Kali Linux vs. Parrot OS: Which Is Better for Pentesting?
Table of Contents
- Overview and History of Kali Linux and Parrot OS
- Key Features and Default Tools
- Unique Features and Tools in Kali Linux>
- Unique Features and Tools in Parrot OS
- System Requirements and Performance Benchmark (2025)
- Community Support and Documentation Quality
- Usability and Learning Curve for Beginners
- Security, Privacy, and Update Frequency
- Compatibility with Virtualization, Containers, and Cloud
- Long-Term Viability and Use Cases in Education
- Recommendations and Use-Case-Based Decision Guide
- Final Thoughts
- Conclusion
- FAQs
Kali Linux vs Parrot OS is a common comparison for anyone diving into penetration testing. Both Linux distributions are tailored for cybersecurity work, but which is the better choice for beginner pentesters and educators? In this comprehensive guide, we’ll compare Kali and Parrot across multiple factors – from history and features to performance and community support – to help you make an informed decision. Choosing the right platform is significant for learners and professionals alike, as it can affect your learning curve, workflow, and even the success of your security audits. Let’s explore the similarities and differences between Kali Linux and Parrot OS in detail.
Overview and History of Kali Linux & Parrot OS
Understanding the origins of Kali Linux and Parrot OS provides context for their design philosophies. Both are Debian-based Linux distributions geared towards security but were born from different needs and communities.

Kali Linux: Background and Evolution
Kali Linux was first released in 2013 as a successor to the BackTrack distribution, inheriting a legacy of penetration testing focus. Developed and maintained by Offensive Security (OffSec), Kali is built on the Debian platform (specifically Debian Testing). This Debian lineage means Kali benefits from Debian’s stability while pulling in more up-to-date packages. Kali’s rise to fame is due in part to OffSec’s backing and its use in official training programs (like OSCP), which cemented Kali as an industry standard for ethical hacking. Over the years, Kali has evolved rapidly, adopting a rolling release model that pushes frequent updates. It shifted from a default root user model to a regular privileged user by 2020 for better security practices. Each year sees multiple Kali releases that update tools and features; for example, the Kali 2025.1a release brought a refreshed UI theme, updated desktop environments (Xfce 4.20 and KDE Plasma 6.2), and a new Linux kernel 6.12 for improved hardware support. Kali’s history reflects a focus on being cutting-edge and comprehensive for penetration testers.
Occasional alternatives: While Kali is Debian-based, it’s worth noting there are Red Hat-based security distros as well. For instance, the Fedora Security Lab (a Fedora spin) provides a similar pentesting environment on a Red Hat foundation. However, Kali remains far more popular in cybersecurity than any Red Hat-based pentesting solution.
Parrot OS: Background and Evolution
The Parrot Security OS, which is usually called “Parrot OS,” also debuted around 2013 and was created by the Parrot Project (led by Lorenzo “Palinuro” Faletra). Parrot was designed not only for penetration testing but with an added emphasis on privacy and user-friendliness. Like Kali, Parrot is based on Debian but uses Debian’s stable branch as its core. This means Parrot follows a more traditional release cycle (with long-term support in mind) and has a reputation for stability and reliability. Parrot’s development introduced a “home lab” mentality – it aims to be a daily-driver-capable OS that you can use for general purposes and security tasks. Over the years, Parrot OS has put out multiple versions (e.g., Parrot 4.x, 5.x, and the current 6.x series), each improving on performance and toolsets. The latest Parrot 6.3 (2025) release exemplifies Parrot’s evolution with Linux kernel 6.5 (for better performance and hardware support) and a refined MATE 1.28 desktop that keeps the system light and responsive. This version was “designed to make ParrotOS faster, more stable, and even more secure,” according to its release notes. Parrot’s history shows steady growth in its tool arsenal and a commitment to privacy features, making it a versatile platform for both professional hackers and privacy-conscious users.
Debian base: Both Kali and Parrot inherit a Debian base, which means that under the hood, they share compatibility with Debian packages and hardware support. This common ground also implies you can apply general Debian/Ubuntu knowledge when working with either OS. Their divergence comes in how they package and present security tools to the end user.
Key Features and Default Tools
One of the biggest considerations in the Kali Linux vs. Parrot OS debate is the set of features and tools each distribution provides. Both distros come loaded with hundreds of cybersecurity tools, but notable differences exist in the selection, organization, and additional features beyond pure pentesting.
Common Pentesting Tools in Both Distributions
Kali and Parrot share a large overlap of common pentesting tools since both aim to offer a one-stop toolkit for ethical hacking. Users of either OS can expect to find pre-installed tools for all stages of an attack simulation:
- Reconnaissance & Scanning: Nmap (network scanner) and Wireshark (packet analyzer) are available for both mapping networks and inspecting traffic. Tools like Recon-ng (for reconnaissance automation) are also included.
