News

How much does a Penetration Test really cost? A Brutally Honest Analysis of Pricing and Why Quality Must Cost.

How much does a Penetration Test really cost?


You’ve heard that a penetration test (pentest) is the cornerstone of cyber security. You’ve also heard that prices can knock your socks off. Wondering how much you should really pay and where these amounts come from? This article will show you without beating around the bush what makes up the price of a pentest and why “cheap” in this industry almost always means “bad.”

Forget thinking that pentest is “doing a quick scan” or finding a few bugs. It’s a multi-layered process, a true art of war in the digital world. Professionals analyze the architecture of your systems, hunt for flaws in business logic (e.g., how to fool your e-store), check configurations and simulate realistic, often very creative, attack scenarios.

A real pentest is not about pressing “play” on an automated tool. It’s a game that involves experience, out-of-the-box thinking and in-depth knowledge of systems – qualities you don’t buy in a software package. It’s also a team effort : analysts, engineers, security architects and report quality control people. It requires specialized tools, proven certified competence and surgical precision in reporting – because what good is it if they find something if you don’t know how to fix it?

In this article, we break down the cost of penetration testing. We’ll be brutally honest to show you where the differences in pricing come from, and why investing in quality is not an expense, but the best insurance policy for your business. Because saving on security is like playing Russian roulette with hackers – sooner or later you will lose, and the losses will exceed the cost of a decent pentest many times over.

Pentest – What Is It Actually (And What Is Certainly Not)? Without the Blur.

Before you pull out your wallet, make sure you know what you are paying for.

This is NOT an Automated Vulnerability Scan: The scanner is just a tool. It can find obvious holes, but it won’t understand the context, won’t analyze the logic of your application and won’t show the creativity of a hacker. A true pentester thinks, schemes and actively tries to break security.

Types of Attack – Different Approaches, Different Prices:

The goal? Concrete Security Enhancement, Not Macular:

A good pentest does not end with a stack of papers with a list of problems. His goal is to show you REAL risks and provide you with CLEAR, PRACTICAL tips on how to patch the holes and sleep better.

If someone offers you a “pentest” for the price of lunch, you’re likely to get a printout from a vending machine, not a real safety assessment.

Anatomy of a Pentest Price – Where Is Your Money Really Flowing?

Wondering why one pentest costs X and another costs 2X? The answer lies in the details, and those details are the real costs that a professional company incurs. Let’s break it down:

  1. Brain of Operations: A Team of Experts – Investment in People, Not in “Clickable” Tools
    • Realistic Salaries: This is where the crux lies. A good pentester is a treasure, and treasures cost money. According to market data (estimates as of May 2025, Poland, e.g., from portals like Just Join IT), gross monthly earnings are:
      • Junior Pentester (is learning, but already knows something): 8,000 – 12,000 PLN.
      • Mid Pentester (solid professional): 15,000 – 25,000 PLN.
      • Senior Pentester/Leader (security virtuoso): 25,000 – 40,000+ PLN.
    • The cost to the Employer is More Than Salary: Add to that Social Security, taxes, expensive training (one advanced training can cost 15-30 thousand PLN!), certifications (thousands more), conferences, equipment. The company has to cover all this, as well as earn money.
    • Your Daily Cost (Manday Rate): Therefore, a day’s work of a pentester (so-called “manday”) is priced by the company indicatively from 1200-1800 PLN net (simpler tasks, less experienced specialist) to 2000-3500+ PLN net (experts, complex projects). This is the rate from which the company pays the specialist and all the facilities. Cheaper? Perhaps, but at what cost of quality and someone’s experience?
  2. Pentester’s Arsenal: Tools That Cost (and That’s A Lot)
    • Pro Licenses: Forget free toys when it comes to your company’s security. Professionals use commercial, powerful tools. Sample annual license costs (estimates as of May 2025):
      • Advanced web scanner (e.g. Burp Suite Pro): from PLN 2,000 (per user) to PLN 25,000.
      • Infrastructure scanner (e.g. Nessus Pro): 15,000 – 50,000 PLN.
      • Red Team/Simulation Attack platforms (e.g. Cobalt Strike): 20,000 – 100,000+ PLN.
    • Total Impressions: Companies often subscribe to many such tools simultaneously. These costs must be reflected in the price of the service.
    • Proprietary Solutions (R&D): The best companies also create their own unique tools – an added cost, but also a competitive advantage to find what standard scanners can’t see.
  3. The Scope of the Test Speaks for Itself: Do you want to test a small business card site or a vast corporate network with dozens of applications? The answer is simple: the more work, the higher the price. Each additional application, server or API is another hours (days!) of expert work.
  4. Complexity of your Systems: A simple website on WordPress is not the same as a complex e-commerce platform with microservices, bank integrations and ERP systems. The more complex and unusual the environment, the more time and expertise required.
  5. Depth Dive: Is a superficial check enough for you, or do you want pentesters to really “bite” into your system, analyzing business logic and looking for unusual attack vectors? A deep dive costs money, but it’s the only one that gives you a real picture of security.
  6. A Report That Makes Sense (and Value): Hours spent on testing is one thing. The other is to prepare a report that you can understand, identify specific risks and give clear instructions on how to fix them. A good report is not an auto-generated report – it’s analytical work. Plus time to discuss it with you and your team.
  7. Formalities and Management: Contracts, NDAs, company liability insurance, project manager’s time – these are also costs, though often invisible at first glance.

