A-LIGN vs Coalfire
How two SOC 2 audit firms compare on price, timeline, framework coverage, and fit — and how to decide between them.
| A-LIGN | Coalfire | |
|---|---|---|
| Typical price | $25K–$120K | $30K–$120K |
| Type 2 timeline | 10–22 weeks | 10–22 weeks |
| Firm tier | National firm | National firm |
| Frameworks | SOC 1, SOC 2 Type 1, SOC 2 Type 2, ISO 27001, HIPAA, PCI DSS, GDPR | SOC 1, SOC 2 Type 1, SOC 2 Type 2, ISO 27001, PCI DSS |
| Industry focus | SaaS, Fintech, Healthcare, AI / ML, GovTech | SaaS, Fintech, Healthcare, GovTech |
| Regions | United States, United Kingdom, European Union, Global | United States, European Union, Global |
| AICPA-licensed | Yes | Yes |
| Headquarters | Tampa, Florida | Westminster, Colorado |
How A-LIGN and Coalfire differ
On price, A-LIGN and Coalfire land in a similar range ($25K–$120K vs $30K–$120K), so cost is unlikely to be the deciding factor. A-LIGN covers more frameworks (7 vs 5), which matters if you want to bundle SOC 2 with ISO 27001, HIPAA, or PCI under one engagement.
A-LIGN strengths
- ✓Single provider for SOC, ISO, HITRUST, FedRAMP, CMMC, and PCI
- ✓Global delivery footprint across multiple continents
- ✓Large client base (5,000+ organizations)
Coalfire strengths
- ✓Strong FedRAMP, CMMC, and PCI heritage alongside SOC work
- ✓SOC examinations issued via licensed CPA affiliate Coalfire Controls
- ✓Enterprise-grade cloud security engineering
Which should you choose?
Lean toward A-LIGN if budget is the priority and its scope fits; lean toward A-LIGN if you want the broadest framework coverage in a single engagement. A-LIGN additionally brings AI / ML experience that Coalfire does not list. Both are AICPA-licensed, so either can issue a report your customers will accept — the fastest way to decide is to get quotes from both on identical scope.
Frequently asked questions
Is A-LIGN or Coalfire cheaper for SOC 2?
A-LIGN typically ranges $25K–$120K and Coalfire $30K–$120K. On typical midpoints, A-LIGN tends to be the lower-cost option, but neither publishes fixed pricing, so a scoped quote from each is the only reliable comparison.
Which covers more frameworks, A-LIGN or Coalfire?
A-LIGN lists more frameworks (SOC 1, SOC 2 Type 1, SOC 2 Type 2, ISO 27001, HIPAA, PCI DSS, GDPR), which is an advantage if you plan to bundle SOC 2 with other assurance standards.
Are A-LIGN and Coalfire both AICPA-licensed CPA firms?
Yes. Both A-LIGN and Coalfire are AICPA-licensed CPA firms, which is required to issue a SOC 2 report. Either firm's report carries the same recognition with your customers.