- Vulnerability Analysis: Both have OpenVAS or similar vulnerability scanners installed to find weaknesses in targets.
- Exploitation & Post-Exploitation: Metasploit Framework is a staple on both Kali and Parrot, providing a powerful platform for launching and managing exploits. You’ll also find John the Ripper (password cracker), Aircrack-ng (Wi-Fi cracking suite), Burp Suite (web application security tester), and many more.
- Forensics and Reverse Engineering: Each distro includes tools for analyzing malware or system images (e.g., binwalk, Volatility, gdb debugger). They even have conveniences like a “Forensics mode” or live boot options to avoid altering disks, which Parrot explicitly offers as a boot option for stealthy analysis.
- Programming and Scripting: Since security professionals often write custom scripts, both OSes come with programming languages and compilers (Python, Ruby, etc.) and support popular development tools.
In essence, any tool that’s famous in the pentesting world is likely to be present in both distributions by default or available via their repositories. This common base ensures that whether you choose Kali or Parrot, you won’t miss out on essential capabilities for cybersecurity exercises.
Unique Features and Tools in Kali Linux

Kali’s feature set is geared towards providing the widest range of offensive security tools possible and specialized editions for different platforms. Some Kali-specific highlights include:
- Extensive Tool Repository: Kali historically prides itself on a massive repository of tools. It tends to include more tools by default than Parrot, which can be overwhelming for newcomers but useful for pros who want everything ready. For example, Kali includes large frameworks like Nessus (in older versions) or Maltego, and has numerous wordlists and auxiliary scripts installed. One user noted that Kali has “most of the things preinstalled, and all of them are ready to go” for a pentester.
- Kali NetHunter: A unique Kali offering is NetHunter, a Kali version for mobile devices (like Android phones/tablets). It turns mobile hardware into pentesting devices and is officially supported by OffSec. Parrot doesn’t have an equivalent official mobile edition.
- Kali Purple (Defensive Mode): In 2023 Kali introduced “Kali Purple,” an initiative to include blue-team (defensive) tools and a SOC environment in Kali. This expanded Kali beyond offense – bundling 100+ defensive tools (SIEM, sniffing, monitoring platforms, etc.) to let ethical hackers practice defense and purple teaming. It’s a distinct edition within Kali’s ecosystem that Parrot OS does not directly mirror.
- Customization and Modes: Kali provides some niche features like Kali Undercover Mode, which, with one click, re-themes the desktop to look like Windows 10 – useful if you’re pentesting in public and want to be inconspicuous. Kali also supports choosing different desktop environments during installation (Xfce is the default for lightweight performance, but KDE, GNOME, etc., are available).
- Professional Support and Training Integration: Because of OffSec’s involvement, Kali Linux has official certification documentation and support. This isn’t a software feature per se, but it means Kali is tightly integrated into many training labs and exercises. This industry endorsement attracts many users to Kali.
Despite Kali’s huge toolset, it has been critiqued for being a bit heavy. It was once described by a user as “RAM hungry and kind of clunky” on older hardware. The Kali team has addressed this over time by switching to a lighter desktop (Xfce) and allowing a “Kali Light” installation without the full tools to improve performance and usability. Kali’s focus remains on raw pentesting power and flexibility across many use cases.
Unique Features and Tools in Parrot OS

Parrot Security OS takes a slightly different approach by blending security tools with an everyday-use Linux experience. Here are the features and tools that differentiate Parrot:
- Privacy and Anonymity Tools: Parrot integrates privacy protection into the OS. It comes pre-installed with tools like Tor Browser and AnonSurf, which automatically route traffic through the Tor network for anonymity. These tools are not in Kali by default. AnonSurf, in particular, is a Parrot-exclusive that can “anonymize the entire system using Tor IPTables,” giving Parrot users a one-click solution for hiding their identity online. This focus on anonymity makes Parrot appealing to those concerned with privacy (penetration testers sometimes need this when doing covert recon).
- Lightweight and Efficient Desktop: Parrot uses the MATE desktop environment (a fork of GNOME2), which is known for being lightweight. The interface is designed to be welcoming and visually appealing without consuming many resources. The Parrot menu is well-organized by categories (similar to Kali’s menu, but Parrot’s polish in UI often gets praise). One source noted that Parrot OS feels snappy and quick to respond to user inputs, even on modest hardware. This snappiness is a deliberate feature – Parrot doesn’t enable heavy graphical effects and remains efficient.
- Sandboxing and Secure Environments: Parrot includes Firejail sandboxing and AppArmor profiles out of the box for many applications. This means that when you run potentially risky tools or open files, Parrot isolates them to protect the rest of the system. This focus on containment is a security feature aligned with Parrot’s privacy ethos.
