# API penetration testing companies: who states API scope

Source: https://pentestcompare.com/services/api-penetration-testing/
Publisher: Excession Labs (pentestcompare.com)
Last updated: 2026-11-09

API penetration testing companies compared from their own pages: API scope, published price, retest terms and sample reports, with six questions to ask first.

> **Short answer:** API penetration testing companies differ in what they say about API scope. This page lists providers whose own pages state API testing, with price, retest and sample report columns and the date each fact was checked. Ask each one for spec import, roles tested, BOLA and BFLA checks, and the rate limit on test traffic.

API penetration testing companies are easy to find and hard to tell apart. Most pages say "web and API" in one phrase. The table lists providers whose own pages state API testing, in A to Z order with no ranking. Each row shows the facts we could source, and "Not published" where a provider says nothing. Facts were checked on 9 November 2026.

| Provider | Type | Delivery | Web | API | Cloud | AI apps | Published price | Turnaround | Retest | Sample report |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| [Aikido](https://pentestcompare.com/providers/aikido/) | Application security platform | automated | yes | yes | unknown | yes | $4,000 per assessment | TYPICAL Pentest: same-day results. The AI pentest page also says a few hours, minutes, and in one place a report in days. | Free retesting for up to 6 months, including checks for bypasses of fixes. | public |
| [Astra Security](https://pentestcompare.com/providers/astra-security/) | PTaaS platform | hybrid | yes | yes | yes | yes | $2,999 per year (card also shows $199 per month) | Manual pentest: 10-15 working days. Pentest Auto: first report the same day. | Re-scans included: Auto 1, Expert 2, Enterprise 4; window 30 days (Auto, Expert) or 90 days (Enterprise). The page FAQ says 2 re-scans for PTaaS plans. | not published |
| [Bishop Fox](https://pentestcompare.com/providers/bishop-fox/) | Offensive security consultancy | human-led | yes | yes | yes | yes | not published | Not published | Not published | not published |
| [BreachLock](https://pentestcompare.com/providers/breachlock/) | PTaaS platform | hybrid | yes | yes | yes | unknown | custom quote | Pentests can be scoped and started within 24-48 hours. | Free manual retests: 1 (Standard), 2 (Extended), custom (Extensive). The PTaaS product text also promises unlimited retesting. | on request |
| [Bridewell](https://pentestcompare.com/providers/bridewell/) | Cyber security services provider | human-led | yes | yes | yes | yes | custom quote | Not published | Not published | on request |
| [Bugcrowd](https://pentestcompare.com/providers/bugcrowd/) | PTaaS platform | hybrid | yes | yes | yes | yes | custom quote | Tests launch in under 72 hours; Standard: launch within 3 business days. | Standard: one year of retesting with one report revision, for web apps, networks and APIs only. Plus: same terms for every asset type. Max: same as Plus. | public |
| [Claranet](https://pentestcompare.com/providers/claranet/) | Managed services and cyber security provider | human-led | yes | yes | unknown | unknown | custom quote | Not published | Retesting is included as part of the engagement. | not published |
| [Cobalt](https://pentestcompare.com/providers/cobalt/) | PTaaS platform | hybrid | yes | yes | yes | yes | $3,500 per test | Autonomous Pentest: findings in 24 hours. Annual tiers: start within 3 / 2 / 1 business days (Standard / Premium / Enterprise); footnote says start times vary by engagement type. | Comparison table: free retesting for 6 months (Standard) or 12 months (Premium, Enterprise). FAQ says unlimited on-demand retesting during the contract term. The two statements differ. | on request |
| [Compass Security](https://pentestcompare.com/providers/compass-security/) | Consultancy | human-led | yes | yes | yes | yes | custom quote | Not published | Not published | on request |
