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Kali Linux vs Oracle Linux comparison

 

Comparison Buyer's Guide

Executive SummaryUpdated on Aug 7, 2024

Review summaries and opinions

We asked business professionals to review the solutions they use. Here are some excerpts of what they said:
 

Categories and Ranking

Kali Linux
Ranking in Operating Systems (OS) for Business
11th
Average Rating
8.8
Reviews Sentiment
7.7
Number of Reviews
13
Ranking in other categories
AWS Marketplace (3rd)
Oracle Linux
Ranking in Operating Systems (OS) for Business
3rd
Average Rating
8.4
Reviews Sentiment
7.7
Number of Reviews
112
Ranking in other categories
No ranking in other categories
 

Mindshare comparison

As of April 2025, in the Operating Systems (OS) for Business category, the mindshare of Kali Linux is 2.0%, up from 0.1% compared to the previous year. The mindshare of Oracle Linux is 11.1%, down from 14.8% compared to the previous year. It is calculated based on PeerSpot user engagement data.
Operating Systems (OS) for Business
 

Featured Reviews

GurpreetSingh4 - PeerSpot reviewer
Has small footprint and low maintenance cycles
Pre-installed tools can provide basic training and security measures, which is helpful. However, these tools may not be sufficient to secure your workload fully. That's why it's important to complement them with other specialized security tools to enhance your overall security. Before using Kali Linux, make sure you know its pros and cons. It's a good system to learn because it's the best choice for some situations. It has default firewall settings that block everything by default. It's up to the user to decide how much they want to open up. Learning Kali Linux takes time because it relies on command-line tasks instead of graphical interfaces. Practice is key to becoming comfortable with it.
Marcelo Muniz - PeerSpot reviewer
The operational system is the best and is packed with free features like CapsLive
It is important to work with a vendor who will sell you the correct product for your environment rather than just try to make the most money off of you. Study the solution and learn how to install it correctly and use it in the best ways. Follow best practices from Oracle and get some training in the operational system. The solution comes with a lot of features and options that you can use for free. It is reliable and you can even use an old version with no issues. It is not the most user friendly, but you can learn it with a bit of study. Overall, the solution beats other operational systems by a large margin. The solution is rated a nine out of ten.

Quotes from Members

We asked business professionals to review the solutions they use. Here are some excerpts of what they said:
 

Pros

"The solution's most valuable feature is that it is very easy to use."
"I use the tool with Nmap to perform network audits. We use it to find vulnerabilities in our network through attacks. It's for those who want to launch or create viruses or perform attacks on systems. With Kali Linux, you can conduct penetration testing for networks, web applications, and Android mobile apps."
"The most valuable feature of Kali Linux is the attack it performs using a CVE script that's already on the internet."
"The interface is good and straightforward to use."
"Additionally, it now includes comprehensive migration analytics and reporting capabilities."
"In general, Kali Linux is used for hosting applications, developing new applications, and operating systems. It's also used in containers and nodes. The tool offers a smaller footprint than Windows because it lacks the functionality of graphical user interfaces. One advantage of Kali Linux is its lower maintenance requirements than Windows, with slower update cycles and easier maintenance procedures."
"We use the product for open-source intelligence and identifying vulnerabilities."
"The solution's stability is very good."
"The most valuable features are performance, frequent update patches, and security."
"It is a stable solution with a secure operating system."
"One of the main features of this solution is it is secure."
"It's mostly reliable."
"We don't have any failing cases. Oracle releases regular hot patches, so we don't have many difficulties."
"Once installed, the product is good, I like it. The core of the software is really good."
"We are using the firewall for intrusion prevention, and it has performed well."
"The speed is quite good."
 

Cons

"Unfortunately, my current tool runs on Windows 10, and its use is restricted to enterprise versions. Integrating this tool or similar functionalities into Kali Linux for non-enterprise users would be incredibly valuable."
"From an improvement perspective, it should be made possible for users to learn about the product easily."
"The tool is slightly difficult to learn."
"The installation process of Kali Linux can be slow, particularly when installing and upgrading packages within virtualized environments."
"There can be some lagging issues because the product gets stuck at times, making it an area of concern where improvements are required."
"I would like for them to offer more features for the free version in order for users to test them in their internal environment before purchasing."
"Any new user or someone without deep expertise won't be able to understand how to scale or manage it"
"The tool is already stable and well-developed, so there's minimal feedback for enhancement or change. However, it should improve security, which is crucial, especially with the increasing use of Kali Linux in cloud environments."
"It would be ideal if they added a faster implementation of the security fixes, if possible."
"Managing upgrades, especially moving from one version of Oracle Linux to another, can be challenging."
"I think they should also pay more attention to the open-source community."
"The security could improve in the solution."
"There were some problems when updating the operating system, which affected the system as a whole."
"Technical support slow to respond."
"For usability, the GUI options during the initial setup could be included with advanced functionalities that are now currently only possible on the CLI."
"It could also have a more user-friendly interface."
 

Pricing and Cost Advice

"Kali Linux is a free product, and you don't have to pay for a license."
"There is no need to make any payments towards the licensing costs since it is a solution that is available for free."
"Kali Linux is open source."
"The licensing fee is expensive compared to other products."
"I have used the free version."
"The price is good because Kali Linux already provides a good bundle of tools."
"I use it free of charge."
"It is an open-source tool."
"We pay an annual subscription."
"The pricing and licensing are good."
"The solution is free."
"There is a license required for this solution and we are on an annual license."
"It is an expensive solution for us."
"The solution has no fees."
"This solution is very cost-effective, as it is essentially free, with charges only for support purposes."
"The licensing for this solution is based on the number of calls running Oracle databases, and are purchased either annually, or every three years."
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Top Industries

By visitors reading reviews
Comms Service Provider
16%
Computer Software Company
14%
University
13%
Educational Organization
10%
Computer Software Company
14%
Government
9%
Manufacturing Company
9%
Financial Services Firm
8%
 

Company Size

By reviewers
Large Enterprise
Midsize Enterprise
Small Business
 

Questions from the Community

What do you like most about Kali Linux?
I use the tool with Nmap to perform network audits. We use it to find vulnerabilities in our network through attacks. It's for those who want to launch or create viruses or perform attacks on syste...
What is your experience regarding pricing and costs for Kali Linux?
Kali Linux offers a perpetual license, meaning you pay for it once and can use it. While free versions of Linux are available, Kali Linux, being an enterprise edition, usually comes with a perpetua...
What needs improvement with Kali Linux?
The tool is already stable and well-developed, so there's minimal feedback for enhancement or change. However, it should improve security, which is crucial, especially with the increasing use of Ka...
How does Oracle Linux compare with Solaris?
When comparing Oracle Linux and Solaris, I believe that Linux is more secure and more flexible. It is also very suitable for enterprises that are already Oracle solution users. I found Linux to be ...
Which would you choose - Ubuntu Linux or Oracle Linux?
Ubunto Linux is a complete Linux operating system that is freely available with both community and professional support. This solution is suitable for both desktop and server use. It has a very app...
 

Comparisons

 

Also Known As

No data available
Oracle Enterprise Linux
 

Overview

 

Sample Customers

Information Not Available
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Find out what your peers are saying about Kali Linux vs. Oracle Linux and other solutions. Updated: April 2025.
847,862 professionals have used our research since 2012.