SOC 2 Cost Comparison
SOC 2 Cost: First Year vs Renewal
First-year SOC 2 costs are significantly higher than renewals. Understand where the budget goes—and how to plan for sustainable compliance spending.
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First Year Costs
The first year includes one-time setup costs that don't repeat.
Auditor Fees
$15,000 – $50,000
Higher due to initial walkthroughs & control documentation
GRC Platform Setup
$12,000 – $36,000
Annual subscription + implementation time
Internal Effort
$20,000 – $60,000
Policy creation, gap remediation, evidence setup
Consultant/Advisory
$5,000 – $25,000
Optional readiness assessment & guidance
First Year Total Range
$52,000 – $171,000
Renewal Year Costs
Renewal years benefit from existing controls, policies, and auditor familiarity.
Auditor Fees
$10,000 – $35,000
20-40% lower with same auditor
GRC Platform
$10,000 – $30,000
Renewal pricing, no setup fees
Internal Effort
$8,000 – $25,000
Maintenance mode, not creation mode
Consultant/Advisory
$0 – $5,000
Usually not needed unless scope changes
Renewal Year Total Range
$28,000 – $95,000
Key Takeaway: Budget 50-60% for Renewals
Most organizations see renewal costs at 50-60% of first-year spending. The biggest drops come from eliminated setup work and auditor efficiency. Plan for this reduction, but don't assume automation runs itself—budget for ongoing maintenance.
What Changes Between Year 1 and Year 2+
| Cost Category | Year 1 | Year 2+ | Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| Policy & procedure creation | Full effort | Updates only | ↓ 70-80% |
| Control implementation | Build from scratch | Already operating | ↓ 90% |
| Evidence automation setup | Configure integrations | Maintain existing | ↓ 80% |
| Auditor walkthroughs | Full documentation | Delta review | ↓ 30-50% |
| Evidence collection | Manual + automation | Mostly automated | ↓ 50-60% |
| Platform subscription | Year 1 pricing | Renewal pricing | ↓ 0-20% |
When Renewal Costs Increase
Scope Expansion
- • Adding new Trust Service Criteria
- • New products or systems in scope
- • Adding ISO 27001 or HIPAA
Infrastructure Changes
- • Cloud provider migration
- • Major architecture overhaul
- • Acquisitions or mergers
Auditor Changes
- • Switching CPA firms
- • New auditor learning curve
- • Fresh documentation requests
Control Drift
- • Evidence gaps from neglected automation
- • Policy updates not completed
- • Access reviews not conducted
SOC 2 First Year vs Renewal FAQs
Why is the first year of SOC 2 more expensive?
First-year costs include initial policy creation, control implementation, gap remediation, tooling setup, and the auditor learning your environment. None of this carries over to year two.
What typically decreases in renewal years?
Auditor fees often drop 20-40% as they reuse prior walkthroughs. Internal effort decreases as evidence collection becomes routine. Tooling costs stabilize or reduce with annual contracts.
Are there any costs that increase in renewal years?
Scope expansion (new systems, criteria, or frameworks) can increase costs. Major infrastructure changes may require additional auditor time. Some compliance tools increase pricing annually.
How much should I budget for SOC 2 renewal?
Most organizations budget 50-70% of first-year costs for renewals. This assumes stable scope and no major control changes. Factor in any planned system additions.
Can I switch auditors to reduce renewal costs?
Switching auditors resets some first-year dynamics—new auditor learning curve, fresh walkthroughs. The savings from lower fees may be offset by increased preparation time.
What is the biggest mistake companies make in renewal years?
Assuming evidence collection stays automated without maintenance. Log retention, access review schedules, and policy updates often drift. Auditors catch these gaps quickly.
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