Does Drata include the SOC 2 audit?
No. Drata is a compliance automation platform, not a CPA firm, so it does not perform or issue the SOC 2 audit. You engage a licensed auditor separately, and that attestation fee is not part of your Drata plan.
The full answer
Drata is a compliance automation platform, and like other tools in the category it does not sign audit reports. Under the AICPA's SSAE No. 18 standards, a SOC 2 examination must be performed by a licensed CPA firm that issues an independent opinion. Drata streamlines evidence and continuous monitoring; the assurance itself comes from the auditor, not the software.
There is a structural reason the two stay separate. AICPA independence rules bar an attestation firm from designing or operating the controls it audits. A vendor that helps you build and run your control program therefore cannot also be the party issuing your report, so your Drata subscription and your audit engagement are always distinct.
Operationally, you use Drata to reach a state of readiness, then contract a CPA firm to conduct fieldwork and testing. Drata lists audit partners, and an auditor with a confirmed Drata integration can pull your evidence directly from the platform, which trims the review cycle. You are free to choose an auditor Drata has not referred, provided the firm is qualified.
Treat the platform fee and the audit fee as two separate line items. Through the AuditNex network, SOC 2 audits start at $2,500 as a promotional rate and average about $5,000 according to the AuditNex 2026 rate card, while typical US pricing spans $5,000 to $60,000 or more depending on scope. Comparing a few firms in a directory before signing helps you find one that already works with your platform.
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Related questions
Can I pass SOC 2 with spreadsheets instead of a GRC platform?
Yes. A GRC platform is not required to pass a SOC 2 audit; the AICPA standards mandate no specific tool. Spreadsheets and manual evidence work, but they add prep and audit hours as your control count grows.
Can I switch GRC platforms mid-SOC 2 audit?
Yes, but time it carefully. You can move between GRC platforms during a SOC 2 engagement because the audit is a CPA attestation, not tied to any tool. Switching mid-observation risks evidence gaps, so plan it with your auditor.
Can any auditor work with Vanta?
Usually yes. Any licensed CPA firm can audit a company that uses Vanta, but only auditors with a confirmed Vanta integration pull evidence directly from the platform. Others still work from exported reports, which adds some manual effort.
Do I need a GRC platform for SOC 2?
No, a GRC platform is not required for SOC 2. The audit is a CPA attestation under AICPA rules, not a software purchase. Platforms like Vanta or Drata speed evidence collection but are optional, especially for small scopes.
Do auditors charge less if I use Drata?
Usually not directly. Drata doesn't lower the auditor's fee itself, but by automating evidence collection it cuts the auditor's fieldwork hours, and some auditors pass part of that time savings along in their quote.
Does Secureframe work with any auditor?
Mostly yes, but not automatically. Secureframe partners with a network of auditors and works best when your CPA firm has a confirmed integration that pulls evidence directly. Any independent auditor can accept Secureframe evidence, though non-integrated firms review it manually.
Sources: AICPA SSAE No. 18 attestation standards; AICPA independence rules (attestation); AuditNex network rate card, 2026. Answer written and maintained by the AuditNex research team; last reviewed July 26, 2026. AuditNex is a marketplace — accredited firms price and scope engagements independently.