Thoropass vs. Vanta vs. Drata: How to Choose the Best Compliance Automation Solution
Get a comprehensive overview of Sprinto vs. Vanta vs. Drata and find the right platform for your compliance needs.
Business trends may come and go and needs may shift, but one thing stays the same: Companies must earn the trust of their customers. One way organizations strive to prove themselves is through compliance with security and privacy frameworks. However, staying in compliance is a complex process that is often time-consuming, especially for businesses relying on fragmented tools and manual effort.
Governance, risk management, and compliance (GRC) platforms can help ease your compliance journey and audit processes. However, it’s hard to find the right partner to support your efforts. GRC SaaS offerings abound, and many of them seem pretty similar at first glance.
When it comes to making a decision that will be foundational to your company’s security, getting it right matters. A missing feature or lower usability could seem minor—right up until it plays a role in a cybersecurity incident or audit failure. Plus, you want to make sure that implementing and training everyone on a new system is a good use of your resources.
Whether you’re looking to pass your first audit, set a strong GRC foundation, or scale with customization and automation, a few options on the market stand above the rest. We’ve put together a head-to-head-to-head matchup: Thoropass vs. Vanta vs. Drata.
Read on to learn the pros and cons, features, and focuses of each platform so you can decide which is the right choice for you. We’ll try to keep things as objective as possible, even if we’re pretty positive that Drata is going to be the right choice for you.
How to Evaluate Compliance Automation Platforms
A good compliance management solution saves your company time and money by automating rote tasks and improving your preparedness to shorten audit timelines. It’s also a form of insurance against hacks, breaches, and other cybersecurity incidents. Therefore, the best solutions have a full range of features that cover these duties.
Below, we dig into the specifics of how Thoropass, Vanta, and Drata perform in seven important areas. But every tool has its tradeoffs. It’s important to think about how a tool will perform at your company, for your specific needs.
Here are some questions to keep in mind when judging how important each category is for your company:
- What are your company’s GRC goals? Do you simply want to achieve ISO 27001 compliance quickly to land a contract? Or do you see GRC as an area that your company will focus on long-term, and therefore needs a robust tool to support?
- What is your target market? Will you need compliance with less-common frameworks, like FedRAMP (for federal contractors) or SOX (for publicly traded companies)?
- How mature is your GRC program? Are you starting from scratch and in need of guidance to supplement your in-house team, or do you have a wealth of knowledge among current employees?
- What parts of GRC are taking significant resources? Are there automations that could save your team significant time and/or money?
- How will a GRC platform fit in with your tech stack? Will it overlap significantly with software you’re already paying for and like? Will it integrate with key tools to provide your team with the full benefits of automation?
Budget is also a concern, but when calculating what you can afford, make sure you don’t overlook the ROI of these tools. The time savings and faster audit cycles that GRC tools deliver, not to mention the revenue opportunities they unlock, can make a big difference to your bottom line.
Thoropass, Vanta, and Drata: An Overview
Thoropass, Vanta, and Drata are all compliance automation platforms that can help companies prepare for and pass audits for security frameworks like SOC 2 and ISO 27001. They also come with features designed to keep companies in compliance between audits and practice compliance transparency to win over customers. Here are the basics of each platform.
Thoropass
Thoropass emphasizes its utility as an audit platform, responding to the common frustration of slow timelines and resource-heavy preparation. It harnesses the power of AI and automation to save time on compliance tasks like evidence collection and verification. Users also get access to the company’s team of experienced auditors to supplement their in-house knowledge with industry expertise.
Audit prep isn’t the only thing Thoropass is good for. Once you’ve proven your compliance with any of the 19 frameworks the platform supports, it’s easy to maintain compliance with its automation tools. Continuous control monitoring, simplified policy creation, and built-in compliance program management features make it easy for stakeholders to stay in the loop. The company also offers CREST-certified pentesting to give you a better sense of your security posture.
Top Features
- Automated evidence collection and validation
- Access review automation
- Security questionnaire automation
- Risk register and risk management workflow
- Trust Center
- AI-powered evidence review and security questionnaire completion
Thoropass is good for…
- SaaS companies looking to serve clients in highly regulated industries
- Healthcare companies that need assistance navigating the complex regulatory requirements
- FinTech companies that carefully balance compliance with innovation
Ratings
Vanta
Companies new to compliance will appreciate Vanta’s emphasis on helping them quickly pass their first audit. Using AI and automation, Vanta automates everything from evidence collection to security reviews to vendor risk management. The platform supports over 35 compliance frameworks.
