Understanding External Penetration Testing Costs

How much should you budget for an external penetration test? The honest answer is it varies, but a typical test can range from $4,000 to over $30,000. The final price tag really boils down to the scope—how many public-facing assets you have and whether you need the report for a compliance audit like SOC 2 or PCI DSS.

What Really Determines Your External Pentesting Cost

Ever gotten two pentest quotes that look worlds apart? The price isn't just a number pulled from a hat. The single biggest driver is scope. Think of it as the size of the digital playground our pentesters need to inspect for your client.

Testing a small marketing site with a few IP addresses is like checking the locks on a single storefront. But assessing a complex web application with different user roles, APIs, and customer data? That's more like securing an entire shopping mall. There are way more doors to check and creative ways an attacker could slip inside.

As an MSP, vCISO, or GRC professional, understanding these cost drivers is everything. It helps you set realistic client expectations and show them exactly what they're paying for. You become the trusted advisor who can connect a line item to a real security outcome.

The image below shows how the total cost is built on the scope, which is defined by things like IP addresses, applications, and any compliance mandates.

It’s pretty clear: a bigger, more complex digital footprint is going to take more time and expertise to test properly.

Key Factors That Shape The Final Price Tag

A few core elements really move the needle on the final cost. Each one adds another layer of effort for our OSCP, CEH, and CREST certified pentesters. Here's a quick breakdown of what drives the numbers you see on a quote.

As you can see, a simple test for general security hygiene is completely different from one needed to satisfy a SOC 2 or HIPAA audit. Compliance-driven tests require specific methodologies and much more detailed reporting to pass muster with auditors, which directly impacts the final external penetration testing cost.

By understanding these moving parts, you can scope projects more accurately and explain the value of a quality test. For a deeper look at how we run these engagements, check out our external penetration testing services and see how we support our reseller partners. Our entire model is built to let you deliver top-tier security under your own brand, making your client relationships stronger. We handle the keyboard work so you can focus on being the strategic advisor.

Typical Price Ranges For External Penetration Tests

Talking about external penetration testing cost is tough because prices are all over the map. But if you're an MSP or vCISO trying to build a profitable security service, you need to know the typical price brackets. It’s the only way to spot a fair deal and avoid getting ripped off.

For a small business with just a simple website and a few public IP addresses, an external penetration testing engagement might start around $4,000. But for a mid-sized company with a few complex web apps, APIs, and a looming SOC 2 or PCI DSS audit? That price can easily jump to $10,000 or more.

The compliance and managed service industry has a problem: inflated prices, bad testing methodology, and long lead times. We are the solution. We built our entire model to fix this gap by being a channel-only partner. We provide high-quality, manual pentesting from our OSCP, CEH, and CREST certified experts at a price that works for your reseller model.

Our mission is simple: deliver affordable, fast, and thorough white label pentesting that helps you win. We do the heavy lifting in the background so you can stay front-and-center as the strategic security advisor for your clients.

These tests are popular for a reason they deliver a huge bang for the buck. They often cost 20-30% less than a full red team engagement while still catching the vast majority of real-world threats.

Working with us means you can confidently build white label pentesting packages that fit your clients' budgets and meet their risk assessment needs. You're not just reselling a service; you're delivering the assurance of a test done by certified pros, all without the overhead of an in-house team. This partnership structure ensures we never compete with you. We're your silent, expert backend, helping you deliver the security services your clients need to stay safe and compliant with regulations like ISO 27001. For a deeper dive on pricing, check out our full guide on how much a penetration test costs.

How Manual Pentesting Delivers Superior Value

Automated scanners are a decent first pass. They're great for catching common, low-hanging fruit vulnerabilities. But here's the thing: they can't think like a human attacker, and that’s where manual pentesting makes all the difference.

Think of an automated scanner as a security guard who only checks if the doors are locked. A manual pentester? They're more like a master locksmith who not only jiggles the locks but also inspects the windows, walls, and roof, looking for any creative way to get inside. It's that human-led approach that's essential for locking down an external network.

Our OSCP, CEH, and CREST certified pentesters bring creativity and years of hard-won experience to the table. They find the complex vulnerabilities that automated tools miss every single time. They don’t just follow a script; they adapt their attack methods on the fly based on what they find—just like a real cybercriminal would.

This ability to improvise is what uncovers two of the most dangerous types of flaws:

• Business Logic Flaws: These are vulnerabilities in an application's workflow that a tool just can't comprehend. A scanner won't know that a standard user shouldn't be able to approve a manager-level transaction, but a human tester will spot that flaw and exploit it.
• Vulnerability Chaining: This is the art of pentesting—linking several seemingly low-risk issues together to create a massive security breach. A scanner might report three minor issues, but a human expert sees how to combine them to gain full admin access.

Manual pentesting excels at uncovering complex, real-world issues like critical security vulnerabilities that automated scanners miss. This deeper level of analysis delivers more value than a simple scan. It shifts the focus from a long list of potential problems to a short, actionable list of real-world risks that demand immediate attention.

Meeting Compliance Demands With Manual Testing

Do you have clients trying to meet strict compliance standards like SOC 2, HIPAA, or ISO 27001? A basic vulnerability scan report is not going to cut it. Auditors want to see proof that a company went beyond the basics and simulated a realistic attack.

A manual penetration testing report provides the depth and assurance they need. Our reports don't just list findings; they explain the business impact and provide clear, actionable remediation steps. This makes the audit process smoother and proves your client takes their security and risk assessment obligations seriously.

