The verdict in three sentences
A targeted penetration test on a web application costs 5,000-12,000 EUR, a full audit (pentest + code review + configuration) 15,000-35,000 EUR, in 2 to 5 weeks. The re-test after fixes represents 30-50% of the initial price and must not be left out of the budget. Under GDPR and the regulator, this audit is no longer optional before a sensitive production release.
How much a security audit costs in 2026
Price depends on scope (number of roles, APIs, journeys) and depth (black, grey, white box).
| Service | Scope | 2026 price (EUR) | Timeline |
|---|---|---|---|
| Targeted penetration test | 1 application, OWASP Top 10 | 5,000 - 12,000 | 1-2 weeks |
| Full audit | Pentest + code review + config | 15,000 - 35,000 | 2-5 weeks |
| Re-test after fixes | Vulnerability verification | 30-50% of initial price | 3-7 days |
| Cloud architecture audit | Config, IAM, network | 6,000 - 15,000 | 1-3 weeks |
2026 estimates; an application handling payments or health data requires a wider scope and therefore a higher budget.
One-off audit vs continuous security subscription
An audit is a snapshot in time; vulnerabilities appear continuously with every deployment.
| Model | 2026 cost | Frequency | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|
| One-off audit | 5,000 - 35,000 EUR | Before prod / certification | Single milestone |
| Continuous subscription | 1,500 - 5,000 EUR/month | Monthly | Evolving app |
| Bug bounty (option) | Variable + bounties | Continuous | High exposure |
| Automated scanning | 300 - 1,200 EUR/month | Weekly | Baseline monitoring |
For an application deploying weekly, a subscription at ~3,000 EUR/month (36,000 EUR/year) covers the risk better than an isolated annual audit.
Mini case study
Mr. Fabre, CIO of a services SME in Marseille, must audit a customer-management web application before a certification demanded by a large account. He orders a full audit at 24,000 EUR, then a re-test at 9,600 EUR (40%).
The audit reveals 3 critical flaws (injection, broken access control, data exposure). Total security cost: 33,600 EUR. Against the risk of a GDPR fine (up to 4% of revenue) and losing the large-account contract (~250,000 EUR/year) if certification fails, the investment is trivial next to the exposure. Certification is obtained in 6 weeks.
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FAQ
What is the OWASP Top 10 scope?
It is the reference list of the 10 most common web risks (injection, access control, weak cryptography, etc.). A serious pentest covers them systematically, plus flaws specific to your application.
Is the re-test really necessary?
Yes. Fixing a flaw without re-checking it proves nothing. The re-test (30-50% of the initial price) confirms the fixes work and introduced no regression.
What is the GDPR impact of an audit?
In a breach, the absence of reasonable security measures worsens liability (fines up to 4% of global revenue). A documented audit demonstrates your diligence.
One-off audit or subscription?
A one-off audit suffices for a milestone (go-live, certification). For an application that changes weekly, a subscription at 1,500-5,000 EUR/month covers continuous risk far better.
How long does an audit take?
From 1-2 weeks for a targeted test to 2-5 weeks for a full audit, plus a few days for the re-test. A detailed, prioritized report is delivered at the end.
Let's scope your project. Tell us your application, its roles and sensitive data, and your deadline (go-live or certification), for a budget of 5,000-35,000 EUR. 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.
