A-LIGN vs Workiva: Which Compliance Platform is Better in 2026?
Compare A-LIGN and Workiva head-to-head. See pricing, features, integrations, and our expert verdict on which compliance automation platform is right for your business.
Summary
Updated February 2026Both A-LIGN and Workiva are established compliance automation platforms. Your choice depends on team size, budget, and compliance scope.
A-LIGN
- Starting at $6,000/year
- Best for: Companies wanting one relationship for compliance
Workiva
- Starting at $30,000/year
- Best for: Public companies with complex reporting requirements
Sources: G2 Crowd, Capterra, Vendor Documentation, User Interviews
Pricing Comparison
A-LIGN
Workiva
A-LIGN is generally the more budget-friendly entry point, starting at $6,000/year compared to Workiva's $30,000/year. Crucially, A-LIGN includes bundled auditor fees, which can save $8,000–$15,000 in out-of-pocket costs compared to the other. For 2026, we recommend A-LIGN for single vendor for software and audit and Workiva for enterprise compliance reporting.
Our Verdict
Choose Workiva if: Public companies with complex reporting requirements
Bottom Line: Workiva is designed for enterprise scale. A-LIGN is a better fit for Mid-Market.
A-LIGN Pros & Cons
Pros
- Largest SOC 2 auditor globally
- Single vendor for everything
- Predictable combined pricing
- Deep audit expertise
- Strong in federal compliance
Cons
- Software less feature-rich
- Bundle dependency
- Less automation depth
Workiva Pros & Cons
Pros
- Industry leader in SOX
- Excellent for public companies
- Strong ESG capabilities
- Connected data platform
- Audit trail excellence
Cons
- Not for SOC 2/ISO
- Very high cost
- Public company focused
Best-fit snapshot
A-LIGN
- •Best fit: Companies wanting one relationship for compliance
- •Frameworks: SOC 2, ISO 27001, HIPAA, PCI DSS
- •Integrations: 100+ supported systems
- •Target market: Mid-Market
Workiva
- •Best fit: Public companies with complex reporting requirements
- •Frameworks: SOX, SEC, ESG, XBRL
- •Integrations: 100+ supported systems
- •Target market: Large Enterprise
Frequently Asked Questions
Is A-LIGN cheaper than Workiva?
A-LIGN generally has lower starting prices ($6,000/year) compared to Workiva ($30,000/year). However, total cost depends on your specific needs and any add-ons.
Which is better for startups: A-LIGN or Workiva?
Neither platform is specifically designed for startups. Consider alternatives like Vanta, Sprinto, or Secureframe for early-stage companies.
Can I switch from A-LIGN to Workiva?
Yes, most compliance platforms support data export. However, evidence migration may require manual effort. Both A-LIGN and Workiva offer onboarding support for migrating customers.
Do A-LIGN or Workiva include audit services?
A-LIGN includes bundled audit services. Workiva requires a separate auditor.
Alternatives to Consider
About this data: Our research team reviews and verifies platform information through vendor relationships, public documentation, and market analysis. Data is updated regularly.
Learn about our methodology →Related Comparisons
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