- Development Tools and Daily Use Applications: Unlike Kali, Parrot is advertised as suitable for daily driver use. It comes with a range of programming tools (compilers, IDE editors) and general applications (LibreOffice, media players in the Home edition) that you might not find preloaded in Kali. Parrot’s goal is to let you do development and office tasks on the same machine you do pentesting. For example, Parrot’s Home edition (a lighter version without all hacking tools) is aimed at regular users who also want a secure system.
- Variants and Specialized Editions: Parrot offers editions like Parrot Home (for everyday use with optional security tools) and Parrot Security (Full), which has the complete pentesting arsenal, and has even introduced special variants like Parrot Air (focused on wireless testing) and Parrot IoT for lightweight IoT/embedded hardware. These variants show Parrot’s attempt to tailor experiences: e.g., Parrot Air presumably bundles wireless pentest tools and drivers extensively. Kali likewise has variants (ARM images, NetHunter, etc.), but Parrot’s naming suggests a role-focused approach.
- Stability and Rolling Balance: Because Parrot is based on Debian Stable and follows a Long-Term Support model, it emphasizes system stability. Updates for Parrot OS undergo testing to ensure they don’t break the system’s usability. This can mean Parrot might not always have the bleeding-edge version of every tool on day one, but it tends to be more stable during upgrades. Users often mention Parrot “just works” for day-to-day tasks without the minor glitches that can sometimes occur in Kali’s rolling upgrades.
In summary, Parrot’s key features revolve around being beginner-friendly, resource-friendly, and privacy-friendly. It covers all the pentesting basics while also including additional safety nets and utilities for a broader security and development experience.
System Requirements and Performance Benchmark (2025)
When deciding between Kali Linux and Parrot OS, you should consider your hardware resources. Both distributions can run on modest hardware, but Parrot OS is generally seen as more lightweight. Here, we’ll look at system requirements and performance based on real data from their 2025 releases.

Minimum Hardware Requirements
Kali Linux has higher minimum specs than Parrot. Officially, Kali needs at least 1 GB of RAM (2 GB recommended) and around 20 GB of disk space for a standard installation. Because Kali includes a full graphical environment with hardware-accelerated features, it also expects a GPU that can handle graphical displays (basic graphical acceleration). In fact, Kali’s default Xfce desktop will use GPU acceleration for smooth performance, so while a dedicated graphics card isn’t strictly required, it benefits from one.
By contrast, Parrot OS can run in far more constrained environments. Parrot Security OS requires as little as 300–320 MB of RAM to boot (in headless or very lightweight mode) and about 15 GB of disk space. Parrot deliberately does not require graphical acceleration – its MATE desktop will run on basic integrated graphics without any special GPU. This means even older laptops without decent GPUs can run Parrot’s GUI just fine. The Parrot project notes that systems with 512 MB RAM can run (though obviously limited in multitasking), and it has low CPU requirements (~1GHz dual-core CPU minimum). These minimal requirements highlight Parrot’s lightweight design.
To summarize hardware needs:
- Kali Linux minimum requirements ~ are 1 GB RAM (2 GB recommended), 20 GB storage, a CPU of 1GHz or higher, and a GPU with 3D acceleration.
- Parrot OS minimum requirements ~ are 320 MB RAM (512 MB recommended), 15 GB storage, and a 1GHz CPU; no GPU acceleration is needed.
In practice, having 2+ GB RAM for Parrot and 4+ GB for Kali is advised for comfortable use (running a browser, multiple tools, etc.), especially if using heavy tools like Burp Suite or multiple VMs.
Performance and Resource Usage in 2025
Both Kali and Parrot have improved their 2025 versions when it comes to real-world performance, but Parrot OS tends to use fewer resources at idle and feels more responsive on low-end hardware. Users frequently comment that Parrot “runs shockingly quickly on all PCs” and is suitable even for older hardware.
Boot Time and Responsiveness: Parrot 6.3 introduced faster boot times and improved system responsivenessin the latest releases. Thanks to kernel optimizations (Parrot 6.3 uses Linux kernel 6.5) and a lighter desktop, Parrot can start up and load apps swiftly. Kali Linux has also kept performance in mind – the switch to Xfce desktop and continuous updates ensure Kali isn’t sluggish. Still, anecdotal feedback often gives Parrot a slight edge in feeling “snappier.” For instance, Station X observed that Parrot’s interface is very quick and that its menu is well-organized for efficiency. Kali’s interface is no-nonsense but might not feel as nimble due to the sheer volume of menus and services that might run.
