Quick Overview
- 1#1: StarCompliance - Delivers automated personal trading surveillance, code of ethics monitoring, and compliance workflows for private equity and investment firms.
- 2#2: ComplySci - Streamlines conflict clearance, employee disclosures, and regulatory compliance management for asset managers including private equity.
- 3#3: ComplyLog - Manages compliance risks, employee attestations, and regulatory reporting tailored for private equity and hedge funds.
- 4#4: Ascent - Offers investment compliance monitoring with real-time surveillance and exception management for private equity firms.
- 5#5: Smarsh - Captures, supervises, and archives electronic communications to ensure regulatory compliance in private equity.
- 6#6: Global Relay - Provides secure archiving and supervision of email, chat, and social media for private equity compliance.
- 7#7: Theta Lake - Monitors and records collaboration tools like Teams and Slack for regulatory compliance in financial services.
- 8#8: Archer - Integrated risk management platform supporting governance, compliance, and regulatory reporting for enterprises.
- 9#9: NAVEX - Offers ethics, risk, and compliance solutions including policy management and hotline reporting.
- 10#10: MetricStream - Unified GRC platform for managing compliance, risks, and audits across private equity operations.
Tools were selected based on their alignment with private equity needs—such as conflict clearance, electronic communication archiving, and real-time monitoring—and evaluated for features, user experience, security, and overall value.
Comparison Table
Private equity firms face evolving compliance demands, making selecting the right software critical. This comparison table breaks down key tools like StarCompliance, ComplySci, ComplyLog, Ascent, Smarsh, and others, equipping readers to evaluate features, usability, and suitability for their needs.
| # | Tool | Category | Overall | Features | Ease of Use | Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | StarCompliance Delivers automated personal trading surveillance, code of ethics monitoring, and compliance workflows for private equity and investment firms. | specialized | 9.7/10 | 9.8/10 | 9.2/10 | 9.4/10 |
| 2 | ComplySci Streamlines conflict clearance, employee disclosures, and regulatory compliance management for asset managers including private equity. | specialized | 9.1/10 | 9.4/10 | 8.7/10 | 8.9/10 |
| 3 | ComplyLog Manages compliance risks, employee attestations, and regulatory reporting tailored for private equity and hedge funds. | specialized | 8.6/10 | 9.2/10 | 7.8/10 | 8.0/10 |
| 4 | Ascent Offers investment compliance monitoring with real-time surveillance and exception management for private equity firms. | specialized | 8.7/10 | 9.2/10 | 8.0/10 | 8.5/10 |
| 5 | Smarsh Captures, supervises, and archives electronic communications to ensure regulatory compliance in private equity. | enterprise | 8.2/10 | 8.9/10 | 7.4/10 | 7.7/10 |
| 6 | Global Relay Provides secure archiving and supervision of email, chat, and social media for private equity compliance. | enterprise | 8.3/10 | 9.1/10 | 7.4/10 | 7.8/10 |
| 7 | Theta Lake Monitors and records collaboration tools like Teams and Slack for regulatory compliance in financial services. | enterprise | 8.1/10 | 8.7/10 | 7.9/10 | 7.5/10 |
| 8 | Archer Integrated risk management platform supporting governance, compliance, and regulatory reporting for enterprises. | enterprise | 8.2/10 | 9.1/10 | 7.3/10 | 7.8/10 |
| 9 | NAVEX Offers ethics, risk, and compliance solutions including policy management and hotline reporting. | enterprise | 8.1/10 | 8.7/10 | 7.6/10 | 7.9/10 |
| 10 | MetricStream Unified GRC platform for managing compliance, risks, and audits across private equity operations. | enterprise | 8.1/10 | 9.0/10 | 7.2/10 | 7.5/10 |
Delivers automated personal trading surveillance, code of ethics monitoring, and compliance workflows for private equity and investment firms.
Streamlines conflict clearance, employee disclosures, and regulatory compliance management for asset managers including private equity.
Manages compliance risks, employee attestations, and regulatory reporting tailored for private equity and hedge funds.
Offers investment compliance monitoring with real-time surveillance and exception management for private equity firms.
Captures, supervises, and archives electronic communications to ensure regulatory compliance in private equity.
Provides secure archiving and supervision of email, chat, and social media for private equity compliance.
