SYMBIANT COMPARISON SERIES
Symbiant vs MetricStream:
Which GRC Platform Is Right for Your Organisation?
Organisations evaluating Governance, Risk, Compliance and Audit software may be comparing an enterprise-scale GRC suite with a more flexible, connected platform.
Both Symbiant and MetricStream support risk, compliance, audit and governance processes. The key difference is in the approach: MetricStream is designed for large, complex enterprise programmes, while Symbiant provides a configurable, integrated platform with transparent modular pricing and flexible 30-day terms.
This comparison highlights the key differences organisations should consider when evaluating the two platforms.
Last Reviewed: August 2026
Outstanding User Satisfaction with Symbiant's GRC, Risk Management and Audit Software
Independent results from a government-led survey demonstrates a level of trust and satisfaction that is exceptional in the GRC sector, reinforcing Symbiant’s position as a proven, reliable, and governance-ready solution for organisations with serious assurance responsibilities.
450
Survey Participants
95%
Users were satisfied or
better with the system as a whole
97%
Users were satisfied or
better with the support
Symbiant vs MetricStream
| Area |
|
|
|---|---|---|
| Estimated Starting Cost | ~£3,600 / year (£300/mo) | ~£50,000 – £150,000+ / year* Third-party reported estimate |
| Licensing & Pricing Model | Flat entry with 10 flexible user seats. Modular growth, transparent fixed-cost tiers. | Quote-based enterprise licensing. Pricing is tailored around the products selected, users, implementation scope, integrations and service requirements. |
| Platform Approach | Single integrated platform | Enterprise GRC platform with specialist products and use cases across risk, compliance, audit and cyber governance. |
| Founded | Established in 1999 | Established in 1999 |
| Deployment | SaaS | SaaS |
| Contract Terms | 30-day rolling contracts | Contact MetricStream for current contract and renewal terms |
| Support & Training | Included | Enterprise support, training and professional services available; confirm the package included in the quotation |
| Platform Configuration | Extensive built-in configuration | Configurable for complex enterprise processes, workflows, reporting and organisational structures |
| AI Capabilities | Optional and user-controlled | AI capabilities available across selected solutions |
| API Integration | Yes | Yes |
| Single Sign-On (SSO) | Yes | Yes |
| Reporting Suite | Included | Enterprise analytics, dashboards and reporting available |
| Custom Report Builder | Included | Configurable reports and dashboards available |
| Modular Licensing | Yes | Based on the products, applications and requirements selected |
*MetricStream does not publish standard pricing. The figure shown is a third-party market estimate and should be verified directly with MetricStream. Last reviewed: August 2026.
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Platform Architecture
One of the most important differences between Symbiant and MetricStream is the scale of platform each organisation needs.
Symbiant
Symbiant has been built as a single, integrated platform from the ground up.
All modules share:
- A common user interface
- A single security model
- Shared reporting
- Common workflows
- Connected data structures
- Integrated dashboards
This allows information entered in one area of the platform to be reused and linked elsewhere.
For example:
- Risks can generate actions
- Audits can create findings and actions
- Incidents can create investigations
- Compliance monitoring can drive remediation activities
- Business objectives can link directly to risks and controls
This reduces duplicate data entry and helps maintain a single source of truth across governance functions.
MetricStream
MetricStream provides a broad enterprise GRC platform covering areas such as risk, compliance, audit, third-party risk, cyber risk and regulatory change management.
Its breadth can suit very large organisations with complex global requirements and specialist GRC teams. Organisations should consider whether they need that level of enterprise scope from the outset, alongside the internal resources required to configure and manage the intended implementation.
For organisations that want connected governance functionality without beginning with a large enterprise programme, Symbiant offers a more straightforward route.
Breadth of Functionality
Symbiant provides a broad range of connected governance, risk, compliance, audit and operational modules within one platform.
Symbiant Modules
- Risk Registers
- Risk Controls & Policy Management
- Business Objectives
- Risk Incident Reporter
- Risk Workshops
- Risk Workshops
- Compliance Monitoring
- Action Tracker
- Records of Processing & Lawful Basis (ROPA)
- Data Protection Impact Assessment (DPIA)
- Questionnaires
- Complaints Manager
- Due Diligence
- Service Desk
- SHE (Security, Health, Safety & Environmental)
- Audit Universe
- Audit Working Papers
- Audit Action Tracker
- ISQM
- Document Management
- Business Continuity Planning
- AI Assistant
Because these modules operate within the same platform, information can be connected across functions without requiring separate systems for each governance process.
