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Kali Linux vs Ubuntu Linux comparison

 

Comparison Buyer's Guide

Executive SummaryUpdated on Aug 7, 2024
 

Categories and Ranking

Kali Linux
Ranking in Operating Systems (OS) for Business
11th
Average Rating
9.0
Reviews Sentiment
7.7
Number of Reviews
13
Ranking in other categories
AWS Marketplace (2nd)
Ubuntu Linux
Ranking in Operating Systems (OS) for Business
2nd
Average Rating
8.6
Reviews Sentiment
8.0
Number of Reviews
138
Ranking in other categories
OpenStack (1st)
 

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.
AtulChaurasia - PeerSpot reviewer
A stable and free solution that is easy to deploy and has a user-friendly GUI
Ubuntu improves its products every year. Earlier, the GUI was not good, so Ubuntu improved it. They have removed the complexity of the software. My recommendation depends on people’s use cases. If someone wants to test something that is more stable on Ubuntu, they can use the solution. They can use other Linux flavors like Red Hat, too. Overall, I rate the solution an eight or 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 most valuable feature of Kali Linux is the attack it performs using a CVE script that's already on the internet."
"The most effective features of Kali Linux include its stability as a Linux operating system, its flexibility in configuring resources such as partitions, its powerful and stable file system, and its multi-user capability, which allows for setting user privileges and rights. Additionally, Kali Linux provides access to a wide range of free and open-source applications for testing and development purposes."
"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."
"I'm mostly using for the web security web application, so end map and the troubleshoot will it's my price, and it's available in ColliNX."
"Additionally, it now includes comprehensive migration analytics and reporting capabilities."
"The interface is good and straightforward to use."
"We use the product for open-source intelligence and identifying vulnerabilities."
"Kali Linux is much better than other OS because it gives you a good set of tools. It is preferred for vulnerability assessments and cybersecurity."
"The main distinguishing feature between Ubuntu and other Linux distribution is that Ubuntu has excelled at user-friendliness. It's very easy to use."
"Ubuntu Linux is more secure and has additional security features than some other operating systems."
"The solution is stable."
"The solution is free to use."
"We can easily customize the NTS Client code."
"The setup is fairly easy."
"Ubuntu Linux has the advantage of performance. It runs very quickly."
"The initial setup is simple."
 

Cons

"The product should improve its security features."
"I would like to have automation in Kali Linux instead of manually configuring or setting up something in case of an upgrade."
"There can be some lagging issues because the product gets stuck at times, making it an area of concern where improvements are required."
"The installation process of Kali Linux can be slow, particularly when installing and upgrading packages within virtualized environments."
"From an improvement perspective, it should be made possible for users to learn about the product easily."
"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."
"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."
"The tool is slightly difficult to learn."
"I am really very satisfied with this solution. However, one thing that I would like to see improve, is to have better support for multiple screens with multiple resolutions. For me, that is the most important feature."
"The solution is a little complicated to customize and could be made easier."
"You have to do a lot of configurations yourself. It is not very user friendly."
"The solution could be better integrated with Microsoft."
"There is room for improvement, particularly in the GUI aspect of the product."
"They can improve the interface and give it an appearance similar to the Windows 11 operating system."
"People with a Windows background may not find the solution's user interface user-friendly."
"Debian have a more stable operating system than Ubuntu Linux."
 

Pricing and Cost Advice

"I have used the free version."
"I use it free of charge."
"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 perpetual license. I rate its pricing a five out of ten."
"It is an open-source tool."
"The tool is open-source."
"The licensing fee is expensive compared to other products."
"Kali Linux is open source."
"The price is good because Kali Linux already provides a good bundle of tools."
"The solution is open-sourced."
"The solution is free."
"It is open source, so it is free. There is no licensing fee."
"It's an open-source solution that can be used free of charge."
"It's an open source solution, but you can make donations if you'd like to."
"If the customer wants to start, there is no license required. It is all free, but they must purchase the production license."
"We are not using the licensed version of the solution, we are using the free version."
"Ubuntu Linux is free to use."
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Top Industries

By visitors reading reviews
Computer Software Company
14%
Educational Organization
11%
Comms Service Provider
11%
University
10%
Computer Software Company
14%
University
10%
Manufacturing Company
9%
Educational Organization
9%
 

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...
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...
What do you like most about Ubuntu Linux?
It has a good support system for loading databases.
What is your experience regarding pricing and costs for Ubuntu Linux?
Ubuntu Linux is open-source and free to use, which makes it cost-effective.
 

Comparisons

 

Also Known As

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Ubuntu
 

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Overview

 

Sample Customers

Information Not Available
Samsung, eBay, AT&T, Walmart, Cisco, Time Warner Cable, Bloomberg, Best Buy, Dell, Intel, Microsoft, Ericsson, Orange, Wells Fargo
Find out what your peers are saying about Kali Linux vs. Ubuntu Linux and other solutions. Updated: October 2024.
816,406 professionals have used our research since 2012.