Mobile security testing, 2026
Mobile App Penetration Test Cost (2026): iOS and Android, $10K to $25K
Mobile pentest pricing has stabilised in 2026 around $10,000-$16,000 for single-platform engagements and $18,000-$25,000 for combined iOS plus Android. The work follows the OWASP Mobile Application Security Verification Standard and the Mobile Application Security Testing Guide as baseline methodology, with platform-specific deep dives layered on top. This page covers what is in scope, what drives variance, and the most common scope-related cost surprises.
Single platform
$10K - $16K
iOS only or Android only
Dual platform
$18K - $25K
iOS plus Android, bundled discount
Typical duration
5-8 days
Per platform, plus reporting
Mobile pentest pricing by complexity
Simple
$10,000 - $14,000
Single platform, basic features (browse + view), read-only data, OAuth or simple username/password authentication, no payment processing, no biometrics
5-6 testing days
Moderate
$14,000 - $20,000
Single platform, payment processing or biometric authentication, moderate API integration, file uploads, push notifications
6-8 testing days per platform
Complex
$20,000 - $25,000+
Both platforms, complex authentication (multi-factor, certificate-based), offline mode with local data sync, financial data handling, custom encryption
8-12 testing days per platform
What an OWASP MASVS-aligned engagement covers
The OWASP MASVS provides a structured set of mobile security requirements grouped into eight controls areas. A reputable 2026 mobile pentest will explicitly map findings to MASVS sections so that buyers can show coverage to auditors and customers.
MASVS-STORAGE
Local data storage security: keychain, keystore, SharedPreferences, SQLite databases, file system permissions, backup exposure.
MASVS-CRYPTO
Cryptographic primitive selection, key management, random number generation, secure deletion of cryptographic material.
MASVS-AUTH
Authentication and session management, biometric integration, MFA, token storage and lifecycle, account recovery flows.
MASVS-NETWORK
TLS configuration, certificate pinning, certificate validation, captive portal handling, request interception.
MASVS-PLATFORM
Inter-process communication, deep links, WebView configuration, intent handling, custom URL schemes, App Group sharing.
MASVS-CODE
Code signing, code obfuscation, runtime application self-protection (RASP), tamper detection, anti-debug measures.
MASVS-RESILIENCE
Jailbreak/root detection, emulator detection, app attestation (DeviceCheck, App Attest, Play Integrity), debug flag handling.
MASVS-PRIVACY
Permission requests, sensitive data handling (PII, biometrics, location), tracking and analytics review, GDPR/CCPA-relevant data flows.
iOS-specific cost factors
iOS testing typically costs slightly less than Android per platform because the iOS sandbox is more restrictive and many class-of-attack do not apply. The cost-relevant iOS-specific factors are jailbreak detection bypass, App Attest integration testing (Apple's own attestation framework), Keychain access group review, and any custom URL scheme or Universal Link handling.
A meaningful iOS-side cost variable is whether the app uses Apple's DeviceCheck or App Attest. These attestation frameworks are designed to verify that requests come from an unmodified copy of your app running on a non-jailbroken device. Testing them properly takes additional days because the tester needs to verify both the client-side integration and the server-side attestation validation logic.
Android-specific cost factors
Android testing typically requires more time per engagement than iOS because of the platform's openness and fragmentation. Cost-relevant Android-specific factors are root detection bypass, SafetyNet/Play Integrity attestation testing, intent and inter-process communication review across exposed activities, deep link handling, and content provider exposure.
The Android intent system in particular is a frequent source of vulnerabilities, and reviewing it thoroughly takes time. A poorly secured exported activity or content provider can expose internal app functionality to any other app on the device, and finding these requires careful manifest analysis plus runtime testing.
Common scope-related cost surprises
Three scope ambiguities account for most post-quote disputes on mobile pentest engagements.
- API back-end inclusion. Most quotes assume light API testing within the mobile context only. If you want full OWASP API Top 10 coverage of the back-end, that is a separate engagement at $5,000-$20,000 or a meaningful uplift on the bundle.
- Hardened build vs debug build testing. Some firms quote against a debug build (faster, cheaper) but the production build is what users actually run. Always specify production build testing.
- Multiple build flavours or white-label variants. If you ship multiple branded variants of the same app (common in fintech and B2B SaaS), each variant may need partial testing. Declare upfront.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a mobile app penetration test cost in 2026?v
A single-platform mobile app pentest (iOS or Android only) costs $10,000-$16,000 in 2026. A dual-platform engagement (iOS plus Android) typically runs $18,000-$25,000. Apps with biometric authentication, payment processing, or complex offline mode push to the upper end. The API back-end usually requires separate scoping unless explicitly bundled.
Should I test iOS and Android separately?v
If you ship the app on both platforms, both should be tested. The iOS and Android implementations of the same feature commonly diverge in subtle ways (different keychain vs SharedPreferences semantics, different SSL pinning implementations, different deep link handling), and findings on one platform do not always apply to the other. Bundling both at the same firm typically saves 10-15% versus separate engagements.
What does a mobile pentest cover?v
A mobile pentest follows the OWASP Mobile Application Security Verification Standard (MASVS). Core coverage includes static analysis (decompilation and code review), dynamic analysis (runtime behaviour and network traffic interception), local data storage review, certificate pinning and TLS configuration testing, authentication and token handling, deep link and inter-process communication testing, and OWASP MASTG checklist coverage.
Does jailbreak or root detection affect cost?v
Yes. Apps with jailbreak/root detection require the tester to spend additional time bypassing the controls before they can perform meaningful runtime testing. Most boutique firms add $1,000-$2,500 to the engagement when bypass work is non-trivial. Apps with multiple layers of detection (RASP, app attestation, custom detection routines) can add a full testing day.
Is the API back-end included in a mobile pentest?v
Sometimes, but not always. Most boutique firms include light API testing from the mobile context (testing what the app actually calls, with the app's authentication context) but exclude full API enumeration and OWASP API Top 10 coverage. If your back-end is exclusively consumed by the mobile app, ask for bundled scope; if the same API is consumed by web and partner integrations, a separate API pentest is usually warranted.
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