Smartly vs. Vanta: Which Is Best for Your ISO 27001 Compliance?
When choosing a partner for your ISO 27001 compliance journey, you need more than just software. You need a company that understands your priorities: speed, focus, and reliable local support.
While Vanta is one of the best-known names in global compliance automation, Smartly offers a more specialized, cost-effective, and agile alternative, built especially for fast-growing startups and companies in the Asia-Pacific (APAC) region.
A Different Kind of Compliance Partner
Most compliance tools, including Vanta, give you access to a platform and then leave you to figure things out on your own.
Smartly does it differently. It is not just a software product. It is a personalized, all-inclusive service that gives you everything you need to achieve your ISO 27001 certification: templates, expert guidance, mock audits, and final certification support.
And here's the key difference: You only pay once you get certified.
That means zero risk, no hidden charges, and a single all-in-one solution designed to get you across the finish line.
1. Pricing: Vanta Is Expensive, Smartly Is Transparent
Many users have noted that Vanta's pricing model can be confusing, with hidden costs and extra features that require separate add-ons. What starts as a basic subscription can quickly grow into an expensive stack of tools, integrations, and audit add-ons. This is not ideal for startups trying to stay lean.
Smartly, on the other hand, provides an all-inclusive package. You pay only once, after achieving certification. There are no extra module fees, no audit-readiness surprises, and no charges for premium support.
For early-stage startups and scale-ups, this can mean up to 70% lower total cost compared with typical compliance automation platforms.
2. Full Focus on ISO 27001
Vanta supports a wide range of frameworks such as SOC 2, HIPAA, GDPR, and PCI DSS. That makes it a good generalist, but it also means its ISO 27001 coverage can feel shallow.
Smartly, by contrast, is purpose-built exclusively for ISO 27001.
Every single feature, template, and automation in Smartly exists to simplify your ISO journey:
- No distractions from unrelated compliance programs
- Clause-by-clause tools tailored to ISO 27001 requirements
- Expert guidance from ISO-focused specialists and auditors
When a platform dedicates all of its energy to one standard, you get the depth and precision that make certification smoother and faster.
3. Faster Certification Readiness
Speed matters, especially for startups that need ISO certification to close enterprise deals.
Vanta
3-6 months
Typical certification readiness
Smartly
15-30 days
Audit-ready in record time
Here is how Smartly accelerates the process:
- Instant gap analyses for every clause and control
- Auditor-ready templates, checklists, and exports
- Live progress tracking and mock audit scoring
- Expert feedback loops to keep implementation on track
Instead of endless meetings and back-and-forth emails, Smartly automates evidence collection and documentation so you spend less time managing compliance and more time building your business.
4. Tailored for APAC-Based Companies
Smartly is headquartered in Southeast Asia, serving clients across Singapore, Vietnam, Indonesia, Malaysia, and beyond.
That gives Smartly a clear advantage over US-based providers like Vanta:
- Local expertise with familiarity in APAC auditor expectations, document standards, and data privacy laws
- Aligned time zones for real-time human support during business hours
- Local partnerships with certification bodies for faster scheduling and smoother audits
In short, Smartly does not just translate compliance into your language. It works in your time zone, with your context in mind.
5. Feature Comparison: Smartly vs. Vanta
| Feature | Smartly | Vanta |
|---|---|---|
| Framework | ISO 27001 only, purpose-built | Multiple frameworks (SOC 2, HIPAA, GDPR) |
| Gap Analysis | Clause-by-clause and control-level assessments, manual or integrated | Generic assessments |
| Evidence Management | Upload or link files, auto-fill templates, assign owners, track progress | Available, but less tailored to ISO |
| Audit Preparation | Mock audit scoring, export-ready docs, and ISO-specific checklists | Included, but less ISO-specific |
| Trust Center | Customizable public-facing portal for sharing controls | Included |
| Live Support | Real-time help from ISO experts during APAC business hours | Limited availability for APAC clients |
6. Expert Guidance, Not Just Software
At Smartly, compliance is not a self-serve checklist. It is a guided journey.
Each client receives:
- Direct access to ISO compliance experts
- Personalized onboarding and walkthroughs
- Live human support at every key stage
This hands-on approach ensures you move quickly and confidently toward certification without feeling lost in a maze of controls, spreadsheets, and audit jargon.
7. Transparent, All-Inclusive Plans
Unlike Vanta's subscription model with tiered add-ons and variable audit costs, Smartly offers two clear, all-inclusive ISO 27001 certification plans.
Smartly Core
For teams starting their ISO journey, this plan is designed to take you from zero to certification in around 30 days.
- Certification fee (covered)
- Internal audit fee (covered)
- Expert guidance from the first assessment to the final audit
- Access to Smartly Core software and compliance automation tools
Smartly Autopilot
For teams that want an even faster and more supported path to certification. Includes everything in Smartly Core, plus:
- Personalized 1:1 account management and VIP support
- Guaranteed response times within half a working day
- Three weekly 30-minute jump-on calls for progress check-ins
- Smartly Autopilot software access
100% All-Inclusive Guarantee
Both plans come with Smartly's 100% All-Inclusive Guarantee. That means no hidden fees and full coverage of all required costs for ISO 27001 certification. Every certification is conducted by Smartly's partnered auditors and accredited international auditing firms.
The Bottom Line
If you are seeking ISO 27001 certification and want a platform that is fast, focused, and built for your region, Smartly is the clear choice.
Vanta is a solid option for large enterprises managing multiple frameworks, but if your priority is to get ISO 27001 certified efficiently, affordably, and with local expertise, Smartly is the better fit.
Smartly focuses on one goal: helping you get certified faster, simpler, and with complete support from start to finish.