BlackArch AlternativesLinux Distros & Penetration Testing Tools like BlackArch

BlackArch is described as 'Linux is an Small Arch Linux iconArch Linux -based distribution for penetration testers and security researchers. The repository contains 2554 tools' and is a Linux Distro in the os & utilities category. There are more than 10 alternatives to BlackArch for a variety of platforms, including Linux, VirtualBox, Windows, Mac and VMware Workstation Pro apps. The best BlackArch alternative is Kali Linux, which is both free and Open Source. Other great apps like BlackArch are Parrot Security OS, Haiku, Exodia OS and BackBox Linux.

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BlackArch 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 BlackArch.
BlackArch iconBlackArch
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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.

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BlackArch alternatives page was last updated Jan 22, 2025
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Alternatives
  1. Kali Linux icon

    Kali Linux

     266 likes
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    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.

    20 Kali Linux alternatives

    License model

    • Free • Open Source

    Application types

    Country of Origin

    • US flagUnited States

    Platforms

    • Windows
    • Linux
    Kali Linux screenshot 1

    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 VS BlackArch

     
    Comments about Kali Linux as an Alternative to BlackArch
    Guest
    Negative •Dec 7, 2020
    1

    Not adapted for security researchers, and not adapt for daily use.

    Guest
    Positive •Aug 9, 2019
    -1

    Famous, helpful, has all the tools you need!

    BlackArch Icon
    Kali Linux icon

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

    • Kali Linux is the most popular Windows & Linux alternative to BlackArch.

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

    • Kali Linux is Free and Open SourceBlackArch is also Free and Open Source
    • Kali Linux is Privacy focusedBlackArch is not according to our users
  2. Parrot Security OS icon

    Parrot Security OS

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

    34 Parrot Security OS alternatives

    License model

    • Free • Open Source

    Application types

    Platforms

    • Linux
    Parrot Security OS screenshot 1

    Properties

    1.  Customizable
    2.  Security-focused
    3.  Lightweight
    4.  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 VS BlackArch

     
  4. Haiku icon

    Haiku

     97 likes
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    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.

    220 Haiku alternatives

    License model

    • Free • Open Source

    Application type

    Platforms

    • Haiku
    Haiku screenshot 1

    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 VS BlackArch

     
  5. 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

    License model

    • Free • Open Source

    Application type

    Platforms

    • Linux
    • Arch Linux
    Exodia OS screenshot 1

    Properties

    1.  Privacy focused

    Features

    1.  Rolling Release
    2.  Based on Arch Linux

    Exodia OS VS BlackArch

     
  6. BackBox Linux icon

    BackBox Linux

     18 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...

    16 BackBox Linux alternatives

    License model

    • Free • Open Source

    Application types

    Platforms

    • Linux
    BackBox Linux screenshot 1

    BackBox Linux Features

    1.  Based on Ubuntu

    BackBox Linux VS BlackArch

     
  7. Athena OS icon

    Athena OS

     1 like
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    Athena OS is an Arch-derived Linux distribution designed for penetration testing, bug-bounty hunting and InfoSec students. The distribution provides a way to connect directly to some of the e-learning hacking resources, such as Hack The Box, Offensive Security, PWNX and InfoSec...

    59 Athena OS alternatives

    License model

    • Free • Open Source

    Application types

    Platforms

    • Linux
    Athena OS screenshot 1

    Athena OS VS BlackArch

     
  9. Caine icon

    Caine

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

    16 Caine alternatives

    License model

    • Free • Open Source

    Application type

    Platforms

    • Linux
    Caine screenshot 1

    Caine Features

    1.  Distribution

    Caine VS BlackArch

     
  10. 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

    License model

    • Free • Open Source

    Platforms

    • Linux
    Wifislax screenshot 1

    Wifislax VS BlackArch

     
  11. SELKS icon

    SELKS

     3 likes
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    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

    License model

    • Free • Open Source

    Application type

    Platforms

    • Linux
    SELKS screenshot 1

    SELKS VS BlackArch

     
  12. Cyborg Linux icon

    Cyborg Linux

     7 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.

    16 Cyborg Linux alternatives

    License model

    • Free • Open Source

    Application types

    Country of Origin

    • GB flagUnited Kingdom

    Platforms

    • Linux
    INTERNET
    Discontinued

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

    Cyborg Linux VS BlackArch

     
  13. Matriux icon

    Matriux

     5 likes
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    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

    License model

    • Free • Open Source

    Application types

    Platforms

    • Linux
    Matriux screenshot 1
    Discontinued

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

    Matriux Features

    1.  Based on Debian
    2.  Security Testing

    Matriux VS BlackArch

     
  14. Dracos Linux icon

    Dracos Linux

     3 likes
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    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

    • Free • Open Source

    Platforms

    • Linux

    Dracos Linux Features

    1.  Linux-based

    Dracos Linux VS BlackArch

     
12 of 17 BlackArch alternatives