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defi security alliance

The Most Cost-Effective Smart Contract Auditors of 2023

In the rapidly evolving world of decentralized finance (DeFi), the importance of robust smart contract audits cannot be overstated.
As the sector burgeons, the demand for affordable yet reliable audit services has soared. In 2023, amidst a plethora of audit firms, a few have distinguished themselves by offering cost-effective solutions without compromising on quality. This insightful overview is informed by comprehensive research conducted by the DeFi Security Alliance, a collective dedicated to enhancing the safety and integrity of the DeFi ecosystem.

It's important to note that all prices mentioned are based on the audit of the same control project, a project of medium complexity. Therefore, these prices should not be perceived as either the starting or the highest possible price for an audit. We advise reaching out to the auditors directly with your specific projects to obtain a tailored quote. This article serves as a comparative and informational guide and does not offer financial advice or recommendations.

Specialized in Solidity with a Strong Media Presence
Solidity Finance is a smart contract auditor that has audited over 1500 projects, including tokens, NFTs, crowdsales, marketplaces, gambling games, financial protocols, and more, primarily on EVM chains. The company, which focuses on the Solidity language, was founded in 2020. They are known for their expertise in a range of services, such as Flash Loans & Arbitrage Threat Mitigation, Formal Verification, Applied Economic Modeling, Low-Level Programming & Assembly, and Yield Farming Strategies. An audit takes approximately one week to complete. The price for their standard test project is $6,800, which is average for the market and affordable for most projects. Solidity Finance also has a strong media presence, with regular announcements of completed audits on Twitter and Telegram, and a dedicated page on their website for detailed reports.
Diverse Services with Strong Media Presence
SolidProof, established under the German company Make Network in May 2020, has audited over 1000 projects, demonstrating extensive experience. They work with both EVM and non-EVM blockchains, focusing on Solidity and Rust. The standard audit takes about 7 workdays, but this can be halved for a doubled price. Their audit price for a standard test project is $6,500, which is average in the market and considered affordable. SolidProof also offers KYC and a variety of marketing services. They have a strong media presence, with high engagement on their social media channels and mentions in notable publications like Yahoo.Finance. Clients receive additional benefits like a branded design for announcements and visibility on SolidProof's social media and website.
Comprehensive Services with Rapid Turnaround
RugFreeCoins is an audit company that started its operations in July 2021 and has rapidly completed approximately 140 audits in 16 months. They specialize in EVM projects and offer a range of services including smart contract and Dapp development, web and mobile app development, and marketing assistance. Their audit process is notably quick, with audits completed within 12 hours of request. The standard audit price for their default test project is $5,000, which is considered affordable for most project owners. They also offer additional benefits like permanent listing of the audited tokens on their platform and promotional support on their social media channels.
Rapid Growth with a Comprehensive Service Portfolio
Cyberscope is a relatively young audit company, having published its first report in December 2021. Despite its recent inception, it has audited over 1200 projects, indicating rapid growth and a strong market presence. The company audits a variety of blockchains, including Ethereum, Binance, Polygon, Dogechain, and Aptos, and works with both EVM and non-EVM chains. They offer services beyond auditing, such as KYC, marketing campaigns, and their developed tools like Cyberscan and Coinscope. An audit takes approximately 7-11 days to complete. The audit price for their standard test project is $4,700, which is average for the market and affordable for most new projects. Cyberscope also provides a marketing campaign that includes tweets, email newsletters, and banner ads on its high-traffic domain.
Experienced Auditors with a Focus on EVM Blockchains
ContractChecker has been active since December 2021 and has audited over 400 projects, indicating substantial experience in the field. They specialize in EVM blockchains and offer additional services such as KYC and smart contract development. The company takes about 14 workdays to complete an audit, which is relatively longer compared to some competitors. Their audit price for a standard test project is $3,500, which is considered average and affordable for most projects. ContractChecker also promotes audited projects through tweets and Telegram announcements, adding value to their service package.
Balancing Affordability with Expertise
