10 Best Workiva Alternatives & Competitors In 2025

Workiva’s GRC platform combines governance, risk, and compliance workflows with up‑to‑the‑minute financial and sustainability data in a single secure environment.

The tool promises AI workflows to automate repetitive tasks, advanced dashboards, and the ability to map risks, controls, and policies to major standards.

However, some users of the platform are not satisfied with its significant investment required to get up and running, steep learning curve, and occasional bugs.

In this guide, I’ll go over the 10 best Workiva alternatives for GRC that can help you manage policies, track compliance efforts, and ensure regulatory alignment.

TL;DR

SmartSuite offers the best alternative to Workiva with its no-code automation builder, ready-to-use GRC templates, and customizable dynamic dashboards.
Enterprise-grade tools like AuditBoard and SAP GRC are ideal for large organizations that need audit-first or ERP-embedded GRC capabilities.
On the other hand, platforms like StandardFusion and Hyperproof can help smaller compliance teams automate evidence collection, streamline frameworks, and remain audit-ready without the complexity of an enterprise.

Before I start with the best tools on the market that you can use instead of Workiva, I wanted to go over some of the reasons why some compliance leaders have been looking to make the switch from the software: ⤵️

Why have some compliance leaders been looking to make the switch from Workiva?

The main reasons why some users have been looking to switch from Workiva include the fact that it requires a significant investment (both monetary and time) to get started with the platform, the complexity of learning how to use it effectively, and bugs.

But don’t get me wrong here, I’m not claiming that Workiva is a bad platform that you should run from.

Hundreds of satisfied users appreciate the platform’s capabilities to drive efficiency across testing, evidence collection, reporting, and risk assessments.

However, some users have been dissatisfied with the solution for several reasons: ⤵️

#1: The platform requires a significant investment to get up and running

According to G2 reviews, the platform takes approximately 4 months to implement with a 4/5 perceived cost.

This has resulted in some users of the platform mentioning that the platform has required them a significant investment to both buy and implement the software.

‘’The platform required significant investment and was difficult to implement.’’ – G2 Review.

#2: Steep learning curve

Next up, many users of the platform mention on G2 that it has taken them some time to get to know the platform so that they can best utilize it.

One reviewer mentions that it takes time to get to learn concepts like linking fields and building reports within the database, on top of giving users the correct roles and permissions.

‘’One drawback, however, is the initial learning curve — it takes time to become fully comfortable with the platform’s interface and functionality.’’ – G2 Review.

#3: Occasional bugs

Last but not least, some users of Workiva mention that they’ve experienced bugs that relate to link capabilities, formatting, task processes, and exporting.

According to one enterprise-grade customer of the solution, these bugs have been affecting their performance when they had to adhere to strict deadlines.

‘’Workiva can be very buggy. When it comes down to meeting our tight external reporting deadlines, it becomes very irritating to have to deal with glitches or bugs that affect performance.’’ – G2 Review.

What are the best alternatives to Workiva on the market in 2025?

Here are the 10 best Workiva alternatives for GRC that I shortlisted after evaluating 30+ platforms:

#1: SmartSuite: Best for banks and credit unions looking to launch GRC workflows in days and not months. Our software lets you manage policies, audits, risks, and compliance in a unified, customizable solution.

#2: AuditBoard: Best for audit and internal controls teams that need an enterprise-grade, audit-first GRC solution.

#3: SAP GRC: Best for large enterprises that want GRC embedded into ERP processes.

#4: ServiceNow: Best for organizations that already use ServiceNow and want GRC embedded into existing workflows.

#5: Diligent: Best for organizations that want board management tightly coupled with enterprise GRC and executive reporting.

#6: Onspring: Best for mid-market and enterprise teams who need flexibility and quick configuration without custom development.

#7: IBM OpenPages: Best for large enterprises that require scalable, AI-enabled GRC and deep analytics across many risk domains.

#8: SAI360: Best for organizations looking for a mature, integrated GRC platform with strong regulatory coverage and compliance features.

#9: StandardFusion: Best for small-to-mid-size organizations and compliance teams that want an easy, cost-effective GRC solution.

#10: Hyperproof: Best for security and compliance teams that need fast time-to-value for framework-driven audits.

#1: SmartSuite

SmartSuite offers the best Workiva alternative in 2025 with our modern, no-code GRC software that helps you simplify complex regulatory requirements.

Our GRC software helps banks and credit unions streamline and automate policy creation, approval, and control assessments, all in one place.

SmartSuite helps you move faster, manage policies smarter, and adapt easily, without having to sign up for multiple training sessions on how to use the platform.

💡 We have recently partnered with the Cyber Risk Institute to deliver a CRI profile for U.S. Banks' compliance needs.

Let’s go over the capabilities that make SmartSuite the best choice for compliance leaders looking to make the switch from Workiva: 👇

Comprehensive Governance, Risk & Compliance

Tools like Workiva make it so that GRC software can be accessible only to the biggest of companies, with its expensive and complex pricing structure.

However, we believe that compliance should be simple, automated, and accessible to all financial institutions, regardless of their size.

With our no-code, easy-to-use solution, you can automate all GRC processes with a start date next week and not next year.

SmartSuite helps you achieve and maintain compliance without the expense and complexity of adapting legacy GRC solutions like Workiva to accommodate new compliance requirements.

Here are the use cases that you’ll get with SmartSuite:

Create reports and dynamic dashboards: Your team can monitor executive views into your organization's overall risk profile with powerful charting and metrics widgets.

Collaborate and respond to risks in real-time: You can engage key stakeholders in a real-time discussion of potential threats or vulnerabilities.

Our tool will also provide you with instant updates when critical information becomes available.