Ease of Adoption
A successful GRC programme depends on people across the organisation being able to contribute.
Symbiant Approach
Symbiant is designed so occasional users can complete everyday tasks without extensive GRC training.
Examples include:
- Reporting an incident
- Updating an action
- Completing a questionnaire
- Responding to an audit request
- Logging a complaint
- Raising a service request
This helps distribute governance responsibility across the organisation, rather than concentrating routine activity within a small specialist team.
A Customer Perspective
“Have a system which was simple/easy to use & well controlled, so that we could roll this out to our 1OD teams. Cost effective, had capability to monitor & report on risk mitigation plans, ability to connect different parts of the risk framework – risks, controls, incidents and action tracking. One tool that could be used by multiple 2LOD risk & compliance teams”
— Camilla Owen, Head of Non-Financial Risk (1st Line of Defence), ALD Automotive
Reporting and Dashboards
Symbiant Includes
Standard Report Suite
Built-in reports across multiple governance disciplines.
Report Wizard
Create and maintain reports without software development.
Cross-Module Reporting
Bring related information together, including:
- Risks and associated actions
- Audit findings and remediation status
- Incidents and control effectiveness
- Compliance monitoring and business objectives
Standard reporting and unlimited report generation are included with Symbiant.
AI Capabilities
Symbiant AI Assistant
The Symbiant AI Assistant can be enabled selectively, allowing organisations to:
- Restrict access to specific users
- Limit use by role
- Enable AI where appropriate
- Maintain governance oversight
This gives organisations a controlled way to introduce AI-assisted GRC activity in line with their own policies and risk appetite.
A Customer Perspective
”As a first-time user of Symbiant, I’ve been really impressed with how intuitive and easy the system is to navigate. The structure of the modules and overall user experience felt very clear and accessible, even without prior hands-on use, which is a strong advantage from an onboarding perspective. Based on my previous experience with other market-leading platforms, I would say Symbiant compares very favourably. It offers the functionality you would expect from established solutions, but in a way that feels more streamlined and user-friendly. The balance between capability and ease of use is particularly notable. From what I’ve seen so far, the platform appears to offer strong value for money, especially when compared with more complex and higher-cost solutions. It demonstrates that a well-designed, intuitive system can deliver both effectiveness and efficiency without unnecessary complexity. I’m genuinely excited to see how the platform continues to develop. It’s clear how the intuitive design and accessible structure would support me in my role by simplifying oversight, enhancing usability, and improving efficiency in managing risk and compliance.”
— Lisa Rankin, Compliance Manager, The Stafford Building Society
Integration Capabilities
Symbiant Integration Features
API Access
Support integration with third-party systems and business processes.
Single Sign-On
Simplify access using existing identity-management systems.
Connected Governance Processes
Because Symbiant modules share one platform, many core processes are already connected without relying on external integrations to join up governance information.
A Customer Perspective
”The software is very good, and is brilliant value for money compared with other solutions on the market.
The support when you have problems is excellent. An excellent software and a great organisation.”
— HH Global
Configuration and Flexibility
Symbiant Configuration
Symbiant can be tailored through configuration rather than redevelopment, including:
- Forms
- Workflows
- Fields
- Questionnaires
- Dashboards
- Reports
This allows organisations to reflect their own terminology, governance framework and processes without taking on unnecessary complexity.
Support and Training
Symbiant
Support and training are included.
Customers have direct access to the people responsible for developing and supporting the software, helping them resolve questions quickly and maintain momentum during implementation.
MetricStream provides enterprise support and professional services. Organisations should confirm the support model, training needs, implementation approach and internal administration requirements for their specific scope.
Commercial Model
The commercial approach differs significantly from many enterprise software vendors.
Symbiant
Transparent Pricing
Pricing is openly published.
Modular Licensing
Organisations can licence only the functionality they require.
No Long-Term Commitment
30-day contract terms allow customers to retain flexibility.
User Licensing
Users require an active licensed seat.
Once a user has been allocated a seat, they can be granted access to any modules licensed by the organisation, subject to role permissions.
Importantly, Symbiant does not charge additional per-module user fees when a licensed user accesses multiple licensed modules.
This enables organisations to expand usage across governance functions without unexpected licensing complexity.
MetricStream: Enterprise-Scale Quotation
MetricStream does not publish standard pricing. Costs are tailored around the products selected, user requirements, implementation scope, integrations and services.
Third-party sources suggest an annual range of approximately £50,000–£150,000+, but this should be treated as an external market indication rather than official MetricStream pricing.
For organisations that want to start with one requirement and expand gradually, Symbiant makes the next step and its cost easier to see upfront.
