Smartly vs Scrut: Which Tool Works Better for Startups
ISO 27001 certification is a key milestone for any company building customer trust and security credibility. While Scrut Automation is a strong new entrant offering a risk-first approach, Smartly takes a focused, outcome-driven path built exclusively for ISO 27001.
Both platforms simplify compliance, but they cater to different kinds of teams. Scrut serves broader risk and governance needs, while Smartly is laser-focused on fast, affordable, and fully guided ISO 27001 certification for startups and growing tech companies, particularly across the Asia-Pacific region.
Here's a detailed comparison to help you choose the right compliance automation partner for your ISO 27001 journey.
1. Focus: Risk-First GRC vs ISO-Only Specialization
Scrut is a governance, risk, and compliance platform that supports more than 50 frameworks such as SOC 2, ISO 27001, HIPAA, and GDPR. It combines compliance automation with risk management, making it a flexible tool for companies managing multiple standards.
Smartly, by contrast, focuses only on ISO 27001. Every feature, workflow, and template is designed for one purpose: to get your organization certified quickly and confidently.
Smartly's single-framework advantage:
Clause-by-clause gap analysis and compliance guidance
Simpler setup and workflow with no excess configuration
Direct auditor alignment for ISO certification readiness
If your goal is ISO 27001 certification, Smartly's single focus saves time, reduces confusion, and shortens the path to audit day.
2. Speed: Certification in 15 to 30 Days
Scrut clients often achieve audit readiness in two to three months, depending on how many frameworks they manage. Its broader configuration flexibility also means setup can take longer.
Smartly clients typically reach ISO 27001 audit readiness within 15 to 30 days.
Smartly accelerates certification through:
Instant, automated or manual gap analysis for every clause
Over 40 pre-built ISO templates that auto-fill evidence fields
ISO-specific checklists, mock audit scoring, and export-ready packs
Dedicated onboarding with real ISO experts who keep progress on track
The result is a fast, predictable, and guided journey that replaces uncertainty with progress.
3. Complexity vs Simplicity
Scrut's strength lies in its risk-first approach and robust feature set, but that breadth also introduces complexity. Several users report that while Scrut Automation is powerful, the number of features can be overwhelming at first, especially for teams new to compliance.
Common feedback:
"There is a learning curve because there are so many controls and tasks at once."
"Some features require training before you can use them effectively."
"The platform is highly capable but initially feels dense for small teams."
Smartly takes the opposite route. By focusing only on ISO 27001, the platform eliminates unnecessary steps and jargon. It tells users exactly what to do, when to do it, and provides human experts to fill in gaps.
In short:
Scrut is best for organizations managing multiple frameworks and internal risk programs
Smartly is ideal for startups that want ISO 27001 done fast, simple, and right the first time
4. Support: Self-Led vs Guided Partnership
Scrut provides responsive customer service and a collaborative onboarding team, but most of the setup still relies on internal effort. Users often describe needing to manually configure integrations or request more responsive help for complex setups.
Smartly takes a guided partnership approach:
Real-time human support during APAC business hours
Weekly check-ins and progress reviews for Autopilot users
Personalized walkthroughs for every ISO 27001 clause
Access to a network of certified local auditors
Instead of learning the system alone, Smartly pairs each client with an ISO specialist who ensures progress never stalls.
5. Integrations and Automation
Scrut integrates with major tools such as AWS, Google Cloud, Azure, and various HR and ticketing systems. However, users frequently mention the need for deeper integrations and easier setup across less common tools.
Common feedback from Scrut users:
Some integrations like Microsoft Defender, Intune, and GoDaddy could be smoother
Initial setup of integrations can take longer than expected
Certain developer and project management tools still require manual uploads
A few dashboard reports are not customizable enough
A small number of users experienced sync bugs or minor false positives from the agent
Smartly's automation focuses exclusively on what ISO 27001 requires. It provides lean, ISO-specific integrations, pre-filled templates, and an onboarding team that handles most of the setup for you.
