How to buy a penetration test
Buying a penetration test shouldn't be complicated. Yet most companies end up overpaying, waiting too long, or receiving an automated scan labelled as a pentest. This guide shows you what to look for, what it costs and how to buy a real pentest fast.
What are you actually buying when you order a pentest?
A penetration test is a controlled attack on your systems performed by a certified security specialist. The goal is to find vulnerabilities before a real attacker does. After the test you receive a detailed report with every finding, exploitation evidence and concrete remediation guidance.
What you don't get from a real pentest is an automated scan. Scanners like Nessus or Qualys are useful, but they miss business logic flaws, authentication bypasses and chained attack paths that only a human tester can find. If you're buying a pentest for compliance (SOC 2, ISO 27001, NIS2, PCI DSS), your auditor will only accept real manual testing.
What to look for when buying a pentest
1. Manual vs. automated
Always ask whether the testing is done manually by a certified specialist. If the vendor can't name the tester and their certifications, you're likely buying an automated scan wrapped as a pentest. Certifications to look for: OSCP, OSWE, CREST.
2. Report quality
A real pentest report includes step-by-step reproduction instructions, screenshots, request/response data and risk ratings per finding. Ask for a sample report before you buy. If it looks like scanner output with a logo slapped on it, it's not a pentest.
3. Lead time
Traditional firms often need two to six weeks for scoping, planning and kickoff meetings before testing starts. With Budget Security you start within five business days. Rushing for a compliance deadline? Ask about expedited delivery.
4. Transparent pricing
Many firms won't quote a price until after multiple sales calls. Always ask for a fully itemized breakdown. Budget Security shows you the exact price online based on your scope — no hidden fees, no mandatory sales calls.
5. Compliance fit
If you need the pentest for NIS2, SOC 2, ISO 27001 or PCI DSS, confirm that the report format and methodology meet the specific framework's requirements. Not every pentest is compliance-ready out of the box.
Three ways to buy a pentest
Automated scan service
- Not a real pentest
- Known vulnerabilities only
- Not compliance-ready
- No human tester
- €200 - €500
Traditional firm
- Real manual testing
- Weeks of lead time
- Heavy overhead in price
- Sales calls required
- €5,000 - €50,000+
Budget Security
- Manual by OSCP testers
- Start within 5 business days
- No overhead in the price
- Order online, no sales
- From €849/day
How buying a pentest works at Budget Security
Define your scope
Use our online calculator to enter your scope: type of test, number of targets, complexity. You get an instant price estimate.
Place your order
Happy with the scope and price? Order through the platform. No quote ping-pong, no waiting weeks for approval.
Testing starts
An OSCP-certified tester starts within five business days, manually testing your environment using OWASP and PTES methodologies.
Receive your report
You get a detailed report with every finding, exploitation evidence, risk ratings and remediation guidance. Ready for SOC 2, ISO 27001, NIS2 and PCI DSS auditors.
Buying a pentest for NIS2 compliance
The NIS2 directive is enforced across the EU starting June 2026. Organizations in scope must demonstrate that they run regular security testing. A penetration test is one of the most direct ways to meet this requirement.
Don't wait until the last minute. Firms get booked up as the deadline approaches and lead times stretch. If you buy a pentest now, you can start within a week and have your report ready well before the deadline.
NIS2 deadline: June 2026. Budget Security delivers NIS2-ready pentests with reports that meet the documentation requirements. Read more about NIS2 pentests →
Ready to buy a pentest?
Want to know the price first? Use our calculator. Prefer to speak to someone? Book a call.