Memory Usage: A fresh boot of Parrot OS (GUI) typically consumes a few hundred megabytes of RAM (around 300–400 MB in our observations), whereas Kali Linux might use a bit more due to additional background services and the more extensive menu (on the order of 500+ MB). This difference is partly because Parrot’s philosophy is to remain lightweight; it often has fewer services running by default. One Reddit user pointed out Parrot OS being “a bit lighter than Kali with less RAM requirement” in practice. If your machine has limited RAM, Parrot’s efficiency will be noticeable when multitasking with heavy tools.
CPU and Disk Performance: With both using modern Linux kernels (Kali’s 2025.1a runs kernel 6.12, and Parrot 6.3 runs kernel 6.5), baseline CPU performance and hardware compatibility are excellent on each. There isn’t a clear winner in raw CPU tasks – for example, cracking hashes with Hashcat or running Metasploit should perform similarly on both, given identical hardware. However, Parrot’s lower overhead means slightly more CPU is available for the task at hand rather than OS processes. Disk usage is more efficient on Parrot by default (less bloat). Kali’s full install can easily consume 15-20 GB with all its tools; the Parrot Security edition is closer to 10- 15 GB. You’ll use similar disk space if you install additional tools in Parrot to match Kali’s catalog.
Stability vs. Freshness: An important performance-related consideration is system stability during updates. Kali’s rolling nature means you get the newest versions of tools and libraries, which can sometimes introduce bugs that affect performance. With its LTS model, Parrot might not always have the latest tool version, but many users find it “more stable” over long-term use. In a benchmarking sense, stability can be considered a performance factor – fewer crashes or hiccups when running a week-long engagement, for example.
In conclusion, Parrot OS will likely perform better and feel smoother if you’re on older or limited hardware. Both will run fast on a modern machine, but Kali might utilize a bit more resources in exchange for its extensive toolkit. The good news is that the 2025 updates for both distributions have brought kernel and efficiency improvements: Kali 2025.1a optimized its desktop environments and updated drivers, while Parrot 6.3 fine-tuned its system for speed and even touts improved power efficiency on laptops. Thus, performance might not be decisive if you have a capable system, but Parrot holds an advantage for resource-constrained scenarios.
Community Support and Documentation Quality
For beginners, educators, and even professionals, the availability of support and documentation can make or break the experience with a pentesting distro. Here, we compare the community size, support channels, and documentation of Kali Linux vs. Parrot OS.

Kali Linux Community and Documentation
Kali Linux enjoys one of the largest and most active communities in the cybersecurity world. As a project backed by Offensive Security and with a history tied to BackTrack (which was very popular), Kali’s user base ranges from hobbyists to seasoned professionals. Here are some aspects of Kali’s community and docs:
- Documentation: Kali has extensive official documentation on the Kali website, covering everything from installation and tool usage to advanced topics. OffSec maintains guides and a knowledge base. Many tutorials and books exist for Kali (for example, “The Ultimate Kali Linux Book” and countless online courses where you will find hands-on tool applications). Because Kali is so widely adopted in training, beginners can find step-by-step guides for almost any common task or tool in Kali.
- Online Forums and Q&A: There are official forums (forums.kali.org) and an active subreddit (r/Kalilinux) where users ask questions. Other platforms, like Stack Exchange, have tags for Kali. Since Kali has been the “default” pentest OS for years, if you encounter a problem, a web search will often yield a solution from someone who had the same issue on Kali.
- Community Contributions: Given Kali’s prominence, many in the community contribute by writing scripts or custom Kali packages. The community also produces custom Kali Linux meta packages, Docker images, and VM images that are easily accessible. This thriving ecosystem means that as a Kali user, you seldom feel “unsupported.”
- Industry Recognition: Kali’s documentation and community support extend into the professional realm. Organizations like Offensive Security exam boards, CTF events, and write-ups are frequently Kali-based, so the collective knowledge is huge. It’s not uncommon to see Kali mentioned in CVEs or security tool docs, further attesting to its widespread use.
- Beginner Help: Kali’s vast community is a double-edged sword for newcomers. On one hand, you’ll find many “getting started with Kali” guides and newbies asking questions (and getting answers) in forums. On the other hand, some experienced members might respond to beginners by reminding them that Kali is meant for those who already know Linux basics. However, overall, the Kali community is welcoming if you follow the guidelines and the official docs. The abundance of community content means beginners can self-educate effectively using Kali.
One Reddit user pointed out that you can apply “all the Kali documentation and tutorials equally on Parrot” , which implies that Kali’s documentation is seen as the gold standard that even Parrot users rely on. This highlights just how strong Kali’s documentation presence is.
Parrot OS Community and Documentation
Parrot OS, while growing in popularity, has a smaller community compared to Kali. It started as a niche project, and its user base, though enthusiastic, isn’t as large as Kali’s. Key points about Parrot’s support and docs:
- Official Documentation: The Parrot project provides documentation on its website covering installation, tools, and FAQs. It’s reasonably detailed for basic information, and because Parrot shares many tools with Kali, the Kali or generic Linux documentation can often fill any gaps. The Parrot documentation also includes unique topics like using AnonSurf or working with its Docker images.
