Modern companies pursuing SOC 2, ISO 27001, or HIPAA compliance face the same challenge: too much manual work, too little clarity. Two names dominate this space — Vanta and Drata. Both automate compliance tasks, monitor controls, and simplify audit prep. Yet the experience they deliver feels very different.
Delivers deeper automation, enterprise scalability, and higher configurability.
Prioritizes ease of use for smaller startups and simple frameworks.
| Feature | Vanta | Drata |
|---|---|---|
| Founded | 2018 | 2020 |
| Focus | Continuous monitoring for SOC 2 and ISO 27001 | End-to-end automation for multi-framework compliance |
| Best for | Startups new to compliance | Mid-sized to enterprise organizations scaling audits |
| Customer base | 6,000+ companies | 7,000+ global customers |
| Notable users | Calm, Loom, Figma | Splunk, Wiz, Palantir, Brex, Lemonade |
Built to make compliance simple and accessible
Focuses on small-to-mid sized SaaS teams getting their first SOC 2 or ISO certification
Provides straightforward monitoring and basic automation with easy onboarding
Built as a modern GRC platform with scalable automation for growing or enterprise-level teams
Designed for organizations managing multiple frameworks or subsidiaries
Integrates developer-friendly tools, API-level monitoring, and granular control mapping
Provides checklist-style automation with continuous control testing
Ideal for smaller setups, but customization and exception handling can be limited
Users report it sometimes lacks contextual insight into why a control failed
Automates workflows at the control and policy level, linking systems for continuous validation
Includes compliance-as-code capabilities and automated evidence mapping
Delivers real-time, always-on compliance and flexible control testing
| Feature | Vanta | Drata |
|---|---|---|
| Multi-entity management | Limited to individual workspaces | Full multi-entity and multi-framework scalability |
| Cross-framework mapping | Manual | Automated and dynamic |
| Custom controls | Predefined templates | Fully customizable control mapping |
| Infrastructure depth | Cloud and SaaS connectors | API and compliance-as-code monitoring |
Verdict: Drata scales across complex infrastructures and frameworks; Vanta is better for single-entity organizations.
Provides a light risk register and questionnaire templates
Basic reporting, often used by teams new to structured risk management
Rigid configuration means manual intervention for edge cases
Full risk lifecycle automation including identification, assessment, scoring, and mitigation
Connects risk items to controls for end-to-end traceability
Supports custom vendor portals and risk-based workflows
Result: Drata enables mature, proactive risk management.
| Feature | Vanta | Drata |
|---|---|---|
| Implementation style | Self-serve templates | White-glove onboarding and success managers |
| Support channels | Chat and email | Dedicated success managers, phone, and Slack channels |
| Response time | Within business hours | Global coverage with faster SLA |
Vanta users appreciate simplicity but note limited live guidance.
Drata users highlight "personalized, expert-led onboarding that scales with growth."
| Feature | Vanta | Drata |
|---|---|---|
| Architecture type | Shared SaaS environment | Isolated environments per customer |
| Code review | Standard security practices | Rigorous secure code reviews |
| Monitoring | Basic monitoring tools | Real-time monitoring and alerting built into platform |
| Compliance focus | Meets core security standards | Built to exceed enterprise-grade security requirements |
Drata's design emphasizes isolation and resilience, while Vanta follows industry-standard safeguards suitable for general SaaS setups.
Audit prep felt like a fire drill every time.
Vanta statuses didn't tell us what was actually done.
Drata's cross-mapping made always-on compliance practical.
Faster control testing and clearer audit visibility
Higher accuracy with developer-friendly automation
Reliable, consultative support at every stage
Very easy to start
Simple dashboards for smaller compliance programs
Great entry point for first-time SOC 2 teams
| Feature | Vanta | Drata |
|---|---|---|
| Automation | Basic, checklist-based | Deep, flexible control testing |
| Scalability | Single-framework focus | Multi-framework, multi-entity |
| Risk management | Limited, static templates | Comprehensive, dynamic |
| Onboarding | Self-serve | White-glove, guided |
| Support | Ticket-based | Dedicated success managers |
| Vendor management | Basic questionnaires | Integrated custom portals |
| Security | Standard SaaS setup | Isolated, enterprise-grade architecture |
| Partner ecosystem | Growing auditor network | High quality, vetted auditors |
| Pricing | Mid-tier, startup-friendly | Higher, enterprise-focused |
| Best for | First-time compliance teams | Mature or scaling companies |
~$8,000
Per framework, with additional frameworks billed separately.
Custom Quote
Based on frameworks, entities, and support needs; higher upfront but greater ROI for multi-framework programs.
You are a small SaaS startup looking for a lightweight, easy-to-use compliance automation tool to achieve SOC 2 or ISO 27001 quickly.
Your company needs deeper automation, multiple frameworks, or enterprise-level governance with continuous monitoring.
Both tools save time, but Drata offers a more complete long-term compliance architecture.
Vanta and Drata both simplify compliance but serve different business needs. Vanta wins on simplicity and cost for smaller teams. Drata wins on automation, scalability, and real-time audit readiness for fast-growing and enterprise companies.
If you want to move beyond checklist automation to full compliance orchestration, Drata offers the stronger, more future-proof platform.
This comparison is based on publicly available information, user reviews, and vendor materials as of October 2025. Both platforms continue to evolve; readers should verify details directly with vendors before making a final decision.
While both Vanta and Drata are solid platforms, Smartly offers a focused, faster, and more affordable path specifically for ISO 27001 certification—especially for teams in the APAC region.