Probo is a self-hostable open-source governance, risk, and compliance platform that automates evidence collection and audit preparation for frameworks including SOC 2, ISO 27001, GDPR, and HIPAA. Its managed tier goes further than software: a dedicated compliance officer runs the customer's whole program, from risk assessments to auditor conversations. It serves startups and engineering-led teams that need certification without hiring compliance staff, and operators who want to run the MIT-licensed stack on their own infrastructure.[1][2][3]
Quick verdict
Startups facing a first SOC 2 or ISO 27001 audit without in-house compliance staff will get the most from Probo. The managed tier pairs MIT-licensed, self-hostable software with a dedicated officer who writes policies, collects evidence, and talks to the auditor. But teams with an in-house security function that just wants tooling, or buyers who require documented SSO and data-residency answers, should keep comparing before committing. If you want compliance done for you, choose Probo managed; if you want to run it yourself for free, self-host Probo; if you want the established incumbent dashboard, choose Vanta.[1][2][3]
Key features
Dedicated compliance officer On the managed tier a named officer runs the program end to end, handling risk assessments, vendor reviews, gap analysis, policy creation, evidence collection, and auditor communication.[1]
Automated evidence collection The platform pulls evidence continuously so controls stay current without manual screenshot gathering before audits.[1][2]
Risk register with scoring Risks carry inherent and residual scores with treatment strategies of mitigate, accept, avoid, or transfer, plus threat-based risk assessments.[1]
Control tracking across frameworks Controls map once across SOC 2, ISO 27001, GDPR, HIPAA, and the rest of the supported list instead of being rebuilt per audit.[1][2]
Vendor risk and privacy workflows Vendor assessments, data-privacy obligations, and policy creation with document approval workflows run inside the same program.[1]
Reviews and audit programs Access reviews, audit programs, and approval chains produce the evidence pack an auditor actually asks for.[1]
Automation-first interfaces Every entity is reachable through a web console, the prb CLI, a Model Context Protocol API, and a GraphQL API, with a community n8n node for no-code workflow automation.[1]
Self-hostable deployment The MIT-licensed stack runs on the operator's own infrastructure via Docker Compose for single hosts or a Helm chart for Kubernetes, backed by PostgreSQL 18 and S3-compatible object storage.[1][2]
Who will love it
Startups without compliance staff The managed tier exists precisely for teams that need certification but cannot hire a compliance person, with the officer doing the work instead of handing over a checklist.[1][2]
Engineering-led automators The prb CLI, GraphQL and MCP APIs, and n8n integration let developers drive compliance from code, scripts, or agents instead of clicking through a dashboard.[1]
Budget-conscious Vanta comparers Self-hosting the MIT-licensed stack is free software, and even the $10,000 per year managed tier undercuts the $15,000-plus quotes in the official Vanta comparison.[1][2]
Who should avoid it
Staffed security teams If staff already know how to run audits, Vanta-style pure software with an established auditor network may fit better than paying for an officer.[1]
SSO and residency gated buyers The researched sources document email and identity configuration for self-hosting but no explicit SSO support or cloud data regions, so gated procurements should verify first.[1]
Federal framework deals The documented framework list covers commercial and privacy regimes but names no FedRAMP or CMMC path, so regulated federal work needs a different platform.[1]
Questions worth asking
What is the best Probo alternative for non-technical users?
Vanta is the safer non-technical pick if you want the established incumbent with the broadest auditor familiarity, while Probo's managed tier is the alternative that removes the work itself through its compliance officer. Choose Vanta for incumbent maturity, or Probo managed when nobody on your team wants to learn compliance.[1]
Is Probo really no-code?
Mostly yes for managed users: the web console, Slack access, and the officer's work need no code from the buyer, and policy and review workflows run through the product. The boundary is self-hosting and depth: running Docker or Kubernetes, configuring PostgreSQL and storage, and driving the CLI or APIs need technical time.[1][2]
How much does Probo cost per month?
No monthly rate is published: the official comparison checked October 12, 2026 prices the managed program at $10,000 per year and the self-hosted tier as free software, with hosting and operating costs being yours. Expect an annual managed contract, not self-serve monthly checkout.[1]
Can you self-host Probo?
Yes. The stack is MIT licensed and the documentation covers Docker Compose for single-host installs and a Helm chart for Kubernetes, requiring PostgreSQL 18 or newer plus S3-compatible object storage. The operator owns access control, secrets, backups, monitoring, upgrades, and email and identity configuration.[1][2]
Sources and editorial review
Source research. Reviewed on October 12, 2026. Written by Sanjib Sah. AI assisted; reviewed by a human editor.
We have not run or tested this product.
- Probo official homepage
official · Observed October 12, 2026
Official homepage observed for positioning, frameworks, managed program, and repository link.
- Official Vanta alternatives comparison
official · Observed October 12, 2026
Official comparison observed for managed pricing, free self-hosted tier, and Vanta replacement positioning.
- getprobo/probo repository
official · Observed October 12, 2026
Repository observed for MIT license, stars, forks, commits, stack, APIs, and docs links.
- Probo self-hosting documentation
official · Observed October 12, 2026
Self-hosting docs observed for Docker, Kubernetes, PostgreSQL 18, storage, and operator responsibilities.
- getprobo/probo releases
official · Observed October 12, 2026
Release history observed for active development and latest probod/v0.309.1 artifacts.