Blacksmith vs. Compliance Scorecard: Practical Comparison

Both Blacksmith and Compliance Scorecard support MSPs in navigating regulatory compliance, minimizing risk, and operationalizing their compliance services. 

Shared Strengths

  • Both platforms are purpose-built for MSPs, enabling efficient compliance management and policy automation.

  • Each provides multi-tenant capability, central policy management, audit tracking, asset governance, and risk register functionality.

  • Compliance documentation is streamlined, with customizable templates and easy content deployment.

     

  • Fast-track cyber insurance eligibility across dozens of carriers via platform-built integrations.
blacksmith compliance scorecard compare better

Where Blacksmith Adds Value

  • Built by Compliance Experts: While both platforms are built for MSPs, Blacksmith was created by experts in the compliance and vCISO space, not a former MSP. This means the experience and expertise of compliance professionals is in the product’s DNA, not an add-on.

  • Developed In-House: Blacksmith has been, and continues to be, developed entirely in-house by the company founders. Because Blacksmith’s development was not outsourced, the developers have greater control and flexibility when it comes to tailoring the product to MSP needs.

  • Clear Compliance Roadmap: Blacksmith gives MSPs an actionable, easy-to-understand compliance roadmap rather than a blank canvas, dramatically reducing the guesswork and hassle involved in compliance setup.

  • Automated, Expert-Written Policies: Blacksmith drives custom, expert-authored policies that can be tailored for each client’s environment quickly and reliably — making onboarding and ongoing management much easier.

  • Holistic Approach: The platform emphasizes meaningful security improvement and ongoing risk conversation rather than just documentation, ensuring practical and ongoing protection for clients.

  • Minimized Resource Investment: Blacksmith helps MSPs operationalize compliance without adding extra peer groups, time-consuming meetings, or heavyweight training overhead.

  • Scalable and Profitable: Built to help MSPs add more clients with minimal extra effort, Blacksmith supports service profitability and reputation as compliance experts.

Feature Comparison

Where Compliance Scorecard Excels

  • GaaS Program Focus: Compliance Scorecard offers dedicated Governance-as-a-Service scorecards for policy, risk, asset, assessments, and insurance, with strong support for authorization and adoption phases.

  • Training Available: A 12-week training program is available for an additional charge for those who need help learning the software.

  • vCISO Support: Offers access to vCISOs that can be outsourced for an additional cost. 

Conclusion

Both solutions deliver proven value for MSPs handling compliance across many clients. Blacksmith stands out for providing a practical, guided compliance process, minimizing overhead, and helping MSPs ramp up their offerings efficiently, while Compliance Scorecard emphasizes granular scorecard-based governance, policy documentation, and sector-specific compliance packs. When comparing these solutions, it’s important to remember that Blacksmith includes all policies for a single flat rate, while Compliance Scorecard charges for additional policy packs.

Check Out Our Compliance Podcast on Spotify!