10 min read

Best GRC Software

Picture of Lucas Hathaway Lucas Hathaway : 08 Aug 2025

Governance

Key takeaways from this article:

Integrated Control Center – Modern GRC platforms replace scattered spreadsheets and point tools with a single workspace that houses policies, risk registers, and evidence, enabling real-time collaboration across security, legal, finance, and operations.

From Compliance Burden to Business Insight – By automating evidence collection and mapping controls to regulations like CIS, NIST, and ISO, GRC software turns mandatory tasks into dashboards that quantify risk, shorten audits, cut costs, and embed accountability enterprise-wide.
Ten Leading Solutions, One Common Goal – 2025’s top tools—Rivial, Archer, MetricStream, AuditBoard, LogicGate, Diligent HighBond, ServiceNow, IBM OpenPages, LogicManager, and Onspring—all deliver cloud-ready workflows, AI-driven analytics, and modular apps that scale with program maturity.
Selection Criteria for 2025 and Beyond – Look for live risk analytics, automated compliance workflows, AI-powered questionnaire automation, and seamless integrations; these features future-proof governance programs against faster threats and ever-expanding regulatory demands.

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What Is GRC (Governance, Risk, and Compliance)?

A Governance, Risk, and Compliance (GRC) tool is an integrated software platform that brings oversight, risk management, and regulatory adherence into one shared workspace. Rather than wrangling disconnected spreadsheets, emails, and point solutions, organizations use GRC systems to house policies, map controls to risks, and log evidence in a single source of truth.

Modern GRC solutions translate risk data into business context, letting security, legal, finance, and operations teams collaborate in real time. Dashboards track control health and emerging threats, while automated workflows cut duplicate effort and surface accountability. The result is clearer visibility for leaders, faster remediation cycles, and decisions that balance growth with compliance and ethical governance.

Why Are GRC Tools Important?

Unify scattered risk data into a single source of truth. Most organizations still track controls, incidents, and regulatory deadlines in mismatched spreadsheets or ad-hoc ticket queues. A modern GRC platform consolidates those fragments so leadership can see—on one dashboard—how policy gaps, open audit findings, and emerging threats intersect. That holistic view is nearly impossible to achieve with manual tooling.

Turn compliance overhead into operational insight. Regulatory rules now demand faster breach reporting and proof of third-party oversight. GRC software automates evidence collection, maps it to specific clauses, and issues reminders before deadlines slip—transforming once-reactive “checkbox” tasks into proactive performance indicators.

Accelerate decision-making and cut costs. By linking risks to business objectives, GRC platforms help finance teams quantify potential loss, guide security teams toward the highest-impact controls, and give executives confidence to approve new initiatives sooner. Organizations that mature their GRC processes frequently report shorter audit cycles, lower cyber-insurance premiums, and double-digit reductions in spend tied to redundant tooling or duplicated assessments.

Embed accountability across the enterprise. Role-based workflows assign owners, track remediation, and surface stalled tasks in real time, fostering a culture where governance isn’t confined to compliance teams—it’s shared by IT, legal, HR, and the board. In a climate where stakeholders expect ethical stewardship and regulators levy record fines for lapses, that cross-functional accountability is no longer optional; it’s a competitive differentiator.

Top 10 Governance, Risk, and Compliance Tools in 2025

Wondering what GRC software is and why it tops every CISO’s budget wish-list? Modern GRC software solutions combine policy libraries, risk registers, and automated evidence capture into one intuitive hub, replacing fragmented spreadsheets with real-time insight. The best teams rely on GRC compliance software to map evolving regulations to live controls, while GRC governance risk compliance software connects those controls to board-level objectives so leaders can measure ROI, not just audit readiness. In 2025’s threat climate, the best GRC software isn’t merely a repository—it’s the command center for cyber, privacy, and ESG data, empowering security, legal, and finance to collaborate in minutes instead of months. By choosing governance risk and compliance GRC software with built-in analytics, firms can surface high-impact gaps before regulators—or attackers—do. Forward-thinking buyers also evaluate GRC management software through a practical lens: which GRC software offers best security questionnaire automation to slash vendor-risk fatigue? The answer: platforms that fuse AI-driven questionnaires, workflow orchestration, and continuous attack-surface intelligence, delivering assurance at the speed of modern business.

