10 Best Penetration Testing Companies in 2025 Worldwide & USA (Comparison)

With a cyberattack happening every 39 seconds, the question isn’t “Do you need a pentest?” anymore, but rather – how often do you need a pentest to secure your business?

Navigating the maze of 50+ global and local penetration testing companies can feel overwhelming. They all promise detailed reports, feature-packed solutions, and “holistic security” wrapped in a confusing bow of technical jargon. But which company is the best fit for your needs?

Our security experts have curated the top 10 pentesting providers.

They have focused on the quality of various non-negotiables, such as the tester’s qualifications, the pentest management platform, scan-behind-logins, the effectiveness of pentest reports, compliance satisfaction, realistic timelines, and cost.

List of Top 10 Penetration Testing Companies

1. Astra Security
2. Intruder
3. Cobalt.io
4. Acunetix
5. Invicti
6. Breachlock
7. SecureWorks
8. Wireshark
9. Cobalt Strike
10. Indusface WAS

Comparing the Top 3 Pentesting Companies

Features	Astra	Intruder	Cobalt
Pentest Capabilities	Web and Mobile Apps, Cloud, API, and Networks	Websites, Servers, and Cloud	Web and Mobile Applications, APIs, Networks, and Cloud.
Platform	Manual, Automated & AI-augmented	Automated scanning	Manual pentest
Continuous Vulnerability Scanning	Yes	Yes	Yes
Compliance Scanning	Yes	Yes	Yes
AI-powered Test Cases	Yes	No	No
Pentest Reports	Yes	Yes	Yes
Publically Verifiable Certificates	Yes	No	No
Workflow Integrations	Slack, GitLab, GitHub, Jira, Jenkins and more	GitHub, Atlassian. Jira, and more	JIRA, Slack, Onetrust, GitHub and more
Expert Remediation	Yes	No	Yes
Scan Behind Login	Yes	Yes	No
Pricing Plan	Starts at $1999/yr	Starts at $1958/yr for VA only	Starts at $1650/credit

Top 10 Penetration Testing Companies Around the World

1. Astra Security

Key Features:

• Pentest Capabilities: Web and Mobile Applications, Cloud Infrastructure, API, and Networks
• Accuracy: Zero false positives (Assured with Vetted Scans)
• Scan Behind Logins: Yes
• Compliance: Reporting for PCI-DSS, HIPAA, SOC2, and ISO 27001
• Expert Remediation: Yes
• Publically Verifiable Certification: Yes
• Workflow Integrations: Jira, GitHub, GitLab, Slack, and Jenkins
• Cost: Starting at $1999 per year. See All Pricing Plans
• Best Suited For: Pentesting multiple assets & continuous vulnerability scanning going forward

Company Founding Year: 2013

Astra is a leading penetration testing company that blends automation, artificial intelligence, and manual expertise of security engineers with a combined experience of 50+ years to run 9,300+ tests and compliance checks, ensuring complete safety, irrespective of the threat and attack location.

With customers spanning various industries and countries, our industry-specific AI test cases, world-class GPT-powered chatbot, and customizable reports guarantee a smooth experience while proactively saving you millions of dollars. 

With zero false positives, seamless tech stack integrations, and real-time expert support, we strive to make pentesting simple, effective, and hassle-free. 

Pros:

• Pentest by security experts with OSCP, CEH & CVEs under their name
• Continuous proactive pen testing available via vulnerability scanner 
• Seamless CI/CD, JIRA & Slack integrations
• Customized executive and engineer-friendly reporting
• Scan behind logged-in pages
• Zero false positives

Limitations:

• Only a 1-week free trial is available

Why We Chose Astra?

Astra offers a complete solution that blends automation, AI, and manual expertise to deliver thorough pentesting. Their tests cover many assets (web, mobile, cloud, APIs, networks) and boast zero false positives with vetted scans. They also integrate seamlessly with popular tools and offer real-time expert support.

