It’s easy to Google “VAPT cost” when planning a penetration test budget and take a rough estimate as gospel. In actuality, however, ballpark estimates have the potential to mislead, postpone important security measures, and cost your company far more than a formal quote will.
In this post, we’ll break down the differences between vague pricing estimates and detailed VAPT quotes, and why only one of them is worth your trust when you’re investing in cybersecurity.
What Does VAPT Actually Involve?
Vulnerability Assessment and Penetration Testing, or VAPT, is not a single service with a set price. It’s a personalised engagement based on your goals, risk tolerance, and surroundings. Costs can vary based on:
- Number of IPs, domains, or applications
- Internal vs. external scope
- Compliance standards (PCI, HIPAA, etc.)
- Industry and criticality of systems
Without this context, ballpark pricing is little more than guesswork.
Why Ballpark Estimates Can Hurt Your Business
1. Inaccurate Budgeting: Generic cost ranges like “$5,000–$15,000” don’t reflect the nuances of your infrastructure.
2. Poor Vendor Comparisons: If you think a high-end vendor is “too expensive,” you might cut them out when, in fact, they were just more open.
3. Delayed Engagements: Teams frequently put off testing until they have a better idea of the costs. Vulnerabilities are still present in the interim.
4. Scope Mismatch: What is included is not specified by ballpark rates. Later on, you might have to pay more for necessities like reporting or social engineering.
What a Real VAPT Quote Includes
A detailed penetration testing quote will typically outline:
- Scope (e.g., 25 external IPs, 1 web app, internal network, etc.)
- Methodology and compliance mapping
- Deliverables (findings report, executive summary, retest window)
- Timeline and engagement phases
- Total cost with optional add-ons
This kind of quote ensures your expectations match reality—and that you’re comparing vendors on equal footing.
Sample Cost Breakdown (Realistic Range)
| Assessment Type | Estimated Cost |
|---|---|
| External Network (10 IPs) | $3,000–$5,000 |
| Web App (1 App) | $4,500–$8,000 |
| Internal Network (50 Users) | $7,000–$10,000 |
| Red Team Simulation | $12,000–$20,000 |
| Compliance-Focused VAPT (HIPAA, PCI) | $15,000–$30,000 |
These ranges are only useful after confirming your scope. A quote from a reputable firm like Bluefire Redteam will give you clarity, not surprises.
The Bottom Line: Trust the Quote, Not the Guess
If you’re serious about protecting your assets, guessing is not a strategy. A real quote doesn’t just give you a number—it gives you confidence.
Stop guessing. Start scoping.
Ready for a Real Quote?
In less than two minutes, receive a personalised VAPT quote from Bluefire Redteam. Without any nonsense or surprises, our security architects will assess your environment and provide a precise, actionable price.
Frequently Asked Questions - VAPT Quote
- What is the average cost of a VAPT assessment?Depending on the scope, number of assets, and regulatory requirements, costs usually fall between $2,000 and $20,000.
- Can I get a quote without sharing sensitive details?Indeed. Quotes from Bluefire Redteam are based on non-sensitive scoping information like the number, kind, and size of assets.
- How long does it take to receive a quote?
We deliver most quotes within 1 business day—or instantly if using our quote request tool.
- What’s included in your VAPT quote?
Every quote includes scope definition, methodology, reporting details, cost, and optional add-ons like social engineering or red teaming.
- Is your quote the final price?
Yes. We stand by our quotes. No hidden fees or surprise charges—what you see is what you get.
