Framework comparison · Free audit on each

PCI DSS vs SOC 2

If you take card payments AND sell to enterprises, you need both. PCI DSS is prescriptive (12 numbered requirements applied to a defined CDE); SOC 2 is principles-based (Trust Service Criteria with auditor judgment). Most fintechs do both. Side-by-side + free audit for each.

Free PCI DSS v4.0.1 audit →Free SOC 2 audit →

Side-by-side

DimensionPCI DSS v4.0.1SOC 2
Full namePayment Card Industry Data Security Standard v4.0.1System and Organization Controls 2 (AICPA TSC 2017)
JurisdictionGlobal — anyone storing/processing/transmitting cardholder dataUS-anchored, global enterprise SaaS
Who must complyAny merchant (Levels 1–4) or service provider that touches the PANAny SaaS / service organization selling to enterprises
EnforcerAcquiring bank + card brands (Visa, Mastercard, Amex, Discover, JCB)AICPA-licensed CPA firm (attestation)
Max fine / exposure$5K–$100K/month from acquirer + $5–$90/card breach assessmentsNo regulatory fine — but lost enterprise deals (62% require)
Certification modelRoC (Report on Compliance — Level 1, QSA-led) or SAQ (self-assessment, Levels 2–4)Type 1 (design) or Type 2 (operating effectiveness over 3–12mo)
CadenceQuarterly ASV scans + annual assessment + ongoing controlsType 2 continuous observation period, refreshed annually
Top required clauses
  • Network segmentation + firewall ruleset review every 6 months (Req. 1)
  • PAN unreadable wherever stored (Req. 3)
  • MFA for ALL access into the CDE — not just admin (Req. 8, v4.0)
  • Quarterly external ASV scans + annual pen test (Req. 11)
  • Information security policy + annual risk analysis (Req. 12)
  • Logical access control + least privilege (CC6.1)
  • MFA for all privileged access (CC6.6)
  • Change management with separation of duties (CC8.1)
  • Vendor / sub-processor inventory + review (CC9.2)
  • Logging + monitoring + audit trails (CC7.2)
Deep diveFull PCI DSS v4.0.1 guide →Full SOC 2 guide →

Where they overlap — ~55%

If you already implement these for one framework, ~55% of the work for the other is already done.

✓Access control + MFA + least privilege
✓Change management
✓Vendor risk management
✓Encryption in transit + at rest
✓Logging + monitoring + audit retention
✓Incident response procedure
✓Vulnerability management + patching cadence
✓Security awareness training
✓Annual policy review

Where they diverge

Unique to PCI DSS v4.0.1

  • Cardholder Data Environment (CDE) scoping diagram + asset inventory
  • PAN truncation / masking / tokenization requirements
  • Quarterly external ASV scans (Approved Scanning Vendor)
  • Annual penetration test + segmentation testing
  • Customized approach option requires Targeted Risk Analysis (TRA)
  • Payment-page script integrity monitoring (Req. 6.4.3, 11.6.1) — v4.0
  • Anti-phishing controls + DMARC (v4.0)
  • SAQ-A / B / C / D / P2PE-HW etc — type depends on payment architecture

Unique to SOC 2

  • Trust Service Criteria selectable: Security + optional Availability / Confidentiality / PI / Privacy
  • Auditor judgment-based — design + operating effectiveness
  • Service organization perspective with subservice org carve-out/inclusive method
  • Type 2 = continuous evidence over the audit window
  • Customer Trust Center / Vanta / Drata / Secureframe ecosystem
  • Report shareable under NDA — no public certificate
  • Broader scope: entire production environment + corporate IT, not just payments

Which one do I need?

Do you display Stripe Checkout / PayPal redirect — no card data ever touches your servers?

→ SOC 2

You're SAQ-A (lowest PCI tier) — vendor management + policy attestation only. SOC 2 is the meaningful effort.

Do you take cards directly via your own forms, IVR, POS, or call center?

→ PCI DSS v4.0.1

Full SAQ-D or RoC required. PCI is your top priority — segment the CDE tightly to minimize scope, then add SOC 2.

Are you a payments-adjacent SaaS (billing / subscription / invoicing) selling to enterprises?

→ PCI DSS v4.0.1 + SOC 2

PCI scope is unavoidable; SOC 2 is what enterprise procurement requires. Combined audits via firms like A-LIGN or Schellman save ~25%.

Are you a fintech / payment processor / acquirer?

→ PCI DSS v4.0.1 + SOC 2

PCI Level 1 RoC + SOC 1 + SOC 2 is the standard stack. Some also need ISO 27001 + PCI 3DS + PCI PIN.

Common pitfalls

Assuming SOC 2 covers payments

SOC 2 does NOT replace PCI. Acquirers will fine $5K–$100K/month and revoke processing privileges regardless of SOC 2 status.

MFA only for admins (PCI v4.0 broke this)

v4.0 mandates MFA for ALL access into the CDE — every individual user, not just sysadmins. Deadline already passed (March 31, 2025). SOC 2 lets you scope this; PCI does not.

Storing CVV/CVC2 anywhere — even encrypted

Req. 3.2 prohibits storing sensitive authentication data after authorization, period. Found in app logs, email order confirmations, and call recordings on most first-time audits.

FAQ

Can I use one auditor for both?

Yes — many QSAs are also AICPA-licensed for SOC 2. A-LIGN, Schellman, Coalfire, Truvantis offer combined engagements with shared evidence. Saves 20–30% vs separate audits.

Does reducing PCI scope help SOC 2?

Yes — scope reduction (tokenization, P2PE, full redirect) reduces both PCI and SOC 2 effort. Same network/access/logging controls cover both.

What's the cost stack?

SAQ-A self-assessment + SOC 2 Type 2: ~$30K–$60K/year. RoC (Level 1) + SOC 2 Type 2: ~$80K–$200K/year. Add ~$50K–$150K internal effort first time.

Audit your existing policy — free

Paste your current policy and get a clause-by-clause grade against either framework in 20 seconds. No signup. 3 audits/day.

Audit against PCI DSS v4.0.1 →Audit against SOC 2 →