Aprio vs Coalfire
How two SOC 2 audit firms compare on price, timeline, framework coverage, and fit — and how to decide between them.
| Aprio | Coalfire | |
|---|---|---|
| Typical price | $18K–$90K | $30K–$120K |
| Type 2 timeline | 8–22 weeks | 10–22 weeks |
| Firm tier | National firm | National firm |
| Frameworks | SOC 1, SOC 2 Type 1, SOC 2 Type 2 | SOC 1, SOC 2 Type 1, SOC 2 Type 2, ISO 27001, PCI DSS |
| Industry focus | SaaS, Fintech | SaaS, Fintech, Healthcare, GovTech |
| Regions | United States | United States, European Union, Global |
| AICPA-licensed | Yes | Yes |
| Headquarters | Atlanta, GA | Westminster, Colorado |
How Aprio and Coalfire differ
On price, Aprio typically comes in lower ($18K–$90K) than Coalfire ($30K–$120K), though scope drives the final quote. Coalfire covers more frameworks (5 vs 3), which matters if you want to bundle SOC 2 with ISO 27001, HIPAA, or PCI under one engagement.
Aprio strengths
- ✓Explicitly a licensed independent CPA firm providing attest services
- ✓Covers SOC 1, SOC 2, and SOC 3 plus SOC for Cybersecurity and Supply Chain
- ✓Adjacent compliance offerings (CMMC, FedRAMP) for regulated/government-facing clients
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 Aprio if budget is the priority and its scope fits; lean toward Coalfire if you want the broadest framework coverage in a single engagement. Coalfire additionally brings Healthcare and GovTech experience that Aprio 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 Aprio or Coalfire cheaper for SOC 2?
Aprio typically ranges $18K–$90K and Coalfire $30K–$120K. On typical midpoints, Aprio 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, Aprio or Coalfire?
Coalfire lists more frameworks (SOC 1, SOC 2 Type 1, SOC 2 Type 2, ISO 27001, PCI DSS), which is an advantage if you plan to bundle SOC 2 with other assurance standards.
Are Aprio and Coalfire both AICPA-licensed CPA firms?
Yes. Both Aprio 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.