Penetration Testing for Small Businesses and Startups
What to get, what to pay, and how to prepare — for CTOs and founders doing their first security test. Updated April 2026.
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The Minimum Viable Pentest
For a SaaS startup with a single web application, 10–30 employees, and a SOC 2 requirement:
Test type
Web application
Approach
Grey-box (credentials provided)
Duration
5 consultant days
Methodology
OWASP Testing Guide
Estimated cost
£5,000–£10,000
$6,000–$13,000
At a CREST-accredited boutique firm, 5-day engagement. Sufficient for SOC 2 Type II CC6.6 evidence.Get a more precise estimate →
The PTaaS Option for Startups
For startups needing continuous coverage and a compliance certificate without committing to a £7,000+ engagement — subscription-based Pentest-as-a-Service platforms offer a lower-cost entry point.
$999–$3,999/year
Continuous scanning + annual pentest certificate
Compliance: SOC 2, GDPR
£2,499–£9,999/year
Continuous vulnerability scanning + manual tests
Compliance: SOC 2, ISO 27001
Trade-off: PTaaS platforms provide less depth than a bespoke engagement. The annual manual test component is a fixed-scope assessment, not a scoped deep-dive. Sufficient for early-stage SOC 2 Type II. For PCI DSS, HIPAA, or enterprise customer requirements, a bespoke pentest is recommended.
First Pentest Preparation Checklist
Complete this before your engagement starts. Missing items cause delays, scope disputes, and cost overruns.
What Your SOC 2 Auditor Will Ask For
If you're getting a pentest for SOC 2 compliance, tell your provider upfront. Here's what your auditor will look for in the report:
- Report must include an executive summary suitable for auditor review
- Findings must be CVSS-scored and categorised by severity
- Scope documentation must align with your SOC 2 system description
- Methodology note required (OWASP, PTES, or similar named framework)
- Re-test window evidence: auditor will want confirmation of remediation
- Tester credentials: auditor may want to verify tester qualifications
- Confirm with your auditor which specific criteria you need to address (CC6.1, CC6.6, CC7.1)
Annual Security Testing Budget: 20-Person SaaS Company
A defensible annual security testing programme for a startup with one web application and API surface.
| Item | GBP | USD |
|---|---|---|
| Web application penetration test (annual) | £7,000–£12,000 | $9,000–$15,000 |
| Re-test of critical/high findings | Included (good providers) | Included (good providers) |
| Remediation engineering time (estimate 20%) | £1,500–£2,500 | $2,000–$3,000 |
| Continuous vulnerability scanning (Intruder or Astra) | £2,499–£4,999/year | $3,000–$6,000/year |
| Optional: API pentest (if separate APIs in scope) | £3,500–£6,000 | $4,500–$7,500 |
| Total annual programme | ~£13,500–£22,000/year | ~$18,000–$28,000/year |
This provides: SOC 2 Type II evidence, continuous attack surface monitoring, and documented remediation. Adjust up for additional applications in scope.