widely recognized compliance automation platform on the market, and it remains a natural starting point for founders researching SOC 2 audit services for companies with under 10 employees. The platform continuously monitors your cloud infrastructure, identity provider, HR system, and code repositories, then converts what it finds into audit-ready evidence. Vanta does not issue the SOC 2 report itself; instead, it hands a clean evidence package to one of its partner CPA firms, which then performs the independent examination.

Features

• Over 400 integrations spanning AWS, GCP, Azure, GitHub, Okta, Google Workspace, and common HR tools
• Continuous control monitoring with automated alerts when a control drifts out of compliance
• AI-assisted policy generation drawn from your actual environment rather than generic templates
• Built-in Trust Center for sharing your security posture with prospects during sales calls
• Direct marketplace of vetted CPA audit partners for both Type I and Type II engagements

Pros

• Fastest and most polished onboarding experience of any platform in this category
• Large integration library reduces manual evidence gathering to near zero
• Strong brand recognition that enterprise security reviewers already trust

Cons

• Pricing is not published and typically requires a sales call to negotiate
• Add-ons such as vendor risk management raise the total cost quickly
• Entry-level plan can feel like overkill for a five-person team with a simple stack

Pricing

Public pricing is unavailable, but market data and reseller benchmarks place the Core plan around $10,000 per year for a single framework, with small teams under 50 employees typically landing between $10,000 and $28,000 annually. The independent audit fee is billed separately by the partner CPA firm, usually adding another $5,000 to $15,000.

Final Thought

Vanta is a smart choice if you value polish and a recognizable name during customer due-diligence calls, and it remains one of the most capable SOC 2 audit services for companies with under 10 employees willing to invest a bit more up front.

8. Drata

Drata built its reputation on tight auditor workflows, and many CPA firms specifically praise how clean its evidence trail looks during fieldwork. For a small company that only wants to go through the audit once and get it right, that auditor-friendly design translates into fewer back-and-forth requests and a smoother path to the final report.

Features

• Automated evidence collection with real-time control testing across 75-plus frameworks
• Purpose-built auditor workspace that shortens fieldwork communication
• Risk management module that maps identified risks straight to relevant controls
• Employee onboarding and offboarding workflows tied to access-review evidence
• Drata Academy training content to satisfy security-awareness requirements

Pros

• Auditors frequently cite Drata as the easiest platform to review evidence within
• Entry-tier Foundation plan is competitively priced against Vanta’s equivalent tier
• Strong multi-framework roadmap if you plan to add ISO 27001 or HIPAA later

Cons

• Interface has a steeper learning curve than some lighter-weight competitors
• Custom pricing means small teams still need to negotiate rather than self-serve
• Some integrations are gated behind higher-priced tiers

Pricing

Drata’s Foundation tier is generally quoted between $7,500 and $15,000 per year for a single framework and a team under 50 employees, while broader observed pricing across company sizes stretches from roughly $7,500 to well over $60,000 depending on frameworks and add-ons.

Final Thought

If a smooth audit experience matters more to you than a flashy dashboard, Drata belongs near the top of any shortlist of SOC 2 audit services for companies with under 10 employees.

9. Secureframe

Secureframe pairs its automation platform with genuinely useful human support, including a compliance team that helps small businesses scope a realistic audit timeline. It also bundles security-awareness training and a trust portal into its core plans, which many nano-sized teams find more cost-effective than buying those pieces separately.

Features

• Automated evidence collection across cloud, identity, and developer-tool integrations
• Built-in security-awareness training and policy templates reviewed by in-house auditors
• Trust portal for sharing compliance status with prospective customers
• Vendor risk management add-on for tracking third-party exposure
• Dedicated compliance manager support during onboarding

Pros

• Startup discount programs, including offers for Y Combinator-backed companies
• Training and trust-portal features reduce the need for extra point solutions
• Responsive support that many first-time SOC 2 buyers appreciate

Cons

• Year-two renewal pricing is quote-based and can rise sharply after a discounted first year
• Broad feature set may exceed what a five-person company actually needs

Pricing

Secureframe’s Fundamentals tier is commonly quoted between $7,500 and $20,000 per year for teams under 50 employees, with negotiated startup discounts of 30 to 40 percent available in the first year through partner programs.

