What is a GRC platform and do startups need one for SOC 2?
What Is a GRC Platform?
A GRC platform is software that centralizes your compliance program — policies, evidence, control monitoring, and audit management — in one place. For SOC 2, platforms like Drata, Vanta, and Secureframe connect to your cloud infrastructure, pull configuration data, and flag gaps against Trust Services Criteria.
They handle the compliance dashboard. They don't handle the compliance work.
What GRC Platforms Actually Do
| Capability | What It Covers | What It Doesn't |
|---|---|---|
| Infrastructure monitoring | AWS, GCP, Azure config checks | Application-level controls |
| Policy storage | Host your policies in one place | Write policies that match your stack |
| Employee onboarding | Track security training, background checks | Define what training you need |
| Vendor management | Track vendor SOC 2 reports | Assess actual vendor risk |
| Evidence collection | Pull cloud API data | Capture screenshots, app-level proof |
Do Startups Need One?
It depends on your budget and team. A GRC platform saves time on infrastructure monitoring, but it won't tell you which controls you need, how to implement them, or what your policies should say. Most startups using Drata or Vanta still hire a vCISO or consultant at $5K–$15K to fill those gaps.
If you're paying $15K/year for a GRC platform plus $10K for a consultant, you're spending $25K before the auditor even starts.
Where Screenata Takes a Different Approach
Screenata replaces both the GRC platform and the consultant. It reads your codebase and cloud configuration, writes policies grounded in your actual systems, and collects the application-level evidence that GRC platforms miss — starting at $299 for SOC 2 Type I readiness.