GRC SOFTWARE COMPARISON
Compare policies, risks, evidence, AI governance and the cost of running your programme. ISMS.online’s documented focus is structured management systems and guidance; Defensiq connects GRC records with AI inventory, assessments and human reviews.
Prepared by Defensiq from product documentation and linked official sources. This dated comparison is not an independent product test; confirm current availability and pricing with each vendor.
FUNCTIONALITY, SIDE BY SIDE
Product-level capabilities; availability varies by plan and configuration. “Confirm with vendor” means the reviewed material does not establish the requested scope.
Showing Defensiq alongside ISMS.online.
| What matters to your team | DefensiqOUR PLATFORMConnected GRC work and AI reviews | ISMS.onlineStructured management systems and guidance |
|---|---|---|
| Commercial model | ||
| PricingWhat is the charging model? | Scope varies14-day GRC trial + free AI plan Open sign-up. GRC has a 14-day trial; AI Governance Free is free forever within basic limits. Paid GRC plans and add-ons are quoted for your scope. Product details | |
| DeploymentWho operates the platform? | Scope variesHosted application Confirm hosting and processing terms for your organisation. Self-hosting is not an advertised offer here. Product details | Confirm with vendorConfirm deployment requirements Ask for hosting, residency and organisational requirements in the quote. Source |
| Running the programme | ||
| Frameworks & controlsHow are requirements organised? | Scope variesScope, implementation & assurance Selected ISO 27001, SOC 2, GDPR and other content; editions and coverage vary. Custom requirements supported. Product details | Scope variesMultiple management-system standards Select starting frameworks; additional standards are optional. Source |
| Policy managementHow are policies maintained? | DocumentedDraft through acknowledgement Reviews, approvals, publication, version history and employee acknowledgements. Product details | Scope variesPolicies, controls & distribution Policy Packs for distribution are an optional extra. Source |
| Risk & treatmentHow does an assessment lead to action? | DocumentedAssessment, treatment & acceptance Owners, linked actions, acceptance rationale, validity and review dates. Product details | |
| Assets & business contextWhat can the team keep track of? | DocumentedAssets, services & dependencies Maintained records connect business context with risks and supporting work. Product details | DocumentedInformation asset management Asset inventory and links to risks, policies and controls. Source |
| Supplier riskHow are third parties reviewed? | Scope variesSupplier add-on Profiles, offerings, onboarding risk proposals and links to assets. Eligible base plan required. Product details | |
| Incidents & continuityWhat supports response and recovery planning? | Scope variesIncident and continuity records Incidents, business impact, recovery plans and exercises. Access depends on plan and capabilities. Product details | Scope variesBusiness continuity offering ISO 22301 is an optional standard; confirm the required workflow. Source |
| Evidence and oversight | ||
| Evidence collectionWhat is uploaded, connected or automated? | Scope variesUpload, link & review User-managed evidence. Broad automatic collection through provider connectors is not claimed. Product details | Scope variesIntegrations & work tracking Ready-made integrations and API options connect documents and operational records; check each connector’s scope. Source |
| Reporting & auditWhat supports a review? | Scope variesReports and scoped audit preparation Snapshots, management outputs and audit records. Relevant modules and access required. Product details | Scope variesStructured review & audit preparation Management-system content and support; confirm outputs for your standard. Source |
| AI governanceHow is the organisation’s use of AI governed? | Scope variesFree forever; Advanced review workflow Free-forever basic inventory and assessments, within usage limits. Advanced human decisions, controls and evidence need Business/Enterprise + AI add-on. Product details | Scope variesISO 42001 management system AI policies, risks, controls, impact assessments and supplier links; confirm package. Source |
| Customer trust portalCan customers review assurance information? | Confirm with vendorConfirm external sharing scope Scoped project auditor access is described. A complete customer trust portal is not offered in this comparison. Product details | Confirm with vendorConfirm customer portal scope Request a demonstration of external assurance sharing. Source |
What is the charging model?
Open sign-up. GRC has a 14-day trial; AI Governance Free is free forever within basic limits. Paid GRC plans and add-ons are quoted for your scope.
Product detailsWho operates the platform?
Confirm hosting and processing terms for your organisation. Self-hosting is not an advertised offer here.
Product detailsAsk for hosting, residency and organisational requirements in the quote.
SourceHow are requirements organised?
Selected ISO 27001, SOC 2, GDPR and other content; editions and coverage vary. Custom requirements supported.
Product detailsSelect starting frameworks; additional standards are optional.
SourceHow are policies maintained?
Reviews, approvals, publication, version history and employee acknowledgements.
Product detailsPolicy Packs for distribution are an optional extra.
SourceHow does an assessment lead to action?
Owners, linked actions, acceptance rationale, validity and review dates.
Product detailsWhat can the team keep track of?
Maintained records connect business context with risks and supporting work.
Product detailsAsset inventory and links to risks, policies and controls.
SourceHow are third parties reviewed?
Profiles, offerings, onboarding risk proposals and links to assets. Eligible base plan required.
Product detailsWhat supports response and recovery planning?
Incidents, business impact, recovery plans and exercises. Access depends on plan and capabilities.
Product detailsISO 22301 is an optional standard; confirm the required workflow.
SourceWhat is uploaded, connected or automated?
User-managed evidence. Broad automatic collection through provider connectors is not claimed.
Product detailsReady-made integrations and API options connect documents and operational records; check each connector’s scope.
SourceWhat supports a review?
Snapshots, management outputs and audit records. Relevant modules and access required.
Product detailsManagement-system content and support; confirm outputs for your standard.
SourceHow is the organisation’s use of AI governed?
Free-forever basic inventory and assessments, within usage limits. Advanced human decisions, controls and evidence need Business/Enterprise + AI add-on.
Product detailsAI policies, risks, controls, impact assessments and supplier links; confirm package.
SourceCan customers review assurance information?
Scoped project auditor access is described. A complete customer trust portal is not offered in this comparison.
Product detailsRequest a demonstration of external assurance sharing.
SourceMAKE THE DEMO USEFUL
Ask both teams to follow the same requirement or risk from its owner through evidence, review and follow-up. Check what your people can do in the proposed plan.
YOUR NEXT STEP
Bring a real workflow and the records your team needs to manage. Confirm the scope, plan and available modules in a focused demo.
