Short answer: There is no standard price for a penetration test, because the price follows the scope. As a planning reference, one vendor's 2026 published ranges put a web application pentest at about $5,000 to $50,000, an API test at $5,000 to $30,000, a cloud test at $5,000 to $50,000, and network testing at roughly $150 to $1,000 per device. A narrow test of one application sits at the low end; a large, business-logic-heavy platform with many roles and integrations sits at the high end. The only reliable number for your system is a written quote tied to an agreed scope.
These ranges come from Astra's published 2026 cost guide. They are one vendor's market estimates, not a rate card, and other providers price differently.
| Target | Published range | What usually moves the price |
|---|---|---|
| Web application | $5,000 – $50,000 | Number of pages, roles, workflows, and integrations |
| API | $5,000 – $30,000 | Number of endpoints, auth schemes, and business rules |
| Cloud | $5,000 – $50,000 | Accounts, services, and identity configuration |
| Mobile app | $5,000 – $40,000 | Platforms, backend scope, and local data handling |
| Network | ~$150 – $1,000 per device | Device count, segmentation, internal vs. external |
Reviewer time is the main cost, so anything that changes how long a competent tester needs changes the price:
AI tooling can take on repetitive parts of a test: mapping the attack surface, generating payload variations, re-running checks, and drafting evidence. That can widen coverage for the same budget or free tester time for business logic, which is where serious findings often live.
It does not remove the need for people. Someone still has to agree the scope, decide what is exploitable, chain findings into real impact, and stand behind the report. Be wary of any quote that is cheap because it is fully automated but is sold as a manual pentest. For more on where AI helps and where it stops, see what AI penetration testing is.
Firepan Pentest is an AI-assisted, human-reviewed penetration test of an agreed Web2 scope: websites, applications, APIs, authentication, integrations, cloud, and network assets.
If you are building smart contracts rather than a Web2 application, start with a free smart contract scan instead; contract review is priced separately.
If the test is for compliance, see does SOC 2 require a penetration test?
Q: How much does a web application penetration test cost?
A: One vendor's published 2026 range is about $5,000 to $50,000 per web application test. A small application with a few roles sits at the low end; a complex platform with many workflows and integrations sits at the high end. Get a written quote for your exact scope.
Q: Is an AI pentest cheaper than a manual pentest?
A: It can be, because AI tooling speeds up repetitive steps such as reconnaissance and re-testing. But a fully automated test is closer to a scan. An AI-assisted test with human review is usually priced by scope like any other pentest, with more coverage for the budget rather than a fixed discount.
Q: Why are pentest prices quote-based?
A: The work depends on size, access level, business logic, retest needs, compliance requirements, and timing. Two applications that look similar can need very different amounts of tester time.
Q: How much does a Firepan Pentest cost?
A: Firepan quotes each Pentest for its agreed scope. The quote sets the price, any deposit, the remaining invoice, and timing. Start a request at firepan.com/pentest to discuss scope; a request does not commit you to testing.
Q: Does a pentest report make us SOC 2 compliant?
A: No. A pentest report can support SOC 2 readiness, security reviews, and procurement, but it is not a certification and does not by itself satisfy an auditor's control requirements.
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SOC 2 does not explicitly require a penetration test, but most companies get one: it supports criteria such as CC4.1 and CC7.1 and is often what enterprise customers ask for. What to test, when, and what the report should include.