Compliance Framework Comparison Matrix
A side-by-side comparison of the five frameworks startups ask about most, so you can decide which to pursue first. Figures are typical ranges for a small-to-mid company and vary with scope, tooling, and auditor.
How to use this template
- Start from what unblocks revenue: enterprise/US deals usually ask for SOC 2; global/EU procurement often asks for ISO 27001.
- Regulated data forces the framework: PHI → HIPAA, cardholder data → PCI DSS, EU personal data → GDPR.
- Note the overlap — a strong control set covers most of several frameworks at once.
Framework at a glance
| Dimension | SOC 2 | ISO 27001 | HIPAA | PCI DSS | GDPR |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Type | Attestation (AICPA) | Certification (ISO/IEC) | US regulation | Industry standard | EU regulation |
| Primarily for | SaaS/service orgs | Any org, global | US healthcare & vendors | Card handlers/merchants | Anyone with EU personal data |
| Validated by | Licensed CPA firm | Accredited certification body | Self / HHS OCR on breach | QSA or SAQ (self) | Self; DPAs enforce |
| Result | Type I / Type II report | Certificate (3-year cycle) | No certificate | AOC / RoC | No certificate |
| Typical timeline | 6–12 wks (I), + window (II) | 3–6 months | Ongoing program | Weeks–months by level | Ongoing program |
| Renewal | Annual | Annual surveillance, 3-yr recert | Continuous | Annual | Continuous |
| Core artifact | System description + controls | ISMS + Statement of Applicability | Risk analysis + safeguards | Scoped CDE + 12 requirements | RoPA + DPIAs |
How much they overlap
The frameworks share a large common core: access control, encryption, logging/monitoring, change management, vendor risk, incident response, and risk assessment. Implement that core well and you are most of the way to several frameworks at once.
The differences are mostly in evidence and validation. SOC 2 is a CPA attestation of controls over a period; ISO 27001 certifies a management system (the ISMS) and requires a Statement of Applicability; HIPAA and GDPR are regulations with no certificate; PCI DSS is a prescriptive standard scoped to the cardholder-data environment.
Related
This template is general guidance to accelerate your compliance program and is not legal advice. Adapt it to your organization and your auditor's requirements.