Every savvy business aims to maximise value without overspending, especially when it comes to cybersecurity. Companies are looking for effective and valuable penetration testing services that fit within their budget. Whether you need a mobile application penetration test or cloud penetration testing, finding high-quality, dependable testing services without paying too much can be challenging.
This blog will provide useful insight into how businesses can maximise their pentesting quality without overspending, helping you to make an informed decision when choosing a penetration testing vendor.
Looking for information on overall penetration testing costs? You might want to check out this blog instead, which dives into how penetration testing pricing is calculated.
Questions to Ask Before Seeking a Test
Businesses need to recognise that penetration testing is not subject to a 'fixed cost' model. The average cost of penetration testing differs based on several factors. The first step is to acknowledge the type of testing your organisation needs to ensure you receive comprehensive, effective penetration tests.
What systems are in scope?
Before engaging with a penetration testing provider, the first step is to identify which systems and assets will be tested. This includes external-facing services like websites or APIs, internal infrastructure, cloud environments, mobile apps, and even IoT devices. Knowing exactly what’s in scope- especially if it's multiple systems- helps ensure the test is thorough and aligned with your pentest priorities.
What type of penetration test is needed?
Different types of pentests serve different objectives. Do you need an external penetration test to simulate attacks from the internet, an internal penetration test to see what damage an insider could do, or a web application penetration test to dig into potential coding flaws?
You might also want to consider social engineering scenarios to identify insecure data storage, which will require physical access to your organisation, not just your computer system.
The testing methodology used by the team will differ based on what your business is seeking.
What level of access will testers have?
Decide if this will be a black box test (with no prior knowledge), white box penetration test (full visibility), or grey box (a mix). This affects both the realism and depth of the test.
Why are you pentesting?
Understanding the primary goal of the test shapes how it’s approached. Are you looking to conduct penetration tests to meet compliance requirements like PCI DSS or ISO 27001? Are you launching a new product or simply validating your existing defences by checking for security weaknesses?
Defining your “why” ensures the test provides meaningful insights, not just a checkbox. How regular penetration testing will need to be conducted within your organisation is also a big thing to consider.
Are you ready to respond?
Security testing can reveal critical issues. Make sure your team is prepared to act on findings and understand any operational risks before testing begins
With all of these moving parts and subjective determinants of cost, it can feel overwhelming for businesses seeking a swift, effective, and budget-friendly penetration test to come to a comprehensive conclusion. However, understanding how 'affordable' penetration testing is defined within the industry can help you to balance cost and quality, custom to your organisation's needs.
Let's explore affordability when testing...
Affordable Penetration Testing: What You Need to Know
What does "affordable" really mean in a cybersecurity context? Naturally, many businesses will seek the best value for money- with the hopes of receiving robust penetration testing services for a cost within their budget.
However, as with any product or service, the cheapest vendor does not always guarantee the greatest quality, and could leave your organisation even more vulnerable than the pre-testing process!
Risks of going too cheap
Opting for a penetration testing company that is too cheap can lead to significant risks. Low-cost providers may rely on less experienced testers or static scanners, resulting in surface-level assessments that miss critical vulnerabilities.
Additionally, budget vendors may lack proper certifications, insurance, or compliance knowledge, reducing the credibility and value of the final report.
How to balance pentest cost and quality
Average penetration testing costs are constantly shifting as the market is so competitive. Therefore, businesses should seek ways to best balance overall cost and quality to suit their needs. This involves carefully evaluating a vendor’s credentials, methodologies, and track record rather than simply choosing the lowest price.
Indicators of value-driven services
Look for providers with relevant experience and customer testimonials in your sector, recognised certifications, and a transparent approach to reporting. Investing wisely ensures meaningful insights without overpaying or compromising on security.
How to Evaluate a Penetration Testing Provider
Certifications and credentials to look for
CREST- accreditation indicates the highest quality of pentest. It confirms that the provider adheres to recognised standards and has a qualified, vetted testing team of offensive security-certified professionals. Look for other relevant certifications like CHECK, OSCP, or CISSP, which demonstrate technical expertise and guarantee a more comprehensive assessment of your security risks.
Choosing an accredited provider ensures your assessment meets industry and regulatory compliance.
Forward-thinking attitude to emerging threats
Maintaining continuous security assurance is now essential as data breaches become an increasing threat to organisations due to evolving cyber threats. Innovative pentesting platforms will provide more comprehensive support than those stuck in the past, and AI-enhanced penetration testing offers a modern solution to the limitations of traditional, static testing methods.
By incorporating artificial intelligence, pentesting teams have the freedom to centralise their efforts on the more complex issues demanding human expertise, improving both the accuracy and efficiency of their assessments.
Comparing proposals
Not all penetration tests are created equal, so it’s important to closely compare proposals. Some providers may only offer automated vulnerability scans, while others deliver thorough manual testing and remediation guidance. Check whether retesting is included, how findings are reported, and if support is offered after the test.
Understanding what’s in scope and what isn’t will help you make an informed comparison, helping you find a pentest cost that accurately reflects your business’s need.
Reviews and case studies
Customer case studies provide valuable insight into a provider’s capabilities and reliability. Look for evidence of successful engagements with organisations similar to yours, especially within your sector.
A strong track record and positive client feedback can give you confidence in their approach, communication, and results. Don’t hesitate to ask for references or examples of previous security assessments- most vendors are happy to provide these.
Automated and Manual Testing: More "Bang" for your Buck
OnSecurity takes a modern approach to penetration testing by combining the speed of automation with the precision of expert human analysis. The result? Affordable, accurate assessment that doesn't sacrifice thoroughness, keeping penetration testing costs reasonable without compromising the customer experience.
Our integrated platform offers organisations a centralised view of their security posture, enabling more thorough and actionable assessments while maintaining open lines of communication throughout the testing process to relay security flaws as soon as they are identified.
By merging AI-driven technology with hands-on expertise, we help security teams detect, prioritise, and resolve vulnerabilities efficiently. We support fast-paced compliance needs while ensuring exceptional quality and service.
All of this is managed through a single, intuitive dashboard, making it easier than ever to enhance your security while controlling costs. Continuous innovation and client-centric development remain core to how we evolve our platform, ensuring a seamless, high-value experience every step of the way. Identifying vulnerabilities within your organisation has never been easier: get your penetration test quote here.
