Workiva vs Lacework: Which Compliance Platform is Better in 2026?
Compare Workiva and Lacework 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 Lacework 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
Lacework
- Starting at $20,000/year
- Best for: Cloud-heavy organizations with security focus
Sources: G2 Crowd, Capterra, Vendor Documentation, User Interviews
Pricing Comparison
Workiva
Lacework
Lacework is generally more accessible for early-stage teams, with pricing starting at $20,000/year vs Workiva's $30,000/year. For 2026, we recommend Workiva for enterprise compliance reporting and Lacework for security-driven compliance for cloud.
Our Verdict
Choose Lacework if: Cloud-heavy organizations with security focus
Bottom Line: Both platforms serve similar markets. Your choice should depend on specific feature priorities and budget constraints.
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
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
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
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
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Workiva cheaper than Lacework?
Lacework generally has lower starting prices ($20,000/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 Lacework?
Neither platform is specifically designed for startups. Consider alternatives like Vanta, Sprinto, or Secureframe for early-stage companies.
Can I switch from Workiva to Lacework?
Yes, most compliance platforms support data export. However, evidence migration may require manual effort. Both Workiva and Lacework offer onboarding support for migrating customers.
Do Workiva or Lacework include audit services?
Neither Workiva nor Lacework 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
Top 3 Alternatives to Workiva
Top 3 Alternatives to Lacework
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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