Now you see that the price of pentest is not an amount “from the ceiling.” It’s the real cost of knowledge, time, technology and responsibility.

The pitfalls of “cheap” tests – Illusion of Savings, Brutal Reality.

Tempted by a pentest offer at a fraction of the market price? Watch out! In this industry, promotions often mean a compromise you can’t afford.

  1. False Calm – The Worst Betrayal: A “cheap” test can give you a false sense of security. You’re sleeping soundly, and hackers just walk in the door that this “test” didn’t even notice.
  2. Critical Gaps Still Waiting to be Discovered: Limited budget = limited time = cursory analysis. Complex bugs that require experience and creativity will remain untouched.
  3. Worthless Report – Waste Paper Instead of Solutions: You’ll get a generic printout from an automaker, full of “false positives” (false alarms) and without specific, practical tips on how to realistically improve security. Money thrown down the drain.
  4. Zero Support, Zero Value Added: The test ends, the report lands on your desk, and you are left with the problem alone. No consultation, no help in understanding, no re-testing after the corrections are implemented.

Remember: if an offer seems too good to be true – it probably is. There are no shortcuts in cyber security.

Investment in Pentest Quality – Real Benefits You’ll Feel (Also in Your Wallet!).

Spending money on a decent pentest is not a cost – it’s one of the best investments you can make for your business. Why?

  1. Realistic Shield Against Hackers: No more guesswork. You’ll learn where the holes in your defenses really are and how to patch them effectively before cybercriminals do.
  2. Reputation Priceless (and Safe): Data leakage? Paralysis of the company? It’s a nightmare that destroys the trust of customers and partners. A professional pentest is your reputation guardian.
  3. Saving Money (Yes, That’s Not a Mistake!):
    • Avoid giant fines (RODO, NIS2, DORA).
    • You will not pay the ransomware ransom.
    • You won’t lose revenue through downtime.
    • You won’t be paying to restore systems after an attack. The cost of a decent pentest is a fraction of the potential losses.
  4. Peace of Mind and Regulatory Compliance: Comply with regulators and industry standards. No more nervous waiting for an audit.
  5. Smarter Organization: the test results are a lesson for the whole team. Everyone will understand that cyber security is not an invention, but a daily necessity.
  6. No More Security Budget Burnout: You’ll learn where it really makes sense to invest instead of spending money on ineffective solutions.

A quality pentest is like an annual inspection of your best car – it costs money, but it will help you avoid a major breakdown on the highway at full speed.

How to Choose a Pentest Contractor and Not Regret? Without the Blur.

Choosing a company to entrust with the security of your business is a serious matter. Here’s a checklist to help you avoid a landmine:

