Coalfire vs Sensiba
How two SOC 2 audit firms compare on price, timeline, framework coverage, and fit — and how to decide between them.
| Coalfire | Sensiba | |
|---|---|---|
| Typical price | $30K–$120K | $18K–$55K |
| Type 2 timeline | 10–22 weeks | 8–18 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 |
| Industry focus | SaaS, Fintech, Healthcare, GovTech | SaaS, Fintech, Healthcare |
| Regions | United States, European Union, Global | United States, European Union, Australia, Global |
| AICPA-licensed | Yes | Yes |
| Headquarters | Westminster, Colorado | Pleasanton, California |
How Coalfire and Sensiba differ
On price, Sensiba typically comes in lower ($18K–$55K) 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.
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
Sensiba strengths
- ✓Established full-service CPA firm with a dedicated SOC practice
- ✓Broad framework coverage (SOC 2, ISO, HIPAA, HITRUST, NIST)
- ✓Expanded SOC 2 capacity via 2025 AssuranceLab acquisition
Which should you choose?
Lean toward Sensiba 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 Sensiba 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 Sensiba cheaper for SOC 2?
Coalfire typically ranges $30K–$120K and Sensiba $18K–$55K. On typical midpoints, Sensiba 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 Sensiba?
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 Sensiba both AICPA-licensed CPA firms?
Yes. Both Coalfire and Sensiba 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.