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Type 1 vs Type 2

Answer 5 questions about your timeline, budget, and prospect requirements to get a personalized recommendation on the right SOC 2 audit path.

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Type I vs Type II: What Is the Difference?

SOC 2 Type I evaluates whether your security controls are properly designed at a specific point in time. Type II goes further by testing whether those controls actually operated effectively over a review period of 3 to 12 months. Both produce a formal report from a licensed CPA firm, but they serve different purposes at different stages of your compliance journey.

Think of Type I as a snapshot and Type II as a video. The snapshot proves you built the right controls. The video proves they actually work over time. Enterprise buyers increasingly want the video.

When Type I Makes Sense

Type I is the right starting point when you need a SOC 2 report quickly to close a deal, when you are pursuing SOC 2 for the first time, or when your budget is constrained. A Type I audit can be completed in as few as 4 to 8 weeks with proper preparation. It gives prospects confidence that your controls are designed correctly, even without the longer observation period.

Many startups and growth-stage companies begin with Type I to unblock sales cycles, then transition to Type II during the following year. This staged approach balances speed with long-term credibility.

When to Go Straight to Type II

If your prospects explicitly require Type II, if you have an existing security program, or if you have 6 or more months before your deadline, going directly to Type II saves money by avoiding the cost of two separate audits. The observation period runs while your team operates normally, and the resulting report is valid for 12 months.

Hicomply supports both Type I and Type II audits with automated evidence collection, continuous control monitoring, and 75+ integrations. Organizations are typically audit-ready in 8-12 weeks. Plans start from $6,995 per year with unlimited users.

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Frequently Asked Questions

What is the difference between SOC 2 Type 1 and Type 2?

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