  1. Experience and Specialization – Not Just Papers: How many years have they been in the market? Have they done testing for companies in your industry? Do they understand your specific risks?
  2. Testimonials and Case Studies – Evidence, Not Promises: Ask for customer contacts. Check published case studies. See what they have realistically done for others.
  3. People, People, People – Who Will Test? What certifications (OSCP, OSWE, CISSP are a good start) and experience does the team have? Are they practitioners or theoreticians?
  4. Show Report! (Sample, Anonymized): See what the final product looks like. Is it easy to understand? Does it contain specific, technical recommendations? Is it something your IT team will know how to work with?
  5. Methodology – Clear Rules of the Game: How will they test? Is their approach transparent and in line with recognized standards (OWASP, PTES, NIST)? What exactly is in scope and what is not?
  6. Chemistry and Communication – Are You Broadcasting on the Same Waves? Do you feel comfortable talking to them? Do they listen to your needs? Can they explain complicated things in simple language?
  7. Security of Your Data – The Basis of Trust: How will they take care of confidentiality of information during testing? Will they sign a solid NDA? Do they have liability insurance?
  8. Flexibility – Because Every Business is Different: Are they able to adapt to your schedule and specific operations, minimizing disruption?
  9. What After the Test. Support Is Key: Will they discuss the results with you? Do they help your technicians understand the problems? Do they offer re-tests after implementing fixes?
  10. Price vs. Value – Don’t Be Fooled by the Lowest Amount: Compare offers holistically. What are you really getting for your money? Experience, report quality and real support are worth more than the apparent savings.
  11. Don’t Be Afraid of Change – Consider Pentester Partner Rotation: Loyalty to a proven vendor is valuable, but remember – a fresh perspective often allows you to detect what your predecessors missed. Different teams mean different specialties, unique tools and different “hacking” approaches. Considering changing partners every 2-3 years, or engaging different companies for different types of testing (e.g., another for infrastructure, another for web applications), introduces healthy competition. Suppliers, knowing that they don’t have a monopoly on your orders, will be more motivated to maintain superior service and competitiveness. This is not disloyalty – it’s a mature approach to maximizing your security. You then benefit from the best sides of many experts, which directly translates into more robust protection for your company.

Don’t be afraid to ask the tough questions. It’s your business and your security that are on the line.

Concretes to the Table – How much will you pay for a Penetration Test? (Price Forks – Poland, Estimates May 2025).

Let’s cut to the chase – how much can a test realistically cost, given the above? Remember, these are indicative values, based on market estimates as of May 2025 in Poland. Always ask for a customized quote tailored to your needs!

  1. Small Website-Visit / Simple Blog (1-3 days of work “mandays”): Basic hygiene, checking the most common mistakes.
    • Approximate Cost: Approximately PLN 2,500 – 7,500 net.
    • For Whom. Small businesses, freelancers who want to start taking care of security.
  2. Medium Web Application (e.g., e-commerce, B2B portal, SaaS system) (5-15 mandays): This is where serious testing, verification of business logic, more complex scenarios begin.
    • Approximate Cost: Approximately PLN 10,000 – 45,000 net.
    • For Whom. Companies for which web application is a key business tool. Requires an experienced team.
  3. Mobile Application (iOS/Android) (5-15 mandays per platform): Security for your customers on their smartphones.
    • Approximate Cost: Approximately PLN 10,000 – 45,000 net (for each platform separately; if you are also testing the backend API, the cost increases).
    • For Whom. Companies with their own mobile apps, processing user data.
  4. Network Infrastructure (external or internal) (5-20+ mandays): Check the foundation of your digital fortress.
    • Approximate Cost: About PLN 10,000 – 60,000+ net (depending on the size and complexity of the network – number of servers, devices, segmentation).
    • For Whom. Any company with its own IT infrastructure.
  5. Full Package: Comprehensive Security Audit / Red Teaming (for mature organizations) (30-100+ mandays): The highest level of initiation – simulation of a real, sustained attack by an elite team.
    • Approximate Cost: From 60,000 PLN net upwards, often much more (even several hundred thousand PLN).
    • For Whom. Large companies, financial institutions, critical infrastructure operators who want to test their resilience against the most advanced threats.

What else can drive up the price?

  1. Pentester’s fame and reputation: Top teams price themselves higher.
  2. “Urgent/Yesterday” mode: Express orders cost more.
  3. Custom requirements: Special reports, working unusual hours, on-site testing.

Remember: These amounts are not just the pentester’s “day’s pay”. It’s a component of his salary, tool costs, training, Social Security, taxes, office maintenance and company know-how. Always ask for a detailed scope of work (SoW – Statement of Work) so you know exactly what you are paying for.

Summary: Pentest – Expense or Investment in the Calm of Your Business?

If you’ve made it all the way here, you already know that the price of a penetration test is a complex issue. You also know that cutting costs on security is a straight road to disaster.

A true professional pentest is not an unnecessary expense. It is an investment in the continuity of your business, the protection of your data, the trust of your customers and your peace of mind. The cost of prevention is always many times less than the cost of remediating a successful attack, putting out image fires and paying fines. A strategic approach, including wise vendor selection and even prudent partner rotation over the long term, is the way to build true cyber resilience.

Choose wisely. Ask. Analyze. Don’t just go by price. Bet on quality and experience, because in the world of cyber security, that’s all that matters. Your business will thank you for it.