Coalfire vs Risk3sixty
How two SOC 2 audit firms compare on price, timeline, framework coverage, and fit — and how to decide between them.
| Coalfire | Risk3sixty | |
|---|---|---|
| Typical price | $30K–$120K | $15K–$45K |
| Type 2 timeline | 10–22 weeks | 7–16 weeks |
| Firm tier | National firm | Boutique |
| Frameworks | SOC 1, SOC 2 Type 1, SOC 2 Type 2, ISO 27001, PCI DSS | SOC 2 Type 1, SOC 2 Type 2, ISO 27001, HIPAA, PCI DSS |
| Industry focus | SaaS, Fintech, Healthcare, GovTech | SaaS, Fintech, Healthcare, AI / ML |
| Regions | United States, European Union, Global | United States, Global |
| AICPA-licensed | Yes | Yes |
| Headquarters | Westminster, Colorado | Atlanta, Georgia |
How Coalfire and Risk3sixty differ
On price, Risk3sixty typically comes in lower ($15K–$45K) than Coalfire ($30K–$120K), though scope drives the final quote. Both cover a comparable set of 5 frameworks, so either can bundle SOC 2 with your other assurance needs. They also sit in different tiers — Coalfire is national firm, Risk3sixty is boutique — which shapes the price, process, and brand recognition on the report.
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
Risk3sixty strengths
- ✓Combines GRC advisory with attestation via registered CPA arm
- ✓Multi-framework coverage incl. ISO 42001 for AI
- ✓Experience across 2,000+ framework projects
Which should you choose?
Lean toward Risk3sixty 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 GovTech experience that Risk3sixty does not list. Risk3sixty 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 Coalfire or Risk3sixty cheaper for SOC 2?
Coalfire typically ranges $30K–$120K and Risk3sixty $15K–$45K. On typical midpoints, Risk3sixty 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 Risk3sixty?
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 Coalfire and Risk3sixty both AICPA-licensed CPA firms?
Yes. Both Coalfire and Risk3sixty 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.