Once you’re compliant, Vanta comes with tools to help you maintain and scale your GRC program. Continuous control monitoring with over 1,200 automated tests makes it easy to see your security posture at any time.
Vanta also helps you proactively manage risks, including with third-party vendors, and share your compliance status on your Trust Center to reassure current or potential customers. And, with the ability to monitor user access from a centralized location and track personnel’s progress toward security training and reviews, you can support compliance across teams.
Top Features
- Centralized audit platform
- Continuous control monitoring
- Trust Center
- Automated vendor evidence gathering and AI-powered security reviews
- Risk register and mitigation workflow automation
- AI-powered security questionnaire completion
- Access monitoring and reviews
Vanta is good for…
- Startups and scale-ups that need to pass their first audit quickly
- Mid-market companies scaling their GRC programs using automation
Ratings
Drata
Drata’s AI-native continuous trust platform helps companies implement and scale GRC programs as they grow. It does so by breaking down the silos that traditionally made GRC inefficient and ineffective. Using automation and AI, Drata empowers companies to streamline their audit process and maintain their compliance with 22 common security and regulatory frameworks.
Companies that choose Drata have full control thanks to the platform’s customizability. You won’t even sacrifice function when you build the tools you need: Drata makes it easy to create no-code tests with custom logic that automate control testing. That’s on top of the continuous control and risk monitoring.
Speaking of risks, you can manage yours by creating a risk register using the platform’s pre-mapped and your custom risks. Assess threats in Drata and then create treatment plans, complete with task creation and assignment. Drata also centralizes your vendor risk management efforts with automated security reviews and evidence collection.
Top Features
- Audit hub with automated evidence collection and built-in communication capabilities
- Automated risk mapping and control testing
- Trust Center
- Risk register and mitigation center
- Vendor risk tracking and proactive monitoring
- Centralized user access dashboard and automated user access reviews
- DevOps integrations to set guardrails on your development process and monitor compliance as you build
- AI-driven vendor SOC 2 summaries, questionnaire summaries, questionnaire completion, and Trust Library search
Drata is good for…
- SaaS companies looking to implement GRC processes across their development cycle
- Startups looking to quickly launch a compliance program and pass their first audit
- Growth-stage companies building an efficient and adaptable GRC program to unlock new revenue opportunities
- Enterprise companies in need of continuous assurance across custom or overlapping frameworks
Ratings
Vanta vs. Thoropass vs. Drata: Key Differences
Given that the three platforms we’re reviewing are all for the same purpose, it makes sense that they share multiple features. Now let’s look at where they differ in seven important categories.
Supported Frameworks and Certifications
It’s hard to find a security compliance tool that doesn’t support the most common frameworks: ISO 27001, SOC 2, GDPR, and the like. But as your company grows, you may need to expand to specialized frameworks like HIPAA, FedRAMP, or even a custom option. A GRC platform that’s ready to scale with you will support more than just today’s needs. It will have options that enable your company’s growth.
Continuous Monitoring and Evidence Collection
Continuous compliance should be your goal—both because it makes audit prep easier and because it’s the best way to keep your security posture strong even when it’s not audit season. All three tools support automated continuous control monitoring and allow you to map controls across frameworks to save your team from redundant work. They also integrate with your tech stack to automatically collect evidence for audits.
Thoropass recently introduced AI-powered evidence review, which pre-screens your evidence for you and flags missing or outdated evidence or any discrepancies. Your team can make sure your evidence is complete and accurate before the audit starts, which will decrease the length of your audit. The tool stands to shave your team’s audit prep time down so they can spend more time on high-level work.
Drata gets top scores for configurability here, thanks to its support for custom no-code tests. Anyone on your team can create and automate a control test that uses custom logic. It’s a great feature for any company that uses custom frameworks, has unique compliance needs, or just has a client who really wants to see a certain control validated before they sign the contract. Drata is also the only one of the competitors that offers continuous monitoring across the software development cycle to catch potential vulnerabilities before code reaches production.
