Smartly vs Sprinto vs Delve: The 2025 Showdown for Smarter, Faster Compliance
In today's security landscape, compliance is not optional — it is survival. Startups and tech companies that want to sell to enterprise clients, raise investor confidence, or enter regulated markets must prove one thing first: trust. That trust begins with internationally recognized certifications like ISO 27001 and SOC 2.
Quick Snapshot: Smartly vs Sprinto vs Delve
TLDR Summary
Smartly delivers the fastest, clearest, and most startup-friendly path to ISO 27001 and SOC 2 certification — with transparent pricing, expert support, and guaranteed outcomes.
Sprinto offers enterprise-level automation for large, multi-framework programs.
Delve combines compliance with AI-driven cybersecurity insights for modern, data-heavy environments.
1. Platform Overview
Smartly
Smartly's mission is simple: make ISO 27001 and SOC 2 certification achievable in weeks, not months. It automates every critical step — scoping, control mapping, risk assessment, evidence collection, internal audit, and auditor handoff — while pairing every customer with a dedicated compliance specialist.
Smartly was designed for lean, fast-moving teams that do not have time or budget for consulting-heavy GRC projects. Its automation handles the complexity, while its experts provide judgment and context that automation alone cannot replace.
The result: full ISO 27001 or SOC 2 certification delivered with precision, guidance, and zero financial risk until you are certified.
Sprinto
Sprinto is one of the most recognized compliance automation platforms in the enterprise space. It supports SOC 2, ISO 27001, GDPR, HIPAA, PCI DSS, and more. Sprinto connects to hundreds of cloud and internal systems, automating control monitoring, policy validation, and evidence collection.
For large teams with mature infrastructure, Sprinto offers strong oversight and multi-framework coordination. However, smaller startups often find it complex to implement and slower to deliver first certification outcomes.
Delve
Delve is an AI-powered compliance and cybersecurity platform that merges compliance automation with continuous threat detection. It monitors configurations, vulnerabilities, and compliance gaps in real time and uses predictive analytics to identify future risks.
Delve aims to move beyond checkbox compliance by giving companies live insight into their security posture. Its compliance engine aligns with frameworks like ISO 27001, SOC 2, and GDPR, while its AI models highlight where risk exposure is likely to increase before the next audit.
2. Framework Coverage
| Platform | Supported Frameworks | Core Focus |
|---|---|---|
| Smartly | ISO 27001, SOC 2, GDPR, NIST CSF | Fast and focused certification for startups |
| Sprinto | ISO 27001, SOC 2, HIPAA, PCI DSS, GDPR | Multi-framework GRC automation |
| Delve | ISO 27001, SOC 2, GDPR, NIST, HIPAA | AI-powered compliance and cybersecurity visibility |
Verdict: Sprinto offers the widest coverage, suitable for global enterprise programs. Delve merges compliance with broader security monitoring. Smartly focuses on delivering the two certifications that most SaaS companies actually need — fast and flawlessly.
3. Automation and Efficiency
True automation means removing manual work while maintaining precision and audit quality.
Smartly
Smartly automates everything that can be automated without sacrificing quality. It connects directly with cloud, HR, and code repositories to collect audit evidence in real time. Its system maps all 93 controls of ISO 27001:2022 and updates their implementation status continuously, removing the need for spreadsheets.
Sprinto
Sprinto delivers deep automation designed for multi-framework environments. It continuously monitors hundreds of integrations, detects deviations, and centralizes evidence for auditors.
Delve
Delve pushes automation forward by layering AI on top of compliance data. It uses machine learning to identify anomalies, track control drift, and recommend remediations before risks become findings.
Verdict: Smartly is the fastest for full automation of ISO 27001 and SOC 2. Sprinto excels at handling large-scale programs. Delve introduces predictive intelligence that extends beyond compliance into active security posture management.
4. Risk Management
Risk management must align with ISO 27005 principles and provide clear traceability for auditors.
Smartly
Smartly includes a complete risk management module aligned with ISO 27005. It automatically links risks to corresponding Annex A controls, providing clear traceability for auditors and leadership.
