The True Cost of SOC 2 Compliance in 2025—And How to Reduce It
SOC 2 compliance isn’t just a checkbox anymore. In 2025, it’s become a competitive edge—but it can also be an expensive and time-consuming endeavor if you’re unprepared. Many companies, from SaaS startups to financial firms and healthcare providers, now find themselves wondering: What does SOC 2 really cost? And how can we bring that cost down without compromising quality?
This blog breaks down what you can expect to spend on SOC 2 compliance in 2025 and offers practical strategies to cut unnecessary costs without cutting corners.
What Contributes to the Cost of SOC 2 Compliance?
There are 5 key components that affect the total price tag:
1. Gap Assessment & Readiness Phase
This phase identifies where your current controls fall short of SOC 2 standards. It usually involves consulting fees, internal time commitments, and possibly the purchase of new tooling.
Estimated Cost: $5,000 - $20,000
2. Tooling & Infrastructure Upgrades
Compliance may require adopting or upgrading systems for:
Logging and monitoring
Access controls
Data encryption
Vulnerability scanning
Asset inventory
Incident response
Backup and recovery
Estimated Cost: $5,000 - $30,000 annually, depending on company size
3. Personnel Time & Training
SOC 2 isn’t a one-person job. Your engineering, product, HR, legal, and IT teams will all have roles to play. This comes with the hidden cost of diverted time and potential productivity slowdowns.
Estimated Cost: Indirect, but often equivalent to hundreds of staff hours
4. Audit Fees (Type I and Type II)
SOC 2 Type I is a point-in-time audit, while Type II reviews controls over a 3-12 month period.
Estimated Cost:
Type I: $10,000 - $30,000
Type II: $20,000 - $60,000
5. Ongoing Monitoring & Maintenance
After the audit, continuous monitoring and evidence collection are required to remain compliant.
Estimated Cost: $2,000 - $10,000 annually (tooling + staff time)
Total Estimated SOC 2 Compliance Cost in 2025:
Small Teams: $25,000 - $60,000
Mid-sized Organizations: $60,000 - $120,000
Large Enterprises: $120,000 - $250,000+
How to Reduce SOC 2 Compliance Costs Without Risking Quality
1. Automate Everything You Can
Use platforms that automatically collect evidence, manage control tasks, and track risks. Examples include Vanta, Drata, Secureframe, and Tugboat Logic.
2. Partner With the Right Compliance Consultant
A strong consulting partner like ESM Global Consulting can reduce wasted time, cut through confusion, and help you avoid costly errors.
3. Use Existing Tools More Efficiently
You don’t always need to buy something new. Many orgs already have tools like AWS, Google Workspace, or Microsoft 365 that can be configured to meet SOC 2 standards.
4. Start With Type I
Unless required by a customer, begin with SOC 2 Type I to minimize initial spend and prove basic readiness before going deeper.
5. Create a Centralized Evidence Repository
Time is money. Avoid chasing emails or screenshots by creating a shared space (internal wiki or GDrive) where all evidence lives.
Final Thoughts
SOC 2 compliance is an investment in trust, not just a regulatory hoop to jump through. But in 2025, you need to be strategic. With the right partners, automation, and planning, your business can earn the SOC 2 badge—without burning through your runway.
Need help building a cost-effective SOC 2 compliance strategy? Reach out to ESM Global Consulting. We help companies in tech, finance, healthcare, and beyond stay secure, impress clients, and pass audits without the stress.