Smartly vs Sprinto vs Scrut: The Ultimate Compliance Automation Showdown in 2025
In 2025, compliance is no longer a box-ticking exercise. It has become the defining trust signal for every modern SaaS and tech company. Whether you are pursuing enterprise contracts or preparing for funding, ISO 27001 and SOC 2 certifications are now mandatory checkpoints that demonstrate your ability to protect customer data.
Quick Snapshot: Smartly vs Sprinto vs Scrut
TLDR Summary
Smartly gives startups the fastest, simplest, and most affordable path to ISO 27001 or SOC 2 certification — powered by automation, expert support, and continuous monitoring.
Sprinto delivers enterprise-scale GRC automation for complex organizations managing multiple frameworks.
Scrut blends compliance with active security posture management, ideal for teams that want ongoing monitoring.
1. Platform Overview
Smartly
Smartly was built for lean SaaS teams that need ISO 27001 or SOC 2 certification fast. It automates every step of the process — from scoping and control mapping to risk management, policy creation, and evidence collection — with guidance from real ISO specialists.
Unlike many platforms that hide their costs behind enterprise pricing or consultant add-ons, Smartly offers transparent, all-inclusive pricing and a pay-after-certification model. The focus is simplicity, automation, and human expertise.
Sprinto
Sprinto is a strong GRC automation platform that integrates with cloud systems to monitor controls continuously. It supports multiple frameworks, including SOC 2, ISO 27001, GDPR, HIPAA, and PCI DSS. Its major strength is automation depth, particularly for companies already operating in AWS, Azure, or GCP environments.
However, Sprinto's enterprise-leaning configuration and premium cost make it less suited for small startups that want a fast, focused ISO 27001 journey.
Scrut
Scrut positions itself as a compliance and security posture management platform. It automates evidence collection and compliance workflows while continuously scanning cloud configurations for risks and misconfigurations.
Scrut's main advantage is visibility — giving security and compliance teams real-time insights into threats. However, its ISO 27001 documentation and audit preparation tools are less advanced compared to dedicated compliance-first platforms.
2. Framework Coverage
| Platform | Supported Frameworks | Core Focus |
|---|---|---|
| Smartly | ISO 27001, SOC 2, GDPR, NIST CSF | Deep automation for startups and SaaS |
| Sprinto | SOC 2, ISO 27001, HIPAA, PCI DSS, GDPR | Enterprise-ready GRC automation |
| Scrut | ISO 27001, SOC 2, GDPR, HIPAA, CCPA | Security posture monitoring with compliance automation |
Verdict: Sprinto supports the widest framework range. Smartly is laser-focused on ISO 27001 and SOC 2 automation. Scrut balances frameworks with visibility tools.
3. Automation and Efficiency
True automation means removing manual work across the entire compliance journey — not just collecting evidence.
Smartly
Smartly delivers true end-to-end automation. The platform maps all 93 ISO 27001:2022 controls automatically, tracks risk treatments, and collects audit evidence in real time from your tech stack. Users can see progress toward certification with a live dashboard that updates as controls are completed.
Sprinto
Sprinto automates many manual tasks such as policy mapping, control tracking, and evidence collection. It continuously monitors integrations like AWS or GCP to ensure ongoing compliance. However, setup time is longer and often requires detailed configuration before automation kicks in.
Scrut
Scrut automates evidence collection and tracks control implementation but focuses heavily on detecting security gaps. It identifies risks, sends remediation tasks, and provides continuous posture data. While valuable, it adds complexity for teams that only want certification.
Verdict: Smartly offers the fastest, most focused automation for certification. Sprinto is robust but slower to configure. Scrut automates security insights more than certification workflows.
4. Risk Management
ISO 27001 requires comprehensive risk assessment and treatment planning aligned with ISO 27005 principles.
Smartly
Smartly includes an ISO 27005-aligned risk management module that connects risks directly to Annex A controls and treatments. The platform automatically updates your risk register as new threats or systems are identified, making audits smoother.
