Kali Linux vs SUSE Linux Enterprise comparison

Kali Linux and SUSE are both solutions in the Operating Systems (OS) for Business category. Kali Linux is ranked #11 with an average rating of 8.7, while SUSE is ranked #6 with an average rating of 8.5. Kali Linux holds a 3.0% mindshare in OSB, compared to SUSE’s 6.4% mindshare. Additionally, 100% of Kali Linux users are willing to recommend the solution, compared to 94% of SUSE users who would recommend it.

Kali Linux

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2,035 Comparison Views

100% willing to recommend

SUSE Linux Enterprise

Read 34 SUSE Linux Enterprise reviews

7,057 Views
6,916 Comparison Views

94% willing to recommend

Kali Linux

SUSE Linux Enterprise

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Executive SummaryUpdated on Jul 3, 2025

SUSE Linux Enterprise and Kali Linux compete in the enterprise Linux space. SUSE Linux Enterprise has the advantage due to its flexibility and comprehensive support for enterprise-grade applications, whereas Kali Linux is ideal for security-focused tasks due to its extensive toolkit.

Features: SUSE Linux Enterprise's strengths lie in its flexibility, seamless integration with SAP HANA and Oracle, and comprehensive administration tools like YaST for effortless server management. It boasts excellent security measures and stability for enterprise applications. Kali Linux is equipped with a vast array of tools for penetration testing and security assessments, such as Nmap and the Metasploit Framework, making it a top choice for web security and development testing.

Room for Improvement: SUSE Linux Enterprise could benefit from improved usability in cloud environments, better integration capabilities, and a more competitive pricing structure. Enhancing the initial setup and documentation would also be beneficial. For Kali Linux, increasing automation capabilities, streamlining the installation process, and integrating machine learning features would enhance user experience. Additionally, a more intuitive interface and augmented security features are desirable.

Ease of Deployment and Customer Service: SUSE Linux Enterprise is versatile across Public, Hybrid, and On-premises platforms, with strong technical support and a robust community. Kali Linux, mostly used On-premises, leverages community support through forums, though it lacks the structured support typical of enterprise solutions but benefits from abundant online resources.

Pricing and ROI: SUSE Linux Enterprise is subscription-based, offering significant ROI, especially for SAP deployments, but is considered costly relative to some competitors. In contrast, Kali Linux is a free, open-source solution providing substantial functionality at no cost, making it highly cost-effective for individuals and educational use.

To learn more, read our detailed Kali Linux vs. SUSE Linux Enterprise Report (Updated: September 2025).

Buyer's Guide

Kali Linux vs. SUSE Linux Enterprise

September 2025

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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

8.6

Reviews Sentiment

7.2

Number of Reviews

Ranking in other categories

No ranking in other categories

SUSE Linux Enterprise

Ranking in Operating Systems (OS) for Business

6th

Average Rating

8.6

Reviews Sentiment

6.7

Number of Reviews

Ranking in other categories

No ranking in other categories

Mindshare comparison

As of October 2025, in the Operating Systems (OS) for Business category, the mindshare of Kali Linux is 3.0%, up from 0.8% compared to the previous year. The mindshare of SUSE Linux Enterprise is 6.4%, down from 8.2% compared to the previous year. It is calculated based on PeerSpot user engagement data.

Operating Systems (OS) for Business Market Share Distribution
Product	Market Share (%)
SUSE Linux Enterprise	6.4%
Kali Linux	3.0%
Other	90.6%

Operating Systems (OS) for Business

Featured Reviews

NilutpalDutta

Senior Technical Manager at HCLSoftware

Provides valuable real-time data scanning for vulnerability assessment

We don't know if Kali Linux has the port scanning capability yet, but that is an area of improvement because we are working with DMZ zones and customized ports. If we can add featured customized port scanning and DMZ zone capability, then it will be a very great tool. It might be there, but we are not exploring it yet. We are not exploring 100% of Kali Linux capabilities. If real-time customized port scanning can be added, for example, instead of a default port such as 8080 or 443, if we can use a customized port such as 9876, that capability would be great. The only point that I didn't find on Kali Linux for now is the ability to customize port scanning.

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MoezCHEBBI

Senior Lead DevOps Engineer at Kyndryl

Has delivered expert training and enabled smooth migrations using automated deployment tools

SUSE Linux Enterprise is a mature and reliable platform, but there are areas where it can be improved. Modernizing the system management tools is important as many users appreciate YaST for its centralized management, but there is a growing demand for more modern, web-based, and modular tools. The introduction of tools such as Agama, a web-based installer, and Cockpit in newer releases is a step in the right direction.SUSE has made progress with multi-Linux support, allowing organizations to manage and support not just SUSE systems but also other distributions such as Red Hat and CentOS; continuing to expand these capabilities, especially for hybrid and multi-cloud environments, will help organizations manage diverse infrastructure more effectively. Security is a top concern, and further strengthening default security policies, simplifying compliance management, and integrating advanced vulnerability management tools would be a valuable improvement.

Read full review

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'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."