- Community Forums and Chat: Parrot has an official community forum and is active on platforms like Discord/Telegram for user support. There is also a subreddit, r/ParrotOS, though smaller in membership. Users can ask for help; typically, the community or even the Parrot developers will respond.
- Stability of Guidance: Since Parrot’s toolset overlaps with Kali’s, many community solutions for Kali apply to Parrot. However, one must adapt to minor differences (like repository names or default user account differences). The Parrot community often reassures that “you can use Kali guides for Parrot” because the systems are similar under the hood. This is a benefit, but it also means there are fewer Parrot-specific tutorials.
- Educational Use: Parrot is used in some educational environments (like cybersecurity clubs or by individuals who prefer it for its lightweight nature), but it hasn’t penetrated formal training courses to the extent Kali has. So, you won’t find as many textbooks or courses centered on Parrot OS specifically. Some educators recommend Parrot for students who want a friendly interface without sacrificing tools.
- Community Size vs. Quality: While Parrot’s community is smaller, many users report it to be friendly and passionate. On Parrot’s official community channels, you may get more personalized help since the dev team is smaller and more directly engaged with users. There are also cases where Parrot community contributions (scripts, troubleshooting guides) address unique Parrot features like its sandbox or APT handling.
- Documentation Quality: Parrot’s documentation is decent but occasionally lags behind the latest release. For example, a user on Reddit highlighted a “simple error in the documentation” that the Parrot devs needed to fix. This suggests that while the docs are improving, they may not be as polished as Kali’s, which undergoes professional maintenance.
In summary, Kali wins in terms of the sheer volume of community support and documentation. Parrot OS has a supportive community, but you might not always find an existing guide for a specific issue (though you can usually extrapolate from Kali guides). If you value having a huge knowledge base to tap into, Kali is advantageous. If you prefer a smaller community where your voice might be more easily heard (and don’t mind occasionally adapting Kali documentation for Parrot), then Parrot’s community is perfectly serviceable.
Usability and Learning Curve for Beginners
The distro’s usability and learning curve are crucial for cybersecurity beginners (and their instructors). Here, we examine how Kali and Parrot fare in terms of user-friendliness, interface, and overall approachability.

Kali Linux: Learning Curve and Interface
Kali Linux has historically been seen as a distro “by professionals, for professionals.” Its design assumes the user has some prior Linux experience and is primarily focused on tasks, not eye candy or hand-holding. Key points about Kali’s usability:
- Default User Experience: Kali’s interface (with Xfce by default) is clean and utilitarian. It doesn’t have flashy customizations beyond the Kali dragon theme and wallpaper. The menu is extensive, with dozens of sub-menus of tools categorized by function (e.g., Information Gathering, Exploitation, Password Attacks, etc.). This logical organization is useful, but the sheer number of tools can be overwhelming for a beginner. One guide noted that the vast array of tools in Kali’s menu might intimidate newcomers. However, everything is where an experienced pentester expects it, which streamlines the workflow once you are familiar with it.
- Beginner Friendliness: There is a common saying that Kali is not a beginner’s Linux distro. It’s not recommended as someone’s very first exposure to Linux because it’s tailored for a specific purpose and runs as a rolling release (which can complicate system management for newbies). Beginners might find tasks like software installation (with apt) or system configuration tricky if they haven’t used Linux. That said, many beginners do start with Kali due to its popularity. These users often rely on step-by-step tutorials. Kali’s learning curve can be steep if you’re brand new to Linux; you are learning Linux basics and pentesting tools at the same time.
- Improvements for New Users: The Kali team has made some moves to lower the learning curve. Switching to a non-root default user was one (so newbies don’t accidentally damage their system running everything as root). Also, Kali’s “Kali Undercover” mode and overall polish in recent releases show an intent to make Kali more accessible outside of just hardcore hackers. Kali even provides a “Kali Training” section on their website to teach the usage of the distro and tools, which can help self-learners.
- Industry Standard Advantages: Because Kali is so ubiquitous, many beginners choose it simply because everyone else in the field uses it. This has a psychological advantage – when a student uses Kali, they feel they are using the “real deal” that professionals use, which can be motivating. Also, beginners following online courses or write-ups will often see Kali in use, so using Kali themselves means their environment matches the tutorial exactly (less confusion).
- Potential Pitfalls: A beginner might inadvertently use powerful tools on their own system or network without fully understanding them, since Kali puts live “ammo” at their fingertips. Educators often stress caution – for example, running a Metasploit exploit or an Nmap aggressive scan without knowing the impact can cause trouble. Kali doesn’t restrict you; the learning responsibility is on the user. This is not unique to Kali, but Kali’s identity as an expert toolset means it won’t stop you from making mistakes (like some beginner-focused distros might have safe defaults).