Sprinto
Sprinto provides structured risk tracking across frameworks. It links risks to evidence and controls, although it leans more toward enterprise-level reporting than streamlined startup execution.
Scrut
Scrut incorporates risk management as part of its security posture engine. It identifies configuration and access risks in real time but requires manual mapping to ISO 27001 governance documentation.
Verdict: Smartly leads in ISO 27001 alignment. Sprinto offers enterprise-grade tracking. Scrut excels at technical risk detection but lacks full governance depth.
5. Evidence Management
| Platform | Evidence Collection | Highlights |
|---|---|---|
| Smartly | Continuous and automated | Integrates with AWS, GCP, GitHub, Jira, and HR systems to maintain audit-ready evidence |
| Sprinto | Automated with real-time checks | Tracks evidence across hundreds of integrations |
| Scrut | Automated for posture and controls | Adds continuous visibility into misconfigurations but requires manual validation for some documents |
Verdict: Smartly and Sprinto tie for automation depth, but Smartly wins for simplicity and clarity. Scrut provides extra visibility but adds complexity for audit documentation.
6. Onboarding and Speed to Certification
| Platform | Typical Setup Time | Experience |
|---|---|---|
| Smartly | 2–3 weeks | Guided onboarding, expert-led control mapping |
| Sprinto | 1–2 months | Technical configuration with custom workflows |
| Scrut | 1–2 months | Fast security setup, slower audit documentation |
Verdict: Smartly is the fastest to certification. Sprinto and Scrut both provide strong infrastructure setups but require longer configuration cycles.
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, custom quote | $10,000–$25,000 per year | Limited transparency |
| Scrut | Tiered plans for compliance and security | $8,000–$20,000 per year | Clear tiers but modular pricing |
Verdict: Smartly is the only platform with fully transparent pricing and predictable costs. Sprinto and Scrut both require demos for quotes, often scaling up quickly as features are added.
8. Audit Preparation
Smartly
Smartly automates the generation of ISO 27001 documents like the Statement of Applicability (SoA), Risk Treatment Plan, and Internal Audit report. The system keeps every control linked to evidence, making audits nearly frictionless.
Sprinto
Sprinto helps prepare for audits with dashboards and auditor-ready evidence collections. However, users still manage many manual tasks like policy alignment and auditor coordination.
Scrut
Scrut helps identify readiness gaps and track remediation but does not generate audit-ready documentation at the same level of automation.
Verdict: Smartly is the clear winner for audit preparation. Sprinto supports enterprise teams, and Scrut prioritizes visibility over certification readiness.
9. Continuous Compliance
Smartly
Smartly continuously monitors every implemented control. It alerts users if a control falls out of compliance, ensuring audit readiness all year round.
Sprinto
Sprinto offers strong continuous compliance with automated monitoring and alerting, but maintaining this system requires ongoing configuration.
Scrut
Scrut provides continuous security posture monitoring, detecting misconfigurations and risks, though not always tied to ISO 27001 control language.
Verdict: Smartly offers continuous compliance in the simplest form. Sprinto provides enterprise-scale monitoring. Scrut excels at real-time risk detection.
10. Integration Ecosystem
| Platform | Integration Count | Focus |
|---|---|---|
| Smartly | 200+ | Cloud, HR, code repositories, and ticketing tools |
| Sprinto | 300+ | Broad GRC and IT systems |
| Scrut | 150+ | Cloud, endpoint, and vulnerability tools |
Verdict: Sprinto leads in total integrations, but Smartly's are the most relevant to ISO 27001 and SOC 2 workflows. Scrut's integrations are valuable for security teams but less tailored for compliance.
11. User Experience
Smartly
Smartly focuses on clarity. Its dashboard shows real progress, outstanding tasks, and overall certification readiness in a clean, visual format.
Sprinto
Sprinto provides a robust enterprise interface rich with detail, better suited for large compliance teams than startup founders.