| [CYBRI](https://pentestcompare.com/providers/cybri/) | Penetration testing consultancy | human-led | yes | yes | yes | yes | $5,000 starts at, per engagement | From 5 business days (Web Application and Custom), 10 (Web, API, Cloud or AI), 15 (Multiple Apps). | Remediation testing is included in the $9,500 and $20,000 tiers. Unlimited remediation testing with an extended window is listed as an add-on. The Web Application tier does not state it. | not published |
| [Detectify](https://pentestcompare.com/providers/detectify/) | Application security platform | automated | yes | yes | unknown | unknown | from EUR 0 per year (annual platform fee) | Not published | Not stated on the pricing page. | not published |
| [Doyensec](https://pentestcompare.com/providers/doyensec/) | Boutique consultancy | human-led | yes | yes | yes | yes | custom quote | Not published | Not stated on the homepage or company page. Some public reports are titled 'With Retesting' or 'After Retest'. | public |
| [Equixly](https://pentestcompare.com/providers/equixly/) | Autonomous testing platform | automated | yes | yes | unknown | yes | custom quote | Not published | Revalidates whenever applications and AI systems change; no separate retest policy is stated. | not published |
| [Escape](https://pentestcompare.com/providers/escape/) | Application security platform | automated | yes | yes | unknown | yes | custom quote | Continuous AI pentesting: results in minutes on merge, deploy or schedule. | Open issues are re-checked; external network pentesting is followed by a retest. No limits stated. | not published |
| [Excession Labs](https://pentestcompare.com/providers/excession-labs/) | Security lab (AI-assisted testing) | hybrid | yes | yes | unknown | yes | custom quote | Not published | Retest of fixed findings is offered; terms are set in each quote. | public |
| [Giskard](https://pentestcompare.com/providers/giskard/) | AI-assisted testing service | hybrid | unknown | yes | unknown | yes | $0 no billing unit given | Not published | Giskard says it re-runs every test until the fix is confirmed. | not published |
| [HackerOne](https://pentestcompare.com/providers/hackerone/) | Crowdsourced platform | hybrid | yes | yes | yes | yes | custom quote | Product page gives no start time or test length. HackerOne docs list the final report 3-5 business days after testing ends. | Retesting is included after remediation. Docs say unlimited retests during the remediation period (typically 30 or 90 days) at no extra cost, usually completed within 72 hours once claimed; after the window a fee (minimum $50) can be set. Older docs and posts show 60-day / two-retest wording. | not published |
| [Halo Security](https://pentestcompare.com/providers/halo-security/) | PTaaS platform | hybrid | yes | yes | unknown | unknown | custom quote | Not published | One round of retesting is included; Halo verifies fixes and issues an updated report. | not published |
| [Horizon3.ai (NodeZero)](https://pentestcompare.com/providers/horizon3/) | Autonomous testing platform | automated | yes | yes | yes | unknown | $15 per asset, per test (12-month term) | Not published as a time. WebApp page says tests can be set up quickly and run as often as needed. | Findings include fix actions with one-click verify. On Core, Pro and Elite retests carry no extra charge because testing is unlimited; for Flex the page does not say whether a verify counts as a new billed test. | not published |
| [Include Security](https://pentestcompare.com/providers/include-security/) | Application security consultancy | human-led | yes | yes | unknown | unknown | not published | Report target: a week after the assessment conclusion. | Not published | not published |
| [Integrity360](https://pentestcompare.com/providers/integrity360/) | Cyber security services provider | human-led | yes | yes | yes | unknown | custom quote | Not published | Continuous retest options are mentioned. | not published |
