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AntoSebastin - PeerSpot reviewer
Cyber Security Consultant - APAC at a comms service provider with 11-50 employees
Real User
Top 5
Apr 23, 2024
Helps to perform penetration testing for networks, web applications, and Android mobile apps
Pros and Cons
  • "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 product should improve its security features."

What is our primary use case?

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.

What needs improvement?

The product should improve its security features.

For how long have I used the solution?

I have been using the product for five years. 

What do I think about the stability of the solution?

I rate Kali Linux's stability a nine out of ten. 

Buyer's Guide
Kali Linux
January 2026
Learn what your peers think about Kali Linux. Get advice and tips from experienced pros sharing their opinions. Updated: January 2026.
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What do I think about the scalability of the solution?

I rate the tool's scalability a seven to eight out of ten. I use it for my personal purposes. 

How are customer service and support?

Kali Linux is open-source and doesn't have support. 

How was the initial setup?

Setting up Kali Linux is straightforward. Deploying and installing it on our machines typically takes 25 minutes. The basic steps involve providing your name and selecting the location and time settings during installation. Once completed, you can use the default credentials to log into the Kali Linux operating system and gain permissions.

What's my experience with pricing, setup cost, and licensing?

The tool is open-source. 

What other advice do I have?

Kali Linux is a beginner tool. You can use it for testing and practicing. However, using it for real-time attacks can pose legal issues. Users can perform penetration testing but should refrain from attacking real company websites.

The tool is useful for personal use, such as for hackers or for conducting penetration testing and gathering information for review purposes. However, using it for unauthorized or suspicious activities could lead to legal repercussions.

I rate the overall product an eight out of ten. Hackers could potentially use it as a weapon to attack any company or website. 

Disclosure: My company does not have a business relationship with this vendor other than being a customer.
PeerSpot user
Researcher in Cyber Security at a educational organization with 51-200 employees
Real User
Top 5
Mar 25, 2024
Ensures a robust suite of penetration testing tools, extensive community support and customizable features for cybersecurity professionals
Pros and Cons
  • "The tools available in Kali Linux are incredibly effective for conducting security assessments."
  • "The installation process of Kali Linux can be slow, particularly when installing and upgrading packages within virtualized environments."

What is our primary use case?

I utilize Kali Linux for my penetration testing projects, where I leverage various tools like Austin Tools to gather additional information and for ethical hacking purposes. Since my primary operating system is Windows 11, I run Kali Linux in a virtualized environment using tools like VirtualBox.

How has it helped my organization?

The pre-installed tools on Kali Linux are incredibly useful, particularly for gathering information. When we first open the manual or explore the resources, we find a plethora of tools available for information gathering. These tools are indispensable for anyone using Kali Linux, as they provide essential functionality right from the beginning, especially in the realm of information gathering.


Linux offers customizable features that significantly enhance our workflow and testing processes. Its extensive customizability makes it easy to tailor to our specific needs.

What is most valuable?

Kali Linux provides me with a wide array of tools such as SQLMap, Nmap, and Hydra, which I explore to enhance my understanding of security concepts. Overall, Kali Linux offers a diverse toolkit for various security tasks.

The tools available in Kali Linux are incredibly effective for conducting security assessments. One tool I particularly favor is the Managed Tool, which I've been using for information gathering for about two years, especially for extracting hidden information from WhatsApp. Additionally, for SQL injection, I rely on SQLMap, and for conducting scans and reviews, I rely on VWNX.

What needs improvement?

The installation process of Kali Linux can be slow, particularly when installing and upgrading packages within virtualized environments. This sluggishness may be due to various factors, including the source of the download and any potential issues with the operating system.

For how long have I used the solution?

I have been using it for two years.

What do I think about the stability of the solution?

It's generally stable, especially when used for virtualization, which is how I primarily utilize it. I would rate it eight out of ten.

What do I think about the scalability of the solution?

It provides good scalability capabilities. I would rate it nine out of ten.

How are customer service and support?

The technical support for Kali Linux is quite reliable, primarily due to the active community engagement on forums. Additionally, the documentation available on the website is accurate and well-structured, providing clear guidance and support.

How was the initial setup?

The initial setup can be challenging sometimes. I would rate it eight out of ten.

What about the implementation team?

Deployment typically takes around ten minutes.

What's my experience with pricing, setup cost, and licensing?

I use it free of charge.

What other advice do I have?

I would recommend delving deeper into the functionality of the installation tools, particularly focusing on the favorite tools available on Linux. This includes tools beneficial for networking testing and other functionalities I've observed to be valuable. It seems worthwhile to invest time in studying the various tools offered by Kali Linux. Overall, I would rate it nine out of ten.

