The verdict in three sentences
A grey-box pentest before go-live costs USD 7,000-20,000 depending on scope, a code audit USD 5,000-14,000, over a 2-4 week lead time. Remediation adds 20-40% of audit cost, and a retest should always be included to validate the fixes. An audit before production costs far less than a data breach and the associated regulatory fine.
The three main audit types
A full security audit combines three complementary angles. The application pentest (OWASP) attacks the app the way a hacker would. The code audit analyses source code to find vulnerabilities in depth. The infrastructure audit checks server, network and cloud configuration.
| Audit type | Scope | 2026 cost | Recommended frequency |
|---|---|---|---|
| Black-box pentest | App, no access | USD 5,000-11,000 | Annual |
| Grey-box pentest | App + test accounts | USD 7,000-20,000 | Before prod + annual |
| Code audit | Full source code | USD 5,000-14,000 | Major/year |
| Infra/cloud audit | Server + network config | USD 4,000-12,000 | Annual |
| Technical privacy audit | Encryption, logs, access | USD 3,500-9,000 | Annual |
The grey-box pentest offers the best value before go-live: it combines efficiency and coverage, with test accounts simulating an already-authenticated malicious user.
Total cost: audit + remediation + retest
The budget doesn't stop at the audit report. Vulnerabilities found must be fixed (remediation) then revalidated (retest).
| Item | 2026 indicative cost | Note |
|---|---|---|
| Grey-box pentest (mid app) | USD 11,000 | Report + severities |
| Remediation (20-40%) | USD 2,200-4,400 | Fixing the flaws |
| Validation retest | included or USD 1,800 | Verifies fixes |
| Annual follow-up audit | -20 to -30% | Scope already known |
| Year-1 total | USD 13,000-17,000 | Before prod |
Vulnerabilities are ranked by severity (critical, high, medium, low) using the CVSS score. You fix critical and high first: they're often 20% of flaws but 80% of the real risk.
Mini case study
Daniel, CTO of a SaaS scale-up in Toronto, must secure his app before onboarding a demanding enterprise account. He orders a grey-box pentest (USD 11,500) that reveals 3 critical flaws (injection, broken access control) and 7 medium ones. Remediation: USD 3,900 (about 34% of audit cost), retest included. Total: USD 15,400. Result: the enterprise account signs a USD 170,000/year contract conditional on this security report. The audit pays for itself in the first week.
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FAQ
What budget for a web app pentest?
Budget USD 7,000-20,000 for a grey-box pentest, depending on the number of features, roles and APIs. A simple app sits at the low end; a complex platform with payments at the high end.
How long does a security audit take?
Between 2 and 4 weeks: roughly 1-2 weeks of testing, then writing the report with severities and recommendations. Then plan remediation time on your dev team's side.
Is remediation included in the price?
No, remediation (fixing the flaws) is separate and costs 20-40% of the audit price. The validation retest is often included or billed around USD 1,800.
How often should an app be audited?
At least an annual pentest, plus an audit after each major change. Follow-up audits cost 20-30% less because the auditor already knows the scope.
What standard does a pentest follow?
The OWASP framework (Top 10, ASVS) is the standard for web apps. A good report ranks each flaw by CVSS score and provides remediation recommendations your developers can act on.
Let's scope your project. Describe your app (roles, APIs, payments) and your go-live deadline: we'll price the right pentest and remediation. 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.
