CREST and CHECK accredited market
How much does penetration testing cost in the UK?
UK penetration testing is priced by the day: typical 2026 day rates are £700–£1,200, and a small external or web application test commonly lands at £2,000–£5,000. Larger scopes are simply more days at the same rates. The price you actually pay depends on scope, so tell us what needs testing and accredited providers will quote your job precisely.
£2,000–£5,000
typical price for a small external or web application test, scoped by day count
CHECK
the NCSC scheme required for testing many public sector systems; CREST covers the wider market
What happens next
- Describe what needs testing: the asset type, rough scale, any accreditation requirement. Two minutes.
- We pass your details to relevant accredited penetration testing providers, and to no one else.
- They contact you to agree scope and quote a firm day count and price. Compare, choose, or walk away.
Penetration Testing Cost is an independent information and introduction service operated by Ellul Solutions Ltd. We are not a penetration testing provider and are not affiliated with, or endorsed by, the NCSC, CREST or any accreditation body named on this site. We pass your details to relevant testing providers who quote you directly; we may receive a fee from those providers, and you pay nothing. Cost figures are typical 2026 quote ranges that vary by scope, provider and complexity; nothing here is security, legal or compliance advice.
Typical UK penetration testing costs, 2026
Last updated
Penetration testing is professional time: providers estimate the days a competent tester needs for your scope, then multiply by a day rate. These are typical quote ranges observed across the UK market in 2026, not fixed prices.
Ranges reflect typical 2026 quotes for UK penetration testing engagements; every job in the table is days multiplied by the £700–£1,200 typical day rate, and actual prices vary by provider, accreditation and scope complexity. A vulnerability scan is listed for contrast only: it is an automated tool run, not a penetration test. Get scoped quotes for your estate via the form above.
| Engagement | Typical cost (2026 quotes) | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Penetration tester day rate | £700–£1,200 per day | The unit everything below is built from; CHECK and senior consultants sit at the top |
| Automated vulnerability scan | Free to a few hundred pounds per scan | A tool run, not a penetration test; useful hygiene, different evidence |
| Small external infrastructure test (2–3 days) | £2,000–£3,500 | Internet-facing systems, small IP range, report and debrief |
| Web application test (3–5 days) | £2,500–£5,000 | Single application; authenticated roles and APIs add days |
| Internal infrastructure test (3–5 days) | £2,500–£5,500 | On-site or via a drop-in device; larger networks add days |
| Larger scopes and annual programmes (10+ days) | £8,000+ | Priced by day count across multiple assets; retests often included or one extra day |
- UK penetration testing day rates are typically £700–£1,200 in 2026 quotes, and engagements are priced as scoped days multiplied by the rate.
- A small external or web application penetration test commonly costs £2,000–£5,000 in typical 2026 UK quotes.
- A vulnerability scan is an automated tool run costing from nothing to a few hundred pounds; it is not a penetration test and does not provide the same assurance.
Cite this page
“Typical UK penetration testing costs, 2026”, Penetration Testing Cost, https://penetrationtestingcost.co.uk/ (updated 2026-08-14). Ranges reflect typical 2026 quotes for UK penetration testing engagements; every job in the table is days multiplied by the £700–£1,200 typical day rate, and actual prices vary by provider, accreditation and scope complexity. A vulnerability scan is listed for contrast only: it is an automated tool run, not a penetration test. Get scoped quotes for your estate via the form above.
Guides
Every figure sourced and dated.
Web application penetration testing cost: 2026 UK prices
Web application penetration testing typically costs £2,500–£5,000 for a single app (3–5 days at £700–£1,200 per day, typical 2026 quotes). What moves the day count.
Penetration testing day rates and hourly costs in the UK, 2026
UK penetration testing day rates are typically £700–£1,200 (roughly £90–£150 per hour). What sets the rate, why quotes are day-based, and annual testing costs.
Vulnerability scan vs penetration test: the difference, plainly
A vulnerability scan is an automated tool run, from free to a few hundred pounds. A penetration test is human-led at £700–£1,200 a day. Which one your requirement means.
Straight answers
How much does penetration testing cost in the UK?
Typical 2026 UK quotes: day rates of £700–£1,200, with a small external or web application test commonly £2,000–£5,000. Larger scopes are priced by day count across the assets tested. Prices vary by provider, accreditation and complexity, so get scoped quotes for your actual estate.
Why is penetration testing priced by the day?
Because the product is qualified human effort. Providers estimate how many days a competent tester needs to cover the scope properly, then multiply by a day rate, typically £700–£1,200 in 2026 quotes. Comparing quotes means comparing day counts and what each includes, such as retesting.
What do CREST and CHECK mean?
They are the recognised accreditations in the UK market. CREST is an industry body that accredits testing companies and certifies individual testers, widely required in commercial contracts. CHECK is the NCSC's scheme for penetration testing of public sector and government systems, which many public bodies are required to use (ncsc.gov.uk).
Is a vulnerability scan enough instead of a penetration test?
They are different things. A scan is an automated check for known weaknesses; a penetration test is a human-led attempt to compromise your systems. Scans are cheap, useful hygiene, but where a contract or framework requires a penetration test, a scan report will not normally satisfy it.
Does Cyber Essentials count as penetration testing?
No. Cyber Essentials is a separate certification of baseline security controls, backed by the NCSC. Cyber Essentials Plus involves a technical audit, but it is not a penetration test, and a penetration test is not a route to Cyber Essentials certification. They answer different questions and contracts may require both.
Is this quote service really free?
Yes, free to you, with no obligation to accept any quote. We pass your details only to relevant penetration testing providers, who quote you directly; we may receive a fee from those providers, which is how the service is funded.