Suppose a compliance platform cost $12,000 annually. Is it expensive?
The replacement it makes will determine the answer.
If the automation process eliminates hundreds of hours of repetitive evidence collection in a complex technology landscape, $12,000 could be a good investment. The math would be different for a start-up of seven people could collect similar evidence in only the time of a few minutes every month.
That’s a useful way to approach the search for a Vanta alternative. Start by asking what platform has the greatest features. Consider what these features can help your business save time and work.
The Break-Even Level for Automation
The automation of compliance isn’t always either good or negative. Scale changes its value. Imagine a technology company which is growing, numerous cloud environments, many applications and frequent changes in access. It is possible to manually collect evidence, which could be a significant operational burden. Integrations that automatically monitor systems and take evidence are able to justify the cost.
Consider a startup with 10 employees making preparations for its first SOC 2. Its infrastructure may be relatively compact, and evidence collection is still manageable even without massive automation.
This is an important distinction to consider when evaluating Vanta’s pricing. While a well-developed platform can offer many capabilities but they only have value for organizations that are in need of them.
Compare Architecture and not just Brands
Finding Vanta or Drata quickly turns into a feature by -feature task. It is crucial to examine the features, services, contracts and quotes of each platform. Both are reputable compliance platforms that focus on integrations and automation.
There’s yet another one you’ll need to make. Does your business want an integration-driven compliance platform or not? Some businesses want automated evidence collection and continuous monitoring. Others prefer to present evidence themselves, particularly when the workload remains modest.
Vanta Competitors Do not All Use the Same Model
A number of well-known Vanta competitors compete within the same category of automation. The market also has lightweight platforms that are designed to focus on organizing rather than extensive system connectivity.
CertAssist is a part of this category. CertAssist was created by internal auditors and compliance consultants. It organizes controls for frameworks into a single workspace that allows for editing of guidelines for policy as well as evidence. Auditors are able to review the documents submitted using a read-only interface.
It doesn’t install agents or connect to infrastructure systems. Customers select and upload their evidence that they want to provide.
Factor System Access Into the Decision
The detachment of integrations does not come without its drawbacks. One must manually gather evidence.
This eliminates the need for integration, and the use of compliance does not require a connection to the operating environment.
The architectures of either are not superior to the other. What is the best choice for your business?
CertAssist targets teams of five to 200 employees and gives pricing information instead of having a sales conversation. The stated launch price for CertAssist per month is $225 rather than an average of $375.
Let Complexity Take Its Place
What a startup with 10 employees requires today might not be the same when you have 500 or 100 employees.
A lighter platform can make sense if compliance remains easy. As the number of employees, systems, frameworks, and evidence requirements expand, the economics may eventually favor deeper automation. It’s better to let the complex technology of compliance earn its place.
Don’t buy fifty integrations simply because they look attractive in a chart of comparison. You should pay for them only if the cost to do the task manually is higher.