Keel is the primary GRC platform offering a free forever plan for governance, risk, and compliance management. This guide covers the core features available on that free tier, the self-hosting options for your data, and how to evaluate other platforms that require sales calls or paid trials.

Simplerisk Core Features

Keel is a self-serve GRC platform designed for small and mid-sized companies. It provides a unified control and evidence graph that allows teams to collect evidence once and satisfy multiple frameworks simultaneously. The platform supports over 25 frameworks, including SOC 2, ISO 27001, and HIPAA, using a library of more than 250 canonical controls. This architecture ensures that a single control implementation counts toward every framework it satisfies, reducing the administrative burden of multi-framework compliance.

Free Tier Capabilities

The free plan is available forever and requires no credit card to start. It includes access to the NIST Cybersecurity Framework and AI Governance Essentials, along with one additional paid framework on a monthly basis. Users receive three seats plus a free auditor seat, allowing independent auditors to access the workspace without consuming a user license. The plan supports up to five vendors and 100 MB of evidence storage, which is sufficient for initial program setup and early-stage audits.

Core Modules Included

Every plan, including the free tier, includes the full toolkit for managing a compliance program. This includes a living risk register with likelihood and impact scoring, a policy management module with over 75 framework-mapped templates, and vendor risk tracking. Teams can sync staff from Microsoft Entra, Google Workspace, or CSV files to perform access reviews. The platform also provides a Keel-branded trust center, allowing organizations to publish their security posture to prospects and customers without additional cost.

Self-Hosting Option

Keel is a cloud-native platform that runs on a global edge network, ensuring high availability and fast recovery. It does not offer a traditional self-hosted installation where the entire application stack runs on your own servers. Instead, Keel prioritizes data portability and open standards to give users control over their compliance data without the operational overhead of self-hosting. This approach ensures that the platform remains secure and up to date while allowing users to retain ownership of their information.

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Data Portability and Open Source Tools

Keel provides keel-migrate, an open-source tool licensed under MIT, which allows users to export their compliance data to a neutral, documented format. This tool runs locally on the user's machine and uses read-only API keys to extract data from platforms like Vanta, Drata, and Hyperproof. The exported data can be imported into Keel or kept in a portable bundle, ensuring that users are not locked into any specific vendor. This commitment to open formats means that your program is yours, and leaving Keel does not mean losing the work.

API and Automation

For teams that require deeper integration, Keel offers a REST API, outbound webhooks, and a Model Context Protocol (MCP) server. These tools allow users to automate evidence collection and connect AI agents to their compliance program. The MCP server, published on npm, enables natural language interaction with the workspace, allowing users to query their controls and risks directly. This level of automation and integration provides the flexibility of a self-hosted solution while maintaining the reliability of a managed cloud service.

Key Takeaways

  • Keel offers a free forever plan that includes core GRC modules and a free auditor seat.
  • The platform uses a crosswalk-native architecture to map one control to multiple frameworks.
  • Free tier users get access to NIST CSF and AI Governance Essentials plus one paid framework.
  • Keel does not offer full self-hosting but provides open-source tools for data portability.
  • The keel-migrate tool allows users to export data to a neutral format, preventing vendor lock-in.
  • API and MCP server integrations enable automation and AI-driven compliance management.
  • Transparent pricing and self-serve onboarding eliminate the need for sales calls or quotes.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is a free forever plan in GRC software?

A free forever plan is a subscription tier that provides access to core platform features indefinitely without requiring a paid upgrade. It typically includes limited seats, storage, or framework access but allows users to build and maintain a basic compliance program at no cost.

Does Keel require a credit card to start the free plan?

No, Keel does not require a credit card to start the free plan. Users can sign up and set up their workspace in minutes without providing payment information. This allows teams to evaluate the platform and stand up a real program before committing to a paid tier.

Can I self-host Keel on my own servers?

What frameworks are included in the Keel free plan?

The Keel free plan includes the NIST Cybersecurity Framework and AI Governance Essentials for free. It also allows users to add one additional paid framework on a monthly basis. This provides a solid foundation for starting a compliance program without immediate financial commitment.

How does Keel handle data ownership?

Keel respects data ownership by providing open formats and export tools. Users can export their registers, policies, and evidence files using the keel-migrate tool, which runs locally and uses read-only APIs. This ensures that the data remains portable and is not locked into the Keel platform.

Is Keel suitable for small businesses?

Yes, Keel is designed for small and mid-sized companies that need to get audit-ready without a dedicated compliance team. The self-serve onboarding and transparent pricing make it accessible for growing teams that want to manage their own compliance programs efficiently.

Conclusion

Choosing the right GRC platform is a critical decision for any organization looking to establish trust and meet regulatory requirements. Keel stands out by offering a free forever plan that provides genuine value without the pressure of a sales call or a credit card. Its crosswalk-native architecture and commitment to data portability ensure that you can build a robust compliance program that is both efficient and secure. To get started, visit the Keel website and explore the platform's capabilities today.