Scrut
Scrut combines compliance with security visibility. It is sleek but can feel data-heavy for non-technical users.
Verdict: Smartly offers simplicity and precision. Sprinto offers power. Scrut offers insight.
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12. Customer Support
Smartly
Smartly assigns every client an ISO 27001 expert to guide onboarding, control mapping, and audit coordination.
Sprinto
Sprinto provides customer support through email and account managers but less direct certification guidance.
Scrut
Scrut provides responsive chat and technical support but focuses more on security configuration than compliance consulting.
Verdict: Smartly's human-led support gives startups the confidence to move quickly and accurately.
13. Scalability
Smartly
Smartly scales easily from one framework to multiple certifications while maintaining a simple, intuitive workflow.
Sprinto
Sprinto scales across complex, multi-framework environments but requires enterprise-level management.
Scrut
Scrut scales by expanding security and monitoring capabilities rather than compliance frameworks.
Verdict: Smartly grows with your company naturally. Sprinto scales through enterprise infrastructure. Scrut grows through added security modules.
14. Strengths and Weaknesses
| Platform | Strengths | Weaknesses |
|---|---|---|
| Smartly | Fastest certification, hands-on guidance, transparent pricing | Focused on ISO 27001 and SOC 2 only |
| Sprinto | Broad automation, real-time monitoring, multi-framework coverage | Expensive, slower setup, complex for startups |
| Scrut | Continuous visibility, strong security integration | Weaker documentation automation, newer ecosystem |
15. Best Use Cases
Choose Smartly if:
- You are a SaaS startup or scale-up aiming to get ISO 27001 or SOC 2 certified quickly
- You want expert guidance without paying consulting fees
- You prefer automation and simplicity over enterprise complexity
Choose Sprinto if:
- You manage multiple frameworks and have a dedicated compliance team
- You want comprehensive, enterprise-grade automation
Choose Scrut if:
- You want to integrate security monitoring and compliance tracking in one view
- You need visibility into misconfigurations and risks
16. Feature Summary
| Feature | Smartly | Sprinto | Scrut |
|---|---|---|---|
| Speed to Certification | 2–3 weeks | 1–2 months | 1–2 months |
| Automation Depth | Full end-to-end | Deep multi-framework | Partial with security focus |
| Risk Management | ISO 27005-aligned | Enterprise-scale | Posture-driven |
| Evidence Management | Real-time automated | Continuous | Continuous + manual |
| Continuous Compliance | Yes | Yes | Partial |
| Audit Preparation | Fully automated | Guided | Semi-automated |
| Pricing Transparency | 100% clear | Limited | Moderate |
| Regional Fit | Global and APAC | Global | Primarily India and EMEA |
| Best Fit | Startups and SaaS | Enterprises | Security-first teams |
17. Final Verdict
Smartly, Sprinto, and Scrut each represent a different type of compliance platform.
Sprinto delivers enterprise-scale GRC automation for complex organizations managing multiple frameworks.
Scrut blends compliance with active security posture management, ideal for teams that want ongoing monitoring.
Smartly gives startups the fastest, simplest, and most affordable path to ISO 27001 or SOC 2 certification — powered by automation, expert support, and continuous monitoring.
For growing SaaS teams that value time, clarity, and trust, Smartly is the clear winner.
18. Why Smartly Leads in 2025
Smartly is designed for how startups actually work — fast, focused, and data-driven. It combines intelligent automation with the guidance of real ISO 27001 professionals to remove the pain and uncertainty from certification.
With Smartly, you get:
- Certification in weeks, not months
- End-to-end automation mapped to ISO 27001:2022
- A dedicated compliance expert to guide you from start to audit
- Transparent, pay-after-certification pricing
Sprinto gives you scale. Scrut gives you visibility. Smartly gives you results.
Smartly: The fastest way to achieve ISO 27001 and SOC 2 certification — built for startups that move fast and grow securely.