The Short Answer
VAPT cost ranges from about $3,000 for a single application test to $40,000 or more for an enterprise multi-asset engagement. Unlike certification frameworks on this site, price here is driven almost entirely by testing scope, how many applications, networks, and IPs are involved, rather than company headcount. See our VAPT service guide for the fundamentals.
VAPT Cost by Engagement Scope
| Engagement type | Typical cost |
|---|---|
| Single web or mobile application | $3,000 – $8,000 |
| External network (small scope, <50 IPs) | $4,000 – $10,000 |
| Internal network assessment | $6,000 – $15,000 |
| Full-scope VAPT (web + network + API, small-mid org) | $10,000 – $22,000 |
| Enterprise multi-asset (multiple apps, networks, cloud) | $22,000 – $40,000+ |
These aren't components that sum together, they're independent engagement types. A company only needs a single-application test might spend $5,000; a company running multiple products across web, mobile, and cloud infrastructure scopes a much larger combined engagement.
What Actually Drives the Price Within Each Tier
- Number of assets in scope. Each additional application, IP range, or cloud account adds tester time.
- Testing depth. Automated scanning alone is far cheaper than full manual testing, but also far less thorough. Most compliance frameworks expect manual testing, not scanning alone.
- Methodology. Black-box testing (no internal access) versus grey-box (partial access, credentials provided) versus white-box (full access, including source code) each require different tester effort.
- Complexity of the application or environment. A simple marketing site tests faster than a complex application with many authenticated roles and business logic paths.
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Get a Free QuoteScanning Alone Is Not the Same Price, or the Same Value
An automated vulnerability scan can cost a few hundred dollars, a fraction of a manual engagement, but it only catches known vulnerability signatures. It misses business-logic flaws, chained exploits, and context-specific weaknesses that require a human tester to identify. PCI DSS, ISO 27001, and most other frameworks that reference VAPT expect the manual testing component specifically, not automated scanning alone, so a scan-only quote that looks cheap often doesn't satisfy the actual requirement.
It's a Recurring Cost, Not a One-Time Project
Frameworks that require VAPT, PCI DSS and ISO 27001 among them, typically expect it on a regular cadence, commonly annually, more often for internet-facing assets or after significant infrastructure changes. Budget it as a recurring operating line, similar to an annual certification surveillance audit, not a single upfront cost.
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Talk to an Avantcert ExpertFrequently asked questions about VAPT cost
Why does VAPT pricing scale with scope instead of company size?
Because a tester's time is driven by how many assets, applications, and IPs they have to examine, not by your headcount. A 500-person company with one small web app and a 10-person startup with the same app face nearly identical VAPT pricing, since the testing surface is what a tester actually bills against.
What's the cheapest realistic VAPT engagement?
A single web or mobile application test with a clearly bounded scope, typically $3,000 to $8,000. Costs rise quickly once network infrastructure, multiple applications, or cloud environments are added to the same engagement.
Does an automated vulnerability scan cost the same as a manual penetration test?
No, automated scanning alone is significantly cheaper, often a few hundred dollars for a scan-only engagement, but it also finds far less: automated tools catch known vulnerability signatures and miss business-logic flaws, chained exploits, and context-specific weaknesses that only manual testing surfaces. Most compliance frameworks expect the manual component, not scanning alone.
Is a retest included in typical VAPT pricing, or is it extra?
Most reputable providers include one retest of previously identified findings within the original quote, confirming remediations actually closed the gap. Additional retest rounds beyond the first, or retesting after a significant scope change, are usually billed separately.
Why do two VAPT quotes for the same application sometimes differ by thousands of dollars?
Testing depth and methodology vary more than people expect. A quote based on automated scanning plus light manual verification will always be cheaper, and less thorough, than one based on full manual black-box or grey-box testing against the OWASP methodology. Always confirm what testing approach a quote actually includes before comparing price.
Does VAPT cost recur annually like a certification audit?
Most compliance frameworks that require VAPT, including PCI DSS and ISO 27001, expect it on a regular cadence, commonly annually, sometimes more frequently for internet-facing assets or after significant infrastructure changes. Budget it as a recurring line item, not a one-time cost.
About Avantcert. Avantcert is a compliance consultancy that has guided 3,000+ organisations across 40+ markets through scoped VAPT engagements aligned to PCI DSS, ISO 27001, SOC 2, and HIPAA requirements. See our VAPT service or request a free quote.