Smartly vs Sprinto vs ISMS.online: Which Compliance Platform Wins for 2025 Startups
In 2025, compliance has become one of the most defining growth levers for SaaS and tech companies. Startups that once saw ISO 27001 or SOC 2 as a nice-to-have now realize that enterprise clients expect it before signing a deal. Security is not just about passing audits anymore. It is about trust, speed, and maturity.
Quick Snapshot: Smartly vs Sprinto vs ISMS.online
TLDR Summary
Smartly gives startups the fastest, simplest, and most affordable path to ISO 27001 and SOC 2 certification — with automation, real human guidance, and no hidden costs.
Sprinto is a high-power engine for large, cloud-heavy enterprises that need automation across many frameworks.
ISMS.online offers structure, governance, and control for organizations that want to manage security maturity over time.
1. Platform Overview
Smartly
Smartly was created for small and mid-size tech teams that need to move fast. It automates every part of the certification process, from risk assessment and control mapping to evidence collection and auditor coordination.
Instead of consultants or hidden fees, Smartly gives customers a guided, all-inclusive experience. Every customer gets a dedicated ISO 27001 specialist who helps them set up, validate, and maintain controls. The pricing is transparent and pay-after-certification, which makes it ideal for startups with limited budgets.
Sprinto
Sprinto is a powerful compliance automation platform designed for cloud-first organizations. It integrates with over 300 tools, continuously monitors controls, and supports multiple frameworks including ISO 27001, SOC 2, HIPAA, PCI DSS, and GDPR.
Sprinto's biggest strength is automation depth and scalability. It is particularly strong for high-growth companies that manage complex systems and multiple compliance frameworks. However, its cost and learning curve can make it less approachable for smaller teams.
ISMS.online
ISMS.online takes a different approach. It is a full-fledged information security management platform designed for organizations that want a central place to build and maintain their ISMS. It provides pre-built policies, documentation templates, and workflows that guide teams through ISO 27001 compliance.
It is not just about certification readiness. ISMS.online helps organizations embed security management into everyday operations. The trade-off is that it feels more traditional and documentation-heavy than automation-first competitors like Smartly.
2. Framework Coverage
| Platform | Supported Frameworks | Core Focus |
|---|---|---|
| Smartly | ISO 27001, SOC 2, GDPR, NIST CSF | Fast automation for startups |
| Sprinto | ISO 27001, SOC 2, HIPAA, PCI DSS, GDPR | Multi-framework automation for enterprises |
| ISMS.online | ISO 27001, ISO 27701, GDPR, NIST | Comprehensive ISMS management and governance |
Verdict: Sprinto covers the most frameworks, ISMS.online focuses on governance maturity, while Smartly zeroes in on ISO 27001 and SOC 2 with deep automation and startup-friendly simplicity.
3. Automation and Efficiency
True efficiency comes from automation that eliminates manual steps and keeps evidence fresh without constant human intervention.
Smartly
Smartly automates evidence collection, control monitoring, and audit readiness. Once connected to your cloud and HR systems, Smartly continuously validates compliance and keeps all documentation audit-ready.
Sprinto
Sprinto offers enterprise-level automation. It tracks control performance in real time, connects with major cloud platforms, and handles large-scale multi-framework compliance programs.
ISMS.online
ISMS.online provides structured workflows and documentation templates but relies heavily on manual inputs. It is excellent for policy management but less automated in technical control verification.
Verdict: Smartly wins on simplicity and automation speed. Sprinto is powerful for large systems. ISMS.online provides process rigor but lacks the same level of automation.
4. Risk Management
ISO 27001 requires comprehensive risk assessment and treatment planning that connects directly to controls and evidence.
Smartly
Smartly has a built-in ISO 27005-aligned risk management module. It automatically links risks to Annex A controls and allows for risk treatment tracking, making ISO 27001 Clause 6 compliance seamless.
Sprinto
Sprinto offers enterprise-scale risk tracking and dashboards that can cover multiple frameworks simultaneously. It is effective but designed for compliance teams managing large datasets.
