Cobalt.io has established itself in the offensive security environment by building the Pentesting as a Service (PTaaS) model. The platform provides a means for organizations to connect with a distributed community of vetted pen testers, on-demand, and provides faster scalable security testing in the cloud.
However, despite its popularity, many organizations still decide to look for Cobalt alternatives. Some search for a different pricing or engagement model, while others prioritize requirements specific to their industry or simply just prefer a more boutique style oversight or methodology.
This guide will offer an overview of the best Cobalt alternatives of 2025 and help you determine what is best for your security needs. We will first summarize what is provided by Cobalt, then summarize the top alternate provider options, and finally provide you factors to consider as you pursue your penetration testing provider.
What is Cobalt Offensive Security?
Cobalt Offensive Security refers to the suite of penetration testing services provided through Cobalt’s PTaaS platform. Instead of traditional consulting engagements, Cobalt delivers pentests via a cloud-based portal and a crowdsourced network of security researchers [1]. Their main feature is the Pentesting-as-a-Service Platform, that aims to streamline the testing process, clients request tests, scope them, and receive results through a centralized dashboard.
With this platform, Cobalt taps into a worldwide community of hundreds of vetted pentesters, and such a diverse talent pool means tests can start quickly and cover a broad range of expertise. In addition, thanks to its on-demand model, Cobalt can often launch a test rapidly while the platform also integrates with tools like Jira and CI/CD pipelines to fit into Agile and DevSecOps workflows, so that developers can get vulnerability updates and remediation feedback in near-real time.
Cobalt’s services are used heavily by Agile tech companies and mid-market firms that value speed. Common testing offerings include web and mobile app pentests, API testing, network pentests, and even limited red teaming exercises. Its sweet spot is organizations that need frequent testing and appreciate a platform-driven experience.
Why You May be Considering Cobalt Alternatives
While Cobalt’s PTaaS model is innovative, it isn’t a one-size-fits-all solution. Depending on your priorities, you may be evaluating other providers. Cost is one of the primary reasons companies look elsewhere, as Cobalt uses a credits-based pricing system [2], which can feel opaque or restrictive to some teams. Many organizations prefer vendors with straightforward per-engagement pricing or subscription models that are easier to predict.
The crowdsourced approach also results in different testers for each project. Some companies prefer a dedicated team that becomes familiar with their environment over time. Alternatives with in-house teams can offer continuity and deeper context in testing, where experience and collaboration is expanded upon with each test.
Highly regulated industries, such as finance, healthcare, and more, may require pentesters who can map findings directly to standards like HIPAA, PCI DSS, or ISO 27000 [3]. If Cobalt’s general approach does not directly respond to your compliance reporting requirements, you may seek a company that specializes in compliance-driven testing and audit-ready reports.
While Cobalt’s platform can be quite efficient, some clients want more white-glove service, high-touch communication, strategic advice, and hand-holding through remediation. Smaller specialized firms can provide a consultative approach with more personalized support than a large platform-driven service.
Finally, it is essential to ensure pentesting fits with your development and DevSecOps workflow. While Cobalt offers integrations, you may find some alternatives that stretch this further, offering more hands-on assistance into fixing vulnerabilities, or custom integrations into your existing toolchain. If being able to work with engineers seamlessly or continue to have support in the future are important when deciding on which vendor to use, it may be worthwhile comparing how each vendor incorporates this.
The Best Cobalt Alternatives in 2025
In evaluating Cobalt alternatives, we have selected a mix of providers, from high-touch consulting firms to other PTaaS platforms, that can address various needs. Each of the following vendors offers offensive security and penetration testing services, but with their own twist.
1. Cybri
Cybri is a specialized penetration testing company known for its high-touch, consultative approach. Unlike crowdsourced models, Cybri utilizes a curated team of US-based Red Team experts for all engagements. All Cybri testers are highly certified, as many testers hold OSCP, OSWE, CEH and other certifications, and a number even have U.S. military and Fortune 500 experience [4], ensuring credible expertise behind each test.
