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 are mainly Linux Distros, but if you're looking for Operating Systems or Penetration Testing Tools you can filter on that. You can also filter by region, for example EU-based alternatives if you prefer software developed in the European Union. These are just examples - use the filter bar below to find more specific alternatives to Kali Linux.
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Alternatives list

  1. 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

    Platforms

    • Linux
     
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    3
    Parrot Security OS vs Kali Linux Comments
    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

    • 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
     256 likes

    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

    Platforms

    • Linux
    • Tor Browser
    • GNOME
    • Tor
    • Thunderbird
     
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    2
    Tails vs Kali Linux Comments
    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.
    • 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
  3. BlackArch icon
     25 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

    Cost / License

    • Free
    • Open Source

    Platforms

    • Linux
    • Arch Linux
     
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    1
    BlackArch vs Kali Linux Comments
    Guest
    Positive
    3

    Blackarch has more tools available in their repos!

    Review by a new / low-activity user.
    • BlackArch is Free and Open SourceKali Linux is also Free and Open Source
  4. Cyborg Linux icon
     8 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.

    Cost / License

    • Free
    • Open Source

    Alerts

    • Discontinued

    Platforms

    • Linux
     
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    1
    Cyborg Linux vs Kali Linux Comments
    Guest
    Positive
    1

    Easy to use, fast and a lot of tools

    Review by a new / low-activity user.
    • Cyborg Linux is Free and Open SourceKali Linux is also Free and Open Source
  5. BackBox Linux icon
     21 likes

    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

    Cost / License

    • Free
    • Open Source

    Platforms

    • Linux
     
  6. Trisquel icon
     54 likes

    Trisquel is a computer operating system, a GNU + Linux distribution, derived from another distribution, Ubuntu, which is derived from Debian.

    Cost / License

    • Free
    • Open Source

    Platforms

    • Linux
     
  7. 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

    Cost / License

    • Free
    • Open Source

    Application type

    Platforms

    • Linux
    • Arch Linux
     
  8. Pentoo icon
     2 likes

    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
     
  9. 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.

    Cost / License

    • Free
    • Open Source

    Platforms

    • Linux
     
  10. ArchStrike icon
     1 like

    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

    Platforms

    • Linux
    • VirtualBox
    • VMware Workstation
     
  11. GLF OS icon
     4 likes

    GLF OS is a gaming-oriented live Linux distribution based on NixOS. Developed by a French-speaking community called Gaming Linux France (GLF), the distribution includes everything one would need for gaming on Linux, including Steam, Lutris, Heroic Games Launcher, as well as...

    Cost / License

    • Free
    • Open Source (MIT)

    Application type

    Platforms

    • Linux
     
  12. Bugtraq icon
     2 likes

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

    Cost / License

    • Free
    • Open Source

    Platforms

    • Linux
     
12 of 22 Kali Linux alternatives