ISMS.online
ISMS.online specializes in risk governance. It provides detailed risk registers, treatment plans, and reporting features. However, much of the work is manual, relying on team input rather than automation.
Verdict: Smartly offers the best combination of automation and compliance accuracy. ISMS.online is comprehensive for governance programs. Sprinto suits complex, multi-framework environments.
5. Evidence and Documentation
| Platform | Evidence Collection | Documentation Tools |
|---|---|---|
| Smartly | Continuous and automated | Pre-filled templates for ISO 27001 documents such as SoA, Risk Treatment, and Policies |
| Sprinto | Automated with periodic sync | Built-in templates for multi-framework control evidence |
| ISMS.online | Manual upload and tracking | Robust documentation suite with detailed ISMS policies and procedures |
Verdict: Smartly leads for speed and audit-ready automation. ISMS.online is the best for structured documentation but can be slower to update. Sprinto combines automation with flexibility but focuses less on document management.
6. Onboarding and Certification Speed
| Platform | Typical Setup Time | Experience |
|---|---|---|
| Smartly | 2–3 weeks | Guided onboarding with ISO experts |
| Sprinto | 1–2 months | Technical configuration and team training |
| ISMS.online | 1–3 months | Structured onboarding and policy setup |
Verdict: Smartly is the fastest to certification. Sprinto follows closely but with heavier setup. ISMS.online offers depth but takes longer to operationalize.
7. Pricing Transparency
| Platform | Pricing Model | Cost Range | Transparency |
|---|---|---|---|
| Smartly | All-inclusive, pay-after-certification | From $4,900 per certification | Fully transparent |
| Sprinto | Subscription-based, quote required | $10,000–$25,000 per year | Limited transparency |
| ISMS.online | License + user tiers | $7,000–$20,000 per year | Transparent tier pricing |
Verdict: Smartly is the most affordable and predictable. Sprinto is enterprise-priced. ISMS.online provides open pricing but requires higher upfront commitment.
8. Audit Preparation
Smartly
Smartly automates the creation of ISO 27001 core documents: Statement of Applicability (SoA), Risk Treatment Plan, and Internal Audit reports. It also helps coordinate with accredited auditors directly through its platform.
Sprinto
Sprinto centralizes audit readiness across frameworks but leaves coordination to the customer.
ISMS.online
ISMS.online provides comprehensive checklists and guidance but expects teams to manage the audit process manually.
Verdict: Smartly delivers full audit automation and readiness. ISMS.online supports manual governance. Sprinto helps large organizations manage multiple audits efficiently.
9. Continuous Compliance
Smartly
Smartly continuously tracks all connected systems and control statuses. It automatically flags any compliance drift and helps teams remediate issues immediately.
Sprinto
Sprinto provides ongoing compliance monitoring for integrated systems but requires configuration for customized alerts.
ISMS.online
ISMS.online follows a governance-driven approach. It encourages scheduled reviews rather than automated control checks.
Verdict: Smartly enables real continuous compliance. Sprinto provides scale. ISMS.online emphasizes structure and periodic review.
10. Integration Ecosystem
| Platform | Integration Count | Focus |
|---|---|---|
| Smartly | 200+ | ISO 27001-aligned integrations across cloud, HR, and dev tools |
| Sprinto | 300+ | Broad enterprise integrations for multi-framework GRC |
| ISMS.online | 50+ | Focus on document and process management integrations |
Verdict: Sprinto leads in total integrations. Smartly's are more relevant for startups. ISMS.online focuses on collaboration and document management tools.
11. Regional Fit
Smartly
Smartly supports startups globally, with localized templates and auditor partnerships in Asia-Pacific, Europe, and North America.
Sprinto
Sprinto primarily serves U.S. and India-based teams with international clients.
ISMS.online
ISMS.online is headquartered in the U.K. and serves a large European audience, aligning closely with GDPR and ISO frameworks.
Verdict: Smartly is the most geographically flexible. ISMS.online is a strong fit for Europe. Sprinto focuses on North America and India.
Ready to Implement ISO 27001?
Enter your email to receive a free ISO 27001 checklist and start your compliance journey today.
