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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Alternatives list

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

    29 Parrot Security OS alternatives

    Cost / License

    • Free
    • Open Source

    Platforms

    • Linux
     
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    3
  2. Tails icon
     271 likes

    Tails is a Debian based live CD/USB with the goal of providing complete Internet anonymity for the user.

    132 Tails alternatives

    Cost / License

    Platforms

    • Linux
    • Tor Browser
    • GNOME
    • Tor
    • Thunderbird
     
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    2
  3. BlackArch icon
     27 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
  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
  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...

    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. GLF OS icon
     5 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
     
  8. 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.

    Cost / License

    • Free
    • Open Source

    Application type

    Platforms

    • Linux
    • Arch Linux
     
  9. 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
     
  10. 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

    Cost / License

    • Free
    • Open Source

    Platforms

    • Linux
     
  11. 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
     
  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 23 Kali Linux alternatives