In summary, Kali’s learning curve for complete beginners is moderately high, but if you have basic Linux familiarity, it’s quite straightforward. The interface is functional but not tailored to ease of use beyond logical organization. Many recommend that absolute beginners start with Ubuntu or Mint to learn Linux basics, then move to Kali for pentesting-specific learning – a sentiment echoed in several forums.
Parrot OS: Learning Curve and User-Friendliness
Parrot OS is often recommended to beginners who ask, “Should I start with Kali or Parrot?” Parrot strives to be more user-friendly, versatile, and out of the box. Here’s how Parrot approaches usability:
- Welcoming Interface: Parrot’s MATE desktop is considered more traditional and slightly more polished in appearance compared to Kali’s default Xfce. Parrot comes with a colorful parrot motif, intuitive icons, and sometimes even a conky system monitor on the desktop (depending on the version). The menu is well-organized, similar to Kali’s by tool category, but Parrot also includes a search function in the menu, which newbies may find handy to locate tools. The system tray includes quick toggles for things like AnonSurf (one-click anonymity), which is user-friendly for those unfamiliar with command-line Tor setup.
- Ease of Use: Parrot is designed to be used as a daily OS, so basic things like connecting to Wi-Fi, mounting USB drives, installing printers, etc., are as straightforward as on a normal Debian system. This general-purpose usability is a plus for beginners. They can use Parrot not only to hack in a lab but also to write reports, browse the web safely, and so on – all in one system.
- Learning Resources: While Parrot-specific tutorials are fewer, the learning curve is arguably gentler because the system “just works” with less configuration needed. For example, if a beginner wants to practice web app hacking and needs Firefox with some add-ons, Parrot already has a custom-hardened Firefox installed. Parrot has Tor ready if they want to practice OSINT and need an anonymity layer. This means beginners spend less time configuring the environment and more time learning the tools.
- Fewer Barriers: Parrot’s philosophy doesn’t discourage newbies; the community often encourages new users, whereas Kali’s community might occasionally tell newbies to learn Linux first. Parrot’s lead developer has emphasized making the OS accessible to a wider audience of tech enthusiasts, not just pentest experts. Practically, a beginner can install Parrot Security and comfortably watch videos or do CTF challenges without hitting issues. From the start, the presence of a normal user account and sudo (similar to Ubuntu’s approach) also aligns with what beginners might be used to on other distros.
- Learning Linux Alongside: Using Parrot still requires learning Linux commands and concepts (it is a full Linux distro after all). But since Parrot is stable and Debian-based, beginners can even use mainstream Debian/Ubuntu guides when they need help with Linux basics (like setting up a development environment, installing software). The system isn’t as custom as Kali, so general Linux knowledge transfers directly.
- Comparative Tool Overload: Parrot OS includes slightly fewer pre-installed tools by default than Kali (to keep it lightweight). Interestingly, some sources mention Parrot actually has a wider selection of certain tool categories or more GUI-driven tools. In any case, beginners might find Parrot’s menu a tad less intimidating simply because it’s a bit leaner and has additional helpful tools (like anonymity tools) clearly presented. There’s also the option to install Parrot Home edition (which has only a minimal set of tools) and then add what you need, a nice learning exercise to build your toolkit gradually.
Overall, Parrot OS tends to have a gentler learning curve for beginners. One might say Parrot is “beginner-friendly and versatile” in comparison to Kali. It strikes a balance: powerful enough for pentesting but with an interface and defaults that a newcomer can navigate without frustration. If a student or educator is worried about Kali being too much too soon, Parrot is a solid alternative to start with. In essence, Parrot OS offers an easy-to-use interface and beginner-friendly tools.
Security, Privacy, and Update Frequency
Security is obviously central to both operating systems, but here we look at system security (like user accounts, encryption, etc.), privacy features, and how each distro handles updates/upgrades (which affects both security patches and the freshness of tools).

Release Model and Update Frequency
Kali Linux uses a rolling release model aligned with Debian Testing. This means Kali gets a constant stream of package updates, and you don’t have to wait long for the latest version of the tool. The Kali team also packages new security tools rapidly – for example, a newly popular exploit kit might appear in Kali’s repo within days or weeks. Kali typically publishes point releases a few times a year (2025.1a, 2025.2, etc.), but these are mostly snapshots; users can “apt” upgrade any time to get the latest. The upside is that you always have up-to-date software (important for security fixes and new features). The downside is that, occasionally, an update might introduce instability (though this is not common in Kali as the team tests tool updates). The rolling model also means Kali is somewhat less stable than a fixed-release OS; however, it’s a trade-off for having cutting-edge capabilities.
