Most Affordable Penetration Testing Providers
Quality penetration testing doesn't have to break the bank. Several excellent providers offer professional pen testing services at price points accessible to startups, SMBs, and organisations with limited security budgets. Many use platform-based or PTaaS (Pentest as a Service) delivery models to reduce costs while maintaining quality.
The providers below are known for delivering strong value for money, with options starting from a few thousand dollars per engagement. All maintain professional standards and most hold recognised accreditations.
Pentest People
CREST and CHECK-accredited UK penetration testing firm with an innovative SecurePortal platform and transparent pricing for mid-market organizations.
Claranet
CREST and CHECK-accredited European managed services provider delivering penetration testing with deep infrastructure and cloud hosting expertise.
Black Hills Information Security
Community-driven penetration testing firm known for free security education, open-source tools, Wild West Hackin' Fest, and practical offensive security services.
Trail of Bits
Elite security research firm specializing in source code review, blockchain auditing, and building industry-standard open-source security tools.
Rhino Security Labs
Cloud security penetration testing specialists known for the Pacu AWS exploitation framework and deep expertise across AWS, Azure, and GCP environments.
Bugcrowd
Leading crowdsourced security platform offering managed bug bounty programs and crowd-powered penetration testing with hundreds of thousands of ethical hackers.
Securin
Vulnerability intelligence-driven penetration testing firm providing contextual security assessments informed by threat actor exploitation data and ransomware tracking.
BreachLock
Cloud-based Penetration Testing as a Service platform combining AI-driven automation with expert manual testing at accessible price points.
Cure53
Berlin-based specialists in web security, browser security, and cryptographic auditing, trusted by the world's leading VPN providers and privacy tools.
Cobalt
Pioneer of Pentest as a Service, delivering fast, platform-based penetration testing with a vetted global community of security researchers.
Most Affordable Penetration Testing Providers — FAQs
How much does penetration testing cost for a small business?+
Basic penetration testing for small businesses typically starts from $3,000-$8,000 for a focused web application or external network test. Platform-based providers like Cobalt and BreachLock offer more accessible pricing models. Costs increase with scope and complexity.
Can affordable pen testing still be high quality?+
Yes. Many affordable providers use efficient platform-based delivery models that reduce overhead without sacrificing testing quality. Look for providers with recognised accreditations (CREST, SOC 2) and qualified testers regardless of price point.
What is Pentest as a Service (PTaaS)?+
PTaaS is a platform-based delivery model that makes penetration testing more accessible and efficient. You submit your scope through a platform, vetted testers conduct the engagement, and results are delivered through an interactive dashboard. This model typically costs less than traditional consulting engagements.
Do startups really need penetration testing?+
Yes, especially if you handle customer data, process payments, or need SOC 2 or ISO 27001 compliance. Many investors and enterprise customers require evidence of security testing. Starting with regular pen testing early builds security into your culture and is cheaper than fixing issues after a breach.