Sprinto
Sprinto provides a customizable risk dashboard across multiple frameworks, giving compliance leaders a holistic view of organizational risk but requiring more manual setup.
Delve
Delve uses AI-driven risk scoring to identify emerging threats. It correlates security telemetry with compliance data, offering a more dynamic, forward-looking risk perspective.
Verdict: Smartly's ISO-aligned structure wins for precision and audit readiness. Sprinto supports enterprise customization. Delve wins for predictive, intelligence-driven risk visibility.
5. Documentation and Evidence
| Platform | Evidence Collection | Documentation Capability |
|---|---|---|
| Smartly | Continuous, automated | Automatically generates SoA, Risk Treatment Plan, and Internal Audit Report |
| Sprinto | Continuous, scalable | Multi-framework templates with integrated dashboards |
| Delve | Automated and AI-enhanced | Adaptive documentation updated by real-time control data |
Verdict: Smartly remains the most reliable for ISO 27001 documentation and audit traceability. Sprinto supports broad coverage. Delve modernizes documentation but is newer in its standardization for ISO audits.
6. Onboarding and Certification Speed
| Platform | Setup Time | Typical Certification Timeline |
|---|---|---|
| Smartly | 2–3 weeks | 4–6 weeks to certification |
| Sprinto | 1–2 months | 8–12 weeks to certification |
| Delve | 3–4 weeks | 6–8 weeks to certification |
Verdict: Smartly leads in speed with the shortest onboarding and fastest path to certification. Sprinto and Delve are competitive but slower due to more complex system configuration.
7. Pricing Transparency
| Platform | Pricing Model | Cost Range | Transparency |
|---|---|---|---|
| Smartly | Pay-after-certification, all-inclusive | From $4,900 | Fully transparent |
| Sprinto | Subscription-based | $10,000 – $25,000 / year | Quote required |
| Delve | Tiered subscription + AI add-ons | $9,000 – $22,000 / year | Partial transparency |
Verdict: Smartly wins decisively for transparency and risk-free pricing. Sprinto and Delve both rely on quote-based models that scale quickly with user seats and frameworks.
8. Audit Preparation
Smartly
Smartly handles the complete audit preparation automatically. It produces a fully compliant Statement of Applicability (SoA), a risk treatment report, and an internal audit summary. Smartly also partners with accredited certification bodies, ensuring audit readiness is smooth and predictable.
Sprinto
Sprinto simplifies audit collaboration with dashboards and task assignments but leaves coordination with auditors to internal teams.
Delve
Delve generates live compliance analytics for auditors and integrates vulnerability data for additional validation. It provides great visibility but not full automation of audit documentation.
Verdict: Smartly provides the most direct, frictionless audit experience. Sprinto offers structure for enterprise collaboration. Delve adds contextual insight but depends on manual oversight.
9. Continuous Compliance
Smartly
Smartly monitors connected systems daily, flagging deviations in controls and helping teams fix issues before they affect certification. It ensures your ISMS remains audit-ready all year.
Sprinto
Sprinto also runs continuous monitoring across multiple frameworks and large infrastructures, tracking hundreds of control points in parallel.
Delve
Delve takes a more advanced route — it uses AI models to predict where compliance will fail next, alerting teams before risk turns into non-conformity.
Verdict: Smartly ensures practical, real-time compliance maintenance. Sprinto scales continuous monitoring for complex organizations. Delve provides forward-looking predictive monitoring.
10. Integration Ecosystem
| Platform | Integration Count | Integration Focus |
|---|---|---|
| Smartly | 200+ | Cloud, HR, code, and productivity tools |
| Sprinto | 300+ | Enterprise systems and GRC connectors |
| Delve | 250+ | Cloud, security telemetry, and AI analytics |
Verdict: Sprinto leads in enterprise integration breadth. Smartly covers all systems startups actually use — AWS, GCP, Azure, Google Workspace, GitHub, Jira, and Slack. Delve stands out for integrating technical telemetry into compliance analytics.
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11. User Experience
Smartly
Smartly delivers a clean, guided dashboard that walks users step by step through certification. Every task maps directly to ISO clauses and audit evidence, eliminating guesswork.
