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Kali Linux vs Windows 11 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
No ranking in other categories
Windows 11
Ranking in Operating Systems (OS) for Business
9th
Average Rating
8.4
Reviews Sentiment
6.3
Number of Reviews
47
Ranking in other categories
No ranking in other categories
 

Mindshare comparison

As of August 2025, in the Operating Systems (OS) for Business category, the mindshare of Kali Linux is 2.5%, up from 0.5% compared to the previous year. The mindshare of Windows 11 is 7.3%, up from 1.3% compared to the previous year. It is calculated based on PeerSpot user engagement data.
Operating Systems (OS) for Business
 

Featured Reviews

Rohit Srivastava - PeerSpot reviewer
SQLmap for web application testing and good for web application penetration testing, network testing, vulnerability assessment of any devices or domains
Sometimes, I do face challenges. There's an issue where sometimes during the initial installation, it doesn't install properly. It gives multiple errors like packages not installing, so we have to install those tools separately. For instance, if we want to install a network or other tools, we have to install those complete toolkits manually. So, the challenge is with the initial setup, where I sometimes get errors. Regarding wireless attacks, OS attacks, and social engineering... the tools should be easier to learn because I know everything very well, but some people in my team struggle to understand. If there were GUI interfaces for the tools, it would help me guide my team in using them step-by-step. Command lines are very difficult for other team members who know the tool's purpose but not the Linux commands. GUI interfaces need more improvement. So, the UI interface needs improvement to make it more visible and easier for users. Expert users can do everything without any issues, but new users will struggle.
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

"Additionally, it now includes comprehensive migration analytics and reporting capabilities."
"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 tools available in Kali Linux are incredibly effective for conducting security assessments."
"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 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."
"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 most valuable feature of Kali Linux is the attack it performs using a CVE script that's already on the internet."
"It supports a lot of features compared to other operating systems."
"Having Windows 11 on both my personal and company laptops made it easier for me to use."
"The ability to divide the screen into two or three sections is useful."
"It is a stable solution."
"Windows 11 is easy to install. If you have any unclear issues, you can search Google for them. If you can't find any solutions, you can refer the issue to the IT support team."
"Windows 11 is now more stable and doesn't crash like its earlier versions."
"The artificial intelligence capabilities of the product have supported my organization."
"Windows 11 is an easy-to-use solution."
 

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."
"The product should integrate AI and GPT capabilities."
"I would like to have automation in Kali Linux instead of manually configuring or setting up something in case of an upgrade."
"From an improvement perspective, it should be made possible for users to learn about the product easily."
"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."
"The tool is slightly difficult to learn."
"A significant drawback is its cost for the hardware requirements that is important for optimal performance which makes it less accessible and potentially impractical for many users globally."
"I didn't find any reliable reviews for applications in the Microsoft Store."
"The product's price, performance, and implementation accessibility need improvement."
"The product should focus more on security, particularly Outlook. It should also look into pricing since people will stop using it after a while if the prices are high."
"Drives are a significant issue, and finding the correct drives for everything to function properly is challenging."
"The integration between Windows and cloud applications could be improved to create a seamless experience."
"The solution's installation process could be less time-consuming."
"The user interface could be easier to operate when searching for more options."
 

Pricing and Cost Advice

"Kali Linux is a free product, and you don't have to pay for a license."
"Kali Linux is open source."
"The price is good because Kali Linux already provides a good bundle of tools."
"I use it free of charge."
"The licensing fee is expensive compared to other products."
"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."
"I have used the free version."
"The pricing is affordable."
"My company purchases licenses in bulk for 2000 users."
"We take a yearly license, but payment-wise, it's better to pay monthly."
"I rate the tool's pricing an eight to nine out of ten."
"I didn't pay for Windows 11 as it is automatically installed with Microsoft update."
"The tool's price is high and I would rate it a nine out of ten."
"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."
"Windows 11 is not an expensive solution."
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Top Industries

By visitors reading reviews
Comms Service Provider
14%
Computer Software Company
13%
University
12%
Educational Organization
11%
Comms Service Provider
13%
Computer Software Company
13%
University
8%
Manufacturing Company
6%
 

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?
There's no difference; Windows 11 is not more expensive than Windows 10 for my institution. I spend £11,000 a year on Microsoft, which is a lot for a school. That £11,000 is for all Microsoft produ...
What needs improvement with Windows 11?
I have faced challenges with Windows 11, particularly with a recent Wi-Fi wireless issue. The dot 1.80 update caused Wi-Fi drivers to automatically disconnect, preventing users from connecting to W...
 

Comparisons

 

Overview

Find out what your peers are saying about Kali Linux vs. Windows 11 and other solutions. Updated: July 2025.
865,295 professionals have used our research since 2012.