12. User Experience
Smartly
Smartly provides a clean, modern interface built for clarity. It eliminates clutter, showing teams exactly what to do next to progress toward certification.
Sprinto
Sprinto offers a detailed dashboard suited for compliance professionals, though it can feel dense for smaller teams.
ISMS.online
ISMS.online focuses on documentation and governance dashboards. It feels comprehensive but less dynamic.
Verdict: Smartly delivers simplicity and focus. Sprinto delivers depth. ISMS.online delivers control.
13. Customer Support
Smartly
Smartly assigns each customer a dedicated ISO 27001 expert who provides guidance throughout onboarding, control mapping, and audit preparation.
Sprinto
Sprinto provides customer support through dedicated success managers and email.
ISMS.online
ISMS.online offers live chat, training materials, and implementation workshops.
Verdict: Smartly's direct access to certified experts is unmatched.
14. Scalability
Smartly
Smartly scales naturally as teams grow, adding frameworks like SOC 2 and GDPR without complexity.
Sprinto
Sprinto is built for scaling enterprise environments and multiple frameworks.
ISMS.online
ISMS.online scales in documentation depth rather than automation, supporting long-term ISMS maturity.
Verdict: Smartly scales with growth. Sprinto scales for complexity. ISMS.online scales for governance.
15. Strengths and Weaknesses
| Platform | Strengths | Weaknesses |
|---|---|---|
| Smartly | Fast certification, expert support, transparent pricing, automation-first design | Focused scope on ISO 27001 and SOC 2 |
| Sprinto | Deep automation, continuous monitoring, wide framework coverage | Expensive and complex for startups |
| ISMS.online | Comprehensive ISMS governance, strong documentation | Heavier manual work, slower setup |
16. Best Use Cases
Choose Smartly if:
- You are a startup or SaaS company that needs ISO 27001 or SOC 2 fast
- You prefer full automation with expert guidance
- You want predictable pricing with no consultant overhead
Choose Sprinto if:
- You manage multiple frameworks across a large cloud infrastructure
- You need enterprise-scale monitoring
Choose ISMS.online if:
- You want a comprehensive ISMS management system
- You prioritize governance, policy, and documentation maturity
17. Feature Comparison
| Feature | Smartly | Sprinto | ISMS.online |
|---|---|---|---|
| Speed to Certification | 2–3 weeks | 1–2 months | 1–3 months |
| Automation Depth | Full end-to-end | Enterprise-level | Limited |
| Risk Management | ISO 27005-aligned | Advanced | Manual but detailed |
| Evidence Management | Continuous and automated | Continuous | Manual upload |
| Continuous Compliance | Yes | Yes | Scheduled reviews |
| Audit Preparation | Fully automated | Guided | Manual |
| Pricing Transparency | 100% clear | Limited | Open tiers |
| Regional Fit | Global / APAC / EU | North America / India | Europe |
| Best Fit | Startups and SaaS | Enterprises | Governance-focused organizations |
18. Final Verdict
Smartly, Sprinto, and ISMS.online represent three different philosophies in compliance automation.
Sprinto is a high-power engine for large, cloud-heavy enterprises that need automation across many frameworks.
ISMS.online offers structure, governance, and control for organizations that want to manage security maturity over time.
Smartly gives startups the fastest, simplest, and most affordable path to ISO 27001 and SOC 2 certification — with automation, real human guidance, and no hidden costs.
If you want to close enterprise deals quickly, satisfy auditors without months of manual work, and scale trust alongside growth, Smartly is the clear winner.
19. Why Smartly Wins the 2025 Compliance Race
Smartly was built for speed and clarity. It replaces confusion with automation, consultants with experts, and months of manual work with a guided, audit-ready system.
With Smartly, you get:
- Certification in weeks, not months
- Real-time automation mapped to ISO 27001:2022
- Continuous compliance that updates itself
- Transparent pricing and dedicated expert support
Sprinto gives you scale. ISMS.online gives you structure. Smartly gives you results.
Smartly: The fastest, simplest, and most transparent way to achieve ISO 27001 and SOC 2 certification — trusted by startups that move fast and build securely.