Top 10 GRC Tools

If you’re running a SaaS company, you’ve probably already felt the headache of security compliance and risk management. From SOC 2 and ISO 27001 to HIPAA, GDPR, and now even AI governance frameworks like the EU AI Act and ISO 42001, it’s safe to say there’s a lot to manage.

The good news? You don’t have to tackle it alone. That’s where GRC tools come in. These governance, risk, and compliance solutions (aka GRC software) are designed to take the chaos out of compliance and turn it into something manageable – dare I say, even easy.

Before we dive into the top 10 GRC tools, let’s quickly look at what they are and why your business needs one.

What are GRC Tools?

Think of GRC tools as your ultimate compliance partner. Instead of manually gathering compliance evidence, tracking policies, and nervously prepping for third-party audits, these powerful tools handle all the heavy lifting for you.

At their core, Governance, Risk, and Compliance (GRC) tools:

• Track all your GRC controls and centralize compliance data and documents in one place
• Automate critical GRC tasks like evidence collection, user access reviews, vendor risk management, and more.
• Alert you when GRC requirements change, so you’re always one step ahead
• Continuously monitor risks and compliance progress in real-time, giving you full visibility 24/7
• Map controls across multiple frameworks to keep things organized and reduce duplicate efforts
• Help your team stay aligned and audit-ready 24/7, all while fostering seamless collaboration
• Enable you to showcase your company’s security and compliance posture through a powerful, customizable Trust Center

Whether you’re a fast-growing startup new to compliance or a well-established enterprise juggling multiple frameworks, if you’re still managing GRC processes through endless email threads and Google Sheets, you’re making life harder than it needs to be. 

GRC tools make it easier and more efficient to streamline these tasks, ensuring all key GRC-related activities are managed effortlessly, while allowing your team to focus on what matters most: scaling your business and driving real value for your customers and partners.

💡 Want a deeper dive into what GRC is all about? Check out The Ultimate Guide to GRC Compliance.

10 Best GRC Tools

Ready to find the perfect GRC solution? Here’s our curated list of the top 10 GRC tools to help you streamline compliance, reduce risk, and drive efficiency in your business.

1. Scytale

Scytale is a leading GRC tool designed for SaaS companies – from startups to enterprises – to simplify compliance across 30+ security and privacy frameworks like SOC 2, ISO 27001, and GDPR. Its all-in-one, AI-powered compliance automation platform streamlines critical GRC processes, including evidence collection, continuous monitoring, risk assessments, vendor risk management, and multi-framework cross-mapping, while offering a fully customizable Trust Center. 

With 100+ integrations, GRC experts guiding you every step of the way, and support from Scy, Scytale’s unique next-gen AI GRC Agent, businesses can reduce manual efforts, minimize risk, stay audit-ready, and move forward with confidence – making Scytale the perfect solution for fast, efficient, and scalable GRC management.

(Screenshot from Scytale’s website)

2. Diligent One

Diligent One is designed for enterprise-grade governance, centralizing risk, compliance, and audit management into a single platform. It’s a strong choice for businesses navigating complex regulations, such as those in healthcare or finance. However, for smaller teams, its enterprise focus may feel overwhelming, with a more complex setup than needed for simpler compliance needs.

(Screenshot from Diligent One’s website)

3. MetricStream

MetricStream is a trusted solution for large enterprises, excelling in regulatory change management and a wide range of risk management frameworks. While it’s ideal for large organizations, smaller SaaS teams may find it overly complex and feature-heavy for their needs.

(Screenshot from MetricStream’s website)

4. ServiceNow GRC

ServiceNow’s GRC module seamlessly integrates with your IT operations, making it a great option for organizations already using ServiceNow. However, for those not already invested in the platform, it may feel like an unnecessary layer, with the cost and effort of implementation not always justifying the benefits.

(Screenshot from ServiceNow GRC’s website)

5. Onspring

Onspring stands out for its flexibility, allowing businesses to fully customize workflows for risk assessments and audits. While this level of control is ideal for larger teams, it can be time-consuming to set up and may require more resources than smaller teams are equipped to handle.

(Screenshot from Onspring’s website)

6. StandardFusion

StandardFusion is a lightweight, cloud-based GRC tool ideal for smaller businesses. It’s easy to use and focuses on the essentials, but its simplicity might leave scale-ups, larger organizations, or those with complex GRC requirements wanting more depth.

