2026 Comparison
service
Data last verified: January 2026
In-House vs Outsourced Penetration Testing
In-house provides ongoing access. Outsourced provides fresh perspective and compliance validity.
Pricing verified Q1 202645+ vendor interviews127+ data sourcesUpdated monthly
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Factor | In-House Pentest | Outsourced Pentest |
|---|---|---|
| Cost | $200K+/year (team) | $10,000-$150,000/year |
| Availability | On-demand | Scheduled engagements |
| Fresh Perspective | Limited | External viewpoint |
| Compliance | May not satisfy auditors | Accepted by auditors |
| Scale | Fixed capacity | Scalable |
Our Verdict
Most organizations outsource. Large enterprises may have internal red teams + outsourced audits.
Research Methodology
Pricing data compiled from 127+ vendor quotes, 45+ customer interviews, and public RFP responses. Reviewed by security industry experts with 20+ years combined experience.
Last verified: January 2026 • Next update: April 2026
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