Kali Linux AlternativesOnly apps categorised as Operating Systems

The best Operating System alternative to Kali Linux is Parrot Security OS, which is both free and Open Source. If that doesn't suit you, our users have ranked more than 10 alternatives to Kali Linux and nine of them are Operating Systems so hopefully you can find a suitable replacement. Other interesting Operating System alternatives to Kali Linux are Tails, BlackArch, BackBox Linux and Trisquel.

filter to find the best alternatives

Kali Linux alternatives are mainly Operating Systems, but if you're looking for Linux Distros 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 Security OS icon

    Parrot Security OS

     50 likes
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    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

    Application types

    Platforms

    • Linux
    Parrot Security OS screenshot 1
     
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    3
    59
    Comments about Parrot Security OS as an Alternative to Kali Linux
    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

    Kali Linux Icon
    Parrot Security OS icon

    • Almost everyone thinks Parrot Security OS is a great Kali Linux alternative.

    • Parrot Security OS is the most popular Linux alternative to Kali Linux.

    • Parrot Security OS is the most popular Open Source & free alternative to Kali Linux.

    • 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

    Tails

     247 likes
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    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

    • Free
    • Open Source

    Application types

    Platforms

    • Linux
    • Tor Browser
    • GNOME
    • Tor
    • Thunderbird
    Tails screenshot 1
     
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    2
    21
    Comments about Tails as an Alternative to Kali Linux
    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.
    Kali Linux Icon
    Tails icon

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

    • 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
  4. BlackArch icon

    BlackArch

     25 likes
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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.

    17 BlackArch alternatives

    Cost / License

    • Free
    • Open Source

    Application types

    Platforms

    • Linux
    • Arch Linux
    BlackArch screenshot 1
     
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    1
    40
    Comments about BlackArch as an Alternative to Kali Linux
    Guest
    Positive
    3

    Blackarch has more tools available in their repos!

    Review by a new / low-activity user.
    Kali Linux Icon
    BlackArch icon

    • Almost everyone thinks BlackArch is a great Kali Linux alternative.

    • BlackArch is Free and Open SourceKali Linux is also Free and Open Source
  5. BackBox Linux icon

    BackBox Linux

     20 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...

    Cost / License

    • Free
    • Open Source

    Application types

    Platforms

    • Linux
    BackBox Linux screenshot 1
     
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    15
  7. KolibriOS icon

    KolibriOS

     16 likes
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    KolibriOS is a tiny yet incredibly powerful and fast operating system. This power requires only a few megabyte disk space and 8MB of RAM to run. Kolibri features a rich set of applications that include word processor, image viewer, graphical editor, web browser and well over 30...

    80 KolibriOS alternatives

    Cost / License

    • Free
    • Open Source

    Application type

    Platforms

    • Self-Hosted
    KolibriOS desktop
     

    • KolibriOS is the most popular Self-Hosted alternative to Kali Linux.

    • KolibriOS is Free and Open SourceKali Linux is also Free and Open Source
    • KolibriOS is Lightweight and CustomizableKali Linux is not according to our users
  9. Athena OS icon

    Athena OS

     2 likes
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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...

    58 Athena OS alternatives

    Cost / License

    • Free
    • Open Source

    Application types

    Platforms

    • Linux
    Athena OS screenshot 1
     
  10. Matriux icon

    Matriux

     7 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...

    Cost / License

    • Free
    • Open Source

    Application types

    Alerts

    • Discontinued

    Platforms

    • Linux
    Matriux screenshot 1
     
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    1
    Comments about Matriux as an Alternative to Kali Linux
    Guest
    Positive
    0

    There are many tools are available in this Operating System. And this is the first penetration testing distro in Asia.

    Review by a new / low-activity user.
    Kali Linux Icon
    Matriux icon
    • Matriux is Free and Open SourceKali Linux is also Free and Open Source
  11. MicroPythonOS icon

    MicroPythonOS

     Like
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    MicroPythonOS is a lightweight, fast, and versatile operating system designed to run on microcontrollers like the ESP32 and desktop systems. With a modern Android-like touch screen UI, App Store, and Over-The-Air updates, it’s the perfect OS for innovators and developers.

    Cost / License

    • Free
    • Open Source

    Application type

    Platforms

    • Linux
    • Linux Mobile
    • Python
    • Mac
    • Raspberry Pi
    MicroPythonOS screenshot 1
     
9 of 9 Kali Linux alternatives