"The most valuable feature of Kali Linux is the attack it performs using a CVE script that's already on the internet."

"Kali Linux has the capability of real-time data scanning for vulnerability assessment for backend services, and that is actually very far more valuable."

"The interface is good and straightforward to use."

"The tools available in Kali Linux are incredibly effective for conducting security assessments."

"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."

"The outcomes from using Kali Linux in our organization are significant; we experienced reduced cybersecurity attacks and improved application security, leading to decreased attack surfaces and quicker testing cycles that enabled faster launches and installations."

More Kali Linux pros

"SUSE Linux's most valuable feature is the documentation - there is a lot of documentation about how to create custom servers."

"SUSE Linux Enterprise is easy to configure for those who are not hardcore command-line driven."

"SUSE Linux had a clean user interface, which was a valuable feature for me."

"It is very easy to maintain, migrate and upgrade."

"The most valuable feature of the solution is the installation part...We don't face any issues related to the operating system or application."

"The most valuable feature is that there is an inbuilt HANA firewall."

"The most valuable features of the solution are patching and the BTRFS file system."

"I have not experienced any issues with this operating system."

More SUSE Linux Enterprise pros

Cons

"From an improvement perspective, Kali Linux could include more ML to help with academic literature, as it is one of the areas where there are shortcomings in the solution."

"I would like to have automation in Kali Linux instead of manually configuring or setting up something in case of an upgrade."

"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."

"The tool is slightly difficult to learn."

"Many users utilize Kali Linux through virtual machines. Sometimes Kali Linux has issues detecting hardware such as inbuilt or external Wi-Fi adapters."

"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."

"There are areas for improvement in Kali Linux, particularly regarding its use of the Linux kernel, which requires external additional patching, and the fact that network services are disabled by default, which complicates usage; enhancing user-friendliness through more GUI-based tools and better integration could be beneficial."

More Kali Linux cons

"If you want to do something simple like changing an IP number, you have to be quite aware of all the configuration files where you will change that."

"Sometimes it is a bit of work for developers to change the configurations."

"The only stability issues that I can recall encountering with SUSE would be with KDE. However, that is limited to just the desktop environment as I have not had stability issues with most server functions."

"The license we subscribed to should carry over within the same instance family. Why are we required to re-subscribe when upgrading within the same family? Why are we effectively paying double fees during an upgrade?"

"They should provide chatbot support for customers to open the troubleshooting cases directly."

"I would like to see better functionality for interacting with cloud-based systems."

"I have not been overly impressed with their technical support."

"The software management side was a bit difficult, especially compared to Ubuntu."

More SUSE Linux Enterprise cons

Pricing and Cost Advice

"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."

"The tool is open-source."

"There is no need to make any payments towards the licensing costs since it is a solution that is available for free."

"It is an open-source tool."

"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."

"Kali Linux is a free product, and you don't have to pay for a license."

More Kali Linux pricing and cost advice

"As far as licensing goes, there is nothing unusual here. The price and model have worked fine for my organization."

"Anyone can use Linux because it is open-source."

"When we first implemented this product, we had licenses for support."

"There is a free tier and a paid support tier. If you do not need support, then the solution is free to use. If you need support then there is an option for that as well."

"The license we pay is for Oracle. We make use of the community edition."

"The price of SUSE Linux Enterprise could be cheaper. Other solutions, such as"

"Regarding pricing, everybody would want it to be cheaper."

"The platform is affordable."

More SUSE Linux Enterprise pricing and cost advice

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Top Industries

By visitors reading reviews

Comms Service Provider

13%

University

13%

Computer Software Company

12%

Educational Organization

11%

Computer Software Company

12%

Manufacturing Company

11%

Financial Services Firm

Government

Company Size

By reviewers

Large Enterprise

Midsize Enterprise

Small Business

By reviewers
Company Size	Count
Small Business	9
Midsize Enterprise	1
Large Enterprise	7

By reviewers
Company Size	Count
Small Business	8
Midsize Enterprise	11
Large Enterprise	19

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...

See all answers

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...

See all answers

What needs improvement with Kali Linux?

See all answers

What do you like most about SUSE Linux Enterprise?

The initial setup is simple and takes five minutes for deployment and if you have automation in place, it will take four minutes.

See all answers

What is your experience regarding pricing and costs for SUSE Linux Enterprise?

We are facing an issue with licensing usage. The subscription does not carry over within the same instance family, so upgrading an instance results in overlapping or double subscription fees.

See all answers

What needs improvement with SUSE Linux Enterprise?

The functionality is good, but the licensing subscription model needs improvement. The license we subscribed to should carry over within the same instance family. Why are we required to re-subscrib...

