Drata vs Vanta vs Screenata: which is best for a small startup?
Quick Comparison
| Factor | Drata | Vanta | Screenata |
|---|---|---|---|
| Annual cost | ~$12K | ~$15K | From $299 |
| Consultant needed? | Usually ($5K-$15K) | Usually ($5K-$15K) | No |
| Writes policies? | Templates only | Templates only | Yes, from your codebase |
| Application-level evidence | Manual | Manual | Automated |
| Best team size | 50+ employees | 50+ employees | 5-50 employees |
| Time to audit-ready | 3-6 months | 3-6 months | Weeks |
| Total first-year cost | $27K-$55K | $30K-$58K | $10K-$25K |
Drata: The Enterprise Dashboard
Drata works well for companies that already have someone who understands compliance. Its interface is polished, integrations are extensive, and it handles infrastructure monitoring reliably. The downside for small startups: it's expensive, the policy templates are generic, and you'll still need a consultant to fill the expertise gap.
Vanta: The Popular Choice
Vanta has the largest market share among startups, partly because it raised significant funding and invested in sales. The product is solid for infrastructure monitoring and offers a clean UI. The downside: at $15K/year, it's the most expensive option, and most startups still need a consultant on top.
Screenata: The AI-First Approach
Screenata was built specifically for small startups going through SOC 2 for the first time. Instead of assuming you have compliance expertise, it provides that expertise through AI — reading your codebase, writing accurate policies, and collecting application-level evidence. The total cost is significantly lower because you eliminate the consultant.
Which Should You Choose?
- Choose Drata if you have a security team and want a mature compliance dashboard
- Choose Vanta if you have compliance expertise and want the most integrations
- Choose Screenata if you're a small startup without compliance expertise and want the fastest, most affordable path to SOC 2