Agency vs GRC software — managed compliance, not another tool
Vanta, Drata, and Secureframe sell software your team operates. Agency sells the outcome: U.S.-based forward-deployed engineers and proprietary AI that run your entire compliance program on top of the GRC platform you already use.
Trusted by Thousands, Partnered With The Industry's Elite
Who runs the program is the deciding factor.
Compare · Agency vs GRC software
Compare Agency to your GRC platform
Pick your platform to see the side-by-side breakdown — what you get, who does the work, and what it costs
Operated compliance vs DIY GRC software, at a glance
The per-platform pages add the vendor-specific detail
The deciding factor isn't which tool — it's whether you run the program or have it run for you.
| Capability | Agency | DIY GRC software (Vanta / Drata / Secureframe) |
|---|---|---|
| Delivery model | Operated service + AI | Self-serve software |
| Who does the work | Forward-deployed U.S. engineers + AI | Your team or fractional hires |
| Control implementation | Done for you | DIY templates & checklists |
| Evidence collection | Collected, monitored, remediated | Automated capture, you operate it |
| Virtual CISO & penetration testing | Included | Add-on / partner marketplace |
| Works with your GRC tool | Runs on top of Vanta, Drata, Secureframe | It is the tool |
| Multi-framework (SOC 2, ISO 27001, HIPAA, CMMC) | Run in parallel | Per-framework config you manage |
| Best for | Teams that want it run for them | Teams that run it themselves |
What the operated model delivers
Agency runs your GRC platform so it actually pays off
Managed compliance vs GRC software, answered
The questions buyers ask when deciding between operating a GRC tool themselves and having the program run for them
Plain-English buyer's guides and step-by-step readiness checklists, from the team that runs compliance end-to-end for 1,000+ companies.
AI-Powered
Managed compliance, not another tool.
U.S.-based forward-deployed engineers and proprietary AI run your entire compliance program on top of the GRC platform you already use.
Talk to a compliance engineerTop-ranked Vanta & Drata partner · 1,000+ companies served since 2021 · 4.9/5 on G2
Platform Products
Agency AIEnd-to-end cybersecurity and compliance, across the stack you already use.
GRC IntegrationsEngineer-operated GRC platform integration
CustodyIDIdentity verification for trust and compliance
Find your auditor
Auditnex makes buying audits simpler and more transparent.
Agency implements the controls, collects the evidence, and manages your auditor relationship on top of the GRC tools you already use.
Common GRC Questions
GRC Platform & Virtual CISO FAQ
Answers to common questions about managed compliance vs GRC software — and what a virtual CISO actually does for your program.
More from Agency
Build a Security & Compliance Team Led by Your Own Virtual CISO
Forward-Deployed Engineers + AI that lower costs, increase velocity, and raise the bar — from policy to audit to remediation. U.S.-based forward-deployed engineers, supercharged by proprietary AI, operate your program end-to-end — on top of the tools you already trust.
Talk to an ExpertAutomation ends where judgment begins.