2. Intruder

Key Features:

• Pentest Capacity: Websites, servers, and cloud.
• Accuracy: False positives present
• Scan Behind Logins: Yes
• Compliance: SOC2, and ISO 27001
• Expert Remediation: No
• Publically Verifiable Certification: No
• Workflow Integrations: GitHub, Jira, Atlassian
• Cost: $1958/ year (Vulnerability Scanning only. Pentest pricing available on demand)
• Best Suited For: Cloud pentesting

Company Founding Year: 2015

As a penetration testing platform for cloud infrastructures and web apps, Intruder employs a mature vulnerability scanner that helps you find and fix critical vulnerabilities. The platform’s reports are famous for their evidence-based formatting, which promotes a cyber risk-education strategy.

With most clients in the banking and financial services industry, Intruder’s consultants have an intimate understanding of financial application landscapes, compliance requirements, and data security needs. 

Pros:

• Easy to deploy
• Easy to manage alerts

Limitations:

• Unavailability of bespoke pentest pricing
• The pricing can get too steep quickly

Why We Chose Intruder?

Intruder specializes in cloud pentesting and has a vulnerability scanner for identifying critical issues. Their reports are known for their evidence-based format, promoting better understanding of identified risks. If your focus is on cloud security, Intruder’s expertise and industry-specific focus make them a strong choice.

3. Cobalt.io

Key Features:

• Pentest Capacity: Web and mobile applications, APIs, Networks, and Cloud
• Accuracy: False positives possible
• Scan Behind Logins: No
• Compliance: SOC2, PCI-DSS, HIPAA, CREST
• Expert Remediation: Yes
• Publically Verifiable Certification: No
• Workflow Integrations: Jira, GitHub, Onetrust, JupiterOne, and Kenna
• Cost: $ 1650/Credit (8 pentesting hours)
• Best Suited For: Manual pentesting

Company Founding Year: 2013

Cobalt.io is one of the well-known pentesting companies that helps you connect with pen testers according to your security testing needs. The program designs and runs practical attack scenarios personalized to your industry and risk profile.

As a veteran-owned business, Cobalt offers special discounts to government agencies, although most of its clients belong to the financial and healthcare industries. Unfortunately, it doesn’t offer automated scanning services.

Pros:

• Industry-specific real-world attack simulations
• Pentesters are extremely responsive during the tests
• Simple UI

Limitations:

• A crowdsourced security team is not acceptable to every business
• Lack of continuous vulnerability scanning post the pentest
• Complex pricing structure

Why We Chose Cobalt?

Cobalt.io connects you with a crowd of experienced penetration testers who can tailor attack simulations to your specific industry and risk profile. They offer real-world scenario testing and have a responsive team of pentesters.

4. Acunetix

Key Features:

• Scanner Capacity: Web applications
• Accuracy: False positives possible
• Scan Behind Logins: Yes
• Compliance: OWASP, ISO 27001, PCI-DSS, NIST
• Expert Remediation: Yes
• Publically Verifiable Certification: No
• Workflow Integrations: Jira, GitHub, GitLab, DevOps, and Mantis
• Cost: Available on quote
• Best Suited For: Automated vulnerability scanning & pen testing service

Company Founding Year: 2005

As a fully automated web vulnerability scanning tool, Acunetix can detect over 4,500 vulnerabilities, including variants of SQL and XSS injections. The tool also supports HTML5, CMS systems, single-page applications, and Javascript. 

Being developer-friendly, Acunetix offers integration support for everything from IDEs to CI/CD pipelines and GRC platforms. The detailed scan reports include proof of concepts and remediation guidance. 

Pros:

• Fully automated vulnerability scanner
• Optimizable for different platforms
• Easy to schedule scans.   

Limitations:

• Difficult to add users
• Vulnerability PoCs are too complex
• Pentest offering is self-served without security experts doing it, this isn’t always accepted by customers.

Why We Chose Acunetix?

Acunetix is a fully automated vulnerability scanner for web applications. It detects a wide range of vulnerabilities (over 4,500) and offers developer-friendly features like integration with IDEs and CI/CD pipelines.

