Top 10 tools for achieving NIS2 compliance in 2025

As organisations across Europe prepare for the implementation of NIS-2, selecting the right tool for compliance is crucial. The directive introduces stricter cybersecurity and risk management requirements, making it essential to leverage a platform that ensures efficient compliance tracking, stakeholder engagement, and adherence to regulatory standards. Here are the top 10 tools for achieving NIS-2 compliance, ranked based on usability, regulatory fit, and overall effectiveness.

1. 3rdRisk (Best overall)

Why 3rdRisk? As a European company, 3rdRisk (yes, that's us) stands out for its deep understanding of European regulations, including NIS-2. The platform is designed to be highly user-friendly for both internal stakeholders and suppliers, offering a fully branded experience, including the user responder portal. With a guided compliance approach leveraging industry best practices, even organisations with limited knowledge on NIS-2 can achieve compliance efficiently.

Key Strengths:

• Built for European regulations
• Intuitive and user-friendly interface
• Branded platform and responder portal
• Guided approach for compliance using industry best practices
• +40 out of the box integrations, so no more switching between different systems
• Flexible pricing model aligned with the maturity of organisations

A small limitation of 3rdRisk is that does not include a policy management library.

2. Auditboard

Auditboard is a well-known risk management tool but falls short in terms of user experience. The outdated interface and high costs make it less attractive for organisations looking for a seamless compliance process.

• ‍Pros: Established tool for risk management‍
• Cons: Outdated interface, expensive, not intuitive

3. Formalize

Formalize performs well in specific areas such as whistleblower workflows. However, for broader NIS-2 compliance, the platform lacks the sophistication and usability of more comprehensive solutions.‍

• ‍Pros: Strong whistleblower workflow features‍
• Cons: Basic functionality for generic risk and compliance work

4. OneTrust

OneTrust is highly effective in privacy compliance but lacks the depth required for third-party security management and compliance tracking under NIS-2.

• ‍Pros: Strong privacy compliance capabilities‍
• Cons: Limited suitability for generic third-party security management

5. Drata

Drata is a helpful tool for smaller organisations looking to streamline their compliance efforts. However, it does not scale well for mid-market and larger enterprises, making it less suitable for organisations with complex compliance needs.

• ‍Pros: Good for small businesses, very suited for achieving ISO 27k or SOC-2 compliance‍
• Cons: Not built for mid-market or larger organisations, less suited for NIS-2

6. MetricStream

MetricStream is known for its flexibility, but its outdated interface and long implementation times make it a less efficient choice for companies looking to achieve quick NIS-2 compliance.

• ‍Pros: Flexible platform‍
• Cons: Lengthy implementation times due to complexity and lack of blueprints, outdated interface, not optimised for user engagement

7. Workiva

Workiva is primarily a reporting tool rather than a compliance management solution. NIS-2 is much more than demonstrating compliance and providing reports to regulators. In addition, its focus on risk and finance professionals makes it less effective for engaging broader internal and external stakeholders.

• ‍Pros: Strong reporting capabilities‍
• Cons: Limited stakeholder engagement, not optimised for compliance tracking

8. 6clicks

6clicks offers an extensive GRC suite with quick implementation. However, it lacks the intuitive features and out-of-the-box integrations provided by 3rdRisk. Additionally, as an Australian company, its understanding of European legislation is less developed.

• ‍Pros: Comprehensive GRC suite, quick implementation‍
• Cons: Less intuitive, fewer out-of-the-box integrations, limited European regulatory knowledge

9. ServiceNow

ServiceNow is a powerful enterprise solution but comes with significant drawbacks, including high costs, an outdated interface, and a lack of pre-built compliance blueprints. Additionally, it is not optimised for internal or external stakeholder engagement.

• ‍Pros: Enterprise-grade solution‍
• Cons: Expensive, no default blueprints, outdated interface, heavy reliance on external consultants for implementation

10. Archer

Archer provides extensive GRC capabilities but suffers from a cumbersome interface and complex implementation process, making it less suited for organisations seeking a user-friendly compliance solution.

• ‍Pros: Comprehensive GRC capabilities‍
• Cons: Complex implementation, less intuitive interface, expensive, heavy reliance on external consultants for implementation

Conclusion

While multiple tools can support NIS-2 compliance, 3rdRisk emerges as the best choice due to its user-friendly approach, regulatory expertise, and fully branded experience. For organisations looking to streamline their compliance efforts while ensuring robust stakeholder engagement, 3rdRisk provides the optimal solution.

Choosing the right tool can significantly impact your compliance journey. If you’re looking for a solution that understands European regulations and simplifies NIS-2 compliance, 3rdRisk is the clear winner.