Security platform comparison
PenScan vs Intruder
PenScan runs seven independent security scanners in a single on-demand test. Intruder focuses on continuous attack surface monitoring with cloud and infrastructure coverage. Here's how they compare.
2 free scan credits · No credit card required
PenScan
- 7 open-source scanners in one run
- Self-serve — 2 free credits, no demo
- Verifiable trust certificate & badge
- From $35 per scan
Intruder
Continuous attack surface monitoring for mid-market teams
Attack surface management and continuous vulnerability monitoring across external, cloud, and application layers
Feature comparison
PenScan vs Intruder: Side by Side
Based on publicly available product information. Capability availability may vary by plan.
| Capability | PenScan | Intruder |
|---|---|---|
| Web application scanning | true | true |
| Network and port scanning | true | true |
| TLS/SSL analysis | true | true |
| XSS and injection testing | true | true |
| CVE/template-based checks | true | true |
| Advanced XSS fuzzing | true |
Depends on scanner included in plan
|
| Cloud infrastructure scanning | false | true |
| Passive asset & subdomain discovery | true | true |
| Continuous / always-on monitoring |
Scheduled scans on Growth+
|
true |
| Cross-scanner deduplication | true |
Single scanner engine
|
| Severity-ranked report | true | true |
| PDF reports (Technical/Executive) | true | true |
| Trust certificate & embeddable badge | true | false |
| Team seats with RBAC | true | true |
| Vulnerability triage & assignment | true | true |
| Scan comparison (diff) | true |
Available on higher tiers
|
| Jira / Slack integrations | false | true |
| Pay-per-scan pricing | true | false |
| Self-serve signup (no demo needed) | true |
Self-serve available for some plans
|
✓ = Available · ✓ amber = Partially / plan-dependent · — = Not available · Last reviewed August 2026
Where PenScan stands out
Seven named scanners, one report
PenScan runs OWASP ZAP, Nuclei, Wapiti, Nikto, SSLyze, Nmap, and Dalfox concurrently — each tuned to a different class of vulnerability. The results are merged and deduplicated so you see one issue list, not seven separate outputs. Intruder uses its own proprietary engine; you see results but not which underlying tools produced them.
Trust certificates teams actually use
After a clean scan, PenScan generates a cryptographically verifiable trust certificate and an embeddable live badge. Teams use these to demonstrate security posture to customers, auditors, and procurement reviewers without sharing raw scan data. Intruder doesn't offer an equivalent shareable credential.
Pay $35 for a single scan — no commitment
The Starter plan is pay-per-scan. Two free credits are included on signup. If your team only needs quarterly testing, you're never paying for continuous coverage you don't use. Intruder's pricing is subscription-based across all tiers.
Asset discovery that doesn't eat credits
PenScan maps subdomains and connected assets via certificate transparency logs and DNS enumeration the moment you add a domain. This runs at no cost and never consumes a scan credit. Intruder also offers surface discovery, though credit usage varies by plan.
Where Intruder stands out
Always-on continuous monitoring
Intruder re-checks your attack surface automatically as new vulnerabilities emerge — not just when you trigger a scan. For teams that want passive, continuous coverage without thinking about it, this is a meaningful operational advantage.
Cloud service and infrastructure coverage
Beyond web applications, Intruder scans cloud service exposure, internal network assets (via a lightweight agent), and AWS/Azure/GCP configurations. PenScan focuses on externally accessible web application and network targets.
Developer tool integrations
Intruder integrates natively with Jira, Slack, Microsoft Teams, and GitHub, routing findings directly into existing workflows. PenScan currently relies on PDF reports and its own dashboard for team communication.
Established reputation with SME market
Intruder has several years of adoption across UK and European SMEs and carries publicly verifiable customer reviews across G2, Capterra, and Trustpilot. PenScan is newer to market.
Decision guide
Which platform is right for your team?
Neither platform is universally better. The right choice depends on your team's size, workflow, and primary security goals.
Choose PenScan if…
- You want a transparent toolchain — knowing which scanners found which issues matters to you
- You scan occasionally and don't want a monthly subscription commitment
- You need a shareable trust certificate or embeddable security badge for customers or auditors
- Advanced XSS testing (Dalfox) or TLS analysis (SSLyze) are specific priorities
- Your primary targets are externally accessible web applications and APIs
Consider Intruder if…
- You want continuous, automated re-checking as new vulnerabilities are disclosed — without triggering scans manually
- Your attack surface includes cloud infrastructure or internal network assets
- Your team already lives in Jira or Slack and wants findings routed there automatically
- You prefer a more established brand with a large published customer base
Pricing
How the costs compare
PenScan
PenScan: Starter at $35 per scan (2 free credits on signup, no commitment). Growth at $99/month billed annually — includes 50 scans/year, 3 domains, and 3 seats. Enterprise pricing on request.
View full pricing
Intruder
Intruder's pricing is subscription-based. Specific plan pricing is available on their website. Self-serve sign-up is available for certain tiers; enterprise features typically require contacting their sales team.
See current pricing on the Intruder website.
FAQ
PenScan vs Intruder: Common Questions
Both platforms run automated security scans and surface vulnerabilities, but they have different models. Intruder is built around continuous monitoring — it actively re-checks your attack surface as new vulnerabilities emerge. PenScan is built around thorough on-demand scanning — triggering all seven scanners at once to produce a comprehensive point-in-time report, plus scheduled scans on the Growth plan. Which model fits better depends on whether you need constant ambient coverage or a deep, structured pentest on demand.
Yes. PenScan includes Nmap for port and service discovery as part of every combined scan, alongside SSLyze for TLS analysis and Nikto for server misconfiguration checks. Intruder also scans network exposure. Where Intruder goes further is coverage of internal networks (via a lightweight agent) and cloud service configurations — areas PenScan currently doesn't address.
PenScan's pay-per-scan pricing removes the subscription commitment, which suits smaller teams that test quarterly or on release cycles. The output — a single deduplicated report with plain-English remediation steps — is designed for developers, not security specialists. Intruder's continuous monitoring model is valuable for teams that want ongoing coverage without remembering to trigger scans, though it comes at a recurring cost.
Not fully. Automated scanners — whether PenScan or Intruder — are excellent at finding known vulnerability classes quickly and consistently. They cannot replicate the reasoning, chaining, and creativity of a skilled human tester. For compliance requirements that specifically mandate a manual pentest (PCI DSS QSA, for example), you'll still need a human engagement alongside any automated tool.
Intruder's continuous model re-tests your attack surface automatically as new CVEs and vulnerabilities emerge, often within hours of a new disclosure. PenScan's scheduled scans (Growth plan) let you set a regular cadence — weekly, monthly — but they run the full combined seven-scanner test rather than reactive retesting on new disclosures alone. The models are complementary rather than equivalent.
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Try PenScan with two free scans
No credit card required. No demo call. Run a full seven-scanner combined pentest on your domain today and get a prioritised vulnerability report in under 30 minutes.
2 free scan credits included
No credit card required
Results in under 30 minutes
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