Certikit ISO 27001 Toolkit vs High Table ISO 27001 Toolkit
Both the High Table ISO 27001 Toolkit and CertiKit ISO 27001 Toolkit provide pre-written documentation and templates to help organizations, particularly small to medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), implement an ISO 27001 Information Security Management System (ISMS) without hiring expensive consultants. They are designed for a “Do It Yourself” approach and are one-time purchases, not subscriptions. While both products are similar in goal, they have differences in what they include and how they are priced.
Table of contents
Comparison Table
| Feature | High Table ISO 27001 Toolkit | CertiKit ISO 27001 Toolkit |
| Target Audience | Small and medium businesses | General organizations |
| Total Cost of Ownership | The one-time purchase price is the primary cost. The cost includes a personal one-on-one consultation with the author and group Q&A sessions. The kit is designed to minimise overall costs by replacing the need for external consultants. | The one-time purchase price is the main cost. Additional services like a paid consultation meeting are an extra expense. The toolkit is designed to provide a perpetual license for an organization, reducing recurring costs associated with subscriptions. |
| Target Audience | Small and medium businesses | General organizations |
| Format | Microsoft Office (Word and Excel) | Microsoft 365 format |
| Expert Support | Offers direct access to the toolkit’s creator, Stuart Barker, through video calls and weekly group Q&A sessions | Provides unlimited email support and an expert review of up to three completed documents. |
| Suitability for SMEs | Excellent. The toolkit is explicitly designed for small and medium-sized businesses and is “beginner friendly,” assuming no prior knowledge. The use of Microsoft Office documents removes the need for expensive online platforms. It provides a step-by-step process with guides and video tutorials, making it accessible for non-specialists. | Very Good. CertiKit is a solid toolkit suitable for organizations of various sizes, including SMEs. It provides a large number of template documents (over 215) and guides. The perpetual license and unlimited user access make it a flexible option for a growing team. |
| Updates | Lifetime updates included | Lifetime updates included |
| Bonus Features | Video walkthroughs, YouTube guides, 40+ group clinic sessions | 3-month trial of Cyber Training Platform |
| Timeline | The toolkit is marketed to help businesses build their ISMS in days and be ready for certification in weeks. While this is an ambitious claim, it suggests a faster implementation than other methods, such as hiring a full-time consultant. | The timeline is not explicitly stated on the product page. However, with the included documents and perpetual license for unlimited users, an organization can work at its own pace to prepare for certification. Industry standard timelines for SMEs are typically 3-6 months. |
| Key Differentiators | Expert-Led Content: Developed by Stuart Barker, an experienced ISO 27001 professional. Emphasis on direct support from the author through consultations and Q&A sessions. Cost-Effective Focus: The lower price point and design around a simple document pack make it a highly affordable choice. | Extensive Document Library: Includes a large number of templates and documents (over 215). Additional Features: The toolkit includes a 3-month trial to a cyber training platform, a gap assessment checklist, and a quality guarantee. |
Recommendation for a Small Business
If you run a small business, High Table is the best choice for you. It’s very easy to use and much cheaper. It has a design that even beginners can follow easily.
You get direct help from an expert. They offer live question-and-answer sessions and private meetings. This support is vital because your team likely doesn’t have many in-house experts.
CertiKit gives you many documents, but you probably won’t need all of them. High Table focuses on being simple. This makes the big job of implementing ISO 27001 much less scary and easier for your small team to manage.
The right toolkit always depends on your specific needs. If you want to save money and prefer a simple, step-by-step approach, High Table wins easily. If you really need a huge library of templates and are happy to pay more for it, CertiKit is a strong option.
For Tech Startups
We suggest High Table for your tech start-up. It saves you money and uses a simple, guided method. This fits well with how fast your company moves and the limited resources you have.
The direct expert help is useful for getting quick answers about controls. This is key for things like secure development and how your systems are built.
For AI Business
High Table is a great starting point for your AI business. It covers all the basic compliance needs and saves you cash. You can then use that extra budget for technical controls that only apply to artificial intelligence.
Top 6 Certikit Alternatives
What is an alternative to Certikit? It will depend on a number of factors but here is a selection of the best alternatives:
High Table
You’ll find this tool easy to use, especially if you have a small business, tech startup of AI company. It’s great for beginners because it offers simple templates. You also get support from experts through live question-and-answer sessions and individual one-on-one meetings.
Compleye
This software platform offers a simpler, lean way to manage compliance if you’re a startup or growing business (scale-up). You can choose from free and paid plans. It includes an online tool and guidance from compliance officers.
IT Governance
This is a recognized expert on ISO 27001. They give you a complete set of toolkits and consulting services. Their main focus is on keeping you resilient against cyber issues and protecting your data.
ProActive QMS
With this software, you get a central spot to track and manage your Information Security Management System (ISMS) and your ISO certification process.
SimpleRisk
You can use this open-source, straightforward risk management platform to help you keep track of risks (risk registers), create heat maps, and set up email alerts for when tasks are overdue.
Advisera (27001Academy)
Offers detailed, expert-developed ISO 27001 documentation toolkits and online training courses. Their materials are supported by video tutorials and a community of experts, focusing on a strong, educational approach to implementation.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
It is a set of documents, guides, and templates to help a business get ISO 27001 certified.
They provide pre-written documents and policies so you don’t have to start from scratch.
They save money by removing the need to hire expensive consultants, whose fees can be tens of thousands of pounds.
High Table’s toolkit states that it is also compliant with NIS2 and DORA.
Yes, both toolkits are aligned with the ISO 27001:2022 and ISO 27002:2022 standards.
The kits include policies, procedures, risk assessment templates, a Statement of Applicability (SoA), and more.
Yes, both toolkits use common programs like Microsoft Word and Excel, making them simple to edit.
Yes, both companies offer free lifetime updates to their toolkits.
No, both toolkits are a one-time purchase.
Yes, High Table’s toolkit is designed specifically for smaller companies. CertiKit also works for companies of any size.
Both companies offer support. Hightable provides one-on-one sessions and group calls. CertiKit gives unlimited email support.
CertiKit’s toolkit has a higher number of documents, including over 130 Annex A control documents.
The toolkits provide the necessary documentation and templates. However, an organization must still implement the processes and controls described in the documents.
Yes, they provide the necessary paperwork to get you ready for your audit.
Yes, High Table provides video walkthroughs and a YouTube guide library.
CertiKit has a seven-day money-back guarantee. High Table does not list a refund policy.
No, both toolkits are licensed for use by only one company.
High Table uses Microsoft Office, while CertiKit uses Microsoft 365, which is a very similar format.
Implementation for an SME typically takes between three to six months, depending on the complexity of the business and the resources dedicated to the project.
The total cost includes the toolkit’s one-time purchase price, staff time, and the fees for the external certification body’s audit.
Yes, an external audit by a registered certification body is a mandatory step to become officially ISO 27001 certified.
The templates are designed to be customised, so you can adapt your existing policies to fit the toolkit’s framework.
No, both toolkits are designed to be user-friendly for people without prior knowledge of the standard.
Consider your budget, the level of support you need, and whether you prefer a simpler, more hands-on approach or a more extensive document library.
Document toolkits are generally more affordable and give you full control. Online platforms can be more automated but often involve recurring subscription fees.
