Comparison
SOC 2 vs HITRUST
For SaaS, health tech and service companies deciding which security report to pursue. SOC 2 is an attestation report from a CPA firm; HITRUST is a certification based on the HITRUST CSF. This page compares issuers, options, buyers and validity so you can choose.
Reviewed by Santhosh Kapalavai, CISA, CISM, CCISO, HITRUST CCSFP, CHQP, ISO/IEC 27001 Lead Auditor
Side-by-side comparison
| SOC 2 | HITRUST | |
|---|---|---|
| What it is | Attestation report on controls against the AICPA Trust Services Criteria | Certification against the HITRUST CSF control framework |
| Who issues it | A licensed CPA firm | HITRUST, after an authorized External Assessor validates your controls |
| Options | Type 1 (design at a point in time) or Type 2 (operation over a period) | e1, i1 or r2 assessments with increasing rigor |
| Control set | Your own controls mapped to the criteria you choose | Prescriptive HITRUST requirements, tailored by scope and risk factors in r2 |
| Common buyers | SaaS and technology customers across industries | Healthcare organizations, health plans and health tech buyers |
| Validity | Usually refreshed every year | e1 and i1 for one year; r2 for two years with an interim assessment |
Questions buyers ask
Neither is better in general; the right choice depends on what your customers ask for. Healthcare buyers often prefer HITRUST, while most technology buyers accept SOC 2.
No. SOC 2 is an attestation report issued by a CPA firm. HITRUST, by contrast, issues a certification after its quality review.
Yes. Many controls overlap, and HITRUST offers a combined approach with some SOC 2 reporting. We map one control set to both so evidence is reused.
A HITRUST r2 usually takes longer than a SOC 2 Type 1 because of its larger control set and quality review. An e1 or i1 can be closer to SOC 2 timelines.
Not always. HIPAA does not require any certification, but many healthcare customers use HITRUST to assess vendors. Ask your customers which report they accept.