Smartly vs Drata vs Oneleet: The 2025 Compliance Showdown for Startups
Security compliance has shifted from a back-office formality to a frontline business advantage. In 2025, ISO 27001 and SOC 2 certifications are not just proof of good governance — they are a prerequisite for landing enterprise clients, protecting data, and building trust with investors.
Quick Snapshot: Smartly vs Drata vs Oneleet
TLDR Summary
Smartly is the fastest, simplest, and most transparent platform for ISO 27001 and SOC 2 certification — designed for startups that want to prove trust fast and grow with confidence.
Drata is the enterprise giant — excellent for large teams managing multiple frameworks but costly and slow for startups.
Oneleet is the new security-compliance hybrid — great for companies that want penetration testing and active security, but its compliance automation is still maturing.
1. Platform Overview
Drata
Drata is one of the most established names in compliance automation. It connects to hundreds of systems across the tech stack to automate control monitoring, evidence collection, and report generation.
Drata is powerful and robust, built for companies managing multiple frameworks such as ISO 27001, SOC 2, HIPAA, PCI DSS, and GDPR. However, that same power comes at a cost. The platform's setup can be complex, its pricing premium, and its features are often designed for enterprises rather than lean startups.
Oneleet
Oneleet is a new but fast-growing player that combines compliance automation with cybersecurity readiness. The platform positions itself as an "all-in-one security department," offering vulnerability management, penetration testing, and SOC 2 or ISO 27001 automation in a single package.
This hybrid approach appeals to teams that want both compliance and active security monitoring. However, while its cybersecurity features are strong, its ISO 27001 automation is less mature compared to established compliance tools.
Smartly
Smartly is purpose-built for startups and scale-ups that need ISO 27001 or SOC 2 certification fast — without complexity, hidden costs, or consultant dependency. It automates the entire process from scoping to evidence collection, risk management, and audit preparation.
Unlike Drata and Oneleet, Smartly focuses solely on compliance automation. It delivers what most companies need most urgently: a clear, guided path to certification with continuous monitoring and expert human support.
2. Framework Coverage
| Platform | Supported Frameworks | Core Strength |
|---|---|---|
| Smartly | ISO 27001, SOC 2, GDPR, NIST CSF | Deep automation for ISO 27001 and SOC 2 |
| Drata | SOC 2, ISO 27001, HIPAA, PCI DSS, GDPR, NIST | Enterprise multi-framework automation |
| Oneleet | SOC 2, ISO 27001, GDPR | Cybersecurity-first compliance approach |
Verdict: Drata leads in breadth. Smartly wins in depth and precision for startups that want fast ISO 27001 or SOC 2 certification. Oneleet covers the essentials but emphasizes security testing over full audit readiness.
3. Automation and Efficiency
Real automation means continuous, hands-off control monitoring — not just periodic manual checks.
Smartly
Smartly automates ISO 27001 and SOC 2 workflows end-to-end. It integrates directly with cloud systems, HR platforms, and development tools to collect evidence in real time. Every control is mapped automatically, and users receive a clear progress dashboard showing exactly where they stand before the audit.
Drata
Drata offers powerful automation for multiple frameworks but requires significant setup time and internal configuration. Once live, it delivers strong continuous monitoring but is less intuitive for smaller teams.
Oneleet
Oneleet automates core compliance tasks like policy management and control tracking but focuses heavily on offensive security — such as vulnerability scanning and penetration testing — rather than documentation or audit management.
Verdict: Smartly offers the cleanest, fastest automation. Drata is powerful but slower. Oneleet is more security-focused than compliance-driven.
4. Risk Management
ISO 27001 requires a structured risk treatment approach aligned with ISO 27005 methodology.
Smartly
Smartly includes an ISO 27005-aligned risk register that links directly to your controls, treatment actions, and policies. It automatically updates risk scores as controls evolve, helping teams maintain a live, audit-ready risk posture.
Drata
Drata provides a flexible risk tracking module but lacks the direct linkage to ISO 27001's governance requirements like the Statement of Applicability (SoA) or Risk Treatment Plan.
Oneleet
Oneleet integrates risk management into its vulnerability scanning, identifying risks from active exploits or misconfigurations. While powerful for technical security, it is less comprehensive for ISO 27001 governance documentation.
