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, 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.

filter to find the best alternatives

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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Kali Linux alternatives page was last updated

Alternatives list

  1. Athena OS icon
     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

    Platforms

    • Linux
     
  2. Matriux icon
     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

    Alerts

    • Discontinued

    Platforms

    • Linux
     
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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
  3. GLF OS icon
     2 likes
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    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

    Application type

    Platforms

    • Linux
     
  4. Caine icon
     5 likes
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    CAINE Computer Aided INvestigative Environment Live CD/DVD, computer forensics, digital forensics

    Cost / License

    • Free
    • Open Source

    Application type

    Platforms

    • Linux
     
  5. Cado Live icon
     1 like
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    Cado Live is a free bootable USB image to image disks to cloud storage such as AWS, Azure and Google Cloud.

    Cost / License

    • Free
    • Proprietary

    Application type

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Linux
     
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    1
    Comments about Cado Live as an Alternative to Kali Linux
    Guest
    Negative
    0

    it is nt a tool for ethical hacking or pentesting

    Review by a new / low-activity user.
    Kali Linux Icon
    Cado Live icon
    • Cado Live is the most popular Windows & Mac alternative to Kali Linux.

    • Cado Live is Free and ProprietaryKali Linux is Free and Open Source
  6. Dracos Linux icon
     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.

    Cost / License

    • Free
    • Open Source

    Platforms

    • Linux
     
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    7
  7. Copy a direct link to this comment to your clipboard

    This Environment allows people to work on large array of android security related task’s ranging from Malware Analysis, Penetration Testing and Reverse Engineering.

    Cost / License

    • Free
    • Open Source

    Platforms

    • Linux
    • VirtualBox
     
  8. SELKS icon
     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

    Cost / License

    • Free
    • Open Source

    Application type

    Platforms

    • Linux
     
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    1
    Comments about SELKS as an Alternative to Kali Linux
    Guest
    Negative
    2

    its for network management,not for penetration testing, ethical hacking.

    Review by a new / low-activity user.
    Kali Linux Icon
    SELKS icon
    • SELKS is Free and Open SourceKali Linux is also Free and Open Source
  9. IprediaOS icon
     1 like
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    IprediaOS is a fast, powerful and stable operating system based on Linux that provides an anonymous environment. All network traffic is automatically and transparently encrypted and anonymized via I2P. Many applications are available in IprediaOS.

    Cost / License

    • Free
    • Open Source

    Alerts

    • Discontinued

    Platforms

    • Linux
    • Fedora
    • LXDE
    • GNOME
    • I2P
     
  10. Copy a direct link to this comment to your clipboard

    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
     
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