How Much Does a Compliance Audit Cost?
Costs range from a few thousand dollars to six figures depending on the framework. SOC 2 starts at $2,500 on the AuditNex network, ISO 27001 runs roughly $14,000–$50,000, a CMMC Level 2 assessment runs $30,000–$75,000, and a HIPAA risk assessment runs $2,000–$50,000. Compare all four side by side below, then get matched with vetted auditors.
Audit Cost by Framework (2026)
A side-by-side snapshot of what each major compliance audit costs, how long it takes, and who typically needs it.
| Framework | Typical audit cost | Timeline | Renewal | Who needs it |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| SOC 2 | $5,000 – $60,000+ network: from $2,500 | Type I: 1–3 months · Type II: 6–12 mo window | Annual | B2B SaaS proving security to enterprise buyers |
| ISO 27001 | $14,000 – $50,000 (Stage 1+2) | 3–8 months for most SMBs | 3-yr cert + annual surveillance | Companies selling internationally / in the EU |
| CMMC Level 2 | $30,000 – $75,000 (C3PAO assessment) | Months of prep; enforcement ramps from Nov 2026 | 3-yr cert + annual affirmations | DoD contractors handling CUI |
| HIPAA | $2,000 – $50,000 (risk assessment / audit) | Weeks to a few months | Annual risk assessment (no expiry — no cert) | Healthcare orgs & vendors handling PHI |
Explore Each Framework
Dive into a detailed cost breakdown for the framework you're pursuing.
Related Resources
Compliance Audit Cost FAQ
How much does a compliance audit cost?
It depends on the framework. A SOC 2 audit commonly runs $5,000–$60,000 (and starts at $2,500 on the AuditNex network), ISO 27001 Stage 1 and 2 audits run about $14,000–$50,000 for small and mid-size companies, a CMMC Level 2 C3PAO assessment runs $30,000–$75,000, and a HIPAA risk assessment or audit runs roughly $2,000–$50,000. Company size, scope, and complexity move every number.
Which compliance framework is cheapest to get audited for?
For most software companies, SOC 2 is the lowest-cost entry point — especially a Type I report — followed by a HIPAA risk assessment. ISO 27001 costs more because it involves a formal two-stage certification plus annual surveillance audits, and CMMC Level 2 is the most expensive because a registered third-party assessor (C3PAO) must certify you.
Why do audit prices vary so much between frameworks?
Each framework has a different scope and a different process. SOC 2 and HIPAA are flexible and scoped to your systems; ISO 27001 and CMMC are formal certifications with prescribed audit days, accredited bodies, and fixed renewal cycles. The number of people, systems, and locations in scope is the single biggest cost driver in all four.
Do I need more than one compliance audit?
Many companies do. A health-tech SaaS selling to hospitals might need both SOC 2 (to prove general security) and HIPAA (because it handles PHI). A defense supplier might hold ISO 27001 for commercial customers and CMMC for DoD work. The good news: the underlying security controls overlap heavily, so a second framework usually costs less than the first.
Sources & methodology: Figures are publicly reported industry ranges drawn from Vanta, Drata, Secureframe and Sprinto pricing guides (SOC 2, ISO 27001); OneTrust and StrongDM ISO 27001 cost breakdowns; U.S. DoD CMMC program cost estimates and C3PAO market quotes (CMMC); HHS/OCR guidance and HITRUST pricing (HIPAA). AuditNex is a marketplace and does not set audit fees — each accredited firm prices independently. Ranges are estimates for planning only, not quotes.
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