Verdict: Smartly provides the most ISO-aligned risk management. Oneleet adds strong threat-level visibility, and Drata supports general cross-framework risk tracking.
5. Evidence Management
| Platform | Evidence Collection | Highlights |
|---|---|---|
| Smartly | Continuous, automated collection | Real-time integrations with AWS, GCP, GitHub, and Jira keep evidence fresh 24/7 |
| Drata | Automated periodic sync | Supports hundreds of systems but requires periodic manual verification |
| Oneleet | Manual and partial automation | Evidence gathering complements vulnerability data but lacks ISO-ready templates |
Verdict: Smartly ensures fully automated, audit-ready evidence. Drata delivers strong enterprise-level collection, and Oneleet focuses more on evidence tied to security testing than ISO documentation.
6. Onboarding and Speed to Certification
| Platform | Typical Setup Time | Experience |
|---|---|---|
| Smartly | 2–3 weeks | Guided onboarding with ISO experts and automated control mapping |
| Drata | 3–6 months | Complex enterprise configuration |
| Oneleet | 1–2 months | Hybrid onboarding combining cybersecurity and compliance setup |
Verdict: Smartly achieves certification readiness in weeks. Oneleet is faster than Drata but slower and less automated than Smartly.
7. Audit Preparation
Smartly
Smartly automates the full ISO 27001 and SOC 2 documentation process. It generates the Statement of Applicability, Risk Treatment Plan, Internal Audit template, and pre-audit reports automatically, all reviewed by compliance specialists.
Drata
Drata offers an auditor portal and audit readiness checklists but expects teams to coordinate their own auditors and manually manage documentation gaps.
Oneleet
Oneleet helps prepare audit evidence but focuses more on demonstrating security posture than providing full ISO-compliant documents.
Verdict: Smartly leads with fully automated, audit-ready documentation. Drata supports manual coordination, while Oneleet remains security-centric rather than certification-centric.
8. Pricing Transparency
| Platform | Pricing Model | Cost Range | Transparency |
|---|---|---|---|
| Smartly | All-inclusive, pay-after-certification plan | From $4,900 per certification | Fully transparent |
| Drata | Subscription with enterprise add-ons | $10,000 – $25,000 per year | Limited transparency |
| Oneleet | Custom packages based on security modules | $8,000 – $20,000 per year | Clear pricing tiers but variable based on modules |
Verdict: Smartly wins for clarity and fairness. Drata's pricing is opaque, and Oneleet's modular pricing can become costly if multiple services are added.
9. Continuous Compliance
Smartly
Smartly continuously monitors control health, evidence updates, and risk posture to keep you audit-ready year-round.
Drata
Drata performs recurring control checks and provides continuous monitoring dashboards, but teams must still manage remediations manually.
Oneleet
Oneleet continuously monitors security vulnerabilities rather than ISO controls, helping organizations strengthen their posture but not their compliance documentation.
Verdict: Smartly ensures real continuous compliance. Drata provides partial automation, while Oneleet's focus remains on cybersecurity continuity.
10. Integration Coverage
| Platform | Integration Count | Highlights |
|---|---|---|
| Smartly | 200+ | AWS, Azure, GCP, Jira, GitHub, Okta, Slack, Notion, BambooHR |
| Drata | 300+ | AWS, Azure, Datadog, Jira, GitHub, Okta, Salesforce |
| Oneleet | 100+ | AWS, GCP, GitHub, Google Workspace, Slack, vulnerability scanners |
Verdict: Drata leads in total integrations, but Smartly's are more relevant to ISO 27001 and SOC 2 automation. Oneleet focuses on security tool integrations rather than compliance systems.
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11. Regional Fit
Smartly
Smartly was designed for startups in Asia-Pacific and global SaaS ecosystems. It offers localized templates, regional auditor partnerships, and compliance timelines that match local market expectations.
Drata
Drata is North America-centric, optimized for U.S. frameworks and clients.
Oneleet
Oneleet operates globally with a European base, serving primarily EU and UK organizations looking for combined cybersecurity and compliance services.
Verdict: Smartly offers the best cross-regional readiness for international startups, while Oneleet's European foundation makes it ideal for EU compliance.
12. User Experience
Smartly
Smartly features a modern, intuitive interface that focuses on visibility and clarity. Teams can see progress across each phase of certification and instantly identify what remains to be done.