Disclosure: My company does not have a business relationship with this vendor other than being a customer.
PeerSpot user
Buyer's Guide
Kali Linux
January 2026
Learn what your peers think about Kali Linux. Get advice and tips from experienced pros sharing their opinions. Updated: January 2026.
881,114 professionals have used our research since 2012.
VishalSingh15 - PeerSpot reviewer
Head of Business at a tech services company with 11-50 employees
Real User
Top 5Leaderboard
May 30, 2024
A stable and reliable solution for penetration and session testing
Pros and Cons
  • "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."
  • "The tool is slightly difficult to learn."

What is our primary use case?

Kali Linux's use cases are quite diverse. It can be used as an operating system for learning Linux, penetration testing, ethical hacking, and much more.

What is most valuable?

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.

The tool's most valuable features for security tasks include its resistance to viruses, ability to configure and filter incoming connections, and security measures that make it difficult for hackers to break into the system. Linux systems are known for their strong security measures, including numerous checkpoints and gates that make hacking attempts difficult. As a result, many financial and scientific institutions prefer to use Linux for its enhanced security compared to Windows.

With access to a vast repository of tools, users can install third-party tools and perform various tasks related to network testing, penetration testing, and session testing.

What needs improvement?

The tool is slightly difficult to learn. 

What do I think about the stability of the solution?

I rate the tool's stability a nine out of ten. 

What do I think about the scalability of the solution?

Kali Linux's scalability depends on the available resources. Depending on the resources available, users can install multiple instances of Kali Linux, which can be scaled up to meet the needs of various user sizes.

How are customer service and support?

I've never contacted Kali Linux for technical support. Most issues and their resolutions are readily available on the internet.

How was the initial setup?

The solution's deployment is easy and takes about ten minutes to deploy. 

What other advice do I have?

I rate the overall product a nine out of ten. For aspiring ethical hackers, I highly recommend using Kali Linux. It's stable and reliable. However, remember that while Kali Linux is very reliable, new bugs and issues may arise occasionally, and driver support for new hardware can sometimes be lacking. 

Additionally, it's worth noting that Linux operating systems like Kali Linux are not designed for general entertainment purposes like gaming. They are preferred by developers, engineers, and technical users who want to customize and utilize the full potential of their operating system. If you're looking for a system for general purposes like internet browsing and gaming, Windows or macOS may be more suitable options.

Disclosure: My company has a business relationship with this vendor other than being a customer. Partner
PeerSpot user
reviewer1232808 - PeerSpot reviewer
Solutions Engineer at a tech services company with 1,001-5,000 employees
Real User
Top 5Leaderboard
May 16, 2024
Very user-friendly and offers good performance
Pros and Cons
  • "The solution's most valuable feature is that it is very easy to use."
  • "From an improvement perspective, it should be made possible for users to learn about the product easily."

What is our primary use case?

I use the solution in my company for penetration testing. The product is used to check if there is any vulnerability within a system.

What is most valuable?

The solution's most valuable feature is that it is very easy to use. The tool is very user-friendly, and its performance is very good.

What needs improvement?

From an improvement perspective, it should be made possible for users to learn about the product easily.

For how long have I used the solution?

I have been using Kali Linux for three months.

What do I think about the stability of the solution?

Stability-wise, I rate the solution a nine out of ten.

What do I think about the scalability of the solution?

Scalability-wise, I rate the solution a nine out of ten.

How was the initial setup?

The product's initial setup phase was straightforward.

One just needs to create a bootable drive to install the product.

The solution is deployed on an on-premises model.

What about the implementation team?

I can take care of the product's installation myself.

What's my experience with pricing, setup cost, and licensing?

I have used the free version.

What other advice do I have?

I strongly recommend the product to others who plan to use it since it is a reliable tool.

When it comes to the learning curve for new users who plan to use the product, I would say that if someone is not familiar with cybersecurity, then they would need at least six months to a year to learn about the product.

In terms of the value derived from the use of the product, I could see that with the solution, I was able to see the vulnerabilities.

I rate the solution an eight out of ten.

Which deployment model are you using for this solution?

On-premises
Disclosure: My company does not have a business relationship with this vendor other than being a customer.
PeerSpot user
Senior Manager Network Design at a computer software company with 51-200 employees
Real User
Top 5Leaderboard
Dec 27, 2023
Brings business to our organization because the reports are shown to the client once we do the testing

What is our primary use case?

We use it for security testing and penetration testing for vulnerability assessment.

How has it helped my organization?

Kali Linux brings business to our organization because the reports are shown to the client once we do the testing. We start putting recommendations, consultation fees, and so on.

What is most valuable?

The solution has documentation availability, resources, and expertise. It is public everywhere. It also has high scalability and high performance.

What needs improvement?

The solution’s interface could be more user-friendly. Also, it has a limited number of applications.

For how long have I used the solution?

I have been using Kali Linux for more than ten years. We are using the latest version of the solution.

What do I think about the stability of the solution?

The product is stable.

I rate the solution’s stability a ten out of ten.

What do I think about the scalability of the solution?

Forty users use this solution. We can increase the number of users easily because of professional licenses. It's designed for complex companies. We can increase the number of users as much as we need.

