Coalfire vs Insight Assurance
How two SOC 2 audit firms compare on price, timeline, framework coverage, and fit — and how to decide between them.
| Coalfire | Insight Assurance | |
|---|---|---|
| Typical price | $30K–$120K | $12K–$45K |
| Type 2 timeline | 10–22 weeks | 7–16 weeks |
| Firm tier | National firm | National firm |
| Frameworks | SOC 1, SOC 2 Type 1, SOC 2 Type 2, ISO 27001, PCI DSS | SOC 1, SOC 2 Type 1, SOC 2 Type 2, ISO 27001, HIPAA, PCI DSS, GDPR |
| Industry focus | SaaS, Fintech, Healthcare, GovTech | SaaS, Fintech, Healthcare |
| Regions | United States, European Union, Global | United States, Global |
| AICPA-licensed | Yes | Yes |
| Headquarters | Westminster, Colorado | Tampa, Florida |
How Coalfire and Insight Assurance differ
On price, Insight Assurance typically comes in lower ($12K–$45K) than Coalfire ($30K–$120K), though scope drives the final quote. Insight Assurance covers more frameworks (7 vs 5), which matters if you want to bundle SOC 2 with ISO 27001, HIPAA, or PCI under one engagement.
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
Insight Assurance strengths
- ✓Licensed CPA firm, PCI QSA, and ISO 27001 certification body
- ✓Founded and staffed by former Big Four auditors
- ✓Single provider across SOC, ISO, PCI, and HIPAA
Which should you choose?
Lean toward Insight Assurance if budget is the priority and its scope fits; lean toward Insight Assurance if you want the broadest framework coverage in a single engagement. Coalfire additionally brings GovTech experience that Insight Assurance 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 Coalfire or Insight Assurance cheaper for SOC 2?
Coalfire typically ranges $30K–$120K and Insight Assurance $12K–$45K. On typical midpoints, Insight Assurance 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, Coalfire or Insight Assurance?
Insight Assurance 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 Coalfire and Insight Assurance both AICPA-licensed CPA firms?
Yes. Both Coalfire and Insight Assurance 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.