August 2, 2026
AI System Threat Modeling: A Guide to Mapping ML Pipeline Risks
AI System Threat Modeling: A Guide to Mapping ML Pipeline Risks
Omair
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The average cost of a penetration test in 2026 ranges from $10,000 to $35,000 for a standard commercial engagement. Smaller web application, API, SaaS, mobile, or external network penetration tests typically cost $5,000 to $10,000.
Larger cloud, internal network, product security, IoT, and red team engagements usually range from $25,000 to $150,000 or more, depending on the scope and complexity.
The cost of a penetration test depends on several factors. These include the scope of testing, the complexity of the environment, the number of user roles, applications, APIs, cloud accounts, endpoints, or IPs being tested.
Pricing also varies based on the testing depth, reporting requirements, compliance needs, tester expertise, and whether retesting is included.
For example, testing a simple public website costs much less than testing a multi-tenant SaaS platform with APIs, single sign-on (SSO), admin roles, payment systems, cloud infrastructure, and compliance requirements.
Several factors affect the cost of a penetration test, including the project scope, environment size, and the tester's experience. This section explains the key factors that influence penetration testing costs. It will help you estimate your budget and understand what to expect when requesting a quote.
The experience of the penetration testing company and the skills of its security team play a major role in the overall cost.
Penetration testers with recognized certifications, such as CREST, OffSec's Offensive Security Certified Professional (OSCP), OSCE, OSWE, and SANS, often charge higher rates.
However, their expertise can uncover more security issues and provide deeper insights, helping organizations identify and reduce security risks.
Choosing reputable penetration testing service providers with experienced, certified security professionals leads to more accurate results. Skilled testers can identify hidden vulnerabilities that less experienced teams may overlook.
An experienced provider also delivers a more thorough assessment and clear, detailed reports. This makes it easier to fix security issues and helps reduce the risk of costly incidents and data breaches.
The scope and complexity of a penetration test play a major role in its cost. Larger environments and more complex systems require more time and effort to assess, which increases the overall price. The number of systems, applications, and other assets included in the test also affects the cost.
Custom-built applications, legacy systems, and unique integrations can further increase the price. These environments require additional testing to identify vulnerabilities and ensure a thorough security assessment.
Industry regulations and compliance requirements can increase the cost of a penetration test. Sectors such as healthcare and finance often have strict security standards that must be addressed during testing. Meeting these requirements adds time and complexity to the assessment.
Compliance with frameworks such as HIPAA, PCI DSS, TIBER-EU, CBEST, SOC 2, and ISO 27001 may require additional testing, documentation, or specialized expertise. These extra requirements can increase the overall cost of the penetration test.
Some penetration testing companies offer additional support services, such as remediation testing, to help clients implement recommended security improvements or provide ongoing consultation.
These services can be important for organizations looking to enhance their security posture, but can also increase costs. It’s essential to weigh the benefits of this added support against the associated costs to determine the most appropriate option for your company.
A low-cost penetration test may seem like a good way to reduce security expenses, but it often comes with hidden risks. Limited testing time, overreliance on automated scanners, inexperienced testers, and poor reporting can leave critical vulnerabilities undiscovered.
Before choosing a provider based on price alone, read our detailed guide on the dangers of a cheap penetration test to understand the risks and how to avoid them.
This section explores the most common types of penetration testing, the factors that affect their cost, and the typical price range for each assessment. The estimates are based on current market rates and our industry experience.
The average cost of a web application penetration test ranges from $5,000 to $30,000 in 2026. Smaller web applications with fewer user roles and simple functionality are generally less expensive.
Larger and more complex SaaS applications with APIs, admin features, third-party integrations, payment processing, single sign-on (SSO), and multi-tenant access controls typically cost more.
The cost of web application penetration testing depends on several factors, including the
Grey-box testing often provides the best value because testers receive user credentials and basic information about the application. This allows them to focus on finding real security risks instead of spending time exploring the application from scratch.
API penetration testing typically costs $5,000 to $20,000, depending on the number of API endpoints, authentication methods, data sensitivity, business logic, and the technologies included in the assessment.
API penetration testing focuses on the security risks that have the greatest impact on modern applications. These include broken object-level authorization, broken function-level authorization, weak authentication, mass assignment, rate limit bypass, server-side request forgery (SSRF), and business logic flaws.
Mobile application penetration testing typically costs $5,000 to $30,000. The price depends on whether the assessment covers iOS, Android, or both platforms, whether backend APIs are included, and whether the app uses features such as biometrics, NFC, local encryption, certificate pinning, push notifications, or offline storage.
The goal of a mobile application penetration test is to identify security weaknesses that could be exploited through the app, the backend, or a device in an attacker's possession.
These vulnerabilities could expose sensitive data or affect the application's security and functionality.
External network penetration testing typically costs $5,000 to $20,000. This assessment simulates an attack on internet-facing systems.
It identifies security weaknesses in exposed services, system misconfigurations, outdated software, weak authentication, perimeter defenses, cloud-hosted assets, and potential attack paths from the internet to sensitive systems.
