“What does a penetration test cost in the UAE?” is the first question most buyers ask — and the honest answer is that there is no single price. A pentest is a scoped, expert-led engagement, so the penetration testing cost depends on what is tested, how deeply, and to what standard. This guide explains exactly what moves the price, so you can judge a quote instead of guessing.
There is no flat rate for penetration testing or VAPT in the UAE. Prices in the market range enormously — from a light automated scan to a multi-week red team engagement — because they are measuring completely different things. Any provider who quotes a fixed number before understanding your environment is guessing. A credible quote always follows a short scoping conversation, not the other way around.
Six factors decide almost every penetration testing cost quote. Our methodology follows the OWASP Testing Guide and PTES. Understanding them lets you compare providers on value, not just headline price.
Different engagements answer different questions — and sit at different points on the price scale.
A low price usually signals a narrow scope or an automated scan with a report attached.
The risk of buying on price alone is a clean-looking report that missed the vulnerability an attacker will not. In a regulated market like the UAE, a test that does not stand up to a NESA, DESC or CBUAE audit — or that misses a real exploit path — costs far more than it saved. Rootsec is a boutique: expert-led, manual testing, and a report written to be acted on and to stand up to scrutiny. We would rather scope the right test than win on the lowest number.
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In short: the penetration testing cost UAE organisations pay is driven by scope, depth, manual effort, compliance reporting, retesting and urgency — not by a price list. A realistic VAPT cost follows a scoping conversation; Rootsec quotes in AED after that call, with no surprises.
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There is no fixed price. The cost depends on the scope (how many applications, IPs and users), the depth of testing, whether the work is manual or automated, and the reporting standard you need. A credible quote follows a short scoping conversation — anyone quoting a flat number beforehand is guessing.
VAPT cost is driven by the same factors as any penetration test: scope, depth, manual versus automated effort, compliance-grade reporting, and retesting. Because VAPT combines a vulnerability assessment with hands-on penetration testing, it sits between a light scan and a full red team on the price scale.
Because an honest price requires knowing what we are testing. Listing a headline figure would either overcharge a small scope or undersell a serious one. We scope your environment first, then give you a fixed, written quote you can rely on.
Mostly depth and scope. Manual, expert-led testing of a large or complex environment, with audit-ready reporting and a retest, costs more than a narrow automated scan — and finds the issues that a scan cannot.
Yes. Reporting that maps findings to a specific regulator and provides evidence an auditor will accept takes more effort than a basic findings list, and it is usually essential for regulated entities in the UAE.
Often not. A low price usually means a narrow scope or an automated scan. If the test misses a real exploit path or fails to satisfy your regulator, it costs far more than it saved. Judge a quote on scope and method, not the headline number.
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