1. Rivial Data Security

Rivials Cybersecurity Governance Software is designed to empower organizations with risk quantification that prioritizes security initiatives and drives informed business decisions. By integrating compliance automation, AI-powered vendor security reviews, and incident response playbooks, it transforms all aspects of your security program into a unified, risk-driven management system.

Through a centralized platform, security teams gain continuous visibility into quantified risks, enabling proactive response rather than reactive firefighting. Automated workflows streamline compliance tasks, reducing manual overhead and audit fatigue. Meanwhile, AI continuously evaluates vendors and monitors threats to identify vulnerabilities before they can be exploited.

Key Features

Risk quantification & prioritization – Assigns monetary impact to risks, helping focus efforts on the highest-value security initiatives across your entire environment.
Compliance automation – Streamlines evidence collection, control validation, and deadline tracking to simplify audits and maintain readiness.
AI-powered vendor security reviews – Continuously assesses third-party risks with machine learning for faster, more accurate vendor risk management.
Incident response playbooks – Integrated workflows guide teams through standardized, repeatable responses to security incidents.
Quantitative decision support – Built-in risk models calculate potential loss versus mitigation cost, empowering leaders to allocate cyber budgets with confidence.

2. Archer Insight

Archer stands out as a proactive, unified platform for enterprise-wide risk oversight. By centralizing the identification, evaluation, and treatment of operational threats, it gives organizations a forward-looking view of risk that cuts across departments and business processes—bolstering Archer’s status as a trusted GRC choice.

Key Features

Intuitive insight – Visual, role-based dashboards and flexible reporting make complex data easy to digest, so stakeholders can act on trends without poring over spreadsheets.
Adaptive assessments – A configurable assessment engine snaps into existing tech stacks, letting teams fine-tune workflows as business conditions or regulations change.
Robust asset protection – Built-in safeguards secure critical infrastructure and sensitive data, reassuring executives and investors alike.
Streamlined third-party onboarding – Automated due-diligence questionnaires and risk scoring accelerate vendor approval while maintaining oversight integrity.

3. MetricStream

MetricStream’s ConnectedGRC platform delivers an all-in-one workspace for governance, risk, and compliance that unifies risk registers, audit workflows, cyber controls, and ESG metrics under a single roof. By linking once-siloed teams on a common data layer, the platform turns fragmented processes into a coordinated defense against today’s intertwined operational, regulatory, and security threats.

Key Features

360-degree GRC hub – One interface spans enterprise, operational, third-party, IT, and cyber risk, plus compliance, policy, case, and audit management—giving leaders a panoramic view of control health.

AI-driven insight – The AiSPIRE knowledge engine applies advanced analytics and machine learning to surface control gaps, prioritize testing, and recommend remediation paths.
Regulatory change automation – AI scrapes and flags new rules, performs horizon scanning, and pushes impact analyses straight to control owners, shrinking the window between rule release and response.
Smart search & quantification – NLP lets users query policies in plain language, while risk quantification translates technical and business risks into dollar terms executives can act on.

4. AuditBoard

AuditBoard’s cloud-native platform reimagines governance, risk, and compliance by weaving audit, risk assessment, and regulatory oversight into a seamless, browser-based workspace. Purpose-built for internal auditors but embraced by risk and compliance teams alike, the software replaces fractured spreadsheets with real-time dashboards, shared evidence libraries, and automated workflows that keep every line of defense in sync.

Key Features

User-centric interface – A clean, drag-and-drop layout guides teams through scoping, testing, and sign-off without the learning curve typical of legacy GRC suites.
Collaboration without silos – Centralized comments, document versioning, and task assignment unite first, second, and third lines of defense, ensuring issues don’t slip through the cracks.
End-to-end automation – Pre-built workflows cover audit planning, fieldwork, and reporting, while automated reminders and approvals trim manual touchpoints and accelerate delivery.
Live analytics – Interactive dashboards surface control health, issue aging, and remediation progress, equipping executives with a real-time pulse on risk exposure.

5. LogicGate Risk Cloud

LogicGate’s Risk Cloud gives organizations a flexible canvas to design, automate, and scale governance, risk, and compliance workflows—no coding required. Built on a modular architecture, the platform lets teams model processes around their exact risk appetite, then evolve them as regulations, controls, or business objectives shift.

