Kali Linux
A toolkit for penetration testing and security research.
What is Kali Linux?
Kali Linux is a Debian Testing-based rolling distribution maintained by OffSec. It bundles hundreds of security assessment tools and ships images for bare metal, virtual machines, cloud, ARM boards, and Windows Subsystem for Linux. It is designed for authorized security work, not as a general-purpose or privacy-focused daily desktop.
Who is Kali Linux for?
Kali Linux fits best for security testing. Where it ranks in our lists:
Pros
- Large, maintained collection of security tools
- Images for VMs, ARM, cloud, and WSL
- Detailed documentation for assessment workflows
Cons
- Not intended as an everyday desktop
- Security tools do not make the system itself more private
Kali Linux system requirements
For a comfortable desktop with a modern web browser, plan for about 4 GB of RAM. Kali Linux is available for x86_64, aarch64, armhf. Leave at least 25 GB of storage for the system and applications. These figures are editorial guidance; check the official documentation for minimums.
Try Kali Linux before you install
Write the image to a USB stick and boot it as a live session to test Wi-Fi, graphics, sound, and suspend on your own computer. A browser trial on DistroSea shows the desktop, but cannot verify your hardware.
Compare Kali Linux with…
Best Kali Linux alternatives
Kali Linux: common questions
What is Kali Linux based on?
Kali Linux is based on Debian Testing. It uses APT for software and systemd as its init system.
Is Kali Linux good for beginners?
Not usually. Kali Linux expects hands-on configuration and maintenance. Beginners are better served by Linux Mint, Ubuntu, or Zorin OS.
How much RAM does Kali Linux need?
We suggest about 4 GB of RAM for a comfortable desktop experience with a modern browser. This is editorial guidance, not the project’s official minimum, which can be lower. It runs on x86_64, aarch64, armhf.
What desktop does Kali Linux use?
Kali Linux offers Xfce, KDE Plasma, GNOME.
Is Kali Linux a rolling release?
Yes. Kali Linux updates continuously, so there are no version upgrades to perform.
Is Kali Linux free?
Yes, Kali Linux is free to download and use.