Which solution did I use previously and why did I switch?

We tried Ubuntu, but it is not as good as Kali Linux for security testing.

How was the initial setup?

The initial setup is very straightforward and takes two hours to complete. For deployment, we need hardware with suitable specs.

What about the implementation team?

Deployment was done in-house.

What's my experience with pricing, setup cost, and licensing?

The product is free.

What other advice do I have?

We need two people for the solution’s maintenance, one for the environment and another for installation.

Overall, I rate the solution a nine out of ten.

Which deployment model are you using for this solution?

On-premises
Disclosure: My company does not have a business relationship with this vendor other than being a customer.
PeerSpot user
Partner / Consultant at a tech services company with 11-50 employees
Consultant
Dec 30, 2023
Useful for open-source intelligence and identifying vulnerabilities
Pros and Cons
  • "We use the product for open-source intelligence and identifying vulnerabilities."
  • "The product should integrate AI and GPT capabilities."

What is our primary use case?

We use the product for open-source intelligence and identifying vulnerabilities. 

How has it helped my organization?

Kali Linux helps me with security assessments. 

What needs improvement?

The product should integrate AI and GPT capabilities. 

What do I think about the stability of the solution?

I rate the product's stability an eight out of ten. 

What do I think about the scalability of the solution?

I rate Kali Linux's scalability a seven out of ten. I alone use the solution in my company. 

How are customer service and support?

The product has many communities which makes support easy. 

How was the initial setup?

I rate the product's deployment a nine out of ten. You need to have programming skills to do customization. Deployment can be completed in half an hour. I google for answers whenever I am stuck. 

What's my experience with pricing, setup cost, and licensing?

Kali Linux is open source. 

What other advice do I have?

I rate Kali Linux a nine out of ten. 

Which deployment model are you using for this solution?

On-premises
Disclosure: My company does not have a business relationship with this vendor other than being a customer.
PeerSpot user
Faisal Mian - PeerSpot reviewer
CTO at a tech services company with 51-200 employees
Real User
Top 5Leaderboard
Apr 3, 2024
Has good web security and troubleshooting features
Pros and Cons
  • "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."
  • "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."

What is our primary use case?

We use different features in Kali Linux that are offered unlimited in the free version.

What is most valuable?

The most valuable features are the web security and troubleshooting features. It also has a good price.  

What needs improvement?

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.

For how long have I used the solution?

I have been using Kali Linux for the last three years. 

What do I think about the stability of the solution?

It is a stable solution. 

What do I think about the scalability of the solution?

It is a scalable solution. Nine users are using it in our company. 

How was the initial setup?

The initial setup is easy. Understanding Linux is essential before beginning the setup process. You should have a basic understanding because it's very different than the Windows deployment installation.

What's my experience with pricing, setup cost, and licensing?

The licensing fee is expensive compared to other products. 

What other advice do I have?

Overall, I would rate the solution an eight out of ten. 

Disclosure: My company does not have a business relationship with this vendor other than being a customer.
PeerSpot user
Yekutiel Cohen - PeerSpot reviewer
Penetration tester at a tech services company with 1-10 employees
Real User
Dec 19, 2023
A highly stable tool useful for penetration testing
Pros and Cons
  • "The solution's stability is very good."
  • "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."

What is our primary use case?

I use Kali Linux for penetration testing, web applications, infrastructure, and cloud. The tool is useful to test the main applications in our company.

What is most valuable?

The most valuable feature of the solution is that the product comes with a lot of useful tools for me, like Nmap, subfinder, and the Metasploit Framework, which is very helpful. The tool also helps with web applications.

What needs improvement?

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.

Blockchain and artificial intelligence are areas I would like to see in the future releases of the solution.

For how long have I used the solution?

I have been using Kali Linux for five years. I use the solution's latest version.

What do I think about the stability of the solution?

The solution's stability is very good. Stability-wise, I rate the solution a nine out of ten.

What do I think about the scalability of the solution?

I use the product for penetration testing, and I operate as a freelancer.

Which solution did I use previously and why did I switch?

I use Arch Linux and BlackArch at times.

How was the initial setup?

The product's initial setup phase was very easy with Oracle VM VirtualBox.

The solution is deployed on the cloud, but it is mostly deployed on the Oracle VM VirtualBox.

The solution can be deployed in a few minutes.

What was our ROI?

I have seen some benefits from the use of the solution.

What's my experience with pricing, setup cost, and licensing?

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

What other advice do I have?

I recommend the solution to those who plan to use it.

I rate the overall tool a nine out of ten.

Disclosure: My company does not have a business relationship with this vendor other than being a customer.
PeerSpot user
Buyer's Guide
Download our free Kali Linux Report and get advice and tips from experienced pros sharing their opinions.
Updated: January 2026
Buyer's Guide
Download our free Kali Linux Report and get advice and tips from experienced pros sharing their opinions.