Lovable

Lovable: Pentest vs Automated Scan

Pentests cost $5k-$50k+ and take weeks. For Lovable apps, automated scanning catches the same vulnerabilities instantly. Here's how to decide.

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$10k+
Avg Pentest Cost
2-4 wks
Pentest Timeline
Free
VAS Core Scan
5 min
Scan Time

Pentest vs Automated Scan

Category
Penetration Test
VAS Scan
Winner
Cost
$5,000 - $50,000+
Free (VAS Core) to $99/mo (Pro)
Scan
Time to Results
2-4 weeks
5 minutes
Scan
Common Vulnerabilities
Finds all standard issues
Finds all standard issues
Tie
Business Logic Flaws
Excellent (human analysis)
Limited
Pentest
Continuous Monitoring
Point-in-time only
Scan after every deploy
Scan
Compliance Reports
Detailed attestation
Basic compliance mapping
Pentest
Coverage Depth
Deep, manual exploration
Systematic, pattern-based
Pentest
False Positives
Very low (human verified)
Low (tuned for vibe-coded apps)
Pentest
Scalability
Expensive to repeat
Unlimited scans
Scan

When You Need a Pentest

  • You're handling highly sensitive data (healthcare, finance)
  • You have regulatory compliance requirements (SOC 2, PCI-DSS)
  • You have complex custom business logic
  • You're about to raise significant funding
  • You need a formal security attestation
  • Your app has been breached and you need forensics

When Automated Scanning Works

  • You're building an MVP or early-stage product
  • You want immediate security feedback
  • You need to scan after every deployment
  • Your budget is limited
  • You're using standard tech stacks (Supabase, Firebase)
  • You want to fix obvious issues before a pentest

Lovable Security Reality

Lovable apps are built on Supabase, which means security issues are predictable and well-understood. The most common vulnerabilities—missing RLS policies, exposed API keys, weak auth config—are exactly what automated scanners excel at detecting. CVE-2025-48757 showed that 170+ Lovable apps had the same RLS misconfiguration, something a $50k pentest would find... but so does a free VAS scan.

Common Lovable Vulnerabilities (Caught by Both)

  • Missing Row Level Security (RLS) on Supabase tables
  • Hardcoded API keys in frontend bundles
  • Weak password policies in Supabase Auth
  • Missing security headers on Vercel/Netlify hosting
  • Service role key exposure in client code

A $15,000 pentest finds these. VAS finds them in 5 minutes for free.

The Verdict

For most Lovable applications, start with automated scanning. It's free, instant, and catches the vulnerabilities that actually cause breaches. If you have complex business logic, compliance requirements, or handle sensitive data, add a pentest after fixing automated findings.

Run a free VAS scan first. Fix those issues. Then decide if the remaining risk justifies a $10k+ pentest. For 90% of Lovable apps, automated scanning is sufficient.

Skip the $10k Quote

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Frequently Asked Questions

How much does a pentest for a Lovable app cost?

Professional penetration testing typically costs $5,000-$50,000+ depending on scope. For a standard Lovable web application, expect $10,000-$20,000 for a thorough assessment. VAS provides automated scanning that catches the most common vulnerabilities for free.

Can automated scans replace pentests for Lovable apps?

For most Lovable applications, automated scanning catches 80%+ of real vulnerabilities at a fraction of the cost. Pentests add value for complex business logic, but the majority of vibe-coded apps have standard vulnerability patterns that automated tools detect perfectly.

What vulnerabilities would a pentest find that VAS wouldn't?

Pentests excel at: complex business logic flaws, chained attack scenarios, social engineering vectors, and novel/zero-day vulnerabilities. However, these represent a small percentage of actual breaches. Most Lovable app compromises come from basic misconfigurations that automated scans catch.

Should I get a pentest before launching my Lovable app?

Start with automated scanning (free, instant results). Fix those issues first. If you're handling sensitive data, have compliance requirements, or have complex custom logic, then consider a pentest. For most MVPs and early-stage apps, automated scanning provides sufficient security validation.

How often should I scan vs pentest my Lovable app?

Scan after every major deployment (VAS makes this easy). Pentest annually if you have the budget, or before major launches/funding rounds. The continuous automated scanning catches regressions; annual pentests provide deep-dive assurance.

Did CVE-2025-48757 require a pentest to discover?

No. The vulnerability affecting 170+ Lovable apps was a simple RLS misconfiguration that automated tools detect instantly. A pentest would have found it, but at $10k+ per app, that's $1.7M to find the same issue VAS catches for free.

Related Lovable Security Resources

Lovable SecurityIs Lovable Safe?Lovable Security ChecklistHow to Secure Lovable

Last updated: January 16, 2026