Smartly vs Drata vs Secureframe: Which Platform Wins the 2025 ISO 27001 and SOC 2 Race
Security compliance has evolved from a luxury to a business necessity. For modern SaaS companies, certifications like ISO 27001 and SOC 2 are no longer optional — they are the key to unlocking enterprise clients, global trust, and sustainable growth.
Quick Snapshot: Smartly vs Drata vs Secureframe
TLDR Summary
Smartly strikes the perfect balance between automation, human support, and speed — purpose-built for startups that need ISO 27001 or SOC 2 certification to close deals and grow fast.
Drata is the powerhouse built for enterprises that need full-scale automation and multi-framework management.
Secureframe provides an easy, guided entry point for smaller companies starting their compliance journey.
1. Platform Overview
Drata
Drata is one of the most recognized compliance automation tools globally. It connects to hundreds of systems to collect audit evidence, monitor controls, and prepare reports across multiple frameworks including SOC 2, ISO 27001, HIPAA, PCI DSS, and GDPR.
Drata is powerful but complex. It is built for enterprise-grade environments with large compliance teams. For startups and lean operations, the platform can feel like overkill — configuration is heavy, costs add up quickly, and the focus leans toward cross-framework governance rather than speed.
Secureframe
Secureframe emerged as one of the most user-friendly compliance automation tools in the market. It helps teams achieve SOC 2 and ISO 27001 quickly by providing prebuilt templates, integrations, and auditor connections.
Its greatest advantage is simplicity. Secureframe automates basic evidence collection, centralizes documentation, and guides users step-by-step through certification. However, as companies scale, users often find its automation limited and its flexibility constrained.
Smartly
Smartly is built for startups and scale-ups that need ISO 27001 or SOC 2 certification quickly and with minimal effort. It automates every step of the compliance journey — from scoping and risk treatment to evidence collection and audit preparation.
Smartly combines automation with real human support. Every client gets guided onboarding from ISO 27001 specialists, prebuilt templates, and instant integration with common startup tools. The result is unmatched speed, transparency, and clarity.
2. Framework Coverage
| Platform | Supported Frameworks | Core Strength |
|---|---|---|
| Smartly | ISO 27001, SOC 2, GDPR, NIST CSF | Deep automation and guidance for ISO 27001 and SOC 2 |
| Drata | SOC 2, ISO 27001, HIPAA, PCI DSS, GDPR, NIST | Enterprise multi-framework automation |
| Secureframe | SOC 2, ISO 27001, HIPAA, GDPR, PCI DSS | Simplified templates and audit guidance |
Verdict: Drata supports the most frameworks, Secureframe offers wide but shallow coverage, and Smartly focuses on doing ISO 27001 and SOC 2 exceptionally well — with real automation and regional auditor alignment.
3. Automation and Efficiency
True automation eliminates repetitive manual work and ensures compliance is continuously monitored, not just checked periodically.
Smartly
Smartly connects to your cloud, HR, and IT systems to automate evidence collection and control monitoring in real time. The platform maps every control to ISO 27001 Annex A or SOC 2 Trust Criteria and auto-updates status continuously.
Drata
Drata also provides extensive automation but requires complex setup and integration management. It excels at scale but can be time-consuming for smaller teams.
Secureframe
Secureframe automates evidence collection for key systems but depends on manual inputs for risk and policy management. It is fast to start but not deeply automated.
Verdict: Smartly provides focused automation tailored for ISO 27001 and SOC 2, Drata offers large-scale automation with complexity, and Secureframe trades automation depth for simplicity.
4. Risk Management
ISO 27001 requires organizations to identify, assess, and treat risks systematically according to ISO 27005 guidelines.
Smartly
Smartly includes an ISO 27005-aligned risk management module. It links risks directly to controls and treatment actions, allowing full visibility and compliance with Clauses 6.1.2 and 6.1.3 of ISO 27001.
Drata
Drata features a flexible risk register suitable for multiple frameworks but lacks detailed ISO-specific workflows.
Secureframe
Secureframe provides a guided risk assessment checklist but relies heavily on manual updates.
