The verdict in three sentences
In 2026, a light security audit (OWASP Top 10) starts at 4,000-8,000 € excl. tax, a full application pentest costs 8,000-20,000 €, and an advanced intrusion test with re-verification reaches 15,000-35,000 €. Price depends on scope (number of screens, APIs, roles) and depth (black, grey or white box). Budget the pentest as a project line item, not an option: an exploited vulnerability costs far more than an audit.
The 2026 ranges by audit type
The application security market has matured. Here are 2026 benchmarks for a medium-sized SaaS web application.
| Audit type | Scope | Deliverable | Budget excl. tax | Frequency |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Automated scan + review | OWASP Top 10, public surface | Summary report | 4,000-8,000 € | Half-yearly |
| Full application pentest | App + API + authentication | Detailed report + CVSS | 8,000-20,000 € | Yearly |
| Advanced intrusion test | App + infra + social eng. | Report + re-verification | 15,000-35,000 € | Yearly |
| Code audit (SAST) | Source code review | Line-by-line report | 6,000-15,000 € | Each redesign |
| Bug bounty (program) | Continuous, community | Bounty per vulnerability | 500-5,000 €/vuln | Continuous |
The full application pentest is the standard before a serious go-live or a certification.
What makes the quote vary
Two apps of identical size can show a threefold price gap. Here is why.
| Factor | Effect on price | 2026 benchmark |
|---|---|---|
| Pentester day rate | Quote basis | 700-1,200 €/day |
| Mission duration | Proportional | 3-10 days |
| Box type | White < grey < black (effort) | ±20 to 40 % |
| Number of roles/journeys | +1 to 2 days per role | 1-3 roles |
| Re-verification included | +1 to 2 days | Strongly recommended |
| Environment (prod vs staging) | Prod = more caution | +10 to 20 % |
Always require re-verification: without it, you pay for the diagnosis but not the proof that the fixes hold.
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Mini case study
Sophie, CISO of a Paris fintech, must secure a payment app before launch. She orders a full application pentest: 7 days at 950 €/day = 6,650 €, plus 2 days of re-verification = 1,900 €, i.e. 8,550 € excl. tax. The audit reveals 3 critical flaws (injection, access control, session) and 5 minor ones. Estimated cost of a single one of these exploited in production: data breach, regulator notification, loss of trust, potentially several hundred thousand euros. The 8,550 € pentest is, as an order of magnitude, the most profitable insurance in the project.
FAQ
Is an automated scan enough? Not for an app handling sensitive data. A scan detects known flaws; only a pentester tests business logic and vulnerability chaining. Count on a full pentest from 8,000 €.
How often should you audit? A full pentest yearly, plus a light audit after each major evolution. An app not tested for 18 months is an app at risk.
Black, grey or white box: which to choose? Grey box (partial access) offers the best coverage/cost ratio for a business app. White box (code + access) is the most exhaustive.
Is a pentest mandatory? Not legally in general, but required for PCI-DSS, some ISO 27001 certifications, and increasingly by enterprise clients in their due diligence.
How long does a mission take? From 3 days (light audit) to 10 days (advanced test + re-verification), report delivered 5 to 10 days after tests end.
Let's scope your project. Tell us the application type, number of roles and your go-live deadline: we scope the perimeter and the right pentest 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.
