SOC 2 vs. SOC 3: What’s the difference?

If you’re comparing SOC 2 vs. SOC 3, you’re usually trying to answer one practical question: what type of assurance will customers accept—and what can we actually share?

You’ve heard about SOC reports, and you know there are three of them: SOC 1, SOC 2, and SOC 3. In this post, we’ll set SOC 1 aside and focus on the differences and similarities between SOC 2 vs. SOC 3—what each report includes, how it’s used, and when it’s worth doing both.

This guide covers:

SOC 2 and SOC 3 definitions (and what they have in common)
What a SOC 3 report is—and what it leaves out
The difference between SOC 2 and SOC 3 in practice (detail, audience, sharing rules)
How to decide which report your buyers actually need
How SecureSlate helps you prep for SOC 2 with less manual evidence chase

When you realize “just send the SOC report” is not that simple

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Key takeaways

SOC 2 and SOC 3 come from the same underlying criteria. Both are built around the AICPA’s Trust Services Criteria and are used by companies that handle customer data.
SOC 2 is the detailed, restricted report. It’s usually shared under NDA with customers, prospects, and partners who need specifics.
SOC 3 is the “public-safe” summary. It’s derived from SOC 2, is much less detailed, and is designed to be shared publicly (e.g., on your website).
If enterprise deals are on the line, expect SOC 2 requests. SOC 3 can help for marketing and early-stage trust signals, but many buyers will still ask for SOC 2.
Your decision should be driven by buyer requirements, not labels. The best “right” report is the one your customers will accept and your team can maintain without last-minute scrambles.

SOC 2 vs. SOC 3 (definitions)

SOC 2 and SOC 3 audit and reporting standards are established by the American Institute of CPAs (AICPA). Both report types assess and document an organization’s verified security practices and are commonly used by service organizations (especially SaaS and cloud providers) that handle customer data.

SOC 2 defines criteria for managing customer data based on five Trust Services Criteria categories:

Security
Availability
Processing Integrity
Confidentiality
Privacy

All SOC 2 reports include Security. The other categories are selected based on what you commit to (and what your customers expect).

To complete a SOC 2, your organization’s controls are reviewed and tested by an independent CPA firm (or practitioner) that is authorized to perform these engagements.

Where SOC 2 and SOC 3 diverge is not the criteria—it’s the level of detail and how the report can be shared.

What is a SOC 3 report?

A SOC 3 report is developed from the same audit process that yields a SOC 2 report, but it is significantly more summarized.

When people describe the difference between SOC 3 vs SOC 2, a helpful mental model is:

SOC 2: “Here’s what we did, what was tested, and the results—enough detail for a sophisticated customer security review.”
SOC 3: “Here’s a high-level statement that we completed an assessment against the Trust Services Criteria—appropriate for broad sharing.”

Importantly, a SOC 3 is generally prepared only after a SOC 2 exists, because it is derived from the underlying SOC 2 work.

Because SOC 3 is designed for general distribution, companies can post it publicly and use it in sales and marketing contexts without exposing sensitive operational details.

SOC 2 vs. SOC 3 at a glance (table)

Category	SOC 2	SOC 3
What it is	Detailed assurance report based on Trust Services Criteria	Public, general-use summary derived from SOC 2
Level of detail	High (systems, controls, testing approach, results)	Low (summary-level; no sensitive testing detail)
Who it’s for	Customer security teams, procurement, auditors, partners	Broad audiences: prospects, website visitors, marketing
Sharing	Typically shared under NDA / restricted distribution	Generally safe to share publicly
Do you need SOC 2 first?	N/A	Yes, usually derived from SOC 2 work
Why teams get it	To pass vendor due diligence and close enterprise deals	To signal trust publicly without revealing sensitive info

The difference between SOC 2 and SOC 3

SOC 2 and SOC 3 reports are both reports about controls related to security and trust, but they serve different business purposes. Here are the practical differences that matter when customers ask for “the SOC report.”

Level of detail and sharing restrictions

SOC 2 reports include detailed information about your systems and controls, and the use of these reports is usually restricted. Most companies share their SOC 2 with customers and prospects under NDA.

SOC 2 reports generally aren’t posted publicly, because they can include sensitive descriptions of your environment, processes, and test results—information a security team may need, but the general public shouldn’t.