Verdict: Smartly wins for ISO 27001-specific risk treatment and traceability. Drata supports multi-framework environments, while Secureframe covers risk assessment at a basic level.
5. Evidence Management
| Platform | Evidence Model | Highlights |
|---|---|---|
| Smartly | Continuous real-time evidence automation | Live integrations collect and refresh evidence automatically, ensuring audit readiness every day |
| Drata | Automated but periodic syncs | Strong coverage but often requires manual verification and adjustment during audits |
| Secureframe | Checklist-based evidence uploads | Simple upload process but lacks real-time monitoring |
Verdict: Smartly automates the entire evidence lifecycle. Drata handles scale but involves maintenance, and Secureframe offers speed with more manual work.
6. Onboarding and Certification Speed
| Platform | Typical Onboarding Time | Setup Experience |
|---|---|---|
| Smartly | 2–3 weeks | Guided onboarding with ISO specialists and automated scoping |
| Drata | 3–6 months | Self-managed configuration with auditor coordination |
| Secureframe | 1–2 months | Guided setup with templates and consultant support |
Verdict: Smartly achieves certification readiness in weeks, not months. Secureframe offers a fast but semi-manual setup. Drata's enterprise depth extends onboarding time significantly.
7. Pricing Transparency
| Platform | Pricing Model | Average Cost Range | Transparency |
|---|---|---|---|
| Smartly | All-inclusive annual plan (pay after certification) | From $4,900 per certification | 100% transparent |
| Drata | Subscription plus add-ons | $10,000 – $25,000 per year | Not publicly listed |
| Secureframe | Subscription with optional audit services | $8,000 – $18,000 per year | Semi-transparent |
Verdict: Smartly provides the clearest pricing in the market. You pay a single, predictable fee that includes certification costs. Drata and Secureframe both use tiered pricing, making total cost less predictable.
8. Audit Preparation and Support
Smartly
Smartly automatically generates ISO 27001 artifacts like the Statement of Applicability (SoA), Risk Treatment Plan, and Internal Audit Checklist. It also partners with accredited certification bodies for direct audit scheduling.
Drata
Drata provides detailed auditor dashboards and evidence portals but expects customers to manage audit coordination independently.
Secureframe
Secureframe offers a built-in auditor network and guidance for scheduling, but many documents still require manual preparation.
Verdict: Smartly delivers full audit readiness and coordination. Drata offers structure for experienced teams, while Secureframe supports beginners through guided templates.
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9. Continuous Compliance
Smartly
Smartly continuously monitors all controls and evidence freshness, ensuring real-time compliance visibility and automated reminders for remediation.
Drata
Drata runs recurring control health checks but often needs manual confirmation for remediation.
Secureframe
Secureframe provides limited continuous monitoring; its focus is on periodic audits rather than daily compliance.
Verdict: Smartly provides genuine continuous compliance. Drata follows a hybrid model, and Secureframe remains largely periodic.
10. Integrations
| Platform | Integration Count | Highlights |
|---|---|---|
| Smartly | 200+ | AWS, GCP, Azure, GitHub, Jira, Okta, Slack, Notion, BambooHR |
| Drata | 300+ | AWS, Azure, Datadog, Zoom, Okta, GitHub, Jira |
| Secureframe | 150+ | AWS, GCP, Azure, GitHub, Google Workspace, Okta |
Verdict: Drata wins in total integration count, but Smartly wins in relevance and automation depth for ISO 27001 and SOC 2. Secureframe covers most essentials but lacks custom integration flexibility.
11. Regional Fit
Smartly
Smartly is designed for startups across Asia-Pacific and global SaaS markets. It partners with regional auditors and offers localized templates that meet both international and local compliance expectations.
Drata
Drata operates primarily in North America, with auditor partnerships centered in the U.S.
Secureframe
Secureframe also focuses on North American clients and enterprises expanding internationally.
Verdict: Smartly offers unmatched accessibility for APAC-based companies while maintaining global certification credibility.
