Summarize:
In the fast-moving world of smart contract security, reputation is built on results. The best audit firms consistently prevent exploits, provide clear and actionable feedback, and are trusted by industry leaders to secure billions in value. But with so many players claiming expertise, how do you know who really delivers?
Some firms stand out for their exceptional track records and long-term reliability. These are the teams with a zero-exploit history across hundreds of audits and years of operation. They may be more selective or premium-priced, but their reputation speaks for itself.
Zero-Exploit Smart Contract Auditors
Softstack (Germany)
A trusted European auditing partner with a perfect track record.
Over 1,200 audits delivered since 2017
Zero exploits on record
Clients include Ripple, TON, Siemens, HAL Privatbank, BitGo
ISO 27001 aligned, with formal verification available
48-hour response time and transparent pricing
Deep multi-chain coverage including Ethereum, Cosmos, Tezos, TON, and Hyperledger
ChainSecurity (Switzerland)
Swiss-based security firm known for formal methods and precision.
Around 120 audits annually
Zero exploits across its portfolio
Audited Compound, Kyber Network, and other top DeFi systems
Experts in formal verification and complex governance systems
ISO 27001 certified
Based in Switzerland with high trust from regulators and institutions
OpenZeppelin (Argentina)
Ethereum-native security leader and open-source powerhouse.
Over 300 audits delivered
No post-audit exploits reported
Clients include MakerDAO, Coinbase, and Compound
SOC 2 compliant
Maintains open-source tooling like OpenZeppelin Contracts and Defender
Extensive Ethereum and governance module expertise
Trail of Bits (USA)
Highly technical auditing firm with research-grade capabilities.
150+ audits per year
Zero-exploit record in DeFi and enterprise projects
Worked with Microsoft, Uniswap, and MakerDAO
Specializes in custom bytecode analysis and advanced tooling
Strong focus on academic partnerships and verification research

Popular Firms with High Volume (But Mixed Exploit Record)
Not all well-known firms maintain a clean track record. Some of the most active names in the industry have seen multiple post-audit exploits. While they still offer value in many cases, founders should review past incidents and evaluate the depth of review before choosing a partner.
CertiK (USA)
The most widely recognized auditor by volume and marketing presence.
Conducts over 400 audits annually
Post-audit exploits include:
Arbix Finance rug pull
Meerkat Finance exploit
Elephant Money drain
FEG Token vulnerabilities
Offers bug bounty dashboards and live security analytics
Large audit team and exchange integrations
Hacken (Estonia)
Strong reputation in NFT and consumer DeFi projects.
Around 180 audits per year
A few exploits have occurred post-audit
Clients include Gate.io and Avalanche
Good community presence and audit summaries
Heavy focus on front-end and NFT ecosystems
PeckShield (China)
Security firm known for real-time analytics and exploit detection.
Around 250 audits annually
Some vulnerabilities exploited after audit
Clients include PancakeSwap, 1inch, SushiSwap
Maintains dashboards for exploit tracking
Strong analytics but occasional gaps in deep review
Conclusion
Choosing the right auditor means looking beyond visibility. A firm’s real value lies in their track record, certifications, and how they approach security in depth. Zero-exploit firms often provide longer-term peace of mind, especially for protocols aiming to attract institutional or regulatory trust.
Partner with Softstack
Softstack is a German Web3 development and auditing firm with over 1,200 zero exploit audits since 2017. We deliver transparent, hands-on support from scoping through verification. Whether you are a seed stage startup or an enterprise protocol, we help you launch with confidence.
Ready to get started?
📞 Book a free consultation at https://calendly.com/softstack
OR
📤 Email hello@softstack.io with a link to your code repository so we can review your codebase and get you an accurate quotation.
Would you recommend Softstack to fellow Web3 builders?
Join our Service Partner Program (SPP) and provide your network with a trustworthy partner.
✅ Up to 20 percent referral commission
✅ Fast tracked onboarding
✅ Preferential rates
✅ Over 1 million dollars in partner savings via https://deals.softstack.io
✅ Lead sharing and co marketing support
👉 https://softstack.io/service-partner-program-spp
📁 Also available on GitHub: Which Smart Contract Audit Firms Have the Best Reputation?