BackBox Linux AlternativesLinux Distros & Penetration Testing Tools like BackBox Linux

BackBox Linux is described as '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' and is a Linux Distro in the os & utilities category. There are more than 10 alternatives to BackBox Linux for a variety of platforms, including Linux, Windows, Arch Linux, Haiku and Mac apps. The best BackBox Linux alternative is Kali Linux, which is both free and Open Source. Other great apps like BackBox Linux are Kubuntu, Parrot Security OS, Haiku and Exodia OS.

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BackBox Linux alternatives are mainly Linux Distros but may also be Penetration Testing Tools or Operating Systems.  Filter by these or use the filter bar below if you want a narrower list of alternatives or looking for a specific functionality of BackBox Linux.
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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...

More about BackBox Linux
BackBox Linux alternatives page was last updated Jan 22, 2025
  1. Kali Linux icon
     260 likes

    Kali Linux is a Debian-derived Linux distribution designed for digital forensics and penetration testing, originally forked from Backtrack Linux by the Offensive Security team.

    22 Kali Linux alternatives
    Kali Linux screenshot 1

    License model

    • FreeOpen Source

    Platforms

    • Windows
    • Linux

    Properties

    1.  Privacy focused

    Features

    1.  Penetration Testing
    2.  Security Testing
    3.  Linux-based
    4.  Command line interface
    5.  No Tracking
    6.  ARM support
    7.  Ad-free
    8.  Real time collaboration
    9.  Based on Debian
    Kali Linux iconBackBox Linux Icon

    Kali Linux VS BackBox Linux

    Is Kali Linux a good alternative to BackBox Linux?
     
    • Kali Linux is the most popular Windows & Linux alternative to BackBox Linux.

    • Kali Linux is the most popular Open Source & free alternative to BackBox Linux.

    • Kali Linux is Free and Open SourceBackBox Linux is also Free and Open Source
    • Kali Linux is Privacy focusedBackBox Linux is not according to our users
  2. Kubuntu icon
     271 likes

    Kubuntu is an official "flavor" of Ubuntu that uses the KDE Plasma desktop environment. This gives it a completely different look and feel.

    193 Kubuntu alternatives
    Kubuntu 19.10 "Eoan Ermine"

    License model

    • FreeOpen Source

    Platforms

    • Linux

    Properties

    1.  Privacy focused
    2.  Lightweight

    Features

    1.  Based on Ubuntu
    2.  KDE
    3.  Based on Debian
    4.  No Tracking
    5.  Ad-free
    6.  Rolling Release
    7.  Desktop Application
    Kubuntu iconBackBox Linux Icon

    Kubuntu VS BackBox Linux

    Is Kubuntu a good alternative to BackBox Linux?
     
    Comments about Kubuntu as an Alternative to BackBox Linux
     
    Guest

    Kubuntu is a regular desktop no pen testing tools. No forensics no nothing but what a boring distro has.

    Negative commentOct 16, 2020
    0
    BackBox Linux Icon
    Kubuntu icon
    • Kubuntu is Free and Open SourceBackBox Linux is also Free and Open Source
    • Kubuntu is Privacy focused and LightweightBackBox Linux is not according to our users
  3. Parrot Security OS icon
     46 likes

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

    34 Parrot Security OS alternatives
    Parrot Security OS screenshot 1

    License model

    • FreeOpen Source

    Platforms

    • Linux

    Properties

    1.  Lightweight
    2.  Privacy focused

    Features

    1.  Security Testing
    2.  Penetration Testing
    3.  Vulnerability Assessment
    4.  Real time collaboration
    5.  Ad-free
    6.  Cloud Sync
    7.  Command line interface
    8.  Portable
    9.  No Tracking
    10.  Rolling Release
    11.  No registration required
    12.  Linux-based
    Parrot Security OS iconBackBox Linux Icon

    Parrot Security OS VS BackBox Linux

    Is Parrot Security OS a good alternative to BackBox Linux?
     
  4. Haiku icon
     96 likes

    Haiku is an open-source operating system that specifically targets personal computing. Inspired by the BeOS, Haiku is fast, simple to use, easy to learn and yet very powerful.

    216 Haiku alternatives
    Haiku screenshot 1

    License model

    • FreeOpen Source

    Application type

    Platforms

    • Haiku

    Properties

    1.  Lightweight
    2.  Privacy focused

    Features

    1.  Multitasking
    2.  Independent
    3.  Native GUI
    4.  Portable
    5.  No Tracking
    6.  Dark Mode
    7.  No registration required
    8.  Works Offline
    9.  Ad-free
    10.  Drag and Drop
    Haiku iconBackBox Linux Icon

    Haiku VS BackBox Linux

    Is Haiku a good alternative to BackBox Linux?
     