Vanta’s only special feature in this category is AI-generated code to help you remediate any issues revealed through control monitoring. However, we’re wary of this feature given that 68% of developers find they spend more time fixing security vulnerabilities in AI-generated code than they do in code they write. Over 50% of developers surveyed find that AI increases both the number of vulnerabilities and the rate of performance problems. It’s not a feature we’d rely on—and Vanta’s decision to build it makes us question whether they’re adhering to responsible AI development principles.
Lowest Performer: Vanta
Audit and Attestation Support
Audits are arduous. They take significant time and resources, and many frameworks require you to pass audits on a frequent basis. Anything a GRC platform can do to ease that burden will return precious work time to your team. All of the platforms we cover offer a secure, centralized platform for audit management. Teams can give auditors access to the data and evidence and communicate with them inside the platform, creating tasks and tracking the status of evidence.
There aren’t a lot of standout features across our field under this category. Vanta is precise and customizable: it provides source data to auditors rather than only test results, so they can verify your process. You choose the data your auditors see, and can give them early access so they can provide readiness checks before the audit window. Drata allows auditors access to an archive of past audits to give context to your current audit. Both platforms offer networks of vetted auditors for users to peruse if they don’t have a firm lined up already.
Thoropass has the most standout approach—it employs in-house auditors to serve its customers. They perform readiness checks before the audit window begins, so your team has time to correct any errors or gaps before the audit starts. They also offer audits that cover multiple frameworks and products at the same time, so you don’t have to pay auditors for redundant work.
Lowest Performer: None
Vendor Risk and Security Questionnaires
Most compliance and security frameworks require companies to have an understanding of the risks associated with third-party vendors. However, if you’re using Thoropass, you’ll need to find another way to handle vendor risk management. While the platform includes general risk management features, like a risk register where you can enter third-party risks, it won’t do any of the work for you. Its only features related to security questionnaires are AI tools aimed at helping you complete the ones other companies send to you.
Vanta and Drata both offer vendor risk management features, including:
- An automatically populated vendor directory
- Automated vendor security questionnaires and evidence requests
- AI summaries of questionnaire responses and evidence
- Integration of vendor risk management with your risk register and risk management program
Drata’s AI-powered VRM Agent collects documents and evidence for you, reviews them against your compliance requirements, and follows up with vendors for additional information when necessary. Vanta can automatically assign vendor risk assessments based on your criteria. It also offers continuous monitoring of third- and fourth-party attack surfaces, so security issues won’t catch you by surprise.
Lowest Performer: Thoropass
Integrations and APIs
Automating GRC functions requires platforms to plug into your tech stack. Robust integration options are a must for these tools to function effectively. Common enterprise software (for instance, cloud providers like AWS, Azure, and Google Cloud) is covered by all of our competitors. However, companies that use less common tools or proprietary systems will also want API access so they can automate control monitoring and evidence collection.
Drata offers over 170 integrations, with more being added all the time. Its open API allows you to integrate with any endpoints to push and pull evidence from external sources. It’s built on REST API architecture and comes with pre-made templates for common tasks. It’s fully configurable and also auditable: Each call that makes a change in Drata is tracked as an event.
Vanta offers over 400 integrations plus an API that enables you to collect evidence or run tests across any system. You can also use it to automate workflows both within Vanta and in external systems—for instance, a script might start the remediation process when a control test fails. The API can also export data from Vanta to other tools to streamline reporting processes. Built on REST architecture and authenticated through OAuth, it’s a secure option that’s also easy to implement and use.
Thoropass has the lowest number of integrations of our competitors, with just over 100. However, its brag is that they’re all auditor-approved, meaning Thoropass’ auditors have validated the data they send, so you won’t have to pull it again manually. Though the Thoropass website mentions its “Integrations and APIs,” it only provides details on the former. A review from two years ago suggests the platform didn’t have an open API then; if it does now, it’s a very secret one.
Lowest Performer: Thoropass
User Experience and Onboarding
Getting people started with a new tool is almost as difficult as getting them to stick with it. The resources a company offers for onboarding and its overall UX are both big factors in whether the implementation is a full success. For this category, we turned to reviews to see what experienced users had to say about each platform.
Thoropass promises you’ll have expert support from auditors and customer success agents from the moment you get started. Reviews corroborate this claim. One happy customer shared, “The team spent time to understand our drivers and timelines for achieving SOC 2 Type 2 and developed a plan to get us there.” That above-and-beyond service is a great boon to companies with less in-house compliance expertise. On the other hand, the UI/UX “could be designed better” according to one reviewer, and others agree it’s not as easy to use as they would like.
