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Multi-framework cost
What two or three frameworks cost together
Most teams pursuing SOC 2 will need a second framework within 18 months. Doing them in parallel typically beats running them sequentially by 30-40% on Year 1 spend.
| Combination | Year 1 | Year 2+ | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| SOC 2 alone | $30k-$100k | $15k-$50k | Baseline reference |
| ISO 27001 alone | $25k-$80k | $10k-$40k | Cheaper than SOC 2 if ISO is your only target |
| SOC 2 + ISO 27001 | $40k-$130k | $20k-$65k | 30-40% saving vs running them sequentially |
| SOC 2 + HIPAA | $35k-$120k | $18k-$55k | HIPAA is light controls; mainly policy + BAA work |
| SOC 2 + PCI DSS (SAQ-A or A-EP) | $45k-$140k | $25k-$70k | PCI fee tier varies wildly with merchant level |
| SOC 2 + ISO 27001 + HIPAA | $55k-$170k | $25k-$80k | Healthcare SaaS triad; controls dominated by SOC 2 + ISO |
| SOC 2 + ISO 27001 + PCI | $60k-$180k | $30k-$90k | Fintech SaaS triad |
Why combining is cheaper
- Shared evidence library (one access review covers both)
- Shared policy set (most policies cross-map cleanly)
- Shared control owners (engineers do the work once)
- Platform multi-framework pricing is 30-50% above single, not 200%
- Auditor familiarity premium (they already know your environment)
Control overlap by pair
SOC 2 (Security TSC) -> ISO 27001 (Annex A)60-70%
SOC 2 -> HIPAA Security Rule70-80%
SOC 2 -> PCI DSS controls30-45%
ISO 27001 -> SOC 2 (reverse)55-65%