Monitors and records collaboration tools like Teams and Slack for regulatory compliance in financial services.
Integrated risk management platform supporting governance, compliance, and regulatory reporting for enterprises.
Offers ethics, risk, and compliance solutions including policy management and hotline reporting.
Unified GRC platform for managing compliance, risks, and audits across private equity operations.
StarCompliance
specializedDelivers automated personal trading surveillance, code of ethics monitoring, and compliance workflows for private equity and investment firms.
Universal broker-agnostic connectivity with real-time pre- and post-trade surveillance powered by AI-driven pattern recognition
StarCompliance is a leading compliance management platform tailored for private equity firms, investment advisers, and hedge funds, automating critical processes like employee personal trading surveillance, pre-clearance, disclosures, and attestations. It ensures adherence to SEC regulations such as Rule 204A-1 by monitoring for insider trading, conflicts of interest, and restricted securities. The software integrates with multiple brokers for seamless data feeds and provides customizable workflows and reporting to streamline compliance operations.
Pros
- Comprehensive automation for personal trading compliance and surveillance
- Seamless integrations with major brokers like Schwab, Fidelity, and Interactive Brokers
- Robust reporting and audit trail capabilities for regulatory filings
Cons
- High cost suitable mainly for mid-to-large firms
- Initial setup and customization can be time-intensive
- Limited self-service options for smaller teams
Best For
Mid-to-large private equity firms requiring enterprise-grade, scalable compliance solutions to manage complex employee trading and regulatory requirements.
Pricing
Custom enterprise pricing based on firm size, users, and modules; typically starts in the mid-five figures annually—contact sales for a quote.
ComplySci
specializedStreamlines conflict clearance, employee disclosures, and regulatory compliance management for asset managers including private equity.
AI-driven transaction monitoring with automated risk alerts and workflow approvals
ComplySci is a comprehensive compliance management platform tailored for investment firms, including private equity, offering tools for personal trading surveillance, employee disclosures, and regulatory reporting. It automates pre-clearance workflows, monitors outside business activities, and tracks gifts and entertainment to mitigate conflicts of interest. The software integrates with custodians and brokers for seamless data flow, ensuring firms stay ahead of SEC and FINRA requirements.
Pros
- Robust real-time surveillance and pre-clearance tools
- Strong integrations with trading platforms and custodians
- Scalable for enterprise-level private equity firms
Cons
- High implementation and customization costs
- Steep learning curve for advanced features
- Pricing lacks transparency without a demo
Best For
Mid-to-large private equity firms with complex compliance teams needing automated surveillance and reporting.
Pricing
Custom quote-based pricing, typically starting at $50,000+ annually depending on users, modules, and firm size.
ComplyLog
specializedManages compliance risks, employee attestations, and regulatory reporting tailored for private equity and hedge funds.
AI-driven holistic surveillance engine that unifies detection across all channels in real-time
ComplyLog is a cloud-based compliance surveillance platform specializing in monitoring and archiving communications across email, chat, voice, mobile, and social channels. It uses AI-powered analytics to detect risks like insider trading, market abuse, and regulatory violations, helping private equity firms maintain SEC, MiFID II, and other compliance standards. The solution provides real-time alerts, automated supervision, and comprehensive reporting for streamlined audits.
Pros
- Multi-channel surveillance covering all modern communication types
- Advanced AI for behavioral analytics and risk detection
- Scalable architecture with strong integration capabilities
Cons
- Steep learning curve and complex initial setup
- Pricing can be prohibitive for smaller PE firms
- Less emphasis on non-communication compliance areas like AML/KYC workflows
Best For
Mid-to-large private equity firms focused on robust communication surveillance and regulatory reporting.
Pricing
Custom enterprise pricing, typically starting at $50,000+ annually based on users, channels, and data volume.
Ascent
specializedOffers investment compliance monitoring with real-time surveillance and exception management for private equity firms.
Intelligent Form PF automation engine with real-time SEC validation and direct e-filing capabilities
Ascent is a specialized RegTech platform tailored for private equity and venture capital firms, automating regulatory compliance workflows including SEC Form PF and Form ADV filings. It centralizes data aggregation from multiple sources, performs automated validations, and streamlines reporting to reduce manual errors and ensure accuracy. The software also supports ongoing compliance monitoring and audit trails, making it a robust solution for navigating complex private fund regulations.