Key Features

Drag-and-drop workflow builder – Non-technical users can launch or tweak processes in minutes, saving IT resources and accelerating time to value.
Automated compliance management – Scheduled evidence collection, rule-based approvals, and deadline reminders reduce manual effort and audit fatigue.
Deep analytics & reporting – Real-time dashboards and customizable reports translate raw data into actionable insights on risk posture and control effectiveness.
Integrated IT security risk module – Identify, score, and remediate vulnerabilities while tracking mitigation tasks and ownership in the same hub.

6. Diligent HighBond

Diligent HighBond unifies governance, audit, and risk activities on a data-centric platform that turns raw information into board-ready insight. By linking policy libraries, risk registers, and audit workflows to the same analytics engine, the solution helps executives spot trends early and act decisively. Deep out-of-the-box integrations—including Jira for issue tracking and Microsoft Teams for real-time collaboration—keep control owners, auditors, and leadership on the same page without duplicate data entry.

Key Features

Data-driven decision support – Built-in analytics transform control results and risk metrics into visual dashboards that highlight emerging threats and compliance gaps.
End-to-end audit orchestration – Plan, execute, and report audits with automated evidence collection, work-paper management, and issue follow-up in a single workflow.
Unified governance & risk hub – Enterprise, operational, and cyber-risk modules share one data model, ensuring consistent scoring and faster cross-functional reporting.
Seamless ecosystem connectivity – Pre-configured connectors sync tasks, incidents, and discussions with Jira, Teams, and other popular business apps, eliminating silos.

7. ServiceNow

Evolving beyond its IT service-management heritage, ServiceNow now offers a fully integrated Governance, Risk & Compliance suite that rides on the same data backbone as its ITSM workflows. This lets security, risk, and audit teams tap into incident and asset data already living on the Now Platform—eliminating swivel-chair gaps and giving executives a single, real-time lens on operational resilience.

Key Features

Embedded incident-to-risk response – Compliance checks and risk scoring trigger automatically as incidents move through ITSM queues, ensuring every ticket carries governance context from first response to closure
Unified data model – A single CMDB-driven source of truth erases silos, so policy, vendor, and vulnerability records stay synchronized across the enterprise.
No-code playbooks – Drag-and-drop workflow designer and reusable templates let teams spin up complex GRC processes—such as SOX control testing or vendor attestations—without writing a line of code.
Conversational support – An AI-powered virtual agent answers policy questions, surfaces evidence, and can even launch remediation tasks, delivering 24/7 assistance directly in the chat window.

8. IBM OpenPages

IBM OpenPages delivers an enterprise-grade GRC workspace that spans risk, policy, compliance, audit, and model-risk management—powered by Watson AI to surface issues the moment they appear. Organizations can deploy it as a fully managed SaaS on IBM Cloud or run it on-prem and hybrid, all while tapping into native links with the broader IBM stack (Cloud Pak for Security, QRadar, Cognos, and more).

Key Features

AI-assisted insight – Watson algorithms mine control data and external feeds in real time to flag emerging threats, automate testing, and prioritize remediation.
Modular flexibility – Mix-and-match risk, compliance, audit, and model-risk modules to fit your program’s maturity without overbuying.
Unified data fabric – A shared taxonomy ensures risk registers, policies, and audit findings roll into one reporting layer for board-ready dashboards.
Hybrid deployment options – Choose IBM Cloud SaaS for rapid rollout or keep data in-house with containerized, on-prem installations.

9. LogicManager

LogicManager’s cloud-based platform equips organizations with the frameworks, libraries, and workflow engines needed to elevate enterprise and operational risk programs without over-engineering them. By marrying structured planning with flexible configuration, it helps teams move from ad-hoc spreadsheets to a repeatable, maturity-driven approach that links risk, controls, and objectives in one place.

Key Features

Pre-built risk libraries & control mapping – Out-of-the-box templates for strategic, financial, IT, and ESG risks accelerate setup while maintaining full edit rights for unique scenarios.
Customizable, no-code workflows – Drag-and-drop designers let risk owners tailor assessments, approvals, and remediation tasks—no developer ticket required.
Integrated audit support – Plan engagements, track workpapers, and roll findings directly into the enterprise risk register, closing the loop between assurance and action.
Advanced reporting & dashboards – Real-time heat maps, KRIs, and board-ready scorecards translate granular data into clear insights for executives and regulators.

