Agency vs Vanta, answered
The questions buyers ask most when weighing operated compliance against DIY GRC software.
What is the difference between Agency and Vanta?
Vanta is compliance automation software your own team configures and operates. Agency is a managed service — U.S.-based forward-deployed engineers and AI implement controls, collect evidence, and run monitoring for you, on top of Vanta, Drata, or your existing stack.
Is Agency better than Vanta?
Agency and Vanta solve different problems. Vanta is better for teams that want low-cost software to run compliance themselves. Agency is better for teams that want the program operated for them by forward-deployed engineers across SOC 2, ISO 27001, HIPAA, and CMMC.
Can Agency replace Vanta?
Agency does not replace Vanta — Agency operates on top of it. Agency is platform-agnostic, with deep expertise in both Vanta and Drata, so clients keep their existing GRC tool while Agency runs the control implementation, evidence collection, and audit coordination.
Is Agency cheaper than Vanta?
Vanta's software subscription is lower-cost on its own, but it leaves the work to your team. Agency is a managed service that bundles the platform with the people running it, and the average Agency client saves over 200 hours and $100K in engineering and compliance time per year.
Who should use Vanta instead of Agency?
Vanta is the better fit for early-stage teams that want low-cost, self-serve compliance automation software and have in-house engineers with the time and expertise to run the program themselves. Agency is for teams that want that program operated for them.
Does Agency work with Vanta?
Yes. Agency is a top-ranked Vanta partner; our forward-deployed engineers and AI work directly inside Vanta — no rip-and-replace and no migration. Agency also supports Drata, CrowdStrike, and the rest of your stack, bringing down the all-in cost of whichever GRC platform you use.
Does Agency include a virtual CISO and penetration testing?
Yes. Agency includes virtual CISO coverage, control implementation, evidence collection, continuous monitoring, vendor risk management, and penetration testing as one operated program. With Vanta, those services are typically sourced separately through its partner marketplace.
Is Agency a Vanta alternative?
Not in the usual sense. Agency isn't a rival GRC tool you swap Vanta for — it's a managed layer that runs on top of Vanta or Drata. You keep the platform; Agency's forward-deployed engineers and AI operate it for you, implementing controls, collecting evidence, and running monitoring.
Do I still need a compliance team if I use Vanta?
With Vanta alone, effectively yes — the software flags gaps, but your team still implements controls, collects evidence, and preps audits. With Agency, forward-deployed engineers and AI do that work for you, so you get the full program without hiring the headcount.