Cybri specializes in complete offensive security testing. They offer web and mobile application pentesting, API testing, network and cloud infrastructure testing, and red team assessments as the foundation of their business service offerings. Cybri also offers its strengths in compliance testing, such as working with clients in relation to SOC 2, HIPAA, PCI DSS, and many more requirements through assessment plans and documentation.
Cybri’s model emphasizes quality over quantity. By using a dedicated in-house team, Cybri can build long-term knowledge of a client’s systems and provide consistency across tests. If you are looking for a more personalized pentesting partner with an emphasis on transparency and collaboration, Cybri is a strong Cobalt alternative.
2. Pentest People
Pentest People is a UK, CREST accredited [5], penetration testing and security assessment organisation. Their founding principle was to emphasise technical excellence, and they have since developed a reputation for thoroughness and comprehensiveness in their approach to testing. Their core offensive security offerings include network penetration testing, web application penetration testing, infrastructure penetration testing, phishing simulations and red teaming.
The most notable differentiation is their “Security Validation” platform, which gives clients with an easy-to-follow, real-time view of security posture, with remediation of vulnerabilities tracked over time, not just a traditional PDF report. Still, their UK-centric leaning could create longer delays for clients in North America as compared to a platform that is more globally distributed.
3. NetSPI
NetSPI is a recognized leader in the world of offensive security, or penetration testing as a service (PTaaS) and attack surface management (ASM). They have been part of the security sphere for more than 20 years, and their core services are delivered via their technology platform, supporting continuous penetration testing, red team testing, cloud security testing, and technical remediation guidance.
etSPI’s biggest advantage is its highly integrated technology platform that gives clients real-time visibility of testing progress and dynamic vulnerability management, as well as collaboration between clients and testers, at scale for large enterprises. As a result, NetSPI is a reasonable option for organizations looking for a well-established, technology-first PTaaS model, but given their enterprise-scale and platform-focussed approach, it does not feel as personal as the more hands-on approaches of small, specialist boutiques.
4. Bishop Fox
Bishop Fox is a globally-recognized offensive security consulting company founded in 2005. They are a trusted source on all things cybersecurity for organizations such as Fortune 500 companies and renowned brands across various industries. Their offensive security portfolio is vast and includes continuous penetration testing, vulnerability management, red teaming, adversary simulation, and more, including specialized assessments for cloud, mobile, and hardware.
A key distinguishing factor is their interest in large-scale, adversarial simulations with complexity and their strong emphasis on R&D which provides their testing methods with the newest attack techniques. They are a great option for companies that need depth and in-depth security testing, backed by a strong research team and strong-acknowledged experience completing the hardest offensive security engagements. However, that level of bespoke service and skill comes at a cost that may not suit every security budget.
5. SecurityScorecard
SecurityScorecard is a leading global cybersecurity company, famous for its platform that provides automated, data-driven security ratings for any organization worldwide. While not a traditional pentesting firm, their core service is continuous external risk assessment and vendor threat intelligence, which provides an “offensive” view of exploitable weaknesses from an attacker’s perspective. Their primary strength is scale; they offer instant visibility into the security posture of your entire third-party ecosystem, something point-in-time pentests cannot achieve.
It is the premier alternative for enterprises needing to manage supply chain and third-party risk at scale, complementing traditional pentesting with continuous monitoring. That being said, as an automated rating platform, it should be viewed as a broad risk indicator rather than a replacement for the deep, manual exploitation performed by human penetration testers.
6. Blaze Information Security
Blaze Information Security is a specialized boutique firm focused exclusively on high-quality penetration testing and offensive security services. They offer a focused suite of offensive services including external and internal penetration tests, wireless security assessments, and social engineering campaigns. Their key differentiator is a boutique approach, offering direct access to senior-level penetration testers and highly personalized service, avoiding the more automated or junior-led model of larger platforms.
For organizations seeking tailor-made, expert-led engagements with personal touch and direct engagement with the ethical hackers themselves, Blaze Information Security might turn out to be the right choice. However, it is important to highlight that due to the boutique nature, they may not be able to provide the same immediacy of scale and 24/7 platform access that larger, tech-focused competitors can.
