Pricing benchmark
What a SOC 2 audit costs in 2026
Across the 165 audit firms we track, a SOC 2 Type 2 examination typically runs $18,000–$90,000 — from about $7,500 for a boutique engagement to $400,000 for a Big Four enterprise audit. But the audit fee is only part of the picture. Here's how it breaks down by firm tier and industry, and what the full first-year program costs.
Figures are compiled from the 165 firms in our directory and reflect representative ranges by firm tier (directory estimates, not list prices — no firm publishes fixed SOC 2 pricing). Last updated July 2026. Use the calculator for an indicative estimate, then get real quotes.
SOC 2 cost calculator
Estimated audit fee
$12K–$35K
The CPA audit fee only — typically 40–60% of total first-year spend. Add readiness, a compliance platform, and a pen test for the full program (see below). An indicative range, not a quote.
| Firm tier | Typical fee (median) | Full range | Firms |
|---|---|---|---|
| Boutique | $10K–$40K | $7.5K–$45K | 66 |
| Automation-led | $12K–$45K | $12K–$45K | 1 |
| National firm | $18K–$90K | $12K–$150K | 94 |
| Big Four | $75K–$400K | $75K–$400K | 4 |
Median audit fee by industry
Industry shifts the number too — regulated and higher-complexity sectors skew higher because auditors test more systems and overlapping frameworks. Median low–high across the firms in our directory that serve each industry:
| Industry | Typical fee (median) | Firms |
|---|---|---|
| E-commerce | $10K–$40K | 10 |
| AI / ML | $12K–$45K | 19 |
| Govtech | $16.5K–$55K | 24 |
| Healthcare / health-tech | $18K–$85K | 90 |
| SaaS | $18K–$90K | 163 |
| Fintech | $18K–$90K | 160 |
Audit fee vs. total cost of compliance
The tier ranges above are the CPA audit fee — typically only 40–60% of what a first SOC 2 actually costs. Budget for the full program: most startups land around $25K–$50K all-in, while complex enterprise programs run well into six figures. Year two is usually cheaper once controls are established.
| Cost component | Typical range | What it covers |
|---|---|---|
| CPA audit fee (Type 2) | $15K–$100K+ | The examination itself. Boutique to national for most companies; Big Four enterprise engagements run higher. |
| Readiness assessment | $5K–$25K | Optional pre-audit gap check, billed separately before fieldwork. |
| Compliance platform | $7.5K–$60K/yr | Vanta, Drata, Secureframe, Sprinto and similar — automates evidence collection. |
| Penetration test | $8K–$30K | Widely expected by auditors and customers; scope drives the price. |
| Internal team time | 80–500+ hrs | Engineering and security hours for remediation and evidence — a real, often-overlooked cost. |
What drives the price
- Report type
- Type 2 costs more than Type 1 because it tests controls over a period, not a point in time — fieldwork runs roughly 2–4× longer.
- Observation window
- A 12-month Type 2 window means more evidence sampling than a 3- or 6-month one, which raises the fee.
- Number of frameworks & criteria
- Each added Trust Services Criterion adds roughly 15–30%; stacking ISO 27001, HIPAA, or PCI raises scope further.
- Company size & complexity
- More systems, people, locations, and subservice providers mean more controls to test.
- Firm tier
- Brand-name and Big Four firms charge a premium over boutiques for comparable scope — often 3–5×.
- Evidence readiness
- Walking in audit-ready shortens fieldwork; a messy environment adds auditor hours and remediation cost.
SOC 2 audit cost FAQ
How much does a SOC 2 audit cost in 2026?
Across the 165 firms we track, the SOC 2 Type 2 audit fee typically runs $18,000–$90,000, with boutique firms starting near $7,500 and Big Four engagements reaching $400,000. The audit fee is usually only 40–60% of total first-year cost once readiness, tooling, and a penetration test are included.
Why is SOC 2 so expensive?
Most of the fee pays for licensed CPA labor to plan the examination, test each control against evidence, and issue an opinion your customers rely on. Company size, the number of Trust Services Criteria, added frameworks, and the tier of firm all raise the number.
What is the total first-year cost of SOC 2?
Beyond the audit fee, budget for an optional readiness assessment ($5K–$25K), a compliance-automation platform ($7.5K–$60K/year), and a penetration test ($8K–$30K). Most startups land around $25K–$50K all-in; complex enterprise programs run into six figures.
Is the second-year SOC 2 audit cheaper?
Usually somewhat. Once controls, evidence workflows, and tooling are established, year-two fees are often lower, though SOC 2 Type 2 is recurring — each year covers a fresh observation window, so you pay an audit fee annually.
Do cheaper auditors produce a worse report?
Not inherently. Every firm issuing a SOC 2 report must be an AICPA-licensed CPA firm, and a boutique firm's report carries the same recognition as a Big Four firm's. Price differences reflect brand, capacity, and specialization — but verify AICPA peer-review status and avoid 'audit mills' promising a report in days.
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