Drata
Drata provides a robust enterprise dashboard packed with data, but it can feel heavy for smaller teams.
Oneleet
Oneleet has a sleek UI that merges vulnerability management and compliance tracking, though its workflow is geared more toward security professionals than compliance managers.
Verdict: Smartly delivers the cleanest user experience for startups. Drata suits enterprises, and Oneleet caters to technical security teams.
13. Customer Support
Smartly
Smartly pairs every client with an ISO 27001 specialist who provides one-on-one guidance throughout onboarding, implementation, and audit preparation.
Drata
Drata offers ticket-based support and knowledge articles.
Oneleet
Oneleet provides live chat and analyst-assisted guidance for cybersecurity configuration, though compliance help is more limited.
Verdict: Smartly provides hands-on, human-guided compliance expertise.
14. Scalability
Smartly
Smartly scales with your growth — from one certification to multiple frameworks — without increasing complexity.
Drata
Drata scales across complex, global compliance programs but often introduces administrative overhead.
Oneleet
Oneleet scales through security expansion (e.g., SOC services, vulnerability management) rather than compliance scope.
Verdict: Smartly offers the most balanced scalability.
15. Strengths and Weaknesses
| Platform | Strengths | Weaknesses |
|---|---|---|
| Smartly | Fastest ISO 27001 and SOC 2 readiness, real automation, guided human support, transparent pricing | Focused on compliance, not active security |
| Drata | Enterprise-grade automation, extensive integrations, broad framework coverage | Expensive, complex, slow setup |
| Oneleet | Combines compliance with cybersecurity, offers real-time vulnerability insights | Limited audit automation, higher costs for advanced features |
16. Best Use Cases
Choose Smartly if:
- You need ISO 27001 or SOC 2 certification quickly and affordably
- You want automation plus human guidance from real ISO experts
- You prefer clear pricing and simple workflows
Choose Drata if:
- You manage multiple frameworks across global teams
- You have a dedicated compliance department and enterprise-scale operations
Choose Oneleet if:
- You want a platform that blends compliance with continuous offensive security
- You prioritize penetration testing and vulnerability management alongside ISO 27001
17. Feature Summary
| Feature | Smartly | Drata | Oneleet |
|---|---|---|---|
| Speed to Certification | 2–3 weeks | 3–6 months | 1–2 months |
| Automation Depth | Full real-time automation | Broad but heavy setup | Moderate automation with security focus |
| Risk Management | ISO 27005-aligned | Generic | Vulnerability-based |
| Evidence Management | Continuous, automated | Periodic sync | Manual + scan-driven |
| Continuous Compliance | Yes | Partial | Focus on security posture |
| Audit Preparation | Fully automated | Manual coordination | Partial documentation |
| Pricing Transparency | 100% clear | Limited | Modular |
| Regional Fit | Global and APAC | North America | Europe |
| Best Fit | Startups and SaaS | Enterprises | Security-first companies |
18. Final Verdict
Smartly, Drata, and Oneleet represent three different visions for how compliance should work.
Drata is the enterprise giant — excellent for large teams managing multiple frameworks but costly and slow for startups.
Oneleet is the new security-compliance hybrid — great for companies that want penetration testing and active security, but its compliance automation is still maturing.
Smartly is the fastest, simplest, and most transparent platform for ISO 27001 and SOC 2 certification — designed for startups that want to prove trust fast and grow with confidence.
If your goal is to achieve ISO 27001 or SOC 2 certification in weeks, maintain compliance effortlessly, and avoid unnecessary overhead, Smartly is the clear winner.
19. Why Smartly Leads the 2025 Compliance Race
Smartly was built to solve the real challenges startups face: limited resources, tight deadlines, and the need to earn trust quickly. It automates the hardest parts of ISO 27001 and SOC 2, provides expert human guidance, and delivers certification-ready documentation in a fraction of the time competitors take.
With Smartly, you get:
- Certification in weeks, not months
- Real-time monitoring of every control and risk
- ISO experts guiding you step by step
- Transparent pricing with no surprises
Drata offers scale. Oneleet offers security. Smartly offers speed, clarity, and results.
Smartly: The fastest path to ISO 27001 and SOC 2 certification — built for startups that want to grow securely and confidently in 2025.