5. Invicti

Key Features:

• Scanner Capacity: Web applications and APIs
• Accuracy: False positives possible
• Scan Behind Logins: No
• Compliance: PCI-DSS, HIPAA, OWASP, ISO 27001
• Expert Remediation: Yes
• Publically Verifiable Certification: No
• Workflow Integrations: Jira, GitHub, GitLab, Kenna, and Bitbucket
• Cost: Available on quote
• Best Suited For: Dynamic pentesting

Company Founding Year: 2009

As a leading penetration testing service provider with 20+ years of experience, Inviicti offers the complete package. Even with its quality pentest offerings, its true strength lies in its world-class vulnerability scanner, which helps conduct quick security audits on web apps using advanced DAST techniques.

With graphical representations of vulnerability analyses, compliance assistance, and a very transparent way of presenting data, Invicti is one of the top security testing companies.

Pros:

• Abundance of security policies
•  SAST/DAST/IAST enabled scans
• OWASP Top 10 vulnerability detection

Limitations:

• No support for 2FA and MFA apps
• Slows down while scanning large applications

Why We Chose Invicti?

Invicti offers both, a leading vulnerability scanner and pentesting services. Their DAST techniques enable quick security audits on web applications. They excel in data presentation with graphical vulnerability analyses and transparent reporting.

6. Breachlock

Key Features:

• Scanner Capacity: Web applications, cloud, and networks
• Accuracy: False positives possible
• Scan Behind Logins: Yes
• Compliance: SOC 2, PCI DSS, HIPAA, and ISO 27001
• Expert Remediation: Yes
• Publically Verifiable Certification: No
• Workflow Integrations: Jira, Slack, and Trello
• Cost: Available on quote
• Best Suited For: Vulnerability management and AI-augmented pentesting.

Company Founding Year: 2019

Breachlock is a penetration testing firm that leverages a lethal combination of automation, AI, and certified ethical hacking to identify vulnerabilities. The penetration-testing-as-a-service model aims to deliver end-to-end services.

The platform also conducts AI-augmented pentests with compliance reporting options for standards like SOC 2, PCI DSS, and HIPAA, giving you a comprehensive picture of your security posture. 

Pros:

• Continuous addition of risk checks
• Scalable vulnerability management solution
• 360-degree view of vulnerabilities on the platform

Limitations:

• Product support could be improved
• Documentation can be confusing

Why We Chose Breachlock?

Breachlock leverages automation, AI, and ethical hacking for vulnerability identification. Their approach combines penetration testing as a service with AI-augmented pentesting, providing a comprehensive view of your security posture.

Should you integrate your SDLC environment into your pentest’s SOW?

Integrating your Software Development Life Cycle (SDLC) environment into your pentest’s Statement of Work (SOW) ensures thorough testing aligned with your development processes, identifying vulnerabilities early and enhancing overall security.  

7. SecureWorks

Key Features:

• Scanner Capacity: Web and mobile applications, networks, APIs
• Accuracy: False positives possible
• Scan Behind Logins: Yes
• Compliance: PCI-DSS, HIPAA
• Expert Remediation: Yes
• Publically Verifiable Certification: No
• Workflow Integrations: AWS, zScaler, Slack, and Jira
• Cost: Available on quote
• Best Suited For: Security consulting 

Company Founding Year: 1998

As a Managed Security Services Provider (MSSP), Secureworks offers penetration tests for information assets, networks, and systems. The portfolio also includes services like application security testing, malware detection, risk assessments, and incident response. 

Its high-functioning security event analysis engine can perform nearly 250 billion cyber programs that help in threat detection and mitigation, making it one of the most extensive cybersecurity solutions. 

Pros:

• Easy to align the security environment with industry standards like NIST and ISO
• Active communications with executive-level summaries are available

Limitations:

• Too expensive for SMEs
• There’s a delay between suspicious activity and the alert raised

Why We Chose SecureWorks?

SecureWorks is a Managed Security Services Provider (MSSP) offering penetration testing for various assets (web, mobile, networks, APIs). They also provide services like application security testing, malware detection, and incident response.

8. Wireshark

Key Features:

• Scanner Capacity: Networks
• Accuracy: False positives possible
• Scan Behind Logins: No
• Compliance: None
• Expert Remediation: No
• Publically Verifiable Certification: No
• Workflow Integrations: None
• Cost: Open-source
• Best Suited For: Traffic analysis for networks

Project Founding Year: 1997

Wireshark is A powerful open-source network packet analysis tool in both traditional and portable installer packages. Widely used in internal penetration testing, it excels at dissecting real-time and captured network traffic to reconstruct timelines and pinpoint unique attack vectors.