(Screenshot from StandardFusion’s website)

7. Miratech

Miratech’s scalable, cloud-native GRC solutions seamlessly integrate risk management with performance monitoring, making it ideal for companies aiming to align compliance with broader business goals. However, if you’re seeking a more straightforward compliance tool, its emphasis on performance and broader risk management might feel excessive.

(Screenshot from Miratech’s website)

8. Isora GRC

Isora shines in managing vendor risk and IT security compliance. Its specialized focus makes it a solid choice for companies needing to address specific risks, but it may not provide the breadth needed for organizations seeking a more comprehensive GRC solution.

(Screenshot from Isora GRC’s website)

9. Resolver

Resolver provides an easy-to-use platform for incident management and risk assessments, perfect for businesses that need to manage risks and incidents quickly. However, it might not offer the full range of tools needed for teams looking for complete GRC management.

(Screenshot from Resolver’s website)

10. IBM OpenPages

IBM OpenPages is a popular, enterprise-level GRC solution with AI-driven insights for large organizations. While it’s excellent for complex needs, startups and smaller businesses may find it too intricate and expensive for what they require.

(Screenshot from IBM OpenPages’ website)

Summary: Top GRC Tools for Startups, SMBs, and Enterprises

Tool	Best For	Strengths
Scytale	Startups to enterprises	Comprehensive framework coverage, AI-powered automation, seamless integrations, AI GRC agent, expert guidance, seamless scalability
Diligent One	Enterprises with complex regulatory requirements	Enterprise-grade governance, centralized risk, compliance, and audit management
MetricStream	Large organizations	Regulatory change management, complex risk frameworks, and feature-rich for large enterprises
ServiceNow GRC	IT-heavy companies	Seamless IT integration, workflow automation, ideal for organizations already using ServiceNow
Onspring	Flexible teams	High configurability, fully customizable workflows for risk assessments and audits
StandardFusion	SMBs	Lightweight, easy-to-use, cloud-based solution, focusing on essentials for smaller businesses
Miratech	Companies aligning compliance with key business objectives	Risk management and performance monitoring integration, scalable and cloud-native
Isora GRC	IT & vendor risk management	Specialized in vendor risk and IT security compliance, ideal for businesses needing to address specific risks
Resolver	Businesses needing fast incident management	User-friendly incident management, risk assessments, suitable for quick risk management but not full GRC
IBM OpenPages	Enterprises	AI-driven insights, scalability, comprehensive solution for complex organizational needs

Choosing the Best GRC Tool for Your Business

So, the million-dollar question: how do you choose the right GRC tool? Here are some key factors to consider:

• Size of Your Team: Do you have in-house compliance experts, or are you starting from scratch? Some tools offer more hands-on support, which can be particularly helpful for smaller teams or startups.
  
• Frameworks You Need: Are you tackling SOC 2, HIPAA, GDPR, CCPA, or multiple frameworks? Choose a GRC tool that covers all the essential standards and regulations for your business and its target customers. Bonus points if the tool supports multi-framework cross-mapping, simplifying compliance across various frameworks and saving you time and effort.
  
• Budget and Scalability: Consider both your budget and growth potential. Some tools are tailored for startups and scale alongside your business, while others are built exclusively for large enterprises. The best tools (hint: Scytale) evolve with your business, no matter where you are in your business lifecycle.
  
• Expert Guidance: Tackling GRC can be daunting. If you need more than just software, choose GRC automation platforms that go beyond the basics – offering enhanced efficiency and tailored expert support to guide you every step of the way.

Mastering GRC for Long-Term Compliance and Success

Your compliance journey doesn’t end after the first audit, it’s just the beginning. GRC is all about maintaining continuous compliance, managing risk effectively, and staying ahead of the curve. With the right GRC tool and expert support, you can streamline workflows, stay on track, and optimize your processes with ease.

Remember, measuring the success of your efforts with the right GRC metrics is crucial for gathering actionable insights and advancing your program to the next level.

And that’s a wrap! We’ve covered the top 10 GRC tools you need to know. Whether you’re tackling your first SOC 2 audit or or planning a long-term compliance strategy, choosing the right solution is essential for staying on top of evolving GRC requirements and being prepared for whatever lies ahead.

💡To learn how to scale your GRC efforts as your business grows, check out our latest eBook: Beyond Your First Audit: The Go-To Checklist For Scaling Your GRC Program.

FAQs about Top GRC Tools