How much does ethical hacking cost?
$40 buys all 2 essentials.
2 priced items · checked 10 Sept 2026 · retailer prices, we earn a commission
Everything essential, cheapest sensible pick
$40
2 items, nothing rented
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.
What you need
$40Everything you need to start ethical hacking. None of it is a big commitment.
Later, if you stay
Not needed to start. These are the upgrades that matter once the habit has stuck.
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
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 $40 for the 2 essential items, taking the cheapest sensible option for each.
What does each thing cost for Ethical Hacking?
Pentesting Hardware: from $35. 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?
wireless adapter, pentesting hardware — $40 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.