Final Thought

Secureframe suits a small team that wants software plus a human safety net, making it a dependable entry among SOC 2 audit services for companies with under 10 employees that lack in-house compliance expertise.

10. 
    

    Prescient Assurance

Prescient Assurance is the PCAOB-registered CPA arm of Prescient Security, a cybersecurity-first firm founded by CREST-certified penetration testers rather than traditional accountants. That security-practitioner background shows up in how the firm scopes engagements, and it reports serving more than 2,000 B2B SaaS clients worldwide.

Features

• PCAOB-registered CPA firm issuing SOC 1, SOC 2, and SOC for Cybersecurity reports
• Broad framework coverage including ISO 27001, PCI DSS, HIPAA, and GDPR attestations
• Compatible with six major GRC and compliance-automation platforms
• Global Top 10 CSA STAR-certified auditor status for cloud-security attestations
• Stable, year-over-year pricing designed not to spike as a client grows

Pros

• Cybersecurity-practitioner roots give unusually strong technical scoping conversations
• Broad multi-framework capability useful if you plan to add ISO 27001 later
• Stated pricing stability protects a small company’s budget across renewal cycles

Cons

• Sister brand’s penetration-testing arm requires careful independence safeguards if used together
• Global, distributed team can mean less single-point-of-contact continuity than a tiny local firm

Pricing

Prescient Assurance typically quotes SOC 2 engagements between $12,000 and $40,000 depending on headcount and scope, though some benchmarks show entry-level Type I work starting closer to $5,000 for the smallest teams.

11. 
    

    Johanson Group LLP

Johanson Group is a boutique, Colorado-based CPA firm that has become one of the most frequently recommended auditors on the Vanta and Drata partner marketplaces. Unlike the software platforms above, Johanson Group is the entity that actually signs and issues your SOC 2 report, working directly with certified auditors rather than routing you through account managers.

Features

• Specializes exclusively in SOC 1, SOC 2, SOC 3, ISO 27001, and HIPAA attestations
• Three-step process covering scoping, fieldwork, and report delivery
• Direct access to certified auditors instead of layers of client-success staff
• Compatible with Vanta, Drata, Secureframe, and Sprinto evidence exports
• Reported four-to-six-week turnaround from fieldwork to final report

Pros

• One of the fastest turnaround times among CPA firms serving small businesses
• Consistently among the lowest Type II fees quoted by any credentialed CPA firm
• Small firm size means direct communication with the actual auditor

Cons

• Fewer ancillary services, such as penetration testing, offered in-house
• Best suited to companies that already have a readiness platform in place

Pricing

Johanson Group’s SOC 2 Type II engagements are frequently quoted between $6,000 and $15,000.

Final Thought

If your priority is a legitimate CPA-issued report at the lowest realistic cost, Johanson Group is consistently ranked among the best SOC 2 audit services for companies with under 10 employees that already use an automation platform.

12. 
    

    A-LIGN

A-LIGN is a larger, nationally recognized audit and cybersecurity firm, and it may look like an unusual fit on a list built for very small companies. However, A-LIGN accepts small-business engagements through its streamlined SOC 2 program and its marketplace partnerships with platforms like Vanta, making it a credible option when a founder’s largest customer specifically expects a well-known auditor name on the report.

Features

• Single-provider audit and cybersecurity services under one nationally accredited firm
• A-SCEND compliance management platform for evidence collection and audit tracking
• Support for SOC 1, SOC 2, ISO 27001, HITRUST, PCI DSS, and FedRAMP engagements
• Dedicated small-business audit track with streamlined scoping calls
• Recognized, established brand that rarely raises questions during enterprise due diligence

Pros

• Strongest brand recognition of any CPA-affiliated firm on this list
• Useful long-term partner if you expect to need FedRAMP or HITRUST later
• National scale means less risk of capacity bottlenecks during busy season

Cons

• Engagement process can feel heavier than a five-person company actually needs
• Custom-quote model requires more back-and-forth before you see a real number

Pricing

A-LIGN does not publish standard pricing, but market benchmarks place small-business SOC 2 engagements in the $15,000 to $40,000 range.

Final Thought

Choose A-LIGN when brand recognition and long-term framework flexibility outweigh finding the absolute lowest price among SOC 2 audit services for companies with under 10 employees.