Parrot OS
Security tools and a privacy-minded home edition.
What is Parrot OS?
Parrot OS is a Debian-based distribution with a Security edition for penetration testing and forensics, and a Home edition for everyday use with privacy tools. Since Parrot 7.0 (December 2025) it is built on Debian 13 and uses KDE Plasma 6 with Wayland as the default desktop for every edition, replacing MATE. Its AnonSurf tool routes all traffic through Tor; version 6.0, in Parrot 7.4 (October 2026), rebuilt it with a Go backend and transactional network changes. Compared with Kali, it is often chosen by people who want one system for both daily tasks and security coursework. Update with sudo parrot-upgrade rather than a plain apt upgrade.
Who is Parrot OS for?
Parrot OS fits best for security testing and privacy. Where it ranks in our lists:
Pros
- Separate Security and Home editions
- AnonSurf routes all traffic through Tor with one switch
- Images for x86_64, ARM (including Raspberry Pi), and RISC-V
Cons
- Security tooling is for authorized testing only
- Smaller community than Kali
Parrot OS system requirements
For a comfortable desktop with a modern web browser, plan for about 4 GB of RAM. Parrot OS is available for x86_64, aarch64, riscv64. Leave at least 25 GB of storage for the system and applications. These figures are editorial guidance; check the official documentation for minimums.
Try Parrot OS 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.
Parrot OS news
Compare Parrot OS with…
Best Parrot OS alternatives
Parrot OS: common questions
What is Parrot OS based on?
Parrot OS is based on Debian Stable. It uses APT for software and systemd as its init system.
Is Parrot OS good for beginners?
It is manageable if you are comfortable troubleshooting and occasionally using a terminal. Complete beginners may prefer Linux Mint or Ubuntu first.
How much RAM does Parrot OS 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, riscv64.
What desktop does Parrot OS use?
Parrot OS offers KDE Plasma.
Is Parrot OS a rolling release?
No. Parrot OS uses fixed releases; you upgrade to a new version periodically.
Is Parrot OS free?
Yes, Parrot OS is free to download and use.