Sprinto
Sprinto provides a feature-rich enterprise dashboard with advanced analytics, suitable for compliance professionals but intimidating for smaller teams.
Delve
Delve features a modern, data-heavy interface with AI-driven insights and real-time metrics. While powerful, it requires more interpretation and security literacy.
Verdict: Smartly wins for simplicity and clarity. Sprinto wins for enterprise analytics. Delve wins for visual depth and insight density.
12. Customer Support
Smartly
Smartly offers one-on-one support from certified ISO 27001 experts who stay with you until certification. It is mentorship, not just customer service.
Sprinto
Sprinto assigns account managers and provides responsive technical support through ticket systems and email.
Delve
Delve offers chat support and cybersecurity consultation during setup but limited dedicated audit support.
Verdict: Smartly provides the most personalized, results-focused support. Sprinto and Delve offer good technical help but less human partnership.
13. Scalability
Smartly
Smartly grows seamlessly with your business. You can start with ISO 27001, then add SOC 2 or GDPR later without changing platforms.
Sprinto
Sprinto scales for large enterprises managing multiple frameworks simultaneously across departments.
Delve
Delve scales by extending AI models, predictive analytics, and integrations for advanced security teams.
Verdict: Smartly scales naturally with startup growth. Sprinto scales with compliance complexity. Delve scales with data sophistication.
14. Strengths and Weaknesses
| Platform | Strengths | Weaknesses |
|---|---|---|
| Smartly | Fast certification, transparent pricing, expert-led onboarding | Focused scope (ISO 27001 and SOC 2) |
| Sprinto | Enterprise automation and multi-framework coverage | Expensive and slow to configure |
| Delve | AI-powered analytics, predictive compliance, integrated cybersecurity | Early-stage ISO standardization, steeper learning curve |
15. Best Use Cases
Choose Smartly if:
- You are a startup or SaaS team that needs ISO 27001 or SOC 2 certification quickly
- You prefer human experts guiding every stage, not just automation
- You want transparent, fixed pricing and guaranteed results
Choose Sprinto if:
- You run multiple frameworks and need enterprise-grade GRC visibility
- You already have internal compliance professionals
Choose Delve if:
- You want to merge compliance with real-time cybersecurity and AI analytics
- You have security engineers who can interpret predictive data insights
16. Feature Comparison
| Feature | Smartly | Sprinto | Delve |
|---|---|---|---|
| Speed to Certification | 2–3 weeks | 1–2 months | 3–4 weeks |
| Automation Depth | End-to-end | Enterprise-level | AI-driven |
| Risk Management | ISO 27005-aligned | Advanced | Predictive and data-driven |
| Evidence Management | Fully automated | Continuous | Automated + AI validation |
| Continuous Compliance | Yes | Yes | Predictive monitoring |
| Audit Preparation | Fully automated | Guided | Analytical |
| Pricing Transparency | 100% clear | Limited | Partial |
| Best Fit | Startups and SaaS | Large enterprises | Security-first organizations |
17. Final Verdict
Smartly, Sprinto, and Delve each represent a different era of compliance evolution.
Sprinto offers enterprise-level automation for large, multi-framework programs.
Delve combines compliance with AI-driven cybersecurity insights for modern, data-heavy environments.
Smartly delivers the fastest, clearest, and most startup-friendly path to ISO 27001 and SOC 2 certification — with transparent pricing, expert support, and guaranteed outcomes.
For SaaS startups and scale-ups chasing their first certification or expanding globally, Smartly is the most practical and powerful choice.
18. Why Smartly Leads the 2025 Compliance Race
Smartly transforms compliance from a barrier into a business advantage. Its combination of automation, expert guidance, and transparent pricing gives startups the confidence to close deals, satisfy investors, and scale securely.
With Smartly, you get:
- ISO 27001 or SOC 2 certification in weeks, not months
- Continuous monitoring and automated evidence collection
- Hands-on support from real ISO specialists
- A pay-after-certification model that eliminates risk
Sprinto delivers scale. Delve delivers intelligence. Smartly delivers results.
Smartly: The fastest route to ISO 27001 and SOC 2 certification — built for startups that move fast, stay secure, and grow with confidence.