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Kali Linux vs Ubuntu Linux comparison

 

Comparison Buyer's Guide

Executive SummaryUpdated on Jul 16, 2025

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
16
Ranking in other categories
No ranking in other categories
Ubuntu Linux
Ranking in Operating Systems (OS) for Business
2nd
Average Rating
8.6
Reviews Sentiment
7.6
Number of Reviews
149
Ranking in other categories
OpenStack (1st)
 

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 Ubuntu Linux is 11.5%, down from 18.1% compared to the previous year. It is calculated based on PeerSpot user engagement data.
Operating Systems (OS) for Business Market Share Distribution
ProductMarket Share (%)
Ubuntu Linux11.5%
Kali Linux3.0%
Other85.5%
Operating Systems (OS) for Business
 

Featured Reviews

NilutpalDutta - PeerSpot reviewer
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.
PrashantSharma - PeerSpot reviewer
Performs efficiently but requires overcoming a learning curve
There are many differences between Ubuntu Linux and Windows as they are totally different systems. You need to have more knowledge about Linux before using Ubuntu Linux. Although it is designed as a desktop system, basic knowledge is still required. Windows can be used by any layman, which is the main difference. I do not know much about security breaches or potential issues. The Wi-Fi and wireless capabilities work perfectly fine. Excluding the learning curve, I would rate it a 10. However, considering the learning curve, I would give it a six or seven. My advice would be to have patience. Overall rating: 10 out of 10.

Quotes from Members

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

Pros

"We use the product for open-source intelligence and identifying vulnerabilities."
"Kali Linux has the capability of real-time data scanning for vulnerability assessment for backend services, and that is actually very far more valuable."
"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 solution's most valuable feature is that it is very easy to use."
"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 interface is good and straightforward to use."
"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 most valuable feature of Kali Linux is the attack it performs using a CVE script that's already on the internet."
"It is more powerful because you have more control over it."
"The solution is very stable, it does not need to restart to maintain stability."
"Ubuntu Linux is more secure and has additional security features than some other operating systems."
"It is open-source, secure, and easy to use."
"It's offered as open-source, and therefore does not cost anything to use."
"In terms of security, I am satisfied with Ubuntu Linux and I can rely on its security features more than I can with Windows."
"I like this product much better than some other similar solutions."
"The most valuable features are that it's free and that it is simple to use."
 

Cons

"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."
"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 installation process of Kali Linux can be slow, particularly when installing and upgrading packages within virtualized environments."
"I would like to have automation in Kali Linux instead of manually configuring or setting up something in case of an upgrade."
"Any new user or someone without deep expertise won't be able to understand how to scale or manage it"
"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."
"The only point that I didn't find on Kali Linux for now is the ability to customize port scanning."
"The product should improve its security features."
"The solution must provide more integrations."
"It could be easier for beginners and the user interface could be more user-friendly."
"The solution is a little complicated to customize and could be made easier."
"I would recommend they improve the network security, because it can be very difficult. I mentioned that when you upgrade Ubuntu, the network cut is always deactivated, so you have to restart the service to reactivate the network. It is important to improve this ability."
"Sometimes certain tasks are challenging due to issues with the command-line interface. Users who prefer Windows may find it difficult to transition to Linux."
"If the user interface were further improved then it would be better because more people would be able to use it."
"One of the reasons people don't use Ubuntu on servers is because they are not as secure as Red Hat."
"The product must enable automation using AI."
 

Pricing and Cost Advice

"Kali Linux is open source."
"It is an open-source tool."
"The licensing fee is expensive compared to other products."
"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 a free product, and you don't have to pay for a license."
"I have used the free version."
"The price is good because Kali Linux already provides a good bundle of tools."
"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 use of the solution is inexpensive and the hardware it needs to operate can be priced very low. There is not a license for the solution but there is for the hardware."
"Ubuntu Linux is free to use."
"Ubuntu Linux is an open-source product that is free to use."
"The main advantage of Unix is that it's free."
"It's an open source solution, but you can make donations if you'd like to."
"I don't need to pay for the license."
"The solution does not come with a licensing fee."
"We are not using the licensed version of the solution, we are using the free version."
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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
13%
University
10%
Comms Service Provider
9%
Educational Organization
8%
 

Company Size

By reviewers
Large Enterprise
Midsize Enterprise
Small Business
By reviewers
Company SizeCount
Small Business9
Midsize Enterprise1
Large Enterprise7
By reviewers
Company SizeCount
Small Business83
Midsize Enterprise20
Large Enterprise53
 

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?
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 po...
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?
My experience with the pricing for Ubuntu Linux is that I always use the free version, so I never paid for any installations or support.
 

Comparisons

 

Also Known As

No data available
Ubuntu
 

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: September 2025.
868,759 professionals have used our research since 2012.