Guide
Penetration testing day rates and hourly costs in the UK, 2026
Updated
Almost every UK penetration test is days times a day rate, so a pentest quote is only as comparable as its day count. Know the rate and what moves it.
Typical 2026 rates
| Rate basis | Typical range |
|---|---|
| Standard consultant day rate | £700–£1,000 |
| Senior or specialist consultant day rate | £1,000–£1,200 |
| Equivalent hourly rate (8-hour day) | £90–£150 per hour |
Hourly billing is rare: providers scope in whole or half days because setup, testing and evidence-gathering do not divide usefully below that. If a quote is hourly, multiply out to days to compare it. All figures are typical 2026 quotes and vary by provider and region.
What moves the rate
- Accreditation: CHECK engagements for public sector systems require NCSC-approved companies and qualified staff (see ncsc.gov.uk), and typically sit at the top of the range. CREST member firms serve the commercial market at standard rates.
- Specialism: cloud, mobile and red-team work commands senior-consultant rates.
- Overheads you are buying: methodology, insurance, report quality assurance and a second pair of eyes are part of a reputable firm's rate. A very cheap rate usually means one of those is missing.
- Timing: quiet periods can be cheaper; year-end compliance rushes are not.
Annual penetration testing budgets
Many frameworks and customer contracts expect testing at least annually and after significant change. A sensible small-company programme, one external test plus one web application test a year, typically budgets £4,000–£8,000 at 2026 rates. Larger estates plan a day count across the year with one provider, which usually beats ad-hoc pricing.
Rates here are typical 2026 UK quotes for market context, not a price list. The only accurate number is a scoped quote: describe your scope and providers will quote the day count for your actual estate.