Internal network penetration testing typically costs $7,000 to $35,000. This assessment simulates an attacker who has already gained access to the internal network through a compromised device, rogue system, malicious insider, or stolen VPN credentials.
It identifies security weaknesses related to lateral movement, privilege escalation, Active Directory, network segmentation, insecure protocols, and attack paths to critical systems.
Cloud penetration testing typically costs $10,000 to $40,000, depending on the scope of the assessment.
This assessment evaluates the security of an organization's cloud environment, including its infrastructure, applications, and stored data. The cost depends on the number of cloud services, the complexity of the environment, and any industry-specific compliance requirements.
IoT penetration testing typically costs $10,000 to $50,000 or more, depending on the scope and complexity of the assessment.
The cost depends on the number and type of devices, whether firmware protections need to be bypassed, whether hardware access is required, whether protocols such as Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE) or ZigBee are included, and whether the assessment covers the related cloud and mobile environment.
Some penetration testing providers offer a credit-based model, also known as a bucket of days. In this model, organizations purchase a set number of testing days or credits in advance and use them across multiple security assessments.
This approach is ideal for organizations that need regular testing throughout the year. It works well for SaaS companies with frequent software releases, DevSecOps teams, and businesses that must meet multiple compliance requirements.
Buying a bucket of days in advance often includes discounted rates, helping organizations reduce overall penetration testing costs.
However, it is important to track and use the purchased days or credits efficiently. Unused credits may expire after a fixed period, typically 12 months, which can result in wasted costs.
A retainer provides an ongoing partnership with a penetration testing provider. The organization pays a monthly or quarterly fee for a defined amount of testing, security advice, or remediation support.
This model is ideal for organizations that need continuous security testing. As the provider becomes familiar with the environment, returning testers can work more efficiently and identify deeper security issues based on their understanding of the systems, past findings, and business risks.
Fixed-price penetration testing packages provide a defined scope, clear deliverables, and a fixed cost before the engagement begins. This model works well for well-defined projects, such as web application, API, SOC 2, ISO 27001, or PCI DSS penetration testing.
However, fixed-price packages may not cover complex or unexpected requirements unless the scope is clearly defined. If the application includes more user roles, endpoints, integrations, or environments than planned, the cost may need to be revised.
The time-and-materials pricing model charges organizations based on the actual time spent on penetration testing and any additional resources required.
This approach offers more flexibility than fixed-price packages or retainers, as organizations pay only for the services they use. However, the final cost is harder to estimate because it depends on the time and resources needed to complete the assessment.
Penetration testing providers typically charge $250 to $300 per hour for standard testing services. Specialized services, such as reverse engineering, product security, cloud attack path analysis, or red team engagements, usually have higher hourly rates.
Hourly pricing is often used for security consulting, retesting beyond the included validation period, time-and-materials projects, and open-ended product security assessments.
For standard web, API, mobile, external network, and compliance-focused penetration tests, fixed-price pricing is usually the better option.
Some penetration testing providers offer bundles or add-on packages that combine multiple security assessments or related services at a discounted price. These packages can provide broader security coverage while helping organizations reduce overall testing costs.
Before choosing a bundle, organizations should ensure it meets their security requirements. They should also confirm that the lower price does not reduce the scope or quality of the testing.
Existing relationships between an organization and a penetration testing provider can influence pricing. If the provider has conducted previous assessments and understands the organization's systems and infrastructure, they may be able to offer more competitive rates.
Their existing knowledge can reduce the time and effort required for the assessment. Providers may also offer discounts or other incentives to support a long-term partnership with the organization.
Understanding your organization's systems, risks, and security goals helps you choose the right type of penetration test. It is also important to understand the different pricing models and service options available so you can plan your security budget effectively.
A thorough penetration test helps identify critical security weaknesses, reduce cyber risk, and strengthen your overall security posture. If you are planning a penetration test or looking for a trusted penetration testing provider, contact our experts for a customized quote.
Penetration testing typically costs $5,000 to $35,000 for most web applications, API, mobile, network, and cloud assessments in 2026. More advanced engagements, such as product security assessments, IoT testing, and red team exercises, can cost $50,000 to $150,000 or more.
A SaaS penetration test typically costs $5,000 to $35,000. The price depends on the number of applications, user roles, APIs, single sign-on (SSO) flows, tenant isolation requirements, and cloud infrastructure included in the assessment.
An API penetration test typically costs $5,000 to $20,000. Pricing depends on the number of endpoints, authentication methods, API technologies, business logic, user roles, and data sensitivity.
A mobile application penetration test typically costs $5,000 to $30,000. Testing both iOS and Android applications, reviewing backend APIs, and assessing advanced mobile features can increase the cost.
Be cautious of very low-cost penetration testing services. Many are automated vulnerability scans marketed as manual penetration tests. A high-quality penetration test should include manual testing, validation of findings, business logic testing, proof of exploitation, remediation guidance, and retesting when required.
