The verdict in three sentences
A SaaS pentest quote ranges from 3,000 to 20,000 EUR (excl. VAT) in 2026 based on four criteria: the tested scope, the number of person-days, the methodology (PTES, OWASP) and whether the retest is included. A low quote often hides a reduced scope or an automated scan disguised as a pentest. For a SaaS targeting enterprise clients or ISO 27001 certification, demand a manual test with an actionable report and a validation retest.
Decoding the quote's line items
Compare quotes at equal scope. A 3,000 EUR pentest on an API alone is nothing like a full front + API + mobile test at 15,000 EUR.
| Quote element | Budget | Standard | Enterprise |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 price (EUR excl. VAT) | 3,000 - 5,000 | 6,000 - 12,000 | 12,000 - 20,000 |
| Person-days | 3-4 | 6-9 | 10-15 |
| Scope | API or front | Front + API | Front + API + mobile |
| Methodology | Scan + light manual | OWASP + PTES | OWASP + PTES + business logic |
| Retest | No or +1,500 EUR | Included (1 round) | Included (2 rounds) |
| Report | Raw list | CVSS prioritized | Prioritized + action plan |
Annual pentest or bug bounty: which to choose?
The two approaches are complementary. The pentest gives a deep snapshot at a point in time; the bug bounty provides continuous monitoring but less predictable cost.
| Criterion | Annual pentest | Bug bounty |
|---|---|---|
| 2026 cost | 6,000 - 20,000 EUR/year | Variable (bounty per flaw) |
| Depth | High (business logic) | Broad but opportunistic |
| Budget predictability | High | Low |
| ISO 27001 requirement | Well accepted | Complement |
| Cost per critical vulnerability | 1,000 - 3,000 EUR | 500 - 5,000 EUR per bounty |
| Ideal for | Compliance, enterprise | Continuous monitoring |
Many enterprise clients require a documented annual pentest as part of their procurement process. For ISO 27001 certification, regular penetration testing is among the expected controls.
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Mini case study
Antoine, CTO of an HR SaaS in Berlin, receives three quotes: 4,000 EUR, 9,500 EUR and 16,000 EUR. The first covers only the API with no retest. He picks the 9,500 EUR (excl. VAT) quote (8 person-days, front + API, OWASP + PTES, retest included). The pentest reveals 2 critical and 5 medium flaws; fixed, they could have cost dearly in an HR data breach. Thanks to the report and retest, he wins an enterprise client requiring proof of annual pentest, a 60,000 EUR/year contract. The pentest represents 16% of first-year contract value.
FAQ
Why such a wide price gap? Because scope and person-days vary enormously. An automated scan sold as a pentest costs little but detects little; a manual test on business logic requires 8 to 15 person-days.
Is the retest really necessary? Yes: it validates that your fixes work. If not included, budget around 1,500 EUR in 2026, factored in from the start.
Pentest or code audit? They are complementary: the pentest tests the running application, the code audit inspects the sources. For a sensitive SaaS, combine both.
How often for ISO 27001? At least an annual pentest, plus after any major change, is generally expected. Document each campaign and its remediation.
How to avoid a misleading quote? Demand the exact scope, person-days, methodology and retest inclusion in writing. At equal scope, prices become comparable.
Let's scope your project. Send us your stack, scope (front, API, mobile) and client or ISO requirements, and we will frame the pentest and an indicative budget. Detailed quote within 48 h. WhatsApp +221 77 596 93 33.
Mohamed Bah
Fondateur, Kolonell
Passionate about digital and entrepreneurship in Africa, Mohamed has been helping Sénégalese businesses with their digital transformation since 2020. Founder of Kolonell, he believes every SME deserves a professional and accessible online présence.