Security experts use it to identify vulnerabilities in protocols, configurations, and applications as well as deep packet inspection.

Pros:

• Offers a variety of in-built filters.

Limitations:

• Types of targets can be limited.
• No expert guidance or remediation is available.

Why We Chose Wireshark?

Wireshark is a free, and open-source tool for network packet analysis. It excels at dissecting network traffic, allowing you to identify vulnerabilities in protocols, configurations, and applications. It’s widely used by security experts.

9. Cobalt Strike

Key Features:

• Pentest Capacity: Networks and systems
• Accuracy: False positives possible
• Scan Behind Logins: No
• Compliance: None
• Expert Remediation: No
• Publicly Verifiable Certification: No
• Workflow Integrations: Outflank Security Tooling and Core Impact
• Cost: Available on quote
• Best Suited For: Network penetration testing

Company Founding Year: 2012

Developed by Fortra, Cobalt Strike is an advanced pentesting and red team platform that built to emulate real-world attacks. Its customizable payloads and command-and-control (C2) communications offer lateral movement, privilege escalation, and persistence tactics. 

More importantly, its social engineering attacks, post-exploitation modules, collaborative features for team-based testing, and a vibrant community resource hub make it an ideal choice for network and systems.

Pros:

• Offers an extensive exploit database.

Limitations:

• Scan behind login capabilities can be improved.
• Downloads can be time-consuming.

Why We Chose Cobalt Strike?

Cobalt Strike is a penetration testing and red-teaming platform that emulates real-world attacks. It offers customizable payloads, command-and-control capabilities, and a range of post-exploitation techniques.

10. Indusface WAS

Key Features:

• Pentest Capacity: Web and mobile applications, APIs
• Accuracy: False positives possible
• Scan Behind Logins: Yes
• Compliance: PCI DSS, ISO 27001, GDPR
• Expert Remediation: Yes
• Publicly Verifiable Certification: Yes
• CI/CD Integration: Yes
• Cost: Available on quote
• Best Suited For: Web app security, and threat prevention, detection, and response

Company Founding Year: 2004

Indusface provides strong security solutions, such as an AI-powered WAAP platform called AppTrana that defends against contemporary threats like DDoS assaults and zero-day vulnerabilities. Indusface is an India-based VAPT provider that protects web applications, mobile apps, and APIs.

An end-to-end security strategy extends beyond scanning, offering SSL certificates, compliance tools (SwyftComply), pentesting, and continuous malware monitoring. With regional deployment choices, Indusface WAS enables companies of all sizes to safeguard their digital assets.

Pros:

• Aids in asset discovery.
• Only needs a fairly short learning curve.

Limitations:

• Limited to web applications.
• Relies heavily on AI, potential for false negatives.

Why We Chose Indusface WAS?

Indusface WAS is a web application security solution that offers vulnerability scanning, penetration testing, and web application firewalls. Its AI-powered platform helps identify security risks, such as SQL injection, cross-site scripting, and other vulnerabilities.

Astra Security vs. Top 4 Pentest Companies Globally

Top Penetration Testing Companies in The USA

With rigid federal laws guarding national security, public undertakings under the US government (and private firms associated with them) are often legally mandated to choose a domestic vendor with appropriate government certifications. 

Other than Astra Security, two other top pentesting companies in the USA are:

1. Rapid7

Key Features:

• Scanner Capacity: Cloud and Web Applications
• Accuracy: False positives possible
• Scan Behind Logins: No
• Compliance: CIS, ISO 27001.
• Expert Remediation: No
• Publically Verifiable Certification: No
• Workflow Integrations: ServiceNow Security Operations, LogRhythm NDR, and ManageEngine
• Cost: $2100/year
• Best Suited For: Vulnerability management penetration testing

Company Founding Year: 2000

With multiple cybersecurity tools in its arsenal, Rapid7 is one of the top penetration testing firms that aims to deliver end-to-end vulnerability management and sustainable security solutions.