See all answers

Comparisons

CentOS vs Kali Linux

Compared 20% of the time

Windows 10 vs Kali Linux

Compared 17% of the time

Windows 11 vs Kali Linux

Compared 13% of the time

Red Hat Enterprise Linux (RHEL) vs Kali Linux

Compared 12% of the time

n8n vs Kali Linux

Compared 2% of the time

More Kali Linux Competitors

openSUSE Leap vs SUSE Linux Enterprise

Compared 27% of the time

Red Hat Enterprise Linux (RHEL) vs SUSE Linux Enterprise

Compared 25% of the time

Ubuntu Linux vs SUSE Linux Enterprise

Compared 18% of the time

Oracle Linux vs SUSE Linux Enterprise

Compared 7% of the time

Windows 10 vs SUSE Linux Enterprise

Compared 1% of the time

More SUSE Linux Enterprise Competitors

Product Reports

Buyer's Guide

Kali Linux

September 2025

Download Kali Linux product report

Buyer's Guide

SUSE Linux Enterprise

September 2025

Download SUSE Linux Enterprise product report

Also Known As

No data available

SUSE Linux Enterprise Server for SAP Applications 12 SP3

Overview

Kali Linux is widely used by organizations for penetration testing, vulnerability assessments, web application security, network audits, ethical hacking, and open-source intelligence, providing extensive free features.

Organizations run Kali Linux in virtualized environments alongside other operating systems, employing tools for automated scans, malware identification, infrastructure testing, and application development or hosting. These users benefit from lower maintenance requirements and a smaller footprint. The toolset includes Nmap, SQLMap, Metasploit, and Hydra, ensuring effective security assessments. Its high scalability, performance, user-friendly interface, and extensive documentation enhance the platform's usability. Known for stability, flexibility, and virus resistance, Kali Linux supports web security, troubleshooting, and configuration tasks comprehensively.

What are the most important features of Kali Linux?

Nmap: A network scanning tool for discovering hosts and services.
SQLMap: An SQL injection and database takeover tool.
Metasploit: A penetration testing platform with various exploit tools.
Hydra: A network log-in cracker supporting numerous protocols.
Documentation: Offers extensive resources for user guidance.
Stability: Provides a reliable and consistent operating environment.
Scalability: Adapts efficiently to growing security needs.
Performance: Ensures fast and efficient operations.
Virus Resistance: Enhances security through robust virus protection.

What benefits and ROI should users look for in reviews?

Cost Efficiency: Free tools reduce operational expenses.
Operational Efficiency: Lower maintenance needs and quick setup.
Enhanced Security: Robust tools for comprehensive security measures.
Flexibility: Adaptable to different environments and requirements.

Kali Linux can support industries in improving security through stable and flexible environments that resist viruses and provide extensive documentation. Users employ it for web security, troubleshooting, and configuring capabilities. Necessary improvements include automation, user-friendliness, and integrating AI and blockchain. Enhancements in security features, faster installations, and better learning tools are also essential. Machine learning integration and non-enterprise user functionalities can address current limitations.

Kali Linux

SUSE Linux Enterprise offers features like YaST for server management, seamless integration with Oracle and SAP, and a robust security setup. Renowned for stability, it efficiently supports workstations, SAP workloads, and cloud migrations across diverse industries.

SUSE Linux Enterprise is known for its lightweight design, high performance, and ease of installation. Its flexible architecture supports extensive documentation and efficient patching. The system uses the BTRFS file system for effective virtualization, and community support is significant. However, challenges include package updates causing conflicts, difficult initial setup and software management, high pricing, and support response times. Improvements in security compliance, cloud integration, hardware compatibility, and documentation are also needed.

What are SUSE Linux Enterprise's important features?

YaST Server Management: Simplifies server setup and configurations.
Oracle & SAP Integration: Enhances performance with major enterprise applications.
HANA Firewall: Provides robust security measures.
BTRFS File System: Supports advanced storage management and snapshots.
Virtualization: Efficiently runs multiple operating systems on a single machine.

What benefits should users expect from using SUSE Linux Enterprise?

Stability & Performance: Reliability for critical applications and workloads.
Lightweight Design: Reduces resource consumption while maintaining efficiency.
Community Support: Access to extensive user and developer collaboration.
Automated Upgrades: Simplifies system maintenance and updates.

Industries like healthcare and banking use SUSE Linux Enterprise for secure transactions and structured application deployment. It is also a choice for organizations involved in testing, automation, and web development, offering support for SAP HANA integration and facilitating cloud migrations.

SUSE

Sample Customers

Information Not Available

Air India, Akademicki Szpital Kliniczny (ASK), Allone, Altran, Apollo, ARCHIVA, Asia Innovatory Management School, ATLAS ELEKTRONIK GmbH, AutoData Norge AS, Baldor Electric, Business Connexion, CASIO, Ciclum Farma, Delta Lloyd, Edumate , HPE, SAP SE, Lenovo, BMW, T-Systems, UCX, Turners & Growers, Shenzhen Development Bank, Bosch Group, JK Tyres & Industries, IOCL, European Space Agency, Daimler AG, China Minsheng Banking Corp, Café Coffee Day, Unisys, Petrochina Company Ltd, Fitch Ratings, ABeam Consulting Co Ltd, Tyro Payments, Rackspace, Pacific Textiles, ...

Buyer's Guide

Kali Linux vs. SUSE Linux Enterprise

September 2025

Free Report: Kali Linux vs. SUSE Linux Enterprise

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