A bug bounty program is an open invitation for ethical hackers to find security flaws in your software for a cash reward. But this crowdsourced model often creates more noise than results, leaving you buried in reports. We offer a better way: a fast, affordable manual pentest from certified experts, with a full report in about a week.

How a Bug Bounty Program Works

A bug bounty program sets up a formal process to receive security reports from outsiders. The idea is simple: a researcher finds a real security weakness, follows your rules to report it, and you pay them. This is meant to find problems before criminals do.

Companies create rules defining what systems can be tested and what kinds of bugs get a reward. Ethical hackers find these programs and start looking for flaws. When they find one, they send a report, your team confirms it, and the hacker gets paid.

The Problems with Bug Bounty Programs

Bug bounty programs sound good, but they have major downsides, especially for businesses that need clear results. The biggest issue is the flood of low-quality reports. Your team can waste hundreds of hours sifting through duplicate or useless submissions from amateur researchers.

Another problem is the unpredictable cost. Since you pay for every valid bug, your security budget can quickly get out of control. For startups and IT managers who need a fixed budget, this is a serious problem. You can't plan when you don't know what you'll be spending next month.

Bug Bounties vs Affordable Manual Pentesting

What’s the real difference between a bug bounty and a manual penetration test? Think of it this way. A bug bounty is like asking a giant, random crowd to check your locks. A manual pentest is hiring a small team of certified expert locksmiths to check every single door and window methodically.

Our pentesters hold top certifications like OSCP, CEH, and CREST. They perform a focused, expert-led test on your systems. They follow a strict methodology to make sure every part of your application is reviewed properly. You can learn more about this structured approach in our guide explaining what is a pentest.

Why an Affordable Pentest is Better

For businesses needing guaranteed security coverage, predictable costs, and a formal report for compliance audits, a manual pentest is the clear choice. It provides the focused approach you need. You get a complete, actionable report in under a week without the unpredictable costs and noise of a bug bounty.

For businesses needing a clear, audit-ready security assessment, a focused manual pentest is built for the job.

How Pentesting Meets Compliance Requirements

If your business handles sensitive data, you must follow compliance rules like SOC 2, HIPAA, or PCI DSS. Auditors require a formal, time-boxed penetration test from a qualified firm. A pile of random bug bounty reports will not be enough to pass an audit.

Auditors need a single, structured report showing the scope, methods, and findings from certified professionals. This document proves you have performed your due diligence. You can learn more in our guide to SOC 2 penetration testing requirements. We provide these affordable, audit-ready reports from certified OSCP, CEH, and CREST professionals, delivered in about a week.

Choose a Fast and Affordable Pentest

Are you frustrated with the high prices and slow reports from traditional pentesting firms? Or maybe you've thought about a bug bounty program but don't want to deal with the chaos. There’s a much better way to handle your security testing.

We deliver a comprehensive penetration test report in about a week, at a fraction of the usual cost. Our approach is designed for businesses that need reliable results quickly, without the high price tag. We focus on finding real vulnerabilities that could actually impact your business.

Our testers are not a random crowd; they are certified professionals with OSCP, CEH, and CREST qualifications. This ensures you get a thorough assessment that meets compliance standards. You can review our penetration testing services to see how we help businesses like yours.

Ready for a security test that's fast, affordable, and delivers real findings? Affordable Pentesting provides expert-led pentests with actionable reports in about a week. Get a clear picture of your security without the high costs or noise.

Fill out our contact form to get a quote today.