Drata vs ISMS.online: Which Compliance Platform Is Better? | Smartly

    Drata vs ISMS.online: Which Compliance Platform Is Better for Your Organization?

    Drata and ISMS.online are two respected names in the compliance and information security space. Both simplify frameworks like ISO 27001, SOC 2, and GDPR, but they cater to very different types of organizations.

    TLDR

    • Drata is built for companies that want continuous compliance automation and real-time control monitoring.
    • ISMS.online is designed for teams that want an intuitive, all-in-one ISMS platform to manage documentation, policies, and risks in one place.
    • Drata wins on automation, scalability, and evidence handling.
    • ISMS.online wins on guided structure, usability, and documentation management.

    Quick Snapshot

    FeatureDrataISMS.online
    Primary focusContinuous compliance and automationGuided ISMS and documentation management
    Key strengthAutomation and integrationsStructured framework setup and usability
    Frameworks supportedSOC 2, ISO 27001, HIPAA, GDPR, PCI DSSISO 27001, SOC 2, GDPR, NIST, and others
    Ease of useStreamlined dashboard for compliance teamsIntuitive, guided workflows for ISMS setup
    Automation depthContinuous monitoring, real-time testingPartial automation, focus on document control
    Risk managementAutomated scoring and control mappingCentralized risk registers and reporting
    Audit readinessAutomated evidence and auditor dashboardGuided audit preparation and policy templates
    Integrations375+ native integrationsLimited integrations, focus on collaboration tools
    Customer support24/7 support with compliance expertsHigh-touch support with live guidance and helpdesk

    1. Core Approach and Audience

    Drata: For Automation and Real-Time Compliance

    Drata focuses on automation and scalability. It connects with 375+ tools across cloud, identity, HR, and code environments to collect audit-ready evidence automatically. Continuous monitoring ensures you stay compliant year-round, while built-in control testing simplifies recurring audits.

    Best for: SaaS and tech companies that want automation, scalability, and instant visibility into compliance posture.

    ISMS.online: For Guided ISMS Management and Collaboration

    ISMS.online is a comprehensive platform for building and managing information security management systems. It provides ready-to-use templates, structured risk frameworks, and real-time collaboration tools to help teams document, track, and maintain compliance easily.

    Best for: Organizations that need a complete ISMS solution with clear documentation, workflow management, and policy control, especially those pursuing ISO 27001.

    Decision tip: Choose Drata if you want automation-driven, ongoing compliance. Choose ISMS.online if you prefer a structured, guided ISMS framework with strong documentation tools.

    2. Onboarding and Setup

    Drata

    Offers guided onboarding that connects your systems and sets up automation within one to three weeks. Its control library is pre-mapped for SOC 2, ISO 27001, and other frameworks.

    ISMS.online

    Provides step-by-step workflows and templates to help teams build their ISMS from the ground up. Setup takes longer but gives complete control over documentation and processes.

    3. Automation and Monitoring

    Drata

    Automates control testing, evidence collection, and alerting across 375+ integrations. The system continuously monitors compliance drift and updates status in real time.

    ISMS.online

    Focuses on structured management and periodic tracking. Monitoring is guided rather than fully automated, relying on user input for most updates.

    Verdict: Drata clearly leads in automation and continuous monitoring. ISMS.online is ideal for those who prefer manual control and scheduled reviews.

    4. Risk and Policy Management

    Drata

    Includes automated risk registers that dynamically track and score risks tied to frameworks. Policies can be auto-mapped and version-controlled.

    ISMS.online

    Provides a centralized risk management tool with visual dashboards, control mapping, and customizable reporting. Its policy management module is among the most comprehensive on the market.

    5. Audit Readiness and Evidence Collection

    Drata

    Automates audit prep by collecting and storing evidence continuously. Auditors can log in, view control data, and approve findings directly inside the platform.

    ISMS.online

    Provides audit documentation templates and a built-in audit trail but depends on manual uploads for most evidence.

    Verdict: Drata wins for automation and auditor collaboration. ISMS.online wins for clarity and document control.

    6. Integrations

    Drata

    Connects to over 375 tools, including AWS, Azure, Okta, Google Cloud, GitHub, and Jira.

    ISMS.online

    Integrates with common enterprise tools but focuses primarily on collaboration and document sharing within its own ecosystem.

    Verdict: Drata offers greater integration flexibility. ISMS.online prioritizes an all-in-one workspace over third-party connectivity.

    7. Support and Usability

    Users rate ISMS.online slightly higher in customer support with a score of 9.3 compared to Drata's 9.1, citing responsiveness and friendly onboarding. Drata's support team, however, is praised for deep technical knowledge and fast resolution times.

    Verdict: ISMS.online wins for hands-on customer support. Drata wins for technical accuracy and scalability.

    Pros and Cons

    Drata

    Pros

    • Continuous automation and real-time monitoring
    • 375+ integrations for seamless setup
    • Built-in auditor collaboration and evidence management
    • Highly scalable for growing compliance needs

    Cons

    • Higher cost for smaller companies
    • Learning curve for teams new to automation
    • Limited documentation customization compared to ISMS.online

    ISMS.online

    Pros

    • Comprehensive ISMS toolkit for documentation and control management
    • Guided setup for ISO 27001 and other frameworks
    • Excellent support and training materials
    • Strong collaboration tools and visual dashboards

    Cons

    • Less automation and real-time monitoring
    • Manual evidence collection may slow audits
    • Limited integrations with external tools

    Which Should You Choose?

    Choose Drata if:

    • You want real-time, automated compliance monitoring
    • Your team manages multiple frameworks across various systems
    • You value deep automation and minimal manual input

    Choose ISMS.online if:

    • You are building or managing a full ISMS program
    • You prefer step-by-step guidance and collaboration tools
    • Your focus is maintaining detailed documentation rather than automation

    Conclusion

    Drata and ISMS.online both excel in their areas but serve different compliance needs.

    • Drata delivers automation, scalability, and continuous monitoring that appeal to growing tech and SaaS teams.
    • ISMS.online offers structure, documentation, and simplicity, perfect for teams implementing or managing ISO 27001.

    If you want real-time automation, choose Drata.

    If you want an easy-to-manage ISMS with guided workflows, choose ISMS.online.

    The Best Choice for Startups Aiming for ISO 27001

    If you are a startup that wants ISO 27001 certification quickly and affordably, Smartly is the best option.

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    Outcome-Based

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    For startups that want speed, simplicity, and guaranteed certification outcomes, Smartly is the smartest choice.

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