Comparison
Autonomous testing vs a bug bounty
A bug bounty buys you unpredictable depth from many people; autonomous testing buys you predictable coverage on a schedule.
How do they differ in practice?
The differences that change a purchasing decision, side by side.
| Approach | Coverage | Timing | Cost model | Scope control | Report quality |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Autonomous testing | The same methodology across the whole scope | You choose the window | Known in advance | Enforced per action | One consistent format |
| A bug bounty | Whatever researchers happen to look at | Whenever someone looks | Per valid finding, unpredictable | Policy, honoured voluntarily | Varies by researcher |
They are complements rather than substitutes. A bounty rewards creativity you cannot schedule; an autonomous test makes sure the ordinary things were checked before you pay someone to find them.
Try the one you can measure.
Set an envelope and read the output.