How Much Does a Penetration Test Cost
Security Boulevard, Thursday, June 4th, 2026
Penetration tests typically cost $10,000 to $35,000 in 2026, with scope being the single biggest factor in pricing.
The article explains penetration testing pricing in 2026, placing a standard commercial engagement at $10,000 to $35,000 and noting costs can run from about $5K for a simple test to $50K or more for complex work. Scope is the most significant pricing factor, and meaningful comparisons are only possible when scope and objectives are clearly understood.
Pricing depends on what is tested, environment complexity, number of user roles, endpoints, applications, cloud accounts or IPs, required depth, reporting and compliance needs, tester seniority, and whether retesting is included.
Tightly scoped web application, API, SaaS, mobile, or external network tests can start around $5,000-$10,000, while cloud, internal network, IoT, and red team engagements can reach $25,000-$150,000 or more. It warns that tests under $4K are usually automated scans rather than true pentests.