How to choose the best compliance automation software (+ top examples)
At a glance
Compliance automation software varies widely—GRC suites and workflow platforms address different needs.
Key features to prioritize include audit trails, evidence validation, integrations, and human-in-the-loop workflows.
Frameworks like SOC 2, HIPAA, PCI DSS, and GDPR shape how industries approach automation and reporting.
Moxo combines secure collaboration, external reviewer workflows, and audit-ready dashboards to balance automation with oversight.
The category and where tools differ
The term compliance automation software is broad. Some tools are essentially document repositories, others are risk governance systems, and some orchestrate workflows across internal and external teams. Knowing the differences prevents costly misalignment.
Most tools fall into three categories:
- Documentation-driven tools: These store policies and checklists. They are inexpensive but provide limited automation.
- Evidence automation tools: These request files, send reminders, and centralize submissions. They are helpful but often rigid.
- Workflow orchestration platforms: These manage end-to-end compliance processes with automation and collaboration features.
Choosing the wrong type can slow compliance readiness. For example, a fintech company adopted a checklist tool for SOC 2, but manual chasing of vendor evidence still consumed weeks. Only after switching to orchestration software did they reduce audit prep time significantly.
Internal GRC suites vs external workflow orchestration
It is useful to distinguish between internal governance, risk, and compliance (GRC) suites and external workflow orchestration platforms.
Internal GRC suites
These tools prioritize governance and internal risk. They typically include control libraries, policy management, and risk registers. Their strengths are depth of internal oversight and multi-framework mapping. However, they are expensive, complex, and not optimized for vendor or client collaboration.
External workflow orchestration platforms
These focus on multi-party workflows that cross organizational boundaries. Features often include automated file requests, approvals, Magic Links for external contributors, and real-time dashboards. Their strengths are usability, collaboration, and faster audit prep cycles. Weaknesses may include fewer advanced governance features than enterprise GRC suites.
A healthcare provider illustrates this divide. Internal GRC software tracked HIPAA policies well but failed to streamline vendor BAAs. By adopting workflow orchestration, the hospital reduced delays by automating evidence requests with vendors.
Must-haves in compliance automation software and how Moxo fits
Every compliance automation software should deliver on several critical requirements.
Security and audit trails
Software must align with SOC 2 and GDPR, support role-based access, and enforce secure logins (SSO/SAML, MFA). Audit logs should be immutable and exportable.
How Moxo fits: Moxo provides enterprise-grade encryption, role-based access controls, SSO/SAML, MFA, and tamper-proof audit trails for every workflow action.
Human-in-the-loop workflows
Automation cannot replace human judgment. Manual approvals, escalations, and external reviewer participation are essential for nuance.
How Moxo fits: Moxo enables approvals, overrides, and external reviews through secure Magic Links, balancing automation with oversight.
Evidence collection and validation
Collecting and validating evidence is a major bottleneck. File requests should be automated, validated, and version-controlled.
How Moxo fits: Moxo automates file collection and leverages its AI Review Agent to confirm evidence completeness, reducing rework for compliance officers.
Integrations and collaboration
Compliance software must integrate with tools like DocuSign, Jumio, Stripe, CRMs, and DMS platforms. External collaboration should be seamless without complex logins.
How Moxo fits: Moxo integrates with leading systems and allows vendors or clients to submit documents securely using Magic Links.
Reporting and dashboards
Leadership needs visibility into compliance status. Dashboards should track completion rates, cycle times, bottlenecks, and SLA breaches.
How Moxo fits: Moxo provides customizable dashboards with real-time KPIs, escalation alerts, and exportable audit-ready reports.
Feature comparison: GRC suites vs workflow orchestration platforms
This comparison shows why many mid-market firms lean toward orchestration platforms. They achieve compliance faster without the overhead of full GRC deployments.
Examples by framework and industry
Frameworks shape automation needs differently across industries.
SOC 2 in financial services
SOC 2 requires evidence of security controls and operational processes. Automation ensures consistent vendor evidence collection and access reviews.
Case example: A fintech company used Moxo to automate vendor SOC 2 evidence requests. Reminders and escalations cut audit prep time by 50 percent.
HIPAA in healthcare
HIPAA compliance depends on strict data protection and vendor agreements. Manual tracking of policy acknowledgments often leads to missed deadlines.
Case example: A hospital automated policy acknowledgment workflows in Moxo. Staff received digital requests, signed electronically, and records were stored in audit trails, cutting administrative delays.
PCI DSS in retail and commerce
PCI compliance demands secure transaction monitoring and vendor certifications. Retailers often struggle with vendor evidence collection.
Case example: A retail chain integrated Moxo with Stripe. Vendor PCI certifications were collected through Magic Links, reducing onboarding delays by 40 percent.
