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Kali Linux vs Windows 11 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
8.8
Reviews Sentiment
7.7
Number of Reviews
13
Ranking in other categories
AWS Marketplace (2nd)
Windows 11
Ranking in Operating Systems (OS) for Business
10th
Average Rating
8.6
Reviews Sentiment
7.4
Number of Reviews
43
Ranking in other categories
No ranking in other categories
 

Mindshare comparison

As of December 2024, in the Operating Systems (OS) for Business category, the mindshare of Kali Linux is 1.4%, up from 0.0% compared to the previous year. The mindshare of Windows 11 is 3.9%, up from 0.2% 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.
Pmurki@Micron.Com Praveen - PeerSpot reviewer
Easy to use, stable product and improve productivity
We use our laptops with Windows only. We use it for everything. For the last 20 years, my entire career, I've been using Windows only. Office 365 will be extensively used, along with other tools from Office 365 Everything is good. It's easy to use. It supports AI initiatives. Like we use…

Quotes from Members

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

Pros

"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."
"We use the product for open-source intelligence and identifying vulnerabilities."
"The tools available in Kali Linux are incredibly effective for conducting security assessments."
"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."
"Additionally, it now includes comprehensive migration analytics and reporting capabilities."
"The solution's stability is very good."
"The interface is good and straightforward to use."
"The solution's most valuable feature is that it is very easy to use."
"The new search bar is a valuable feature."
"I use Windows 11 for development environments and find it user-friendly."
"The search bar and graphic user interface (GUI) are my most valuable features."
"The solution's steps are now very customized and it has great functionality."
"The tool's integrated antivirus program, Microsoft Defender, is enough for my purpose."
"Quick Assist is a valuable feature."
"The tool is very stable and I don't recall a time the screen went blue which was common for Windows 7. The product's installation is fast. If I have any issue that prevents me from booting Windows 11, it will automatically run into auto-repair mode and fix those issues. Windows 10 had this functionality but it wasn't good."
"It has good security features, providing strong protection against platform viruses and vulnerabilities, which secures my resources."
 

Cons

"There can be some lagging issues because the product gets stuck at times, making it an area of concern where improvements are required."
"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."
"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 installation process of Kali Linux can be slow, particularly when installing and upgrading packages within virtualized environments."
"The product should integrate AI and GPT capabilities."
"The tool is slightly difficult to learn."
"From an improvement perspective, it should be made possible for users to learn about the product easily."
"The user interface could be easier to operate when searching for more options."
"The integration between Windows and cloud applications could be improved to create a seamless experience."
"I would like to add a frontend to manage the virtual machines that are installed in Windows 11. It should also improve security which includes patching the vulnerabilities."
"The vendor must focus on building more reliable hardware."
"Some minor features of Windows 10 are missing in Windows 11."
"Major updates cause problems in small business environments because the end customers have to upgrade their workstations."
"The solution’s pricing could be improved."
"The product needs options for personalization and self-development. AI functions are also another area where improvement can be made. We're starting to use these features, but there's room for further development and integration."
 

Pricing and Cost Advice

"I use it free of charge."
"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."
"The price is good because Kali Linux already provides a good bundle of tools."
"The licensing fee is expensive compared to other products."
"I have used the free version."
"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."
"Kali Linux is open source."
"Windows 11's pricing is fair."
"I'm not directly involved in the financial aspects, but based on feedback from colleagues, Microsoft is flexible with pricing and addressing other licensing needs."
"The price of the solution is reasonable."
"The product is expensive. I rate its pricing a nine out of ten."
"The licensing cost is high."
"The solution is affordable."
"I use the free home version."
"The tool's price is high and I would rate it a nine out of ten."
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Top Industries

By visitors reading reviews
Computer Software Company
13%
Comms Service Provider
12%
University
12%
Educational Organization
12%
Computer Software Company
17%
Manufacturing Company
9%
Comms Service Provider
8%
University
7%
 

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...
What do you like most about Windows 11?
We use Windows 11 for our workstation’s daily operations.
What is your experience regarding pricing and costs for Windows 11?
The licensing is expensive, but it's value for money. Many people need it for deployment in Windows environments. It's very much required at this time.
 

Comparisons

 

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Overview

Find out what your peers are saying about Kali Linux vs. Windows 11 and other solutions. Updated: December 2024.
824,053 professionals have used our research since 2012.