Key differences at a glance
Eramba suits medium-to-large organisations that need a comprehensive GRC platform across multiple frameworks. Open Risk Register suits SMEs, consultants, and compliance teams who need a fast, private NIS2 risk assessment without infrastructure overhead.
| Feature | Eramba | Open Risk Register |
|---|---|---|
| Pricing | Community (free, limited) / Enterprise (paid) | Free — always |
| Installation required | Yes — self-hosted (Docker / PHP) | No — runs in your browser |
| Account / login required | Yes | No |
| Data storage | Server database | Browser localStorage — never leaves your device |
| NIS2 Article 21 alignment | Partial — requires configuration | Yes — built-in, step-by-step |
| NIST SP 800-30 workflow | Partial | Full 9-step workflow |
| Time to first assessment | Hours to days (setup) | Minutes |
| Multi-framework support | Yes (ISO 27001, GDPR, etc.) | NIS2 / NIST SP 800-30 only |
| Team collaboration | Yes (multi-user) | Single-device (export for sharing) |
| Open source | Community edition only | Fully open source |
| Export formats | Multiple | JSON + PDF print |
| Vendor lock-in risk | Medium (self-hosted) | None |
When to choose Eramba — and when not to
Choose Eramba when…
Your organisation needs to manage compliance across multiple frameworks (ISO 27001, GDPR, NIS2, SOC 2) in one platform. You have an IT team to maintain a self-hosted installation and a budget for enterprise licensing. You need multi-user, role-based workflows and audit trails across departments.
Choose Open Risk Register when…
You need to complete a NIS2 risk assessment quickly, without a server installation or vendor account. You are an SME, independent consultant, or DPO running a focused assessment. You need data privacy — your risk register must not leave your device. You want to start immediately at zero cost.
Use both when…
You are evaluating NIS2 compliance quickly before committing to an enterprise GRC rollout. Open Risk Register can produce a first assessment in minutes; you can migrate the findings to Eramba later if you choose to proceed with a full GRC platform.
What is Eramba?
Eramba is an open-source GRC (Governance, Risk and Compliance) platform originally released in 2013. The community edition is self-hosted and free; the enterprise edition adds support, SaaS hosting, and advanced features for a commercial fee.
It covers risk management, policy management, exception tracking, compliance frameworks, and audit management. It is designed for security and compliance teams in medium-to-large organisations. Setting it up typically requires Docker or a PHP/MySQL stack, which is a significant barrier for small teams or one-off assessments.
Try Open Risk Register now — no install needed
Complete a NIS2 risk assessment in your browser. No server, no account, no cost.
Start Assessment →