How Calethia Compares

Choosing a compliance solution? Understand how Calethia's policy-as-code approach differs from traditional tools and specifications.

Feature Comparison

See how key features stack up across different approaches to compliance.

Feature	Calethia	OSCAL	Vanta
Policy definition approach	Python code with @policy decorator	XML/JSON specification files	Pre-built policies (config-based)
Git-native architecture
IDE support & type safety
Custom policy logic	Full Python expressiveness	Limited to spec structure	Restricted customization
Framework coverage	SOC2, ISO27001, HIPAA, CIS, custom	Any (it's a data format)	SOC2, ISO27001, HIPAA, GDPR
Evidence collection	Automated + cryptographically signed	Manual export	Automated via agents
Self-hosted option
Pricing model	Feature-based (not per-seat)	Free (it's a spec)	Per-seat subscription

Detailed Comparisons

Understand the fundamental differences in approach.

Calethia vs OSCAL

The NIST Specification

OSCAL (Open Security Controls Assessment Language) is a government-backed data format for describing security controls, assessments, and compliance documentation. It's a specification, not a product.

Key Differences

OSCAL defines how to describe controls in XML/JSON format
It requires tooling to be useful - OSCAL itself doesn't run policies
Designed for documentation and data exchange, not enforcement
Calethia could potentially export to OSCAL format in the future

Why Choose Calethia

Calethia is a complete product, not just a specification
Policies execute and enforce, not just describe
Python code with IDE support vs verbose XML/JSON
Automated evidence collection and cryptographic signing

Calethia vs Vanta

The Agent-Based Approach

Vanta is a popular compliance automation platform that uses agents installed on endpoints to continuously monitor security controls and collect evidence.

Key Differences

Agent-based monitoring requires installing software on endpoints
Pre-built policies with limited customization options
Designed primarily for GRC teams, not engineering teams
Per-seat pricing that scales with team size

Why Choose Calethia

Policy-as-code approach with full Python expressiveness
Git-native: policies live in your repo, reviewed in PRs
No agents required - API-based evidence collection
Developer-first experience with IDE autocomplete and type safety

The Policy-as-Code Advantage

Write policies in Python with full IDE support. Version control them in Git. Review changes in pull requests. This is how modern engineering teams work.

Example: MFA Enforcement Policy

Full Python expressiveness with type-safe framework mappings

from calethia import policy, Severity
from calethia.aws import iam
from calethia.frameworks import SOC2, CIS_AWS

@policy(
    id="aws.iam.mfa_required",
    name="IAM Users Have MFA",
    severity=Severity.HIGH,
    frameworks=[SOC2("CC6.1"), CIS_AWS("1.10")],
)
def check_mfa(ctx: iam.Context) -> iam.Result:
    """Ensure all IAM users with
    console access have MFA enabled."""
    for user in ctx.list_users():
        if user.has_console_access and not user.mfa_enabled:
            ctx.fail(user.to_resource(), "User has no MFA")
        else:
            ctx.pass_(user.to_resource(), "User has MFA")
    return ctx.result()

Ready to see the difference?

Schedule a demo to see how Calethia's policy-as-code approach can transform your compliance program.

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