How Much Does a SOC 2 Audit Cost?
Robin Joseph
Senior Pentest Consultant
Last reviewed: September 2026.
A SOC 2 audit typically costs between $10,000 and $80,000, depending on your organization's size, audit type, and how prepared you are going in. This is also the core of what people mean by SOC 2 certification cost: the audit fee plus the readiness work around it.
That range exists because scope, auditor choice, and remediation work can push your total spend well above or below the midpoint. This guide breaks down what drives SOC 2 audit costs, what to expect for Type 1 and Type 2, and where organizations typically overspend.
One thing this figure leaves out: the audit fee is usually the smaller cost. Engineering time spent collecting evidence and chasing controls often runs 5 to 8 times the audit invoice. Run the numbers for your team with our free calculator to see both costs side by side.
How Much Does a SOC 2 Audit Cost in 2026?
For most startups and mid-market companies, the audit fee alone ranges from $10,000 to $50,000. Factor in readiness assessments, remediation, tooling, and internal staff time, and total investment typically lands between $30,000 and $150,000.
For a concrete anchor: a mid-size SaaS company (100 to 500 employees) doing a first SOC 2 Type 2 report should budget $30,000 to $60,000 all-in, readiness, audit fee, and first year of maintenance combined, per the size breakdown below.
SOC 2 Type 1 Audit
Cost range: $5,000 to $25,000
Reviews whether your controls are properly designed at a specific point in time. Companies covering only Security typically pay $5,000 to $12,000; more complex scopes push toward $25,000.
SOC 2 Type 2 Audit
Cost range: $10,000 to $50,000
Evaluates how controls performed over three to twelve months. Small to mid-sized companies typically spend $10,000 to $30,000; larger organizations can exceed $50,000 for the audit alone.
Additional Costs to Budget For
- Readiness assessment: $10,000 to $15,000
- Remediation work: $5,000 to $25,000
- Compliance automation tools: $2,500 to $10,000 annually
- Penetration testing: $5,000 to $15,000
- Staff security awareness training: $25 per user annually, up to $15,000 for trainer-led sessions
- Legal review of agreements and policies: $5,000 to $30,000
| Organization Size | Readiness Assessment | Type 1 Audit | Type 2 Audit | Annual Maintenance |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Small (under 100) | $2,500 to $5,000 | $5,000 to $10,000 | $10,000 to $20,000 | $2,500 to $5,000 |
| Medium (100 to 500) | $5,000 to $10,000 | $10,000 to $20,000 | $20,000 to $40,000 | $5,000 to $10,000 |
| Large (500+) | $10,000 to $20,000 | $15,000 to $25,000 | $40,000 to $50,000 | $10,000 to $25,000 |
Sources:
- www.linfordco.com/blog/soc-audit-cost
- www.pungroup.cpa/blog/soc-2-cost
- www.secureleap.tech/blog/soc-2-certification-cost
- www.workstreet.com/blog/soc-2-audit-cost
- www.brightdefense.com/resources/soc-2-audit-costs
What Drives the Cost
Scope is the single biggest lever on your final SOC 2 certification cost. It's shaped by which Trust Service Criteria you include (Security is mandatory, others are optional but often requested), the size and complexity of your systems, and the sensitivity of the data you handle. A lean SaaS startup handling minimal data may only need Security; an enterprise processing financial or healthcare records may need several criteria plus detailed data mapping under GDPR or CCPA.
Beyond scope, five other factors move the number:
- Organization size - more systems and headcount means more for auditors to review.
- Audit type - Type 2's extended observation period makes it significantly more expensive than Type 1.
- Readiness going in - organizations that complete a readiness assessment and arrive with clean documentation spend less; skipping prep means longer reviews and more evidence requests.
- Auditor choice - Big Four firms carry the highest fees; mid-tier and boutique CPA firms often fit SaaS and mid-market companies better on price and responsiveness. The cheapest auditor is a false economy since your report's credibility depends on who issued it.
- Automation and tooling - compliance platforms reduce manual evidence collection and auditor hours, at the cost of their own subscription.
Frequently Asked Questions
Typically $5,000 to $25,000. Smaller companies covering only the mandatory Security criterion usually land between $5,000 and $12,000; more complex environments or additional Trust Services Criteria push it toward $25,000.
Typically $10,000 to $50,000 for the audit fee alone. Small to mid-sized companies usually spend $10,000 to $30,000; larger organizations with broader scope can exceed $50,000.
For a company with 100 to 500 employees doing a first SOC 2 Type 2 report, budget $30,000 to $60,000 all-in for readiness, the audit fee, and the first year of maintenance combined.
Start with a Type 1 audit rather than Type 2, keep the scope tight (only the Trust Services Criteria you actually need), and run a readiness assessment before the audit begins, organizations that skip readiness prep consistently pay more in auditor hours and remediation.
No. The audit fee is usually the smaller, more visible cost. The larger one is internal engineering time spent collecting evidence and maintaining controls, which typically runs 5 to 8 times the audit invoice under a manual process.
The Real Value of SOC 2
A SOC 2 audit can feel like a steep expense, tens of thousands of dollars a year, plus tools and readiness work. But the real return is the trust you're building: SOC 2 signals to customers, partners, and regulators that you take security seriously, which shortens sales cycles and unlocks enterprise deals. One breach can erode years of credibility overnight, so that assurance isn't optional, it's a competitive advantage.
The process also strengthens your own operations, teams get more disciplined, processes tighten, and risks surface before they escalate. Treat SOC 2 certification cost as ongoing infrastructure rather than a one-time compliance checkbox, it's about proving you can be trusted year after year.
If you're looking to strengthen your security posture before or alongside your SOC 2 journey, Uproot Security's SOC 2 Compliance Framework gives you evidence that your controls hold up under real-world conditions, which auditors and enterprise customers both want to see.
SOC 2