Pros
- Highly specialized automation for PE-specific SEC filings like Form PF and ADV
- Robust data validation and aggregation from diverse sources
- Comprehensive workflow tools for compliance teams
Cons
- Custom pricing can be steep for smaller funds
- Initial setup requires significant data mapping
- Primarily US-focused with limited global regulatory support
Best For
Mid-sized private equity firms needing automated, accurate SEC compliance reporting without in-house development.
Pricing
Custom enterprise subscriptions starting around $50,000 annually, scaled by AUM and fund complexity.
Smarsh
enterpriseCaptures, supervises, and archives electronic communications to ensure regulatory compliance in private equity.
Universal channel capture and AI-powered behavioral analytics for proactive compliance risk identification
Smarsh is a leading communications compliance and archiving platform designed for financial services firms, including private equity, to capture, retain, and supervise electronic communications across email, social media, instant messaging, and voice channels. It ensures adherence to SEC, FINRA, and other regulatory requirements through robust archiving, e-discovery, and AI-powered surveillance tools. The platform scales for enterprise needs, providing audit-ready records and risk monitoring to mitigate compliance violations.
Pros
- Comprehensive capture across 100+ communication channels
- Advanced AI-driven surveillance and analytics for risk detection
- Scalable cloud-based architecture with strong security and e-discovery
Cons
- High cost structure unsuitable for smaller firms
- Complex setup and steep learning curve for non-technical users
- Less tailored for buy-side specific workflows compared to sell-side focus
Best For
Mid-to-large private equity firms handling high-volume, multi-channel communications that require enterprise-grade regulatory archiving and supervision.
Pricing
Custom enterprise pricing via quote; typically $15-50/user/month or volume-based, with minimums starting at $50,000+ annually.
Global Relay
enterpriseProvides secure archiving and supervision of email, chat, and social media for private equity compliance.
End-to-end unified archiving and supervision across 50+ communication channels with seamless integration into PE workflows
Global Relay is a comprehensive compliance platform designed for capturing, archiving, and supervising electronic communications across multiple channels including email, instant messaging, voice, video, and social media. It ensures regulatory adherence for financial firms, such as SEC Rule 17a-4 and MiFID II, with AI-driven surveillance to detect risks like insider trading or market abuse. For private equity firms, it provides robust record-keeping for investor communications, deal documentation, and internal chats, reducing compliance burdens during audits.
Pros
- Multi-channel capture including emerging platforms like WhatsApp, Teams, and Bloomberg Chat
- AI-powered supervision with real-time risk detection and analytics
- Scalable cloud-based architecture with strong data sovereignty options
Cons
- High implementation costs and complexity for setup
- Steep learning curve for non-technical compliance teams
- Pricing can be prohibitive for smaller PE firms
Best For
Mid-to-large private equity firms handling high-volume communications and needing enterprise-level surveillance for regulatory compliance.
Pricing
Custom enterprise pricing, typically $20-40 per user/month with minimums, annual contracts, and volume discounts.
Theta Lake
enterpriseMonitors and records collaboration tools like Teams and Slack for regulatory compliance in financial services.
Patented media reconstruction technology that unifies fragmented conversations from multiple sources into a single, threaded view for efficient supervision.
Theta Lake is a comprehensive compliance surveillance platform tailored for financial services, including private equity firms, that captures, archives, and supervises communications across channels like email, Microsoft Teams, Slack, Zoom, voice calls, and social media. It ensures regulatory compliance with SEC, FINRA, and global standards by providing AI-driven risk detection, media reconstruction, and automated supervision workflows. The solution helps PE firms mitigate risks from off-channel communications and improper disclosures while maintaining defensible audit trails for investigations.
Pros
- Multi-channel capture including modern apps like Teams and Slack
- AI-powered risk scoring and real-time alerts reduce manual reviews
- Patented media reconstruction for contextual conversation views
Cons
- Enterprise pricing can be steep for smaller PE firms
- Primarily focused on surveillance rather than broader PE compliance like investor reporting
- Initial setup and integrations may require significant IT resources
Best For
Mid-to-large private equity firms with complex, high-volume digital communications needing advanced surveillance and regulatory archiving.
Pricing
Custom enterprise pricing based on users, channels, and data volume; typically starts at $50,000+ annually with quotes required.
