We analyzed SOC 2 pricing across 165 audit firms: what it really costs in 2026
SOC 2 pricing is opaque — no firm publishes a rate card. So we compiled the typical price ranges across the 165 audit firms in our directory. Here's what the data shows about what a SOC 2 audit actually costs, by firm tier and industry.
Last updated July 21, 2026
Why we did this
Ask five SOC 2 auditors for a quote and you'll get five very different numbers, because there is no public pricing in this market. To give buyers a real reference point, we compiled the typical engagement price ranges across the 165 audit firms we track. A note on method: these are representative directory estimates by firm, not audited disclosures, so read them as ranges rather than exact rate cards. The interactive version, with a calculator, lives on our SOC 2 audit cost benchmark.
The headline number
Across all 165 firms, a SOC 2 Type 2 audit fee typically falls between $18,000 and $90,000, with a midpoint around $54,000. The full span runs from roughly $7,500 for a small boutique engagement on a tight scope to $400,000 for a Big Four examination of a large, complex organization. But the audit fee is only 40–60% of what a first SOC 2 actually costs once you add readiness, tooling, and a penetration test.
Price by firm tier
Tier of firm is the single biggest driver of the number. The gap between a boutique and a Big Four firm for comparable scope is roughly 5–10×:
| Firm tier | Typical fee (median) | Who it fits |
|---|---|---|
| Boutique / automation-led | $10,000–$40,000 | Startups, first-time audits |
| National / mid-market | $18,000–$90,000 | Scale-ups, most B2B SaaS |
| Big Four | $75,000–$400,000 | Enterprises, regulated industries |
Price by industry
Industry shifts the number too — regulated and higher-complexity sectors skew higher because auditors test more systems and overlapping frameworks. Fintech and healthcare engagements tend to sit at the upper end of a tier's range, while straightforward B2B SaaS sits in the middle. The full median-by-industry breakdown is on the cost benchmark.
What this means for buyers
Three takeaways from the data:
- Match the firm tier to the demand. A boutique or national firm issues the same AICPA-recognized report as the Big Four for a fraction of the fee — pay the Big Four premium only when a specific enterprise buyer demands the brand name.
- Budget the whole program, not just the audit fee. Add a readiness assessment ($5K–$25K), an automation platform ($7.5K–$60K/year), and a penetration test ($8K–$30K).
- Always compare quotes on identical scope. Because there are no list prices, the same engagement is quoted very differently firm to firm. Our quote-matching returns three firms scoped the same way.
Methodology and reuse
Figures are compiled from the typical engagement ranges of the 165 audit firms in the soc2-auditors.com directory, expressed as ranges because no firm publishes fixed pricing. They are directory estimates intended as a buyer reference, not audited financial disclosures. You're welcome to cite these figures with attribution to soc2-auditors.com. See the live, filterable version with a cost calculator on our audit cost benchmark.
Frequently asked questions
What is the average cost of a SOC 2 audit?
Across the 165 firms we track, the SOC 2 Type 2 audit fee typically runs $18,000–$90,000 with a midpoint near $54,000. Boutique firms start around $10,000; Big Four engagements reach $400,000. Total first-year cost is higher once readiness, tooling, and a penetration test are included.
How much do the cheapest SOC 2 auditors cost?
The lowest engagements we track start near $7,500–$10,000, typically boutique or automation-led firms handling a first-time audit on a tight, Security-only scope. A boutique firm's report carries the same AICPA recognition as a larger firm's.
Why is there no fixed price for SOC 2 audits?
Firms scope and quote each engagement individually based on company size, the Trust Services Criteria in scope, added frameworks, and firm tier — so the same company can receive quotes differing by tens of thousands of dollars. That's why comparing several quotes on identical scope is the only reliable way to know your number.
Can I cite this SOC 2 pricing data?
Yes, with attribution to soc2-auditors.com. The figures are representative directory estimates across 165 audit firms, intended as a buyer reference rather than audited disclosures.