10. Onspring

Onspring delivers a visually rich, no-code platform that lets teams craft governance, risk, and compliance workflows as easily as building a slide deck. Its drag-and-drop designer pairs with dynamic dashboards, turning real-time data into color-coded charts executives can grasp at a glance. Whether you’re tracking incidents, vetting vendors, or executing audit plans, Onspring’s modular apps snap together so programs can launch in phases and expand without technical debt. Built-in analytics and ad-hoc reporting illuminate emerging gaps, while tight integrations push tasks and alerts to email, Slack, or Teams—keeping stakeholders aligned without extra meetings.

Key Features

No-code workflow builder – Design and modify processes with point-and-click actions, cutting IT tickets out of the equation.
Interactive dashboards & reports – Drag metrics onto the canvas to auto-generate charts that update the moment underlying data changes.
Versatile use-case templates – Out-of-the-box modules cover incident response, vendor due diligence, audit management, policy attestations, and more.
Phased deployment – Spin up a single module today and add others later, mapping data across apps as the program matures.

Top Considerations for Choosing Your Governance, Risk, and Compliance

1. Framework & Control Coverage

Make sure the platform maps cleanly to standards and regulations you already follow—ISO 27001, NIST 800-53/CSF, FFIEC, PCI DSS, GDPR, HIPAA, or sector-specific mandates. Tight alignment shortens audits and keeps regulators off your back.

2. Licensing Model & Total Cost of Ownership

GRC vendors price by user seats, enabled modules, or risk objects (controls, processes, vendors). Enterprise tiers typically run $3,000 – $10,000 per month for a core bundle—risk, compliance, and audit—with AI add-ons or continuous monitoring pushing costs higher. Scrutinize renewal uplift caps, sandbox fees, and API quotas to avoid budget surprises.

3. Ecosystem Integrations & Data Fabric

Your platform should plug straight into ITSM, HRIS, ERP, DevOps, and SIEM stacks through pre-built connectors or open REST APIs. Tight integration means incidents, assets, and vendor data flow automatically into risk registers and compliance dashboards—eliminating double entry and ensuring a single source of truth.

4. Scalability & Configuration Flexibility

Look for elastic cloud architecture, regional data residency options, and proven references supporting thousands of users and millions of records. No-code builders, drag-and-drop forms, and reusable workflow templates let you spin up new use cases—policy attestations, ESG tracking, or model risk—without a development backlog.

5. Automation, AI & Advanced Analytics

Modern GRC suites leverage machine learning for control testing, anomaly detection, and regulatory horizon scanning. AI-powered questionnaire automation, NLP search across policies, and monetary risk quantification shorten assessment cycles and help executives see the dollar impact of every control gap.

6. Enablement, Support & Community

A robust vendor should back the software with role-based training paths, administrator certifications, active customer forums, and 24/7 support SLAs. Smooth onboarding keeps analysts productive, while a thriving user community shares best practices that accelerate program maturity.

Weigh these factors early and you’ll choose a GRC platform that scales with your regulatory landscape, unifies risk insight, and delivers measurable ROI year after year.

Get Started with Rivial Data Security

Ready to turn regulatory sprawl into streamlined, audit-ready intelligence? Our all-in-one GRC platform pairs seamlessly with veteran compliance pros who embed alongside your team—empowering you to:

Centralize oversight — Consolidate policies, controls, and risk registers in a single source of truth that security, legal, finance, and ops teams share in real time.
Automate compliance — Map every control to PCI DSS, GDPR, FFIEC, and more, while auto-collecting evidence and issuing deadline alerts before auditors ask.
Quantify risk in dollars — Built-in models translate technical findings into business impact, giving executives instant clarity—and budget justification—on what to fix first.
Drive action, not reports — One-click remediation tracking and live dashboards keep owners accountable and leadership informed without extra meetings.

Don’t let governance gaps or surprise audits derail your momentum. Schedule a demo of Rivial’s GRC platform today and see how effortless, ROI-backed compliance and risk management can be