HashEx, founded in 2017, has developed a strong reputation in the DeFi security space. They have audited over 1200 projects, demonstrating a broad range of expertise. The company audits a variety of networks, including EVM projects and others like Solana, Near, and L1/L2 solutions. HashEx is known for its educational efforts and development of technical tools for DeFi security. An audit takes approximately 7 weekdays, and they offer a faster option at a higher price. The standard audit price for a test project is $4,000, which is average for the market and considered affordable for most projects. HashEx also provides additional services like smart contract development, blockchain consulting, and marketing services. They offer a Delayed Delivery Audit service with a 10-20% discount for early-stage projects and a 10% discount on multiple audits.
Affordable and Rapid Auditing Services
BlockSAFU is a relatively new player in the smart contract audit market, having conducted its first audit in May 2022. Despite its recent entry, it has completed a significant number of audits, showcasing rapid growth. The company audits all networks and develops smart contracts for all EVM chains. They offer additional services like smart contract development, Token Generator, KYC, and marketing services. Notably, their audit prices are quite affordable, starting at $5,000 with potential discounts lowering the price to $3,000. They also offer bonuses like free AMAs in their community and discount marketing channels.
New Company with a Broad Portfolio and Rapid Auditing
0xGuard is a relatively new audit company, having conducted its first audit in October 2021. Despite its recent inception, it has audited over 100 projects. The team and founders of 0xGuard remain anonymous, but the company is gaining recognition in the media and for its audits. They work with a variety of blockchains, both EVM and non-EVM, and offer services like KYC, smart contract development, marketing support, and Solidity consulting. An audit takes approximately 5 days to complete. The standard audit price is $4,500, but they offer a 30% discount if payment is processed within 3 days, along with free KYC and discounts on marketing services. This pricing is considered average and affordable for most projects.
Efficient Auditing with Promotional Perks
Coinsult, established in February 2022, has quickly gained experience by completing over 400 audits within a year. They work with Ethereum, Polygon, Binance Smart Chain, and xDai. Their audit process takes about a week, which is average among similar companies. The audit price for their standard test project is $3,000, making it affordable for most project owners. Coinsult stands out by offering additional promotional services, including a YouTube video, Telegram group call, Twitter post, and 3-day website promotion. These extras provide significant value, especially for projects seeking visibility in addition to auditing services.
Experienced Auditors with a Focus on Token Projects
TechRate, founded in 2020, has established itself as a reputable audit company, having audited over 1800 projects, primarily tokens. They work with a variety of blockchain networks, both EVM and non-EVM, showcasing their adaptability and technical proficiency. The audit price for their standard test project is $1,850, which is considered average and affordable for most projects, including new ones. This pricing makes TechRate an accessible option for a wide range of projects seeking reliable audit services.
Quick and Thorough Smart Contract Audits
Rapid Labs specializes in smart contract security audits, offering services that are quick, thorough, and reliable. They emphasize a fast-paced and professional approach to auditing, ensuring that each issue found is described precisely and in an easy-to-understand manner. Their recommendations are clear and helpful, catering to a wide range of clients in the DeFi space. The company prides itself on immediate responses, smooth communication, and constant support throughout the audit process. The audit price for their services is $1,500, making it one of the more affordable options in the market. Rapid Labs also offers KYC services, adding to their comprehensive approach to project security and trust.
Rapid Auditing with a Wide Range of Services
ContractWolf, founded in 2022, has quickly made a mark by auditing over 450 projects. They support a wide range of blockchains including ETH, BSC, ARBITRUM, ETHW, DOGECHAIN, AVAX, MATIC, FANTOM, CRONOS, SOLANA, and APTOS, showcasing their versatility. The company is known for its rapid audit process, completing audits in 8-12 hours. Their standard audit price is $1,200, but they offer a discount, reducing the price to $750. Additionally, they provide a quick audit option for $100. ContractWolf also offers KYC, smart contract/web3 dApp/website development, graphics and design creation, and project exposure. They have unique tools like Create Token and Rug Scanner, enhancing their service offerings.
Conclusion

In the dynamic and often unpredictable realm of DeFi, smart contract audits are a critical component of a project's success. The auditors listed above have demonstrated a commitment to providing affordable services, ensuring that even projects with limited budgets can secure their platforms against vulnerabilities. As the industry continues to grow, these auditors will undoubtedly play a pivotal role in fostering a safer DeFi ecosystem for all participants.
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