Read this first. We are not a CPA firm, so we provide SOC 2 readiness, gap analysis and preparation consulting only. The formal SOC 2 examination and report are performed by a separate, licensed, independent CPA firm.

Pricing guide

SOC 2 compliance cost, broken into the parts you actually pay

SOC 2 compliance cost has two main parts: the readiness work and the CPA firm's examination. So any single number you hear is usually one of the two, not the total.

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Soc 2 compliance cost: readiness fee, cpa fee and yearly renewal

The parts of SOC 2 compliance cost

These are published US market ranges for 2025 and 2026.

Part	Range	Paid to
Consultant readiness fee	$5,000 to $40,000.	Us, as a fixed fee.
CPA firm examination	$5,000 to $70,000.	The licensed CPA firm directly.
Typical all-in, first year	$20,000 to $65,000.	Startups and mid-market software.

What moves SOC 2 compliance cost most

Scope is the biggest driver. Security is always required, but each extra criterion adds real cost. So confirm in writing which criteria your customer needs.

Availability adds roughly 10 to 25 percent
Confidentiality also adds about 10 to 25 percent
Processing Integrity adds 30 to 50 percent
Privacy adds 30 to 50 percent, and is often added by mistake

Estimate your SOC 2 compliance cost drivers

Tick each statement that is true. More ticks usually mean a higher fee.

Our customer asked for more than the Security criterion We need a Type II rather than a Type I We have no written security policies yet We run more than one production environment We have more than 50 employees in scope

Your result appears here as you tick, so you can see what is still open.

Type I or Type II and the cost difference

A Type I examination sits at the low end of the CPA range, because it is a snapshot. However, a Type II covers months of operation, so it costs more. CPA fees run $5,000 to $30,000 for Type I and $10,000 to $70,000 for Type II.

Why later years cost less

SOC 2 repeats every year. However, the hard work is done once: policies exist, controls run and evidence collects itself. Therefore renewal years usually cost noticeably less than the first.

Keeping SOC 2 compliance cost predictable

Ask for a fixed fee, not hourly billing. Also write the scope both ways, because vague edges are how budgets quietly double. Our fee is fixed once scope is agreed, so we carry the risk if work runs long. The criteria are defined in the AICPA Trust Services Criteria.

SOC 2 compliance cost questions

What is a typical SOC 2 compliance cost in year one?

For a startup or mid-market software company, usually $20,000 to $65,000 all-in.

Do compliance platforms lower the cost?

They can, because they automate evidence. However, they do not fix gaps or write policies.

Why is the CPA fee paid separately?

Because the CPA firm must be independent, so it contracts with you directly.

Can we cut SOC 2 compliance cost by limiting criteria?

Yes, as long as your customer accepts it. So ask them which criteria they need in writing.

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Answer four questions and receive a written scope and price range, usually the same working day.

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