• 21 Jul 2025
  • CMMC
  • SnapGRC Team

If you’re a small business working with the Department of Defense, you’ve probably heard the dreaded term: CMMC compliance.

 And if you’ve started researching what it takes to meet CMMC Level 1 requirements, you might be staring at quotes from platforms from $5,000 to $20,000—or more.

Here’s the good news: It doesn’t have to cost that much.

 

At SnapGRC, we’ve helped hundreds of small contractors like you achieve full CMMC Level 1 compliance for less than $1,700 a year—without sacrificing quality or cutting corners.

Let’s break down the real costs of compliance, why most companies overpay, and how you can keep your budget intact while still passing your assessment with confidence.

 

Why Is CMMC Level 1 So Expensive? (And Why It Shouldn’t Be)

Most traditional compliance providers follow the same playbook:

  • They send a consultant to manually review your systems.
  • They charge thousands just to tell you what’s wrong.
  • Then they charge even more to help you fix it—usually with spreadsheets and outdated processes.
  • It’s slow, expensive, and frustrating.

But here’s the truth: CMMC Level 1 is the simplest tier of compliance. It’s based on 17 basic cybersecurity controls that most businesses already follow (like using antivirus software and requiring strong passwords).

The real cost shouldn’t come from hiring expensive consultants—it should come from having the right tools to automate the grunt work.

 

How SnapGRC Cuts Compliance Costs by 80%

We built SnapGRC because we saw small businesses wasting time and money on manual compliance processes that could easily be automated.

Here’s how we do it differently:

1. No More Paying Consultants Just to Check Boxes

Instead of paying someone $200/hour to fill out spreadsheets, SnapGRC automatically scans your systems and scores your compliance in real time. You’ll know exactly where you stand—without surprise bills.

2. Pre-Built Policies (So You Don’t Pay $5,000 for Documentation)

Most companies get hit with huge fees just for policy templates. SnapGRC includes ready-to-use CMMC policies that you can customize in minutes.

3. Everything in One Place (No More Disjointed Tools)

With other providers, you might buy one tool for risk assessments, another for document management, and another for training. SnapGRC bundles it all into a single platform—so you’re not paying for five different subscriptions.

The Bottom Line?

Traditional compliance cost: $7,000–$20,000+

SnapGRC cost: $1,700/year (with no hidden fees)

 

“But What If I Just Do It Myself?”

Some businesses try the DIY approach—using free NIST templates, cobbling together spreadsheets, and hoping for the best.

The problem? It takes forever.

We’ve talked to contractors who spent 6–12 months trying to self-assess, only to realize they missed critical requirements. When time is money, that’s a risky way to save.

With SnapGRC, you can go from zero to audit-ready in weeks, not months—and still spend far less than hiring a consultant.

 

The Choice Is Yours

You don’t have to choose between cost and compliance. With the right tools, you can have both.

If you’re ready to stop overpaying and start streamlining, we’re here to help.