Archer
enterpriseIntegrated risk management platform supporting governance, compliance, and regulatory reporting for enterprises.
Unified data model that integrates risk, compliance, and audit data across silos for a single source of truth
Archer (archer.com) is a comprehensive integrated risk management (IRM) platform designed for governance, risk, and compliance (GRC) needs, offering modular solutions for regulatory compliance, audit management, policy control, and third-party risk. It provides private equity firms with tools to automate compliance workflows, track regulatory changes, and generate reporting for SEC filings and investor requirements. The low-code configuration enables tailored deployments for complex PE portfolios, integrating with enterprise systems for holistic oversight.
Pros
- Highly configurable low-code platform for custom compliance workflows
- Extensive pre-built content library for regulations like SEC and GDPR
- Robust analytics and reporting for PE-specific risk and compliance insights
Cons
- Steep learning curve and lengthy implementation for non-technical users
- Premium pricing may not suit smaller PE firms
- Overly complex for straightforward compliance needs
Best For
Mid-to-large private equity firms with complex, multi-jurisdictional compliance requirements seeking an enterprise-grade GRC solution.
Pricing
Custom enterprise subscription pricing, typically starting at $100,000+ annually based on modules, users, and deployment size.
NAVEX
enterpriseOffers ethics, risk, and compliance solutions including policy management and hotline reporting.
NAVEX One's unified Ethics & Compliance dashboard for real-time risk visibility and cross-module workflows
NAVEX (navex.com) is a comprehensive governance, risk, and compliance (GRC) platform via NAVEX One, offering integrated tools for ethics hotlines, policy management, employee training, and third-party risk assessments. Tailored for enterprises including private equity firms, it supports regulatory compliance such as SEC reporting, anti-bribery (FCPA), and due diligence processes. The solution emphasizes incident tracking, automated workflows, and analytics to mitigate compliance risks across portfolios and operations.
Pros
- Robust incident reporting and hotline management with AI-driven triage
- Scalable third-party risk monitoring ideal for PE portfolio companies
- Extensive pre-built policy libraries and training content compliant with global regs
Cons
- Enterprise-level pricing can be prohibitive for smaller PE firms
- Steep implementation and learning curve due to feature depth
- Less specialized for niche PE requirements like Form PF or pay-to-play rules
Best For
Mid-to-large private equity firms with complex, multi-jurisdictional compliance needs requiring an integrated GRC platform.
Pricing
Custom enterprise subscription pricing; typically $50,000+ annually based on users/modules, with implementation fees.
MetricStream
enterpriseUnified GRC platform for managing compliance, risks, and audits across private equity operations.
Unified GRC platform with AI-driven 'Risk Intelligence' for predictive compliance monitoring across investments
MetricStream is a comprehensive Governance, Risk, and Compliance (GRC) platform designed to unify risk management, regulatory compliance, audit, and policy enforcement across enterprises. For private equity firms, it excels in monitoring portfolio company compliance, managing regulatory reporting like SEC filings, and automating AML/KYC processes. Its AI-driven analytics provide proactive insights into emerging risks, making it suitable for scaling compliance operations in complex investment ecosystems.
Pros
- Extensive module library for compliance, risk, and audit tailored to enterprise needs
- AI-powered risk intelligence and real-time dashboards for portfolio oversight
- Strong integration with ERP, CRM, and third-party data sources
Cons
- Steep implementation and customization timeline for PE-specific workflows
- High enterprise-level pricing not ideal for smaller funds
- Interface can feel overwhelming for non-technical compliance teams
Best For
Mid-to-large private equity firms with diverse portfolios requiring an integrated, scalable GRC solution for regulatory and operational compliance.
Pricing
Custom enterprise pricing on request; typically starts at $100,000+ annually based on modules and users.
Conclusion
The reviewed private equity compliance tools collectively offer strong solutions, but StarCompliance leads with its comprehensive suite of automated surveillance, ethics monitoring, and workflow management, making it the top choice. ComplySci and ComplyLog follow closely, excelling in conflict clearance and risk management respectively, providing viable alternatives for firms with specific needs.
Ready to elevate your compliance? Start with StarCompliance to streamline surveillance, manage ethics, and ensure seamless workflows—taking your firm’s regulatory readiness to the next level.
Tools Reviewed
All tools were independently evaluated for this comparison