| [Mindgard](https://pentestcompare.com/providers/mindgard/) | Application security platform | hybrid | unknown | yes | unknown | yes | custom quote | Not published | Teams can retest fixes; Assure re-triggers when the AI system changes. | not published |
| [NetSPI](https://pentestcompare.com/providers/netspi/) | Penetration testing as a service (PTaaS) | human-led | yes | yes | yes | yes | not published | Not published | Not published | not published |
| [Novee](https://pentestcompare.com/providers/novee/) | Autonomous testing platform | automated | yes | yes | unknown | yes | custom quote | Not published. Testing is described as continuous. | Retests run automatically after fixes, and on new deployments, code changes and emerging threats. | not published |
| [Outpost24](https://pentestcompare.com/providers/outpost24/) | PTaaS platform | hybrid | yes | yes | unknown | yes | custom quote | Snapshot is 10 days of manual testing and Assure is 3 days. SWAT runs for 12 months. | Snapshot and Assure each include a 60-day retest window. SWAT checks fixes for 12 months. No retest terms found for the AI and LLM service. | not published |
| [Packetlabs](https://pentestcompare.com/providers/packetlabs/) | Penetration testing consultancy | human-led | yes | yes | yes | yes | custom quote | Not published | The homepage says Packetlabs supports security teams with retesting; terms (window, number of rounds, cost) are not published. | on request |
| [Parameter](https://pentestcompare.com/providers/parameter/) | AI-assisted testing service | automated | yes | yes | unknown | unknown | custom quote | First findings in 24 hours; most runs finish the same day they start. | Free re-testing is listed for Single App and inherited by higher tiers. | public |
| [Payatu](https://pentestcompare.com/providers/payatu/) | Security consultancy | hybrid | yes | yes | yes | yes | $3,500 per test (starts from) | Not published | Re-validation of fixes: 1 round (Express, Critical and High), 1 round (Expert, all severities), 2 rounds (Enterprise, all severities). | not published |
| [Pen Test Partners](https://pentestcompare.com/providers/pen-test-partners/) | Consultancy | human-led | yes | yes | yes | yes | custom quote | PTaaS: scoped within minutes and can start immediately; results in real time, short report at the end of the test window. Standard pen tests: Not published. | Not published | not published |
| [Pentera](https://pentestcompare.com/providers/pentera/) | Autonomous testing platform | hybrid | yes | yes | yes | unknown | custom quote | Not published | Remediation is followed by re-testing; the FAQ says it revalidates fixes. | not published |
| [Pentest People](https://pentestcompare.com/providers/pentest-people/) | Penetration testing provider (part of WorkNest Secure) | human-led | yes | yes | yes | yes | custom quote | Not published | Not published | not published |
| [Pentest-Tools.com](https://pentestcompare.com/providers/pentest-tools/) | Vulnerability scanning and pentest platform | hybrid | yes | yes | yes | yes | from $96 per month, 16 assets | Not published | Unlimited rescans on all paid plans (tool scans). | not published |
| [Penti](https://pentestcompare.com/providers/penti/) | AI-assisted testing service | hybrid | yes | yes | yes | yes | $20 per month ($216 per year billed annually) | Pentests done in hours, not months (tagline). On the free first test, agents start within an hour. No per-plan turnaround is stated. | Every plan includes free unlimited retests. | not published |
| [Prescient Security](https://pentestcompare.com/providers/prescient-security/) | Consultancy | hybrid | yes | yes | yes | unknown | from $6,000 per engagement (scope-based) | Not published | Cait: up to 2 retests within 30 days of each scan. No retest terms stated for Traditional and Compliance pentests. | not published |
| [Raxis](https://pentestcompare.com/providers/raxis/) | Consultancy | human-led | yes | yes | yes | yes | custom quote | Quote requests answered usually in one business day; PTaaS findings appear in real time. | Retesting is built into the PTaaS workflow; Raxis Attack includes year-round retesting of fixes. | public |
