root@hckrt: ~#

Are you looking for a Cobalt alternative?

Choosing a security testing partner is an important decision, requiring companies to think through their unique needs, scope, budget, and goals.

To help your team make an informed choice, we put together a comparison of the solutions offered by Cobalt and Hackrate. We discuss similarities, pricing, and other features that set the two providers apart, helping you select the one that fits your needs best.

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About Cobalt

Cobalt was among the pioneers of the Penetration Testing as a Service approach. They work with the Cobalt Core Team, which closely resembles traditional penetration testing. This structure poses challenges in determining the skill set of participants and concerns about the thoroughness of the testing process.

They introduced a user-friendly Cobalt Credit system that has been well-received by many companies, providing a streamlined and advantageous procurement process due to its simplicity.

Cobalt vs. Hackrate — a comparison

	Cobalt	Hackrate
Signing up	Cobalt has a great onboarding process with various packages available for purchasing Cobalt Credit.	Hackrate offers personalized attention and swift responses to customers. Our team designs solutions specifically tailored to meet individual customer needs, avoiding generic automation. We have a deep understanding of the distinctive security landscape in your region
Report validation	They work with the Cobalt Core Team, so fundamentally, report validation is not an issue for them.	We prioritize the report validation team, seeking to enlist professionals who have a holistic understanding of both the technical aspects and business implications when addressing security vulnerabilities.
Monitoring ethical hackers	They use the Cobalt Credit system to manage testing resources. There is a checkbox system in place, and the Core Team uses a VPN. However, despite these measures, there is still a concern about whether the IT system has been thoroughly tested.	We give preference to cost-effective testing with instant transparency. Our pioneering ethical hacking monitoring gateway, HackGATE™, utilizes a distinctive application-level architecture. Through the decryption of communications, we can analyze events in much greater detail.
Attack Surface Management	They are currently not focusing on ASM. Their client sets what they want to test, such as IP ranges, subdomains, and so on. They do not have an explicit ASM solution; their products go by the Offensive Security name. Cobalt remains focused on traditional continuous testing and offers comprehensive solutions through the PTaaS model.	We’ve seen that numerous companies overlook the assessment of their internet-facing assets, exposing themselves to potential attacks. A significant number of assets go untested, leaving organizations susceptible to cyber threats and uninformed about existing security solutions. At Hackrate, we go beyond identifying vulnerabilities; we lead customers towards a more secure future by providing tailored solutions to meet their specific needs.
Pricing	Cobalt Credit is considered expensive; whether it's worth it depends on the skill set of pentesters in the Cobalt Core Team.	With competitive pricing and adaptable solutions, Hackrate is a great choice for budget-conscious companies. Our compact size brings flexibility and cost-effectiveness, guaranteeing customers receive optimal value for their investment.

Summary

Cobalt's high cost and absence of attack surface management services may make it less cost-effective and comprehensive compared to other competitors.

At Hackrate, our focus is on prioritizing customers' unique needs. We provide reliable and cost-effective security solutions with tailor-made plans and advanced monitoring to ensure your safety and prosperity.

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Hackrate

Our platform helps companies to identify software vulnerabilities in a cost-efficient way. It provides a secure and centralized view of ethical hacking projects for your company.

US Patent Applied for HackGATE #63/645,845

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From the Blog

Press release: Hackrate becomes Hungary’s first CVE Numbering Authority

Jan 13 • 5 min read ★
Let 2026 be the year bug bounty becomes part of how you build and operate

Jan 05 • 4 min read
Ministry of Regional Development of the Czech Republic Launches Public Bug Bounty Program with Hackrate

Jul 16 • 2 min read ★

CVE Numbering Authority

Are you looking for a Cobalt alternative?

About Cobalt

Cobalt vs. Hackrate — a comparison

Signing up

Report validation

Monitoring ethical hackers

Attack Surface Management

Pricing

Summary

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Hackrate

Company

Products

From the Blog

Press release: Hackrate becomes Hungary’s first CVE Numbering Authority

Let 2026 be the year bug bounty becomes part of how you build and operate

Ministry of Regional Development of the Czech Republic Launches Public Bug Bounty Program with Hackrate