Kali Linux Alternatives

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, Windows, VirtualBox, VMware Workstation and Electrum. The best 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.

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

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Kali Linux

234

Free • Open Source
Linux Distro

Windows
Linux
Windows S

Kali Linux is a Debian-derived Linux distribution designed for digital forensics and penetration testing, originally forked...

Learn more about Kali Linux

Parrot Security OS
Do you think this is a good alternative?
Yes
No
Free • Open Source
Linux Distro
Operating System
Penetration Testing Tool
Linux
30 alternatives to Parrot Security OS
Parrot is a GNU/Linux distribution based on Debian Testing and designed with Security, Development, and Privacy in mind.
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Parrot Security OS Features
1. Privacy focusedParrot Security OS is considered a privacy friendly alternative.
2. PortableParrot Security OS can be used from a USB stick or similar with no prior installation.
3. No TrackingParrot Security OS will not track you or use your personal data.
4. Rolling ReleaseParrot Security OS supports updates that are continuously rolled out, rather than in batches of versions.
5. No registration requiredYou can use most of the features in Parrot Security OS without registration.
6. LightweightParrot Security OS consumes less device resources compared to similar apps.
7. Real time collaborationMultiple users can work together in Parrot Security OS simultaneously.
8. Ad-freeParrot Security OS doesn't contain any form of external advertising.
9. Cloud SyncSync your data (notes, documents, bookmarks, etc.) across your different devices and to the cloud.
Security Testing
Vulnerability Assessment
Customizable
Security focused
Linux-based
Command line interface
Parrot Security OS vs Kali Linux opinions
Almost everyone thinks Parrot Security OS is a great alternative to Kali Linux.
armyn
Parot has more security tools than Kali.
Positive comment•
1

adam_ehab
Faster, more secure, lighter
Positive comment•
0

daviwalle
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
Positive comment•
2
Tails
Do you think this is a good alternative?
Yes
No
Free • Open Source
Operating System
Linux Distro
Linux
Electrum
Tor Browser Bundle
GNOME
Tor
VeraCrypt
Thunderbird
116 alternatives to Tails
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...
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Tails Features
1. Privacy focusedTails is considered a privacy friendly alternative.
2. No TrackingTails will not track you or use your personal data.
3. Ad-freeTails doesn't contain any form of external advertising.
4. LightweightTails consumes less device resources compared to similar apps.
5. PGP EncryptionTails supports PGP, an encryption system used for sending encrypted emails and files.
6. No registration requiredYou can use most of the features in Tails without registration.
Tor
Booting from USB
Online Anonymity
Security focused
Based on Debian
Compatible with TrueCrypt
Support for TOR
RAM Scraping Protection
Lock screen controls
Cold Boot Protection
Tails vs Kali Linux opinions
Most users think Tails is a great alternative to Kali Linux.
tomhart
I mean for anonymity yeah, TAILS is great.
Positive comment•
3

Guest
It is aimed on security like Kali.
Positive comment•
0
BlackArch
Do you think this is a good alternative?
Yes
No
Free • Open Source
Linux Distro
Penetration Testing Tool
Operating System
Linux
Arch Linux
14 alternatives to BlackArch
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 Features
Arch User Repository
Based on Arch Linux
PHP IDE
BlackArch vs Kali Linux opinions
Almost everyone thinks BlackArch is a great alternative to Kali Linux.
Guest
Blackarch has more tools available in their repos!
Positive comment•
3
Cyborg Linux
Do you think this is a good alternative?
Yes
No
Free • Open Source
Linux Distro
Penetration Testing Tool
Linux
14 alternatives to Cyborg Linux
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.

Cyborg Linux has no features, suggest some!
Discontinued
have not been any updates on their website in almost 2 years.

Cyborg Linux vs Kali Linux opinions
Almost everyone thinks Cyborg Linux is a great alternative to Kali Linux.
Guest
Easy to use, fast and a lot of tools
Positive comment•
1
BackBox Linux
Do you think this is a good alternative?
Yes
No
Free • Open Source
Linux Distro
Penetration Testing Tool
Operating System
Linux
14 alternatives to BackBox Linux
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...
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BackBox Linux Features
Based on Ubuntu
BackBox Linux vs Kali Linux opinions
Almost everyone thinks BackBox Linux is a great alternative to Kali Linux.
Revision (ReviOS)
Do you think this is a good alternative?
Yes
No
Free • Proprietary
Operating System
Windows
51 alternatives to Revision (ReviOS)
ReviOS aspires to re-create what Windows as an operating system should have been - easy and simple.
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Revision (ReviOS) Features
1. No TrackingRevision (ReviOS) will not track you or use your personal data.
2. Ad-freeRevision (ReviOS) doesn't contain any form of external advertising.
3. Privacy focusedRevision (ReviOS) is considered a privacy friendly alternative.
4. LightweightRevision (ReviOS) consumes less device resources compared to similar apps.
Wifislax
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Yes
No
Free • Open Source
Linux
16 alternatives to Wifislax
Wifislax is a GNU / Linux LiveCD and LiveUSB features conceived and designed for security auditing and related to computer security in general.

Wifislax has no features, suggest some!
Dracos Linux
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Yes
No
Free • Open Source
Linux
17 alternatives to Dracos Linux
Dracos Linux is purposed as an educational, especially to recognize the operation system of Linux and we respect ethical hacking.
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Dracos Linux Features
Linux-based
Add a screenshot

Dracos Linux vs Kali Linux opinions
Most users think Dracos Linux is a great alternative to Kali Linux.
SELKS
Do you think this is a good alternative?
Yes
No
Free • Open Source
Linux Distro
Linux
16 alternatives to SELKS
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.

SELKS has no features, suggest some!

SELKS vs Kali Linux opinions
pros, cons and recent comments
Guest
its for network management,not for penetration testing, ethical hacking.
Negative comment•
2
Matriux
Do you think this is a good alternative?
Yes
No
Free • Open Source
Linux Distro
Operating System
Penetration Testing Tool
Linux
32 alternatives to Matriux
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...
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Matriux Features
Based on Debian
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 vs Kali Linux opinions
pros, cons and recent comments
Guest
There are many tools are available in this Operating System. And this is the first penetration testing distro in Asia.
Positive comment•
0