Workiva vs Cynomi: Which Compliance Platform is Better in 2026?
Compare Workiva and Cynomi 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 Workiva and Cynomi are established compliance automation platforms. Your choice depends on team size, budget, and compliance scope.
Workiva
- Starting at $30,000/year
- Best for: Public companies with complex reporting requirements
Cynomi
- Starting at $5,000/year
- Best for: Managed service providers serving SMB clients
Sources: G2 Crowd, Capterra, Vendor Documentation, User Interviews
Pricing Comparison
Workiva
Cynomi
Cynomi is generally more accessible for early-stage teams, with pricing starting at $5,000/year vs Workiva's $30,000/year. For 2026, we recommend Workiva for enterprise compliance reporting and Cynomi for scalable vciso services for msps.
Our Verdict
Choose Cynomi if: Managed service providers serving SMB clients
Bottom Line: Workiva is designed for enterprise scale. Cynomi is a better fit for MSPs and MSSPs.
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
Cynomi Pros & Cons
Pros
- Perfect for MSPs
- AI-powered assessments
- Client portal included
- Good pricing model
- Scales across clients
Cons
- Not for direct enterprise use
- Requires MSP expertise
- Limited without partner model
Best-fit snapshot
Workiva
- •Best fit: Public companies with complex reporting requirements
- •Frameworks: SOX, SEC, ESG, XBRL
- •Integrations: 100+ supported systems
- •Target market: Large Enterprise
Cynomi
- •Best fit: Managed service providers serving SMB clients
- •Frameworks: SOC 2, ISO 27001, HIPAA, NIST
- •Integrations: 50+ supported systems
- •Target market: MSPs and MSSPs
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Workiva cheaper than Cynomi?
Cynomi generally has lower starting prices ($5,000/year) compared to Workiva ($30,000/year). However, total cost depends on your specific needs and any add-ons.
Which is better for startups: Workiva or Cynomi?
Neither platform is specifically designed for startups. Consider alternatives like Vanta, Sprinto, or Secureframe for early-stage companies.
Can I switch from Workiva to Cynomi?
Yes, most compliance platforms support data export. However, evidence migration may require manual effort. Both Workiva and Cynomi offer onboarding support for migrating customers.
Do Workiva or Cynomi include audit services?
Neither Workiva nor Cynomi 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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