7. Rootshell Security
Rootshell Security is a cybersecurity provider that blends traditional expert-led penetration testing with its own innovative technology platform, Prism. Their services encompass a full range of offensive security, including network, web app, and cloud penetration testing, alongside red team operations. What differentiates Rootshell is its Prism Platform that automates the entire testing process and enhances it with real-time collaboration, dynamic proof-of-concept evidence, and streamlined vulnerability management.
As such, Rootshell can be a good fit for organizations looking for a more modern, technology-augmented pentesting experience that adds transparency and efficiency across the engagement lifecycle. However, as Rootshell is still growing as a provider, their global delivery and wide breadth of integrated tooling are not yet properly established when compared to larger players in the industry.
How to Choose the Right Cobalt Alternative
Selecting a penetration testing provider is a critical decision. Once you have reviewed the top alternatives, you should weigh them against your specific requirements. Below we have listed some of the most important factors to consider when choosing the right Cobalt alternative for your organization.
1. Engagement Model (Platform vs. Dedicated Team)
Before looking for specific companies, consider whether you prefer a platform-based service or a dedicated consulting team. Cobalt makes use of a community-driven PTaaS model that provides on-demand testing with a large pool of testers. However, the trade-off is that testers may be different each time and interact with you mainly through the platform, compared to dedicated teams.
2. Industry & Compliance Expertise
Your compliance needs can shape which provider is best. If you are in SaaS, fintech, or healthcare, you may need pentests mapped directly to frameworks like SOC 2, PCI DSS, HIPAA, or ISO 27001 [6]. Some firms specialize in these compliance-driven assessments, while others focus on broader offensive security. A boutique firm with financial clients may be ideal for a bank, while a generalist platform might suffice for a quick web app test in a non-regulated startup.
3. Testing Methodologies & Depth
The market splits between standard pentest providers and those offering advanced simulations. Cobalt excels at core web app, API, and network testing, but some alternatives go further, offering red and purple team exercises, continuous attack surface monitoring, or secure code review. If you need these, focus on providers that list them, such as Cybri or other alternatives on our list above.
4. Integration with DevSecOps Workflows
Many buyers now expect pentesting to integrate seamlessly with CI/CD pipelines and ticketing systems [7]. Cobalt offers strong integrations, while some alternatives go further with hands-on remediation support or customized reporting. Consider whether you need tight tool integration, Jira issue tracking, Slack/Teams for communication, more guidance for your devs, or other features specific to your preferences and established workflows.
5. Pricing Model & Transparency
While cost is always a consideration, predictability is as much of a factor. Cobalt has a credits based model that allows you to pre-purchase blocks of credits and spend them on tests. This could allow flexibility, but it might lend itself to confusion if you are unsure of the amount of credits for a particular test, or if you have credits left over, and how retests, scope changes will influence the overall cost.
6. Relationship & Support Model
Finally, think about the level of support and partnership you want from your security provider. Cobalt’s PTaaS model can sometimes feel more transactional, where you simply get the tests you request, but there may not be much strategic guidance beyond the findings themselves. If your team is security-savvy, that might be fine. However, if you are looking for a security advisor who will check in regularly, help you prioritize risks, or even provide training to your developers, you will get more out of a firm that emphasizes a consultative relationship.
Final Thoughts
While Cobalt.io remains a strong platform option, it isn’t a one-size-fits-all solution. We encourage you to compare multiple vendors to find the best fit for your specific security needs and culture. For those seeking a high-touch, collaborative alternative, Cybri stands out with its U.S.-based red team and transparent processes. See for yourself by booking a free, no-obligation strategy call with Cybri to discuss your security goals and how a specialized approach can empower your organization.
References
- Cobalt. (n.d.). The Offensive Security Platform for Security Testing
- Cobalt. (n.d.). Cobalt Product Pricing
- Cybri. (n.d.). What Is The ISO 27000 Series?
- Cybri. (n.d.). CYBRI Red Team, Test Your Security With Elite White Hat Hackers
- Crest Approved (n.d.). Pentest People Ltd
- Between Two Firewalls. (Oct 2024). Getting the Best Value From Penetration Testing
- Cheat Sheet Series. (n.d). CI/CD Security Cheat Sheet
