Smartly vs Vanta vs Sprinto: Which One Is the Best for You in 2025?
In 2025, the compliance automation market is more crowded than ever. Between heavyweights like Vanta, fast-scaling challengers like Sprinto, and rising next-generation players like Smartly, every platform claims to help you "get ISO 27001 or SOC 2 faster." But behind the marketing noise, real differences separate these tools.
Quick Snapshot: Smartly vs Vanta vs Sprinto
TLDR Summary
Smartly combines real automation, rapid onboarding, and affordability in a platform designed for modern startups and scale-ups.
Vanta remains the heavyweight built for large enterprises with internal compliance departments and bigger budgets.
Sprinto works well for mid-sized firms seeking a mix of automation and guided onboarding with consultant handholding.
1. Overview of Each Platform
Vanta
Vanta was one of the first platforms to popularize compliance automation. It focuses primarily on SOC 2 and ISO 27001 certifications, offering pre-built policy templates, automated evidence collection, and auditor connections. Its biggest strength lies in brand reputation and wide auditor adoption.
However, Vanta's product has become increasingly complex and enterprise-oriented. The setup process often requires dedicated compliance staff, and pricing is among the highest in the category.
Sprinto
Sprinto emerged soon after, promising to automate the compliance journey for cloud-native startups. The platform integrates with major services like AWS, Azure, and Google Workspace, automatically mapping data to SOC 2, ISO 27001, HIPAA, and GDPR frameworks.
It provides better real-time dashboards and automation than early Vanta versions, but most workflows still rely heavily on manual guidance from implementation teams. Sprinto is known for its attentive onboarding process, though at a significant cost.
Smartly
Smartly represents the next generation of compliance automation. Built for startups and scale-ups in Asia and emerging markets, it focuses on speed, affordability, and accuracy.
Smartly automates ISO 27001 and SOC 2 readiness through deep integrations, built-in risk assessment tools, policy libraries aligned with the 2022 ISO 27001 update, and AI-powered evidence mapping.
Its philosophy is simple: compliance should not slow down your growth. Smartly helps teams achieve certification readiness faster and keeps systems compliant continuously.
2. Supported Frameworks
| Platform | Supported Frameworks | Notable Highlights |
|---|---|---|
| Smartly | ISO 27001, SOC 2 Type I & II, GDPR mapping, NIST CSF | Native automation for ISO 27001:2022 with built-in Annex A and Statement of Applicability templates |
| Vanta | SOC 2, ISO 27001, HIPAA, GDPR, PCI DSS | Supports more frameworks but limited flexibility for custom mappings |
| Sprinto | SOC 2, ISO 27001, GDPR, HIPAA | Good breadth, though some frameworks rely on manual configuration |
Verdict: If your focus is ISO 27001, Smartly wins with stronger control mapping for the 2022 revision and better Statement of Applicability automation. Vanta covers more frameworks, but customization is limited. Sprinto sits in between, flexible but still semi-manual.
3. Automation Depth
Automation is the foundation of every compliance platform. The more your system connects directly to your cloud and HR tools, the less time your team spends collecting screenshots or filling spreadsheets.
| Platform | Automation Strength | Key Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Smartly | Deep automation with real-time sync from AWS, GitHub, Google Workspace, and HR tools | Built for lean teams that need to move fast |
| Vanta | Broad automation coverage but higher manual oversight | Strong for enterprises with internal compliance staff |
| Sprinto | Solid automation for core systems but limited real-time updates | Still requires manual verification before audits |
Verdict: Smartly offers stronger real-time automation and faster turnaround for smaller, agile teams. Vanta's automation is mature but complex, and Sprinto still depends on partial manual workflows.
4. Integration Coverage
| Platform | Integration Count | Examples |
|---|---|---|
| Smartly | 200+ | AWS, Azure, GCP, Google Workspace, Okta, Slack, Notion, GitHub, Jira, Linear, BambooHR |
| Vanta | 300+ | AWS, Azure, GitHub, Jira, Okta, Azure AD, Datadog, Duo |
| Sprinto | 150+ | AWS, GCP, GitLab, Jira, Notion, Linear, Okta, HR tools |
Verdict: Vanta has the largest integration library but often requires configuration support. Smartly focuses on quality over quantity, providing deeper evidence linkage and faster auto-verification. Sprinto offers decent integrations but lacks breadth in newer SaaS tools.
5. Evidence Management
Evidence collection and refresh speed are what separate truly automated compliance from manual busywork.
Smartly
Evidence is pulled directly from connected systems in real time, validated automatically, and flagged if it expires. Users can track Evidence Turnaround Time (ETT) with visual dashboards.
Vanta
Evidence syncs periodically but requires manual checks for expiration or non-compliance. Some controls still depend on human uploads.
Sprinto
Automates evidence pulls where integrations exist but still relies on user intervention for many HR and vendor controls.
Verdict: Smartly provides the most accurate, up-to-date evidence without manual effort. This is particularly valuable for fast-moving startups where control freshness determines audit success.
6. Risk Management
ISO 27001:2022 emphasizes risk-based decision making. The ability to assess, track, and treat risks effectively is now critical.
Smartly
Includes a native risk register aligned with ISO 27005 and automatically links risks to controls, treatment options, and owners. Risk reviews can be scheduled directly in the dashboard, giving visibility to auditors and management.
Vanta
Offers basic risk management but focuses more on checklist execution. Risk relationships to controls must be documented manually.
Sprinto
Provides a configurable risk register, though most updates require consultant assistance.
Verdict: Smartly offers the most complete built-in risk management among the three, turning risk reviews into an automated workflow instead of a spreadsheet exercise.
