Approach comparison
Invadel vs running a bug bounty program
Bug bounties and penetration tests get compared constantly and they are not substitutes. A bounty buys opportunistic attention over time. A test buys guaranteed coverage of a defined scope on a defined date, which is what auditors and enterprise customers ask for.
The models
How each one works
a bug bounty program
A bounty program pays researchers per valid finding. Coverage depends on who chooses to look, what they find interesting, and how your payouts compare to other programs.
Invadel
The agreed scope is tested in full by a senior team on a scheduled date, at a price fixed before work begins, with a report built as evidence.
Side by side
Invadel compared with a bug bounty program
| Dimension | a bug bounty program | Invadel |
|---|---|---|
| Coverage | Whatever researchers choose to test | The full agreed scope, every time |
| Cost predictability | Variable by design, plus platform and triage fees | Fixed price per engagement, published on the pricing page before you talk to anyone |
| Compliance evidence | No scope, no date, no methodology statement | Report written as audit evidence, mapped to SOC 2, PCI DSS, HIPAA, and ISO 27001, with an attestation letter |
| Triage burden | Duplicates and invalid reports consume your team | One verified report, no noise |
| Internal systems | Rarely covered | Internal, cloud, mobile, and hardware all in scope |
| Time to value | Program setup, then researcher ramp | Onboarding within 24 hours of a signed proposal |
An honest read
Which one should you pick
We would rather you choose correctly than choose us. Here is where each option genuinely wins.
Choose a bug bounty program when
- You have a large public attack surface and want continuous pressure on it.
- Your team can triage a steady flow of submissions, including duplicates.
- You already run annual testing and want additional always-on coverage.
Choose Invadel when
- You need a dated, scoped report for an audit or a customer security review.
- Your budget needs a fixed number rather than variable payouts.
- Internal networks or unreleased products are in scope.
Where to start
The engagements buyers compare here
Web Application Penetration Testing
Manual testing of your web app across the OWASP Top 10, business logic, and every user role, from $5,200.
From $5,200
Red Teaming Services
Objective-based attacks that prove the full chain and test whether your team detects and stops them, from $12,500.
From $12,500
API Penetration Testing Services
REST, GraphQL, and SOAP testing for broken authorization, token flaws, and data exposure, from $4,000.
From $4,000
What drives each price: Web App cost guide, Red Teaming cost guide, API cost guide.
01Will a bounty satisfy SOC 2 or PCI DSS?
On its own, generally no. Both expect a scoped test by an independent party with a stated methodology and date. The SOC 2 evidence checklist lists exactly what an auditor asks for.
02Should we run both?
If you are mature enough to triage the volume, yes. The test is your evidence, the bounty is continuous pressure.
03What if a bounty found something serious?
That is a good reason to scope a full test. One report usually means a class of issue, and we test the rest of the application for the same pattern.
Compare us on your actual scope
Tell us what you need tested and we will price it against whatever quote you are holding. Fixed scope, fixed price, free retest.
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