The service portfolio includes detection and response, security scanning, and vulnerability management. The penetration testing experts at Rapid7 leverage the company’s deep roots in open-source pentesting tools like Metasploit, to find vectors automated scanners often miss.

Pros:

• Great for finding hidden vulnerabilities
• They maintain top-notch threat intelligence

Limitations:

• Users have reported issues with functionality and customer support
• The devices that are scanned have to be removed manually

2. Sciencesoft

Key Features:

• Scanner Capacity: Web, mobile applications, network, IoT
• Accuracy: False positives possible
• Scan Behind Logins: No
• Compliance: GDPR, HIPAA, PCI-DSS, NIST
• Expert Remediation: Yes
• Publically Verifiable Certification: No
• Workflow Integrations: Jira, Jenkins, and GitHub
• Cost: Available on quote
• Best Suited For: Custom penetration testing

Company Founding Year: 1989

Sciencesoft is a penetration testing provider specializing in designing security checks for networks, mobile, IoT, and embedded systems. It is an ISO 9001 and ISO 27001 compliance-certified company. 

Additionally, Sciencesoft offers compliance-specific scans for industry standards such as HIPAA, PCI DSS, GDPR, and NIST. The platform’s biggest advantage is its 30+ years of experience and partnerships with IBM, Microsoft, and several other retailers that provide data analytics.  

Pros:

• End-to-end services from identification to remediation
• Social engineering testing exercises

Limitations:

• Weak remediation support

Can’t Decide? Leverage the Pentest Company Chooser by Astra!

Factors To Consider When Choosing a Penetration Testing Company

1. Quality of Pentesting:

Prioritize pen testing companies equipped with scanners to run event-triggered, continuous, and ad-hoc scans. Look for experienced analysts with OSCP certifications and 3+ years of experience in pentesting your specific type of application. 

2. Pentest ‘Platform’:

Choose a company that offers a centralized dashboard to track real-time updates on penetration tests, key reports, and streamlined communication to avoid bottlenecks. An intuitive interface, customizable views, and a customer success team help avoid bottlenecks and delays.

3. Continuous Scalable Pentesting:

With growing attack surfaces and tech stacks, the pentest platform should offer seamless integration and the ability and know-how to undertake large-scale tests. Continuous vulnerability assessments with scan-behind-logins help expose zero days between updates.

4. Compliance-Specific Scans:

Comply with industry-specific regulations (e.g., HIPAA, PCI-DSS, SOC2, ISO 27001, etc.) requiring distinct digital checkpoints. Choose external penetration testing companies that offer in-built compliance-focused scans and reporting algorithms. 

5. Pentest Report and Certification:

Look for penetration testing companies that offer executive reports for management and exhaustive reports for developers with vulnerability details, CVSS score, and steps to replicate and patch it. Publically verifiable certificates showcasing a clean bill of health build trust with your consumer base.

Read more: what is a penetration testing Report?

6. Workflow Integrations:

The ideal platform should conduct endpoint mapping and robust authentication to view vulnerabilities comprehensively and avoid workflow and communication delays. It should also seamlessly integrate with your CI/CD pipeline, such as Jira, GitHub, GitLab, Slack, etc.

How To Choose The Right Pentesting Company?

1. Put Yourself First

After all is said and done, it is quite easy to get lost in all the technical jargon of security postures, continuous scanners, and end-to-end vulnerability managers Our tip, before starting, write down these 3 essentials such as: 

• Why do you need the pentest? 
• What’s your financial budget and timeline cutoff?
• Are there any specific compliances you need to test for?

Why? This will give you a list of your non-negotiables, help you outline your ideal cybersecurity partner, and define the maximum length of rope you can sacrifice.

2. Ditch the Guesswork:

It’s every company’s job to highlight its benefits and offerings. Read their best and worst reviews to get an insight into the real picture. Also, try to find similar industry players or requirements to avoid future problems.

Pro Tip: Look for proven players—companies with rock-solid reputations and glowing customer reviews (outside of company-owned channels). 

3. Evaluate the Pentest Reports:

That 50-page pentest report is the difference between keeping your business assets secure and giving in to a false sense of security. Make sure that behind all the developer-friendly jargon, the exhaustive reports offer actionable insights into vulnerabilities and how to patch them.