This narrower focus eliminates unnecessary configuration work and ensures faster time to value.
6. Usability and User Experience
Scrut's dashboard is detailed and feature-rich, giving strong visibility into risks and controls. However, new users often find the interface dense, and the number of fields and reports can be intimidating at first.
Users mention that the UI could be more intuitive, and certain views could offer better personalization or task visibility. The reporting dashboard, while comprehensive, lacks deep customization options.
Smartly simplifies everything. The interface focuses on progress tracking, clause coverage, and evidence readiness, with clear visuals that make it easy for both technical and non-technical users to stay aligned.
Scrut offers more complexity for large-scale GRC programs. Smartly offers clarity for fast-moving ISO 27001 certification.
7. Regional Fit: Global Platform vs APAC-Focused Partner
Scrut serves clients across India, Europe, and the United States, and operates as a globally oriented platform. Smartly, meanwhile, is based in Southeast Asia and built specifically for APAC startups that need localized guidance and audit readiness in regional time zones.
APAC-based Support
Live availability during regional business hours
Regional Templates
Adapted to regional auditor expectations
Local Certifications
Connections to trusted certification partners across Southeast Asia
This regional presence helps companies avoid communication delays and ensures smoother, faster audits.
8. Feature Comparison: Smartly vs Scrut
| Feature | Smartly | Scrut |
|---|---|---|
| Framework Focus | ISO 27001 only | 50+ frameworks including SOC 2, GDPR, HIPAA |
| Approach | Compliance-first, certification-focused | Risk-first, governance-driven |
| Gap Analysis | Clause-by-clause, manual or integrated | Cross-framework mapping |
| Evidence Management | 40+ auto-fill templates, progress tracking | Centralized repository with manual customization |
| Audit Preparation | Mock audit scoring, ISO-ready exports | Risk-based readiness tools |
| Support Model | Guided human partnership | Self-managed setup with chat and onboarding support |
| Regional Tailoring | Built for Southeast Asia | Global coverage |
| Implementation Time | 15–30 days | 60–90 days on average |
9. Real User Feedback: What People Dislike About Scrut
While Scrut is a capable platform, user reviews point out several areas that could improve:
Initial onboarding can feel overwhelming due to the number of tasks and features
Some integrations require manual customization or extra time to set up
Dashboard reporting could offer more advanced and flexible export options
The UI could be more intuitive, especially for first-time users
Pending tasks are not always prominently visible, which can cause missed items
Customization for complex organizations may require manual workarounds
A few users experienced small bugs such as filters not working properly
Support is responsive but could be faster for advanced issues
These points show where Scrut's power can also add complexity. Smartly's simpler, ISO-specific workflows and expert-led onboarding remove those early barriers.
10. Transparent Pricing and Plans
Scrut follows a subscription model where pricing depends on the number of frameworks, users, and modules. Costs for risk management and compliance add-ons are quoted separately. Smartly offers two all-inclusive pricing plans that cover everything from assessment to final certification.
100% All-Inclusive Guarantee
Both plans include Smartly's All-Inclusive Guarantee, meaning no hidden fees or post-audit surprises. Every certification is conducted by Smartly's partnered auditors and internationally accredited auditing firms.
11. More Than Software: Smartly as a Partner
Scrut provides a strong platform that can scale across multiple frameworks, but Smartly combines automation with partnership. Each Smartly client is supported by real compliance specialists who help them interpret ISO 27001 requirements, gather evidence, and prepare for audits efficiently.
The result is a faster, simpler, and more confident certification process.
Conclusion
Scrut is an impressive platform for companies managing multiple frameworks and enterprise-level risk programs. It is robust, constantly improving, and ideal for organizations that want to consolidate compliance and risk in one place.
But for startups focused solely on ISO 27001 certification, Smartly is the smarter choice.
Smartly's ISO-only design, transparent pricing, faster timelines, and expert guidance make certification achievable in weeks instead of months.
It is compliance made simple, personal, and built for startups that value both speed and certainty.