Which Organisations Might Choose Symbiant?
Symbiant may be particularly suitable for organisations that:
- Want one connected GRC platform
- Need risk, audit, compliance and operational functionality
- Prefer transparent pricing
- Want to begin with one module and expand gradually
- Need API and SSO capability
- Value included support, training and reporting
- Want the same licensed users to work across purchased modules
- Prefer flexible 30-day rolling terms
- Want a single source of truth across governance functions
Final Thoughts
MetricStream is an established option for large enterprises with complex, multi-jurisdictional GRC requirements.
However, many organisations do not need to begin with a large enterprise-scale deployment or an open-ended commercial model.
For organisations looking for connected risk, audit, compliance and operational governance capabilities with transparent pricing, rapid adoption, included support and flexible terms, Symbiant offers a compelling and more agile alternative.
Disclaimer: These comparisons are produced by Symbiant using publicly available information from official product websites and documentation. Competitor features, services and pricing may change. Information last reviewed: August 2026.
A Customer Perspective
We have had nothing but good experiences and we have a very strong relationship with the team at Symbiant. We continue to use Symbiant for a few reasons. 1. Cost – I don’t know of a GRC solution as broad as ours for a similar price. 2. Customisation – we are able to make changes to have the system look, feel, and run to our requirements with ease. 3. Support – the team at Symbiant Support are friendly, knowledgeable, understanding, and quick to respond.”
— Ben Moulds, Head of Health & Safety, Assurance and Compliance, Whist
See How Symbiant GRC Software Fits Your Organisation
Every organisation has different risks, processes and reporting requirements. The most meaningful comparison is therefore one based on what your teams genuinely need.
Book a personalised demonstration to see how Symbiant can connect risks, controls, audits, incidents, actions and objectives within one configurable platform. We’ll show you how the system could work around your existing methodology, answer your implementation questions and provide clear, transparent pricing based on the modules you require.
Discover enterprise-level GRC capability—without unnecessary cost, complexity or lengthy contractual commitments.
Symbiant vs MetricStream: Frequently Asked Questions
What is a strong alternative to MetricStream?
Symbiant GRC software is a strong MetricStream alternative for organisations that need connected risk, audit, compliance and governance capabilities without the cost and implementation demands commonly associated with large enterprise GRC suites.
MetricStream is designed primarily for complex, multinational enterprises. Symbiant is particularly compelling for organisations that prioritise transparent pricing, rapid implementation, extensive configurability, poweful capabability for a fraction of the cost of the perceived market-leading solutions, and the ability to adopt only the modules they require.
How much does Symbiant cost compared with MetricStream?
Symbiant offers transparent, affordable modular pricing that allows organisations of all sizes to begin with the capabilities they need and expand gradually. This can make costs more predictable and help avoid paying for unnecessary functionality, particularly for organisations seeking powerful GRC capabilities without the cost and complexity of a large enterprise suite.
MetricStream provides pricing following consultation, with total costs varying according to the products selected, number of users, implementation requirements, integrations and professional services.
When comparing the two platforms, organisations should consider the complete cost of ownership, including licensing, implementation, configuration, training, support and ongoing administration, not simply the initial software price. Symbiant may offer stronger overall value for organisations that prioritise flexibility, faster implementation and transparent costs.
Is Symbiant better value than MetricStream?
For organisations that do not require the scale of a highly complex multinational GRC deployment, Symbiant provides significantly better value.
Its entry price includes a configurable, ready-made module, 10 active user seats, training, standard support, unlimited report generation and unlimited audit-log history. Additional capabilities can then be added in £100-per-month modules*.
Better value does not simply mean choosing the lowest price. It means obtaining the required capability, flexibility and support without paying for unnecessary enterprise infrastructure.
Is Symbiant easier to implement than MetricStream?
Symbiant is designed to reduce implementation time and internal resource demands. Its modules are ready to use out of the box but can be configured around existing processes, scoring methodologies, terminology, permissions and reporting requirements.
MetricStream implementation timelines vary according to organisational complexity, data migration and the number of products being deployed. Its scale may be valuable for highly complex global programmes, but it can introduce more extensive planning and configuration requirements.
Actual implementation times should always be confirmed against the agreed scope, but Symbiant is particularly well suited to organisations seeking faster time to value.
Can Symbiant be configured around our existing GRC processes?
Pricing Disclaimer
* Modules are charged at a standard monthly fee, not on a per-user basis. All users can access each module at any required level. Please note that costs exclude VAT, AI features, and additional modules you may wish to use. User seats are required.