SOC 3 reports are designed for public distribution. They’re a summary that avoids sensitive system detail and the specifics of control testing.

Intended audience (who uses each report)

Many enterprise buyers will request SOC 2 because it gives their security reviewers enough context to evaluate risk (and to satisfy internal procurement requirements).

SOC 3 is more commonly used as:

A trust-building artifact on a website
A first-touch document a salesperson can send early in a deal
A “proof we’ve been assessed” signal for non-technical stakeholders

How SOC 2 and SOC 3 are created

The audit effort is similar because SOC 3 comes from the same underlying work. Practically:

You complete a SOC 2 engagement with an independent auditor.
The SOC 3 is then prepared as a summarized report based on the SOC 2 results.

This is why teams often treat SOC 3 as an “add-on” once SOC 2 is done.

Price difference of SOC 2 vs SOC 3

Cost is always a consideration when you decide which assurance reports to pursue.

The price of both a SOC 2 and a SOC 3 report will vary based on scope and complexity, but costs are often similar because the audit steps are similar. In many cases, if you’re already doing SOC 2, you can request a SOC 3 from the same auditor for an added fee.

Who can perform SOC 2 vs SOC 3 reports?

Both SOC 2 and SOC 3 reports must be prepared by an AICPA-authorized CPA firm/practitioner that is independent of your organization. Many firms offer both reports, which makes it operationally easy to produce SOC 3 after SOC 2.

Which one do you need: SOC 2 or SOC 3?

This decision is less about “which is better” and more about “which will satisfy your buyers and stakeholders.”

Common scenarios (when customers ask for SOC 2 vs SOC 3)

Your buyer has a formal security review process: expect a SOC 2 request (often a hard requirement).
You’re early in a deal and want to build confidence fast: SOC 3 can help as a lightweight trust artifact.
Your audience is non-technical: SOC 3 may be easier to understand and circulate internally.
You’re building inbound trust (website-driven leads, self-serve buyers): SOC 3 is more useful because it can be public.

A simple decision framework

Use this quick rubric:

If your customers’ security teams need to evaluate control design and testing results, prioritize SOC 2.
If you want a public trust signal without exposing operational detail, add a SOC 3 after SOC 2.
If you’re unsure, ask your top 10 target customers (or your current pipeline) what they accept—and design your reporting around real buyer requirements.

Looking to automate SOC 2 audit prep?

Whether you ultimately share SOC 2, SOC 3, or both, the underlying work is the same: you need controls operating reliably, owners assigned, and evidence that doesn’t turn into a last-minute scramble.

SecureSlate helps teams streamline SOC 2 readiness by:

Centralizing control ownership and accountability
Automating evidence collection where it’s practical (so you’re not living in screenshots)
Keeping policies, training, risk reviews, and access reviews organized for auditors
Packaging audit-ready artifacts to reduce back-and-forth during fieldwork

If you’re preparing for SOC 2 and want to reduce manual audit prep, request a demo or start exploring the product.

Frequently asked questions (SOC 2 vs. SOC 3)

Is SOC 3 “easier” than SOC 2?

It’s easier to share (because it’s designed for public distribution), but it usually isn’t “easier” to obtain because it’s derived from the same underlying SOC 2 engagement.

Can I get a SOC 3 without a SOC 2?

In practice, companies typically produce SOC 3 from a SOC 2 report and the underlying audit work. If a vendor says they can provide SOC 3 without SOC 2 work, confirm exactly what engagement and criteria they mean.

Why do customers ask for SOC 2 instead of SOC 3?

Because SOC 2 is more detailed. Customers’ security teams often need specifics about controls, testing, and results to satisfy internal risk review requirements.

Should we publish our SOC 2 report publicly?

Typically, no. SOC 2 reports are commonly shared under NDA due to their level of system and testing detail. If you want a public artifact, SOC 3 is usually the better fit.

Does SOC 3 replace SOC 2?

Usually not. SOC 3 can be a helpful public signal, but many enterprise customers still require SOC 2 for vendor due diligence.

Disclaimer (legal note)

This post is for general informational purposes and does not constitute legal, audit, or professional advice. SOC engagements must be performed by qualified independent practitioners, and requirements may vary by auditor, scope, and risk profile. Always consult your auditor and counsel for guidance.