| [RunSybil](https://pentestcompare.com/providers/runsybil/) | Autonomous testing platform | automated | yes | yes | yes | unknown | custom quote | Not published | No retest policy; the platform re-evaluates on every deployment and shows a replay button on findings. | on request |
| [Schellman](https://pentestcompare.com/providers/schellman/) | Consultancy | human-led | yes | yes | yes | yes | custom quote | Not published | Not stated on the page. | public |
| [Secure Ideas](https://pentestcompare.com/providers/secure-ideas/) | Consultancy | human-led | yes | yes | unknown | unknown | $8,160 per test (flat fee, starting) | Testing usually starts two to four weeks after contracting; one to two weeks of testing. | Not included by default; retesting is listed as a factor that can change the quote. | public |
| [Software Secured](https://pentestcompare.com/providers/software-secured/) | Consultancy | human-led | yes | yes | yes | yes | custom quote | Quote within 48 hours; scheduling in 3-6 weeks, sometimes sooner; report within 48-72 hours of pentest completion. | Request retesting within 12 months of report delivery; auto-scheduled within 2 weeks. PTaaS page says unlimited retesting. | not published |
| [SPLX](https://pentestcompare.com/providers/splx/) | Application security platform | automated | unknown | yes | unknown | yes | custom quote | Not published | No retest policy; testing is described as continuous. | not published |
| [Stingrai](https://pentestcompare.com/providers/stingrai/) | Penetration testing consultancy and platform | hybrid | yes | yes | yes | yes | US$3,000 per assessment | Autonomous Pentest: same-day results. | Automated retests are listed on the Autonomous plan; the page says retests are included in the fixed plans. No window is stated. | public |
| [Strix](https://pentestcompare.com/providers/strix/) | Autonomous testing platform | automated | yes | yes | yes | unknown | $29 per seat per month | Not published | The platform retests its own generated fixes; no retest policy or cost is stated on the pricing page. | not published |
| [Synack](https://pentestcompare.com/providers/synack/) | Crowdsourced platform | hybrid | yes | yes | yes | yes | $5,085 per test (starting price) | Test windows: 4-5 business days (Sara), 5 days (SynackST), 14 days (Synack14). | Patch verification is listed as included in each product; the platform subscription lets you request patch verifications and retests. | not published |
| [SySS](https://pentestcompare.com/providers/syss/) | Consultancy | human-led | yes | yes | yes | yes | custom quote | Not published. A Quick Penetration Test option can start right after the order and is done remotely. | A retest after fixes confirms the fixes work and checks for new attack points. | not published |
| [TurboPentest](https://pentestcompare.com/providers/turbopentest/) | AI-assisted testing service | automated | yes | yes | unknown | yes | $99 per credit (one pentest) | All tiers typically complete in a few hours. | A retest is a full new pentest at the same per-target price; no separate retest SKU. A free re-pentest applies if zero actionable findings (once per domain). | public |
| [Vumetric](https://pentestcompare.com/providers/vumetric/) | Penetration testing consultancy | human-led | yes | yes | yes | unknown | custom quote | Most penetration tests can be performed within a couple of days, but some span several weeks or months depending on complexity. | Not stated | on request |
| [XBOW](https://pentestcompare.com/providers/xbow/) | Autonomous testing platform | automated | yes | yes | unknown | unknown | custom quote | First validated findings arrive in hours; testing is continuous or on demand. | Retests after a fix are described as free and unlimited. | not published |
| [ZeroThreat](https://pentestcompare.com/providers/zerothreat/) | Autonomous testing platform | automated | yes | yes | partial | unknown | $100 per target per month | Not published | Professional: unlimited retesting. Pay Per Scan: unlimited retesting within 7 days. Free: not included. | not published |

