Lacework vs Circle: Which Compliance Platform is Better in 2026?
Compare Lacework and Circle 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 Lacework and Circle are established compliance automation platforms. Your choice depends on team size, budget, and compliance scope.
Lacework
- Starting at $20,000/year
- Best for: Cloud-heavy organizations with security focus
Circle
- Starting at Contact Sales
- Best for: Enterprise organizations
Sources: G2 Crowd, Capterra, Vendor Documentation, User Interviews
Pricing Comparison
Lacework
Circle
Both platforms typically require a custom quote, though $20,000/year is the reported starting point. For 2026, we recommend Lacework for security-driven compliance for cloud and Circle for undefined.
Our Verdict
Choose Circle if: null
Bottom Line: Lacework is designed for enterprise scale. Circle is a better fit for null.
Lacework Pros & Cons
Pros
- Deep cloud security
- Massive integration library (375+)
- Continuous automated testing
- Strong threat detection
- Multi-cloud support
Cons
- Security-centric pricing
- Overkill for compliance only
- Complex implementation
Circle Pros & Cons
Pros
Cons
Best-fit snapshot
Lacework
- •Best fit: Cloud-heavy organizations with security focus
- •Frameworks: SOC 2, ISO 27001, HIPAA, PCI DSS
- •Integrations: 375+ supported systems
- •Target market: Cloud-Native Enterprise
Circle
- •Best fit: teams prioritizing audit readiness and faster implementations.
- •Framework coverage varies by plan and auditor requirements.
- •Integration depth varies by data source and plan.
- •Commonly used by growth-stage B2B teams.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Lacework cheaper than Circle?
Pricing varies based on company size and requirements. Request quotes from both vendors for accurate comparison.
Which is better for startups: Lacework or Circle?
Neither platform is specifically designed for startups. Consider alternatives like Vanta, Sprinto, or Secureframe for early-stage companies.
Can I switch from Lacework to Circle?
Yes, most compliance platforms support data export. However, evidence migration may require manual effort. Both Lacework and Circle offer onboarding support for migrating customers.
Do Lacework or Circle include audit services?
Neither Lacework nor Circle include audit services in their base pricing. You will need to engage a separate auditor, typically costing $8,000-$25,000 additionally.
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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