Automate policy creation, real-time approval, and control assessments: Streamline risk management by building an integrated program on a single platform.
Keep risk and compliance data secure: Define your teams and manage access to information across all GRC practice areas.

Integrate with your existing systems and data to consolidate and centralize your data.

Automate for accuracy and efficiency to remove inefficiencies and the chance for human error by automating repeatable workflows.

SmartSuite's no-code automation builder provides you with a visual interface that makes it easy to respond to events and take action.

That means your compliance team can customize your GRC workflows without technical resources.

Monitor, measure and score: Create risk calculations and metrics to evaluate every aspect of risk.

Policy management: It’s possible to establish a strong foundation from the get-go with streamlined and flexible policy management.

Your team will be able to assign ownership, manage revisions, and ensure your policies consistently align with key business initiatives and regulatory requirements.

PSTOS Compliance Tracker: Designed for regulatory compliance and built on SmartSuite.

This solution focuses on data security as the core of compliance frameworks with services such as compliance readiness, virtual CISO, and IT security implementation.

Learn more about it from this webinar that we did on the topic:

Prioritize & Mitigate Risks

With SmartSuite, you can create a centralized risk register to effectively identify potential risks to your organization.

You will be able to properly assess threats and establish risk mitigation strategies inside SmartSuite.

The platform lets you ensure that the appropriate controls are in place and measure their effectiveness by evaluating risk indicators and displaying results in SmartSuite’s rollup reports and dashboards.

💡 Pro Tip: Teams that use our platform use automation to move tasks through defined workflow stages that comply with their policies and procedures.

We understand how crucial threat management is and the need to respond quickly to incidents.

SmartSuite lets you centralize incident response and threat mitigation by linking incidents to assets and organizational data to offer context during your investigations.

Your compliance team can also set up automation with our no-code automation builder to escalate critical events to make sure that your team is aware of active risks to your organization.

Out-of-the-box GRC Templates

We have a few GRC templates for compliance teams looking to get started right away, instead of building everything from scratch.

Our general risk management template includes:

Risk register, where you can break down the risks, the risk owner, the annual loss expectancy, risk event category, risk type, volatility, and status.

Issue assessments, where you’ll be able to see a comprehensive breakdown of each risk.

Action plans, where you can describe the actions (best practices) to mitigate the risks.

A separate tab for control standards, your findings, exception requests, risk assessment by type, and risk assessment issues.

You can customize our risk management template here.

Alternatively, check out and customize our 14 other risk management templates for various use cases, such as contract management, policy management, and incident management.

How is SmartSuite different from Workiva?

Workiva is an enterprise-grade, assurance-focused platform that emphasizes connected data, regulated reporting, auditability, and integrations for finance, audit, ESG and formal compliance workflows.

The platform is built for large organizations with complex regulatory and reporting requirements.

SmartSuite, on the other hand, is a flexible, no-code work management platform with ready-made GRC templates, fast setup, heavy customization, and built-in collaboration for teams that want to build a tailored GRC program quickly without heavy IT and/or consulting effort.

Unlike specialized tools like Workiva, SmartSuite offers a solution for compliance leaders with:

A modern software with an intuitive interface that does not confuse your team or require training.
An affordable and transparent pricing model with a generous free plan to help you get started.
Customizable reports and dashboards, where you can build custom reports for your GRC workflows.
Automated workflows that can help your team build multi-step automations to trigger actions at the right time.
Best-in-class customer support and account management will help your team with setting up the automation inside the platform.
Integrations with GRC platforms like Ascent, Bitsight, Black Kite, NetSkope, RapidRatings, Regology, Riskrecon, Secure Controls Framework, and Security Scorecard.

💡 Case Study: Learn how MediaLab transformed operations, minimized risk, and saved $40,000+ per year by cutting software costs.

Pricing

Unlike Workiva, SmartSuite offers a free-forever plan with access to 250+ automation actions, team collaboration, multi-dashboard views, and more.

There are four paid plans with a 14-day free trial (no CC required):

Team: Starts at $12/user per month, including Gantt charts, timeline views, 5000 automation runs, and native time tracking.
Professional: Starts at $30/user per month and adds two-factor authentication, Gmail & Outlook integrations, and unlimited editors.
Enterprise: Starts at $45/user/month and includes access to audit logs, data loss prevention, and 50,000 monthly API calls.
Signature: A custom plan tailored to your needs and team size with no predefined limits.

Pros & Cons

✅ A free-forever plan that includes access to advanced features of the tool for up to 5 solutions.

✅ 15 pre-built GRC templates for various use cases.

✅ Dynamic dashboards and reports that are easy to build and navigate, unlike some alternatives that require you to hire consultants to do it.

✅ All-in-one document and file management.

✅ Automate risk scoring, compliance tracking, audits, and vendor reviews.

✅ A modern solution with an intuitive user interface.

❌ Fewer native integrations when compared to other platforms in this list.

#2: AuditBoard

Best for: Audit and internal controls teams that need an enterprise-grade, audit-first GRC solution.

Similar to: OneTrust, IBM OpenPages.

AuditBoard is a strong alternative to Workiva for audit-led GRC because it focuses on connected audit, risk, and compliance workflows that remove spreadsheets and automate testing across finance and internal audit teams.

What stood out to me about the platform is that it stitches together audit planning, internal controls, and risk monitoring so assurance teams get faster evidence collection and reporting.

Features

Centralized audit & risk orchestration with automation for testing, evidence collection, and issue remediation that speeds reporting cycles.
Customizable reports and pre-built dashboards that can help you uncover insights, track trends, and support data-driven decisions.
Integrated workflows and APIs that help your team streamline data collection and task management through integrations.