## What does API penetration testing cover?

An API penetration test sends authenticated requests to your endpoints and checks what a caller can read or change. The OWASP API Security Top 10 (2023 edition) is the usual checklist. It starts with API1:2023 Broken Object Level Authorization and includes API5:2023 Broken Function Level Authorization and API4:2023 Unrestricted Resource Consumption.

A test also covers the auth flow, object properties, business flows and third-party calls. The method itself is on the service sites. See [API penetration testing](https://penetrationtestservices.com/api-penetration-testing/) for how a test runs. This page helps you choose who runs it.

## Who needs an API pentest, and when?

You need one when an API holds data for more than one customer, or when a mobile app, partner or customer integration depends on it. The usual triggers are a first launch, a new public endpoint, a change to roles or tenants, and a buyer's security questionnaire.

A scan of the API does not replace a test. OWASP describes API1:2023 as an attacker "manipulating the ID of an object that is sent within the request". A scanner has no second account to compare against, so a person has to find that flaw.

## What should you ask API pentest providers?

Ask for these six items in writing before you sign. Each answer should be a sentence in the scope document.

| Question | Why it matters |
|---|---|
| Do you import an OpenAPI or Postman file? | Without a spec, testers map endpoints by hand, and quotes rise. |
| How many roles and tenants do you test? | Object level checks need at least two accounts for each role. |
| Which tests are manual? | Authorization flaws are judged by a person, not a tool. |
| Do you test function level access (BFLA)? | A low role calling an admin function is API5:2023. |
| What rate limit applies to your test traffic? | API4:2023 tests can lock accounts or hit paid third-party calls. |
| What does the retest cover and how long does it run? | Compare the Retest column below with the quote. |

Our guide [questions to ask a pentest provider](/guides/questions-to-ask-a-pentest-provider/) has the longer list.

## What drives the price of an API pentest?

Price follows the number of endpoints, roles and tenants, the depth of testing, and the retest terms. Many providers quote after scoping. The "Published price" column shows a figure only where a provider lists one, so a blank price is a missing fact and not a low price. See [penetration testing cost](/guides/penetration-testing-cost/) for the ranges we sourced.

## How do you read the table?

The API column shows "yes" only where the provider's own page names API testing. "Unknown" means the pages we read did not say. The Sample report column says whether a report is public, on request or not published. Click a provider name for its sources and check date. Read [how we compare](/methodology/) for the rules.

## What scoping mistakes cause weak API tests?

Four mistakes recur. The first is a spec that lists only public routes, so internal ones go untested. The second is one test account, which makes object level checks impossible. The third is staging data that differs from production. The fourth is an unstated rate limit, so the test stops at the first block. Send the spec, accounts and limits before the kickoff call.

Also see [web application penetration testing providers](/services/web-application-penetration-testing/) and [cloud penetration testing providers](/services/cloud-penetration-testing/) if your API sits behind a web app or a cloud account.

## Questions

### Is an API pentest different from a web app pentest?

The scope differs. An API test works from a spec or traffic capture, not from screens. It checks authorization on every object and function. Many providers sell both, so ask whether API testing is a named line item in the quote.

### What should I send a provider before an API test?

Send an OpenAPI or Postman file, a staging base URL, and one test account for each role. Add the rate limits you enforce. Providers can then scope by endpoint count and role, which is how most quotes are built.

### Does the OWASP API Top 10 set the scope of a test?

No. It is a list of risk classes, not a test plan. Use it as a checklist when you read a provider's method page. A good report names the OWASP category for each finding and shows the request that proved it.

### Can a scanner replace an API pentest?

A scanner finds missing headers and known versions. Broken object level authorization needs two accounts and a person to judge the result. Ask the provider which checks are manual.

## Sources

- [OWASP API Security Top 10 2023](https://api-security.owasp.org/editions/2023/en/0x11-t10)
- [OWASP API1:2023 Broken Object Level Authorization](https://api-security.owasp.org/editions/2023/en/0xa1-broken-object-level-authorization/)
- [OWASP API4:2023 Unrestricted Resource Consumption](https://api-security.owasp.org/editions/2023/en/0xa4-unrestricted-resource-consumption/)
- [OWASP API5:2023 Broken Function Level Authorization](https://api-security.owasp.org/editions/2023/en/0xa5-broken-function-level-authorization/)
- [PentestCompare provider dataset (each row links to its provider sources)](https://pentestcompare.com/methodology/)