GDPR in global business
GDPR emphasizes data subject requests, consent, and vendor compliance. Manual handling risks non-compliance penalties.
Case example: A SaaS company automated GDPR DSAR workflows in Moxo. Requests triggered evidence collection and approvals, with dashboards ensuring SLA deadlines were met.
Shortlist and next steps for buyers
Once you understand categories, must-haves, and frameworks, it is time to build a shortlist of potential compliance automation software vendors. Steps include:
Define essential requirements (audit trails, security, integrations, human oversight).
Research vendors: Use a combination of online search, industry reports, and peer recommendations to create a long list of potential vendors.
Request demos: Reach out to your top choices to schedule a product demonstration. Run a pilot workflow, such as evidence requests or access reviews. This is your chance to see the software in action and ask specific questions.
Run a trial or proof-of-concept (POC): Test the software with a small, controlled group of users to evaluate its functionality, usability, and fit with your existing workflows. Assess usability and vendor support through G2 reviews and onboarding tests.
Check references: Ask vendors for customer references and speak to them about their experiences with the product and the vendor's support.
Final selection: Based on your research, demos, and trials, make your final decision and begin contract negotiations.
The goal is not replacing humans but ensuring compliance is auditable, repeatable, and scalable. Platforms like Moxo are well-positioned for buyers who need both automation and external collaboration.
To see how Moxo aligns with your compliance goals, explore starter templates or book a demo.
Why Moxo
Moxo unifies workflow automation, secure client collaboration, and compliance governance into a single, intelligent platform. It replaces scattered tools and manual follow-ups with a structured system built for external orchestration.
With Moxo, teams can:
- Design no-code workflows for approvals, e-signatures, document collection, and policy or claims processes using the Flow Builder.
- Automate repetitive steps like reminders, escalations, and task routing through integrations with CRMs, policy admin systems, and verification tools.
- Enable secure participation for external users via magic links, allowing vendors, auditors, or clients to act without needing accounts.
- Maintain visibility and control with real-time dashboards that track cycle times, completion rates, and compliance metrics.
- Meet enterprise-grade standards with built-in security and audit trails, SOC 2 and GDPR compliance, role-based access, and encryption.
- Leverage AI (coming soon) to review documents, extract data, summarize workflows, and optimize processes proactively.
Ideal for organizations that need to coordinate across departments, vendors, and regulators, Moxo delivers a secure, mobile-first workspace that automates complex workflows while keeping humans in control of critical decisions.
Building the right compliance foundation
Selecting a compliance automation platform is more than a tactical choice. It shapes how you manage risk, prepare for audits, and scale operations. Traditional GRC tools help with governance and framework mapping, but workflow orchestration wins on collaboration, automation, and usability. For teams that must coordinate with vendors and external auditors, pair workflow design and controls with audit ready records. See how this looks with configurable workflows, enterprise security, and structured document collection
Moxo fits that need. Use Flow Builder to design approvals and escalations, manage evidence in the product with AI validation, invite externals through Magic Links, and keep every action in immutable audit trails for reporting. The result is a scalable, compliant foundation that reduces manual effort, shortens audits, and strengthens client and auditor trust.
Next step: define your must-haves, evaluate vendors, and trial workflows in real scenarios. Get started with Moxo’s templates, explore customer stories, or book a demo to build a scalable compliance foundation.
FAQs
What is compliance automation software and how does it differ from GRC platforms?
Compliance automation software streamlines tasks like evidence collection, approvals, and reporting. GRC platforms focus on governance, risk registers, and internal audit management. Moxo sits in the workflow orchestration space, emphasizing automation plus external collaboration through secure client portals.
Can compliance automation software support multiple frameworks like SOC 2 and HIPAA?
Yes. Moxo supports SOC 2, HIPAA, PCI DSS, and GDPR workflows by automating evidence requests, approvals, and SLA tracking. With built-in enterprise-grade security and flexible workflow templates, businesses can adapt processes across multiple compliance frameworks.
How does Moxo compare with traditional compliance tools?
Traditional GRC tools focus on internal governance. Moxo emphasizes automated workflows, external collaboration, AI validation, and robust security, making it easier to involve vendors, clients, and auditors in a streamlined process.
How quickly can organizations see ROI from compliance automation software?
ROI is often realized within the first audit cycle. Customers using Moxo have reported reducing audit preparation time by up to 50 percent. You can explore potential savings using the Moxo ROI Calculator.
What security features are essential in compliance automation software?
Look for SOC 2 alignment, GDPR readiness, role-based access, MFA/SSO, encryption, and immutable audit trails. Moxo includes all of these in its security framework to ensure audit readiness and data protection.