Pro Tip: The jargon-heavy reporting can make executive meetings quite brutal. Customizing the “executive’s special report” goes a long way. 

4. Assess the Customer Support

The problem of choice is real! Once you identify a vulnerability, there is usually more than one way of fixing it available, leading to back-and-forth between teams, which is also known as bottlenecks.

With evolving environments, active customer support is essential to solving such bottlenecks. They can not only help you gain better insights but also help speed up the remediation processes. 

5. Questions You Should Ask Before Hiring a Penetration Testing Company

• What are the different types of penetration testing services you offer?
• Can you provide examples of previous clients in our industry?
• How do you ensure the confidentiality of our data during the testing process?
• What is your approach to prioritizing vulnerabilities found during the test?
• Do you offer remediation assistance after the test?

Benefits of Penetration Testing

• Proactive risk mitigation: Exposes exploitable vulnerabilities before adversaries can take advantage of them, which reduces the probability of successful cyber-attacks.
• Actionable insights toward an enhanced security posture: Supports the enhancement of actionable insights into system defenses, leveling up the security controls and contributing toward overall resilience.
• Compliance adherence: This helps an organization meet the industry standard and also gives way to how to work around any security lapses identification.
• Business continuity: Pentesting reduces the time a system is down and financial impacts by preventing data breaches and system disruptions.
• Data Protection: Finds data management and storage weaknesses to protect sensitive data.

Why is it Important to Choose the Right Pentesting Company?

It is highly recommended that repetitive penetration tests be performed in modern, thought-provoking cybersecurity management. Here’s why:

• Early Vulnerability Detection allows an organization to develop action plans for security risks before attackers discover them.
• Risk Assessment and Prioritization: Penetration testing helps management understand the vulnerabilities in their network or IT system and the depth to which attacks can occur if a company’s IT system is compromised.
• Compliance with Standards: Various businesses must schedule tests to meet information-protecting compliance standards like PCI-DSS, HIPAA, and GDPR.
• Protecting Brand Reputation: Preventing unauthorized access to or data losses is crucial because it prevents the expenses accompanying such a breach and maintains the customer’s loyalty to a business and its reputation.
• Cost Reduction: It is more economical to identify deficiencies and actual flaws than to patch up damages caused by an attack. Society is protected as constant examination enhances its general security and is a preventive measure against future threats.

What are the Types of Penetration Testing Services Offered by Security Companies?

• Network Penetration Testing: Concentrates on evaluating an organization’s susceptibilities through the internal and external networks that an attacker might use to penetrate or paralyze organizational operations.
• Web Application Penetration Testing: This analyzes the Web application to discover potential security weaknesses, including SQL injection, cross-site scripting, and impaired authentication.
• Wireless Penetration Testing: This process assesses wireless networks to consider shortcomings in encryption and access controls, guaranteeing security and protection from unauthorized network access.
• Mobile Application Penetration Testing: This checks apps for vulnerabilities involving insecure data, weak authentication, and unprotected communication, which is essential in protecting users’ data in mobile applications.
• Cloud Penetration Testing: Evaluates Cloud architectures to determine vulnerabilities likely to affect configurations, access, or shared habitats.

Why is Astra the Best Choice For You?

Besides catering to the pentesting needs of diverse industries, from finance and healthcare to e-commerce, we have emerged as a leader in the G2 penetration testing category. 

With high-performer tags across the continents, from America to Europe, India, and APAC, 650+ companies trust Astra! Moreover, with us, our customers have saved potentially more than $42 million and patched 892k+ vulnerabilities in one year. 

Still don’t believe us? Well, let’s look at what some of our recent customers have to say! 

Final Thoughts

Although the above is far from an exhaustive list, it offers some deep insight into the world of penetration testing vendors. However, only you can decide which is the best choice for your needs, budget, and industry.

Key considerations include scanning capabilities, an all-encompassing dashboard, scalable testing, compliance-specific scans, and adherence to security protocols. Prioritizing reviews, comprehensive reports, and responsive customer support can also help significantly.

A penetration test is far from cheap, but the ROI is worth it!

FAQs