7. Onboarding Experience
| Platform | Onboarding Model | Time to Value |
|---|---|---|
| Smartly | Guided onboarding with automation from day one. Implementation manager assigned for fast start | 2-3 weeks average readiness |
| Vanta | Consultant-led onboarding requiring manual setup and policy alignment | 6-8 weeks to reach readiness |
| Sprinto | Structured onboarding with detailed walkthroughs and handholding | 4-6 weeks average |
Verdict: Smartly is fastest to deploy and easiest to maintain. Vanta and Sprinto depend heavily on consultant time, which adds complexity and cost.
8. Audit Support and Partner Network
All three platforms integrate with auditor networks, but the level of support differs.
Vanta
Connects users to a large pool of auditors but offers limited hands-on guidance during the audit itself.
Sprinto
Maintains close relationships with selected audit firms and offers coordination support.
Smartly
Provides both: direct auditor coordination plus internal audit readiness reviews. Teams receive pre-audit scoring to identify gaps before submission, reducing the chance of findings or delays.
Verdict: Smartly's proactive audit prep gives startups a real advantage, especially for first-time certifications.
9. Pricing and Transparency
Pricing often determines accessibility for smaller teams.
| Platform | Pricing Model | Transparency |
|---|---|---|
| Smartly | Starts at $4,900 USD for ISO 27001 or SOC 2 readiness with flexible options | Fully transparent with public pricing and pay-as-you-grow model |
| Vanta | Starting around $10,000-$20,000 USD annually for small teams, depending on frameworks and integrations | Pricing not public; requires sales calls |
| Sprinto | Typically between $8,000-$18,000 USD per year, with variable implementation fees | Pricing requires consultation |
Verdict: Smartly is clearly the most affordable option for early-stage and mid-size companies, while still providing full functionality. Vanta remains the most expensive and is positioned for larger enterprises. Sprinto sits in the middle tier.
10. Customer Support and Regional Focus
Smartly
Dedicated regional support across Asia-Pacific, with local timezone coverage and bilingual assistance. Customer response times average under one hour.
Vanta
Strong documentation and self-service knowledge base, but slower turnaround for non-US customers.
Sprinto
Offers personalized implementation calls but slower ticket response outside business hours in India.
11. Flexibility and Scalability
Vanta
Designed for compliance teams in mature companies that need multiple frameworks and strict audit controls. Customization is limited but structured.
Sprinto
Allows more flexibility than Vanta but still depends on consultant-driven workflows.
Smartly
Built for growth. Teams can start with ISO 27001 and expand to SOC 2 or GDPR later, reusing up to 80 percent of evidence and controls. The platform's modular design allows startups to scale compliance alongside business growth.
12. User Experience and Design
Vanta
Interface focuses on large-scale dashboarding and multi-framework mapping but can feel overwhelming.
Sprinto
Design is functional but dense, requiring frequent navigation through nested menus.
Smartly
Interface is modern, minimal, and built for clarity. Progress tracking, risk visualization, and evidence review all happen in one place. Users describe Smartly as "simple, fast, and reliable" compared to the heavy dashboards of older tools.
13. Continuous Monitoring
All three claim to offer continuous monitoring, but implementation differs.
Smartly
Automatically flags any non-conforming control as soon as it detects configuration drift in integrated systems. The system alerts owners immediately and logs changes for audit trails.
Vanta
Performs scheduled checks but depends on user confirmation for many alerts.
Sprinto
Monitors integrations but lacks automated remediation or workflow assignment.
Verdict: Smartly provides genuine continuous monitoring rather than periodic checks, giving real-time visibility into compliance status.
14. Unique Strengths of Each Platform
Smartly
Real-time automation, affordable pricing, ISO 27001:2022 native alignment, strong support in Asia-Pacific, faster audits.
Vanta
Enterprise reputation, extensive integrations, strong auditor partnerships, wide framework support.
Sprinto
Good onboarding experience, broad compliance templates, flexible workflows.
15. Limitations of Each Platform
| Platform | Key Limitations |
|---|---|
| Smartly | Currently focused on ISO 27001 and SOC 2 frameworks, with fewer U.S. enterprise integrations than Vanta |
| Vanta | High cost, slower onboarding, steep learning curve for small teams |
| Sprinto | Heavy consultant dependency, slower automation refresh, less transparent pricing |
16. Verdict: Which Platform Fits You Best?
Choose Smartly if:
- You are a startup or scale-up that needs ISO 27001 or SOC 2 certification quickly
- You prefer automation over consulting hours
- You want transparent, affordable pricing
- You need a platform that continues monitoring compliance after the audit
Choose Vanta if:
- You are an enterprise with a large compliance team and multiple frameworks to manage
- You can afford longer onboarding and higher costs
- You need established auditor relationships
Choose Sprinto if:
- You want a guided onboarding with human consultants
- You have a medium budget and moderate technical resources
- You are preparing for SOC 2 and ISO 27001 in parallel and want more handholding
17. Final Thoughts: The New Standard for Compliance Automation
In 2025, compliance automation is not a luxury. It is a requirement for winning enterprise clients and protecting your brand. But not every platform is built for the same kind of team.
Vanta remains the heavyweight built for large companies with internal compliance departments. Sprinto works well for mid-sized firms that want a mix of automation and guided onboarding.
Smartly stands out by combining real automation, rapid onboarding, and affordability in a single platform designed for modern tech companies. It automates evidence, manages risks, aligns policies, and gets you audit-ready faster.
The difference shows at audit time. Smartly users complete ISO 27001 and SOC 2 readiness up to 60 percent faster than manual methods, at a fraction of the cost of legacy providers.
If your goal is to win enterprise trust and stay compliant continuously without drowning in spreadsheets or consultancy hours, Smartly delivers the balance of technology and simplicity that modern teams need.
Smartly is how startups in 2025 win ISO and SOC 2 certification faster, cleaner, and smarter.
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