How much does ethical hacking cost?
$233 buys all 3 essentials. $33 of that is the half that has to fit you, and the rest can wait.
3 priced items · checked 10 Sept 2026 · retailer prices, we earn a commission
Everything essential, cheapest sensible pick
$233
3 items, nothing rented
Cheapest real way in
$33
The half that has to fit you. Borrow or rent the rest.
Against 247 hobbies
Below median
Cheaper than 77% of them. Median hobby: $84.
What each thing costs
Every essential item, cheapest sensible option first. Mid-range and top picks alongside.
Buy this first
$33The cheap half of the kit, and the half that has to fit you. You keep all of it whatever you decide about the rest, so this is where the first money should go.
The main buy
$200The expensive part, and the part worth deferring. Rent, borrow or buy used until you have done ethical hacking enough times to know you are staying.
Software and OS
$200Kali Linux is the standard pentesting OS. VirtualBox for VMs; VMware Workstation for serious use.
VMware Workstation Pro 17 License
top $1500
Later, if you stay
Not needed to start. These are the upgrades that matter once the habit has stuck.
Ethical Hacking costs more to start than 23% of the 247 hobbies we price. The median is $84.
Cost questions
How much does Ethical Hacking cost to start?
About $233 for the 3 essential items, taking the cheapest sensible option for each. $33 of that is the cheap half, and the remaining $200 can wait until you know you are staying.
What does each thing cost for Ethical Hacking?
Software and OS: from $200. Ethical Hacking Books: from $28. Wireless Adapter: from $5.
Is Ethical Hacking an expensive hobby?
Ethical Hacking costs about $40 to start, dearer than 23% of the 247 hobbies we price. The median hobby costs $84, so this is one of the cheaper ones to get into.
What should I buy first for Ethical Hacking?
ethical hacking books, wireless adapter — $33 together. They are the cheap half of the kit and the half you keep whatever you decide about the rest.
Hobbies that cost about the same
The 6 nearest to ethical hacking by startup cost, out of 247.