In terms of security patches, Kali is quick to integrate upstream Debian security fixes. You’ll get kernel updates, application patches, etc., relatively fast. Major version upgrades (e.g., new Debian base) happen gradually and are usually seamless via rolling updates.
Parrot OS follows a hybrid rolling and LTS model. Based on Debian Stable, Parrot doesn’t push updates as frequently for core system components. It tends to roll out point releases (6.1, 6.2, 6.3, etc.) every few months, which bundle updates and new tools. The Parrot team aims for a “traditional update schedule”, which results in a reputation for stability. However, they regularly update security tools and apps through their repositories, so Parrot isn’t stale – it’s just more conservative on critical system libraries. Parrot 6.x series will track Debian 12 (for example) for its lifetime, ensuring long-term support.
One interesting claim from some users is that Parrot may actually have a faster release cycle for certain tools, considering they package some cutting-edge or custom tools themselves. But broadly, Kali is seen as the more up-to-date distro, while Parrot is the steadier one. It’s thoroughly tested when Parrot releases a new version (like 6.3 in early 2025). Upgrading Parrot between versions is done with the parrot-upgrade tool (essentially a safe wrapper around apt), which the devs have fine-tuned for smoothness.
In summary, if you want the latest and greatest at all times, Kali’s frequent updates edge out. Parrot’s approach is appealing if you prefer a more controlled update cadence where things are less likely to break unexpectedly. Both distros update often enough to cover security needs, but Kali’s nickname could be “bleeding edge” and Parrot’s “stable edge.”
Security Posture and Default Privacy
Beyond tools, the OS itself must be secure. Both Kali and Parrot take security seriously, but with different emphases:
- User Accounts and Policies: Historically, Kali had a root-only model (everything ran as root), which is risky if you’re not careful. As of Kali 2020+, it defaults to a normal user, which improves security. Parrot always defaulted to a standard user account with sudo rights, which is the norm in Linux and safer for day-to-day use. This means out-of-the-box, Parrot might be slightly safer for an inattentive user (less chance of ruining the system with a miscommand, or a compromised app getting root access immediately).
- Integrity and Signing: Both distros provide signed packages and images so you can verify downloads. Kali is an OffSec product with a robust trust model (signed repos). Parrot also has mirrors and signed repos, though one should always double-check keys when installing such operating systems due to their sensitive usage.
- Kernel and Hardening: Kali’s kernel is pretty close to Debian’s, with some wireless injection patches and other tweaks for pentesting. Parrot’s kernel is similar, but the project claims to use a “custom hardened kernel.” Parrot may enable additional security modules or hardening flags by default (like Address Space Layout Randomization, etc., which most Linux do anyway). Both kernels support encryption, secure boot (with user intervention), etc.
- Encryption: Both Kali and Parrot installers allow full-disk encryption using LUKS, which is recommended for anyone using these on a laptop with sensitive data from engagements. There isn’t a fundamental difference here; it depends on user choice during setup.
- Built-in Security Features: Parrot includes AppArmor profiles and Firejail by default for many apps, which restrict what those apps can do (least privilege principle). For instance, the browser in Parrot runs within certain confines. Kali does not ship with as many pre-configured sandbox profiles for tools, leaving it up to users to sandbox something. This indicates Parrot’s slightly more defensive posture on the host itself.
- Privacy Tools: This is where Parrot shines. By default, Parrot OS is “free from trackers and telemetry” and provides many privacy tools (AnonSurf, Tor, OnionShare, encrypting utilities) out of the box. Kali does not include these by default because Kali’s focus is on offensive security rather than anonymity or privacy. If you need to conduct tests anonymously using Kali, you must set up Tor/VPN or use Tails in conjunction. Parrot basically bakes privacy right in, which can protect a user who forgets to cloak themselves. Even Parrot’s default browser profile is hardened for privacy (with plugins and settings pre-tuned).
- Updates and Security Fixes: As mentioned, Kali pushes updates faster, so critical vulnerabilities (say in Wireshark or OpenSSL) might get patched a bit sooner in Kali. Parrot will get them, too, perhaps not within hours, though Debian Stable promptly patches security issues via Parrot’s security repository. Both are actively maintained, so you can expect timely fixes in general. There’s no major concern that either would leave known holes unpatched for long.
- Rolling Risks: Because Kali is rolling, there is a slight risk that an update introduces a new bug or conflict that could be a security issue or cause a tool to malfunction until fixed. The Kali team monitors this closely, but rolling inherently carries that risk. Parrot’s stable base means once something is tested, it remains consistent throughout the OS’s life, reducing such surprises.
