Confused about which security test you need? A vulnerability assessment is an automated scan for known weaknesses. A penetration test is a manual attack where our certified hackers prove which weaknesses are actually exploitable and a real risk to your business.

Vulnerability Assessment Vs Penetration Testing Explained

Many IT managers and founders struggle with this choice. They often overpay for slow services that don't give them clear, actionable results. We're here to fix that with fast, affordable pentesting.

A vulnerability scan gives you a long list of potential problems. A pentest gives you proof of exploitable risks that could shut down your business. Understanding this difference helps you make a smart, affordable security investment. Both help you improve your defenses, but only one simulates a real attack. If you want to dig deeper, here's a great read on how to test your cyber resilience proactively.

Our manual pentests are done by experts with OSCP, CEH, and CREST certifications. We find what automated tools miss, without the high costs of traditional firms. You get a clear, actionable report in about a week.

What Vulnerability Assessments Actually Find

A vulnerability assessment is like a wide net that catches the easy stuff. It uses automated tools to scan your systems for known security issues. Think of it as a simple security checklist.

This kind of scan is great for flagging obvious problems. These include outdated software, missing security patches, or common system mistakes. It gives you a quick map of potential security gaps.

You get a report listing potential issues with generic scores like High, Medium, or Low. This is a good starting point for basic security. To learn more about the process, check out our guide on what is a vulnerability assessment.

But automated reports are noisy and full of false positives. They can tell you a door might be unlocked, but they can't tell you if a hacker can open it and steal your data. That's where a real person makes all the difference.

Why Manual Penetration Testing Is Better

Automated scans only get you so far. A manual penetration test is where our certified ethical hackers simulate a real-world attack. Our experts hold top certifications like OSCP, CEH, and CREST. We don't just follow a script; we think and act like a real hacker.

This human element is the game-changer. Our testers use their creativity to find complex flaws that automated tools always miss. The goal isn't just to find a vulnerability but to exploit it and show you the real business impact. This hands-on approach cuts through the noise of false positives. You can see a deeper dive into how automated vs. manual pentesting works.

A pentest answers the one question every CISO loses sleep over: "What is the actual risk to my business?" It shows you exactly how a hacker could break in and what they could steal. This includes understanding what hackers can learn about you from public information.

We deliver a clear, actionable report within a week. Our tests are affordable, fast, and focused on the real risks that could cost you.

Choosing The Right Test For Your Budget

Let's get straight to it. For most companies, the decision comes down to cost and speed. Vulnerability scans are automated, so they're cheap and fast. But a traditional pentest can cost a fortune and take months to complete.

We offer a better way. We provide affordable manual pentests from certified OSCP, CEH, and CREST experts. You get the deep insights of a human attacker without the huge price tag or slow timelines. We deliver a full report in about a week.

While automated scans are good for routine checks, you need human expertise to find real business risks. An affordable pentest from us gives you a much better return on your security investment.

Making the right choice is simple. For a complete breakdown of what goes into pricing, check out our guide on how much penetration testing costs. Our goal is to make it easy and affordable to get the security assurance you need.

What Security Test You Need For Compliance

Trying to meet compliance standards like SOC 2, ISO 27001, and PCI DSS can be confusing. Many IT managers ask us which test they actually need to pass their audit. The simple answer is you often need both, but for different reasons.

Most standards require regular automated vulnerability scans, often quarterly. Think of this as a routine checkup to catch known issues. It shows auditors you are consistently monitoring for common weaknesses.

However, frameworks almost always demand an annual, independent penetration test. PCI DSS Requirement 11.3 explicitly requires it. This isn't optional. It's the only way to prove your defenses can stop a real-world attacker.

This is where we help. We deliver fast, affordable manual pentests from OSCP and CREST certified experts. You get the detailed, audit-ready report you need in about a week, without the enterprise price. It's the most direct and budget-friendly path to checking that compliance box.

Get Your Fast And Affordable Pentest Report

Sick of slow, expensive pentesting firms that find nothing useful? We talk to IT managers and founders every day who are fed up with the old way: huge prices, long delays, and useless reports. That approach just doesn't work anymore.

We do things differently. We deliver fast, affordable manual pentests that provide real value. Our OSCP, CEH, and CREST certified pentesters get straight to work, finding the exploitable vulnerabilities that scanners always miss. You get the insights of a true manual test without the enterprise cost.

No more waiting months for a report. We deliver a clear, actionable summary of our findings in as little as one week. We show you exactly what to fix and how to fix it. It's a simple, no-nonsense approach to security.

Ready for a pentest that actually delivers results? Fill out our contact form for a quick quote and let’s get started.

Your Security Testing Questions Answered

We get a lot of questions about the difference between a vulnerability assessment and a pentest. Here are some quick, simple answers to help you figure out what you need. Our goal is to make security testing simple, fast, and affordable.

How Often Should I Run These Tests?

You should run vulnerability scans often, like monthly or quarterly. They are a great way to maintain good security hygiene.

A manual penetration test is a much deeper dive. You should do one at least annually or after any major system changes. Most compliance frameworks like SOC 2 and PCI DSS require an annual pentest.

Is A Pentest Just A Fancy Scan?

Not at all. A pentest might start with an automated scan to find easy targets. But the real value comes from the manual work done by our certified ethical hackers.

Our experts think like real attackers. They find complex business logic flaws and chain together small issues into a major breach. No automated tool can do that.

What Happens After The Pentest Is Done?

We deliver your final report, usually within a week. Your team then gets to work fixing the vulnerabilities we found.

After you've patched everything, we perform a re-test to make sure the fixes work. This final step is crucial for proving to auditors that you have closed all security gaps.

Ready for a pentest that fits your schedule and budget? At Affordable Pentesting, we deliver fast, actionable reports that help you meet compliance and truly secure your business. Fill out our contact form to get a quick quote.