Head-to-head
Coalfire vs VikingCloud: PCI DSS assessment compared
Both are heavyweight QSA companies — the choice is cloud-native assessment depth (Coalfire) versus scale plus managed services (VikingCloud).
| Coalfire Systems | VikingCloud | |
|---|---|---|
| Headquarters | Westminster, Colorado | Chicago, Illinois |
| Firm type | QSA company (QSAC) | QSA company (QSAC) |
| ROC planning range | $60K–$150K+ (planning estimate (Sept 2026)) | $50K–$120K (planning estimate (Sept 2026)) |
| Fieldwork window | 6–12 wk | 6–12 wk |
| Frameworks | PCI DSS, SOC 2, ISO 27001, HITRUST, FedRAMP, pen testing | PCI DSS, SOC 2, ISO 27001, managed security, pen testing |
Planning ranges are estimates (September 2026), not quotes. Firm facts from public materials, verified September 2026.
Choose Coalfire Systems if you want a cloud-first, enterprise-grade QSA with deep SaaS and hyperscaler assessment experience.
Choose VikingCloud if you want one of the largest QSA teams in the world plus ongoing managed-compliance services under one roof.
The honest take. Both firms can produce a perfectly valid ROC — the difference is fit, not legitimacy. Get scoped quotes from both and compare the engagement letter line by line: named team, fee-breaker clauses, remediation support, and what's excluded.
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