As an MSP or vCISO, offering manual pentesting elevates your security practice from a commodity to a high-value advisory service. You're not just selling another tool. You're giving your clients access to an elite security expert who can find the exact threats that keep business owners up at night.

By partnering with us, you can offer this expertise as a white label pentesting service under your own brand. We bring the certified pros and the fast, thorough reports; you maintain your role as the trusted advisor. We handle the technical heavy lifting so you can focus on strategy and growth. You can see exactly how this works by checking out our manual white-labeled pentesting services.

Why MSPs And vCISOs Choose White Label Pentesting

Offering penetration testing shouldn’t mean you have to build an entire security division from the ground up. And it definitely shouldn't mean competing with the very partners you're supposed to trust. For a growing wave of MSPs, vCISOs, and GRC firms, the answer isn’t building—it's partnering. This is where white label pentesting comes in.

The idea is straightforward: you resell expert pentesting services under your own brand. We do all the heavy lifting behind the scenes, and your client just sees you as their all-in-one security expert. It’s a win-win that lets you skip the massive overhead of hiring, training, and retaining an in-house team.

The biggest fear for any reseller is finding a partner who turns around and tries to poach your clients. We built our entire business to kill that problem for good. Our model is 100% channel-only. That means we only work through partners like you and will never contact your clients directly.

Our partnership model was designed as the direct solution to the industry's problems. We provide affordable, fast, and genuinely manual pentesting that helps you stand out. You get to offer a better service at a better price—a killer competitive advantage.

Our whole process is built for speed and quality. Here’s what you get with our white-label model:

• Rapid Report Turnaround: We deliver comprehensive, white-labeled reports, often in less than a week, so you can keep your clients' projects on track.
• Access to Certified Experts: Your clients get the peace of mind that comes from a test performed by our OSCP, CEH, and CREST certified pentesters, and you don't have to carry their salaries.
• Seamless Integration: Our reports are delivered with your branding, cementing your role as the security expert and trusted advisor.

At the end of the day, a white label pentesting partnership is all about smart growth. It allows you to expand your service menu and solve a critical client need without taking on a ton of risk or expense. You can finally stop referring valuable security work out the door and start capturing that revenue yourself.

How External Pentesting Helps Meet Compliance

For a lot of businesses, a penetration test isn't just a good idea—it's a non-negotiable part of their compliance strategy. If your clients need to get or keep certifications like SOC 2, HIPAA, PCI DSS, or ISO 27001, a simple vulnerability scan just won't cut it. Auditors want to see proof of a thorough, realistic security test.

This is a massive opportunity for you as an MSP or vCISO. By offering white label pentesting, you're giving your client a critical piece of their Governance, Risk, and Compliance (GRC) puzzle. You become the partner who helps them nail their audits and secure their business, all under your trusted brand.

Every compliance framework has its own rulebook, but they all share one big goal: making sure organizations are actively managing security risks. An external penetration testing engagement directly hits the specific controls for vulnerability management and network security that these mandates demand.

• SOC 2: For a SOC 2 audit, you have to prove that security controls are not just present, but actually working. A manual pentest gives you that independent, third-party validation that your client’s external defenses can stand up to a real-world attack.
• PCI DSS: Requirement 11 of the PCI DSS standard flat-out requires regular external penetration testing. It's a must-have for any business that touches cardholder data.
• HIPAA: The HIPAA Security Rule requires organizations to conduct a serious risk assessment to protect patient data. A pentest is a huge part of this, finding the exact vulnerabilities that could lead to a breach.
• ISO 27001: This framework is all about getting better over time. Regular pentesting helps organizations spot weaknesses and show they're committed to managing security for the long haul.

Auditors don’t want to see a list of automated scanner findings. They want a detailed report from a certified professional that explains the business impact of each vulnerability and provides clear, actionable steps for remediation. Our reports are written with auditors in mind, making their job easier and getting your client across the compliance finish line faster.

A Pentesting Partner That Understands The Channel

Finding a solid pentesting partner who actually understands the channel model is a game-changer. The security industry has a problem: sky-high prices, ridiculously long wait times, and awful communication that leaves MSPs and vCISOs scrambling. You need solutions that work for your clients and your business model.

We’re here to fix that. Our entire mission is to back MSPs, vCISOs, and GRC firms with fast, affordable, and genuinely manual pentesting. We solve the headaches that stop you from building a security practice you can scale and profit from. When you work with us, our certified pentesters become an extension of your team. This is our core promise: we are 100% channel-only and will never compete with you.

You get direct access to a team of pros holding top-tier certs like OSCP, CEH, and CREST. This isn't just for show—it guarantees every test we do meets the tough standards for compliance frameworks like SOC 2, HIPAA, and PCI DSS.

If you're sick of referring clients (and revenue) away or getting burned by flaky freelancers, it’s time for something better. We built our partnership on three simple pillars designed to crush the industry's most common frustrations.

• Fast, White-Labeled Reports: We turn around comprehensive reports under your brand, often in less than a week. That speed helps you crush tight deadlines and keep client projects on track.
• Affordable, Manual Testing: We deliver the thoroughness of manual penetration testing but with pricing that actually makes sense for a reseller. You can build in healthy margins and still offer competitive pricing.
• A True Channel Commitment: We only work through partners. Your clients are your clients—period. We’re your silent, expert backend, making you look like the trusted security advisor you are.

This is more than just reselling a service; it's a strategic partnership designed to help you grow. It's time to stop letting unreliable partners or crazy-high costs dictate what you can offer. Contact us today and let's talk about building a more profitable security practice together.