12. Customer Support
Smartly
Smartly provides proactive, expert-led support. Every customer is paired with ISO specialists who review documents, validate controls, and guide remediation.
Drata
Drata relies on ticket-based support, primarily during U.S. business hours.
Secureframe
Secureframe offers guided customer success but limited hands-on technical assistance.
Verdict: Smartly's mix of automation and human guidance makes it the most supportive platform for growing teams.
13. User Experience
Smartly
Smartly features a clean, modern interface focused on clarity and progress. Users see real-time certification readiness and upcoming actions at a glance.
Drata
Drata offers a comprehensive dashboard but can be overwhelming due to its multi-framework nature.
Secureframe
Secureframe is simple and approachable, though it lacks advanced analytics and customization options.
Verdict: Smartly provides the best balance of simplicity, visibility, and actionable insight.
14. Scalability
Smartly
Smartly grows naturally with your business. You can start with one certification and expand to additional frameworks without losing simplicity.
Drata
Drata is built for scale but introduces overhead as the organization grows.
Secureframe
Secureframe supports scaling compliance but may require upgrades or external consultants for larger environments.
Verdict: Smartly scales efficiently while remaining intuitive.
15. Strengths and Weaknesses
| Platform | Strengths | Weaknesses |
|---|---|---|
| Smartly | Fastest certification, real-time automation, expert guidance, transparent pricing | Focused primarily on ISO 27001 and SOC 2 |
| Drata | Broad automation, enterprise scalability, strong integrations | Expensive, complex, slower to configure |
| Secureframe | Easy onboarding, solid templates, responsive support | Limited automation depth, slower scalability |
16. Best Use Cases
Choose Smartly if:
- You are a startup or SaaS company aiming for ISO 27001 or SOC 2 certification in weeks, not months
- You want clear, all-inclusive pricing and expert guidance
- You prefer automation over consultants and manual spreadsheets
Choose Drata if:
- You are an enterprise managing multiple frameworks
- You have an internal compliance team and larger budgets
Choose Secureframe if:
- You are a small to mid-size company new to compliance
- You want simple templates and a guided onboarding experience
17. Feature Comparison Summary
| Feature | Smartly | Drata | Secureframe |
|---|---|---|---|
| Speed to Certification | 2–3 weeks | 3–6 months | 1–2 months |
| Automation Depth | Full real-time automation | Broad, multi-framework | Partial, template-based |
| Risk Management | ISO 27005-aligned | Generic | Checklist-style |
| Evidence Management | Continuous collection | Periodic sync | Manual upload |
| Continuous Compliance | Yes | Partial | Limited |
| Audit Preparation | Fully automated | Manual coordination | Guided templates |
| Pricing Transparency | 100% clear | Hidden tiers | Partial transparency |
| Regional Fit | APAC and global SaaS | North America | North America |
| Best Fit | Startups and scale-ups | Enterprises | Small to mid-size companies |
18. Final Verdict
Each platform plays a unique role in the compliance ecosystem.
Drata is the powerhouse built for enterprises that need full-scale automation and multi-framework management.
Secureframe provides an easy, guided entry point for smaller companies starting their compliance journey.
Smartly strikes the perfect balance between automation, human support, and speed — purpose-built for startups that need ISO 27001 or SOC 2 certification to close deals and grow fast.
If your goal is to achieve certification quickly, avoid bloated pricing, and maintain continuous compliance without consultants or chaos, Smartly is the clear winner.
19. Why Smartly Is the Smarter Compliance Platform
Smartly redefines how compliance works for fast-moving companies. It brings automation, expertise, and transparency together in a single experience designed to help you win ISO 27001 or SOC 2 certification with confidence.
With Smartly, you get:
- Certification in weeks, not months
- Real-time monitoring and control automation
- Human experts guiding every step
- A single all-inclusive fee with no surprises
While Drata focuses on scale and Secureframe focuses on simplicity, Smartly focuses on results — fast, precise, and affordable certification for teams that need to prove trust now.
Smartly: The fastest path to ISO 27001 and SOC 2 certification in 2025 — built for startups that want to move without compromise.