Vanta makes less lofty promises, and reviewers also seem to think it delivers at lower levels. One user notes “support is […] responsible and knowledgeable" but “initial onboarding could be more guided for users unfamiliar with compliance frameworks.” Another reviewer agrees that “while their support team is quite helpful, the initial documentation can be somewhat lacking.” The consensus seems to be that you’ll need a fair bit of assistance during the implementation process. Multiple reviewers praise the platform’s ease-of-use—even for infrequent users—and smooth implementation.
Drata helps its users find the value of the platform quickly with robust documentation and regular live onboarding and training webinars. The focus on implementation has paid off, leaving reviewers impressed enough to comment on the video tutorials, training sessions, and the platform’s Quick Start feature. Reviews are split on the UX/UI, with some reviewers mentioning its “intuitive interface and ease of use,” while others note that “some areas can be confusing to navigate at first.” Based on the relative balance of positive and negative reviews, its usability is somewhere between Thoropass and Vanta.
Lowest Performer: None
Pricing and Total Cost of Ownership
GRC tools don’t come cheap, but getting a subpar one can end up costing more in the long run, when your audits run long and your team ends up wasting time with a finicky or hard-to-use tool. None of the options we’re evaluating here publicly posts its pricing; you’ll need to contact them for a quote. Even if they did, it’s hard to judge value before you see how a tool works for your company.
We once again turned to G2 to see what actual customers think. Vanta was the only one with an overwhelming customer sentiment that it felt expensive, perhaps because many of the features advertised on its site (for instance, its Vendor Risk Management package) must be purchased as add-ons.
Reviewers for Thoropass mainly thought the product offered excellent value, though small businesses may find the price prohibitive. Reviewers for Drata offered the same split: some found the cost reasonable, while others noted the price was high for startups, especially those looking to comply with multiple frameworks.
Finally, we checked in with SelectHub for cost estimates and found the following:
- Drata starts from $7,500 annually
- Vanta starts from $10,000 annually
- Thoropass starts from $20,000 annually
Needless to say, your quote will vary based on your company’s size and your GRC needs, but Drata’s low base price may make it especially attractive for startups, scale-ups, and SMBs.
Lowest Performer: Vanta
Drata is the Smart Alternative
Compliance with privacy and security frameworks is a common-sense goal for companies that want to earn the trust of their customers. Whether you’re building toward your first audit or thinking long-term about how to maintain a strong security posture, investing in GRC is the right move.
Drata’s AI-native trust platform is easy to implement, even for teams new to GRC. You’ll see immediate time savings from the automations and AI tools as you work toward your first—or next—audit. And Drata is built to grow with you. Our focus on end-to-end risk management and real-time visibility into your security posture helps your teams stay on top of their GRC duties. Plus, we offer the ability to configure the system to meet your unique needs, whether that’s creating your own no-code automated tests or entire custom frameworks.
Companies see real returns on GRC investments: more time freed up for higher-level work, new verticals unlocked with new security and privacy frameworks, and customers wooed and kept thanks to the high level of trust they have in your company. As you choose your GRC partner, make sure it’s the one that’s here to support you in the short-term as you build toward the long-term.
Get Drata before audit season to streamline your compliance process and build a foundation for a bright GRC future. Contact our team for a demo today.
FAQs
Does Drata support SOC 2, ISO 27001, and HIPAA?
Yes, Drata supports over 20 security and privacy frameworks, including SOC 2, ISO 27001, and HIPAA.
What types of companies use each compliance automation platform?
Thoropass is best for mid-market companies with bigger budgets and little institutional expertise. The company’s “closed-loop” audits provide a high level of support throughout the whole process, for a higher price.
Vanta is best for new startups looking to quickly pass their first audits. The platform is simple and easy to implement, but has fewer features for more mature GRC programs.
Drata has a featureset that fits companies of any size, so it’s attractive to startups and scale-ups building a compliance program and mid-market companies looking to expand on their GRC foundations with automations.
What’s the best alternative to Thoropass and Vanta?
Drata is a good alternative to Thoropass and Vanta. It’s quick to implement, so companies can quickly get started with preparation for their first audit. It has tools that also serve mid-market and enterprise companies. And its scalable pricing means it’s easy for companies of any size to get started.
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