The Best Kali Linux AlternativesTop Linux Distros & Penetration Testing Tools like Kali Linux

Kali Linux is described as 'Debian-derived Linux distribution designed for digital forensics and penetration testing, originally forked from Backtrack Linux by the Offensive Security team' and is a very popular Linux Distro in the os & utilities category. There are more than 10 alternatives to Kali Linux for a variety of platforms, including Linux, VirtualBox, Arch Linux, GNOME and Mac apps. The best Kali Linux alternative is Parrot Security OS, which is both free and Open Source. Other great apps like Kali Linux are Tails, BlackArch, Cyborg Linux and BackBox Linux.

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Kali Linux alternatives page was last updated

Alternatives list

  1. Parrot Security OS icon

    Parrot Security OS

     52 likes
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    Parrot is a GNU/Linux distribution based on Debian Testing and designed with Security, Development, and Privacy in mind.

    28 Parrot Security OS alternatives

    Cost / License

    • Free
    • Open Source

    Application types

    Platforms

    • Linux
    Parrot Security OS screenshot 1
     
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    59
    Comments about Parrot Security OS as an Alternative to Kali Linux
    Armin
    Positive
    2

    Parot has more security tools than Kali.

    Adam Ehab
    Positive
    2

    Faster, more secure, lighter

    daviwalle
    Positive
    2

    It really is the best alternative, since it shares some repositories with Kali Linux (besides having its own), and for novice users it is very easy to use

    Kali Linux Icon
    Parrot Security OS icon

    • Almost everyone thinks Parrot Security OS is a great Kali Linux alternative.

    • Parrot Security OS is the most popular Linux alternative to Kali Linux.

    • Parrot Security OS is the most popular Open Source & free alternative to Kali Linux.

    • Parrot Security OS is Free and Open SourceKali Linux is also Free and Open Source
    • Parrot Security OS is Customizable, Security-focused and LightweightKali Linux is not according to our users
  2. Tails icon

    Tails

     247 likes
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    The Amnesic Incognito Live System (Tails) is a Debian 9 based live CD/USB with the goal of providing complete Internet anonymity for the user. The product ships with several Internet applications, including web browser, IRC client, mail client...

    130 Tails alternatives

    Cost / License

    • Free
    • Open Source

    Application types

    Platforms

    • Linux
    • Tor Browser
    • GNOME
    • Tor
    • Thunderbird
    Tails screenshot 1
     
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    21
    Comments about Tails as an Alternative to Kali Linux
    tomhart
    Positive
    3

    I mean for anonymity yeah, TAILS is great.

    Guest
    Positive
    0

    It is aimed on security like Kali.

    Review by a new / low-activity user.
    Kali Linux Icon
    Tails icon

    • Most users think Tails is a great Kali Linux alternative.

    • Tails is Free and Open SourceKali Linux is also Free and Open Source
    • Tails is Security-focused and LightweightKali Linux is not according to our users
  4. BlackArch icon

    BlackArch

     25 likes
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    BlackArch Linux is an Small Arch Linux iconArch Linux -based distribution for penetration testers and security researchers. The repository contains 2554 tools.

    17 BlackArch alternatives

    Cost / License

    • Free
    • Open Source

    Application types

    Platforms

    • Linux
    • Arch Linux
    BlackArch screenshot 1
     
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    1
    40
    Comments about BlackArch as an Alternative to Kali Linux
    Guest
    Positive
    3

    Blackarch has more tools available in their repos!

    Review by a new / low-activity user.
    Kali Linux Icon
    BlackArch icon

    • Almost everyone thinks BlackArch is a great Kali Linux alternative.

    • BlackArch is Free and Open SourceKali Linux is also Free and Open Source
  5. Cyborg Linux icon

    Cyborg Linux

     8 likes
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    The most advanced, powerful and yet beautiful penetration testing distribution ever created.Lined up with ultimate collection of tools for pro Ethical Hackers and Cyber Security Experts.

    Cost / License

    • Free
    • Open Source

    Application types

    Alerts

    • Discontinued

    Platforms

    • Linux
    INTERNET
     
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    21
    Comments about Cyborg Linux as an Alternative to Kali Linux
    Guest
    Positive
    1

    Easy to use, fast and a lot of tools

    Review by a new / low-activity user.
    Kali Linux Icon
    Cyborg Linux icon

    • Almost everyone thinks Cyborg Linux is a great Kali Linux alternative.

    • Cyborg Linux is Free and Open SourceKali Linux is also Free and Open Source
  6. BackBox Linux icon

    BackBox Linux

     20 likes
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    BackBox is a Linux distribution based on Ubuntu developed to perform penetration tests and security assessments. Designed to be fast, easy to use and to provide a minimal yet complete desktop environment thanks to its own software repositories...

    Cost / License

    • Free
    • Open Source

    Application types

    Platforms

    • Linux
    BackBox Linux screenshot 1
     
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    15
  9. Exodia OS icon

    Exodia OS

     4 likes
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    Exodia OS is a highly customized Arch-based Linux distribution built for and by cybersecurity experts, and also for daily usage, capable of performing the strongest pentests and the simplest daily tasks.

    20 Exodia OS alternatives

    Cost / License

    • Free
    • Open Source

    Application type

    Platforms

    • Linux
    • Arch Linux
    Exodia OS screenshot 1
     
  10. Pentoo icon

    Pentoo

     2 likes
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    Pentoo is a security-focused livecd based on Gentoo. It's basically a Gentoo install with lots of customized tools, a customized kernel, and much more.

    Cost / License

    • Free
    • Open Source

    Application type

    Platforms

    • Linux
    Pentoo screenshot 1
     
  11. Wifislax icon

    Wifislax

     13 likes
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    Wifislax is a GNU / Linux LiveCD and LiveUSB features conceived and designed for security auditing and related to computer security in general.

    17 Wifislax alternatives

    Cost / License

    • Free
    • Open Source

    Platforms

    • Linux
    Wifislax screenshot 1
     
  12. ArchStrike icon

    ArchStrike

     1 like
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    ArchStrike is a penetration testing and security layer on top of Arch Linux done the Arch Way and optimized for i686, x86_64, ARMv6, ARMv7 and ARMv8. We follow the Arch Linux standards very closely in order to keep our packages clean, proper and easy to maintain.

    Cost / License

    • Free
    • Open Source

    Application types

    Platforms

    • Linux
    • VirtualBox
    • VMware Workstation
    ArchStrike screenshot 1
     
  13. Bugtraq icon

    Bugtraq

     2 likes
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    Bugtraq system offers the most comprehensive distribution, optimal, and stable with automated services manager in real time.

    Cost / License

    • Free
    • Open Source

    Application types

    Platforms

    • Linux
    Bugtraq screenshot 1
     
  14. KolibriOS icon

    KolibriOS

     16 likes
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    KolibriOS is a tiny yet incredibly powerful and fast operating system. This power requires only a few megabyte disk space and 8MB of RAM to run. Kolibri features a rich set of applications that include word processor, image viewer, graphical editor, web browser and well over 30...

    80 KolibriOS alternatives

    Cost / License

    • Free
    • Open Source

    Application type

    Platforms

    • Self-Hosted
    KolibriOS desktop
     

    • KolibriOS is the most popular Self-Hosted alternative to Kali Linux.

    • KolibriOS is Free and Open SourceKali Linux is also Free and Open Source
    • KolibriOS is Lightweight and CustomizableKali Linux is not according to our users
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