  5. Exodia OS icon
     4 likes

    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
    Exodia OS screenshot 1

    License model

    • FreeOpen Source

    Application type

    Platforms

    • Linux
    • Arch Linux

    Properties

    1.  Privacy focused

    Features

    1.  Rolling Release
    2.  Based on Arch Linux
    Exodia OS iconBackBox Linux Icon

    Exodia OS VS BackBox Linux

    Is Exodia OS a good alternative to BackBox Linux?
     
  6. BlackArch icon
     21 likes

    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
    BlackArch screenshot 1

    License model

    • FreeOpen Source

    Platforms

    • Linux
    • Arch Linux

    BlackArch Features

    1.  Based on Arch Linux
    2.  Arch User Repository
    3.  Command line interface
    4.  Rolling Release
    5.  No registration required
    6.  PHP IDE
    BlackArch iconBackBox Linux Icon

    BlackArch VS BackBox Linux

    Is BlackArch a good alternative to BackBox Linux?
     
  7. Caine icon
     5 likes

    CAINE Computer Aided INvestigative Environment Live CD/DVD, computer forensics, digital forensics

    16 Caine alternatives
    Caine screenshot 1

    License model

    • FreeOpen Source

    Application type

    Platforms

    • Linux

    Caine Features

    1.  Distribution
    Caine iconBackBox Linux Icon

    Caine VS BackBox Linux

    Is Caine a good alternative to BackBox Linux?
     
  8. Wifislax icon
     13 likes

    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
    Wifislax screenshot 1

    License model

    • FreeOpen Source

    Platforms

    • Linux
    Wifislax iconBackBox Linux Icon

    Wifislax VS BackBox Linux

    Is Wifislax a good alternative to BackBox Linux?
     
  9. SELKS icon
     3 likes

    SELKS, a product of Stamus Networks, is a Debian-based live distribution designed for network security management. It provides a complete and ready-to-use Suricata IDS/IPS ecosystem with its own graphic rule manager.

    17 SELKS alternatives
    SELKS screenshot 1

    License model

    • FreeOpen Source

    Application type

    Platforms

    • Linux
    SELKS iconBackBox Linux Icon

    SELKS VS BackBox Linux

    Is SELKS a good alternative to BackBox Linux?
     
  10. Cyborg Linux icon
     7 likes

    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.

    16 Cyborg Linux alternatives
    INTERNET

    License model

    • FreeOpen Source

    Platforms

    • Linux
    Discontinued

    have not been any updates on their website in almost 2 years.

    Cyborg Linux iconBackBox Linux Icon

    Cyborg Linux VS BackBox Linux

    Is Cyborg Linux a good alternative to BackBox Linux?
     
    Comments about Cyborg Linux as an Alternative to BackBox Linux
     
    NaSabbir

    Cyborg Linux project was managed in a way that penetration tester can utilize it in the best possible way.

    Positive commentMar 9, 2017
    0
    BackBox Linux Icon
    Cyborg Linux icon
    • Cyborg Linux is Free and Open SourceBackBox Linux is also Free and Open Source
  11. Matriux icon
     5 likes

    Matriux is a fully featured security distribution consisting of a bunch of powerful, open source and free tools that can be used for various purposes including, but not limited to, penetration testing, ethical hacking, system and network administration, cyber forensics...

    34 Matriux alternatives
    Matriux screenshot 1

    License model

    • FreeOpen Source

    Platforms

    • Linux

    Matriux Features

    1.  Based on Debian
    2.  Security Testing
    Discontinued

    The project seems to be no longer developed. Last version, Matriux Blue, released in August 2014, can be still downloaded from SourceForge

    Matriux iconBackBox Linux Icon

    Matriux VS BackBox Linux

    Is Matriux a good alternative to BackBox Linux?
     
  12. Dracos Linux icon
     3 likes

    Dracos Linux is purposed as an educational, especially to recognize the operation system of Linux and we respect ethical hacking.

    18 Dracos Linux alternatives

    License model

    • FreeOpen Source

    Platforms

    • Linux

    Dracos Linux Features

    1.  Linux-based
    Dracos Linux iconBackBox Linux Icon

    Dracos Linux VS BackBox Linux

    Is Dracos Linux a good alternative to BackBox Linux?
     
12 of 16 BackBox Linux alternatives