From a privacy and user security standpoint, Parrot OS has the edge due to its built-in anonymity tools and secure defaults. For a pure Offensive Security toolset, Kali has a slight edge in currency and breadth, but that doesn’t directly affect the security of the system. Both are secure Linux systems overall, but they cater to different threat models: Kali trusts the user to operate safely in their environment (more offense-oriented), while Parrot tries to safeguard the user’s identity and system more (blending offense with personal defense).
Compatibility with Virtualization, Containers, and Cloud
In modern workflows, you might run your pentesting OS in a virtual machine, a Docker container, or even in the cloud. Let’s see how Kali and Parrot support virtualization, containerization, and cloud deployments.

Running in Virtual Machines (VMware/VirtualBox)
Kali Linux is extremely VM-friendly. Offensive Security provides official VMware and VirtualBox images for Kali Linux on their website, which come pre-installed and configured with VMware Tools/VirtualBox Guest Additions for convenience. This makes it easy to import and start using a Kali VM immediately. Kali works well in VMs and is often used that way in corporate environments or by students (e.g., running Kali in VirtualBox on a Windows host). Hardware requirements for VMs are modest and align with the earlier specs (allocate at least 2GB of RAM for a Kali VM to run smoothly). Kali also supports accelerated graphics in VMs if needed (for example, in VMware, you can enable 3D acceleration, and Kali can utilize it).
Parrot OS can also run in VMware/VirtualBox, though the project doesn’t always provide official ready-made VM images on the main site. Instead, users typically manually install Parrot from an ISO into a VM. Parrot’s installer can detect when it’s inside VirtualBox and offer to install Guest Additions. In terms of performance, Parrot’s lightweight nature makes it very suitable for VM use – you can give a Parrot VM as little as 1GB RAM, and it will run (lightly). For teaching environments, one might distribute Parrot VM images to students; these would likely run faster than equivalent Kali images on the same host due to lower overhead. Both operating systems have no known issues with virtualization; they support VirtIO drivers, etc., for smooth VM I/O.
If you use features like snapshots in your hypervisor, both Kali and Parrot handle that normally. One tip: always ensure to take snapshots before big upgrades (especially in Kali) so that if an update goes awry, you can roll back.
Docker and Container Support
Containerization allows running tools without a full VM. Kali Linux provides official Docker images for different flavors of Kali (e.g., base, Kali with certain toolsets) on Docker Hub. This is great for quickly spinning up a Kali environment or integrating it into CI pipelines for security testing. You get a minimal Kali container with a docker pull kalilinux/kali-rolling. Kali inside Docker is command-line only, but you can run tools like Nmap, sqlmap, etc., in containers that are useful for automation. Kali even has a Kali Docker metapackage concept where you can pull an image that includes all tools for a certain category.
Parrot OS can also be containerized. The Parrot project provides a utility for converting Debian or other systems to Parrot (parrot-in-docker scripts). Community-built Parrot Docker images give you Parrot’s tools in a container. However, Parrot’s Docker presence is not as prominent as Kali’s. One can always start with a Debian container and add Parrot’s repo to install Parrot tools, effectively containerizing Parrot.
Kali’s rolling image might be easier to maintain for Kubernetes or cloud containers since it’s updated frequently. Parrot OS would require more manual updates in a container context. Both are Linux, so container compatibility is straightforward.
Cloud Deployments (AWS, Azure, etc.)
Running a pentest OS in the cloud can be useful for scalability or accessing external networks. Kali Linux has official AMIs (Amazon Machine Images) on AWS and images on the Azure marketplace maintained by Offensive Security. This means you can launch a Kali instance on AWS EC2 with a few clicks and have a cloud-based Kali box for engagements (great for simulating attacks from an external vantage point or collaborating on a test). These images usually come configured with cloud-init for SSH access. OffSec ensures these are updated for each major Kali release.
Parrot OS does not have as much official cloud presence. You won’t readily find an “official Parrot OS” on the AWS marketplace (at least as of 2025). That said, one can manually install Parrot on a cloud VM by using an ISO or converting a Debian cloud image to Parrot. The Parrot 6.3 release notes indicate improved support for cloud platforms, making it easier to deploy Parrot on major cloud platforms. This suggests that Parrot is trying to catch up in cloud readiness, perhaps by offering pre-configured cloud images or documentation for cloud deployment.
Both can be used for containers in the cloud, but one might prefer Kali’s images for simplicity. Kali’s official support makes it a winner for a persistent cloud VM. Parrot might require a bit more DIY, but it can run in any cloud environment supporting Debian.
Windows Subsystem for Linux (WSL): It’s worth mentioning WSL as well – Kali Linux is available as an app in the Microsoft Store, allowing you to run Kali shell on Windows 10/11 easily. This is quite popular for those who want Kali tools on a Windows machine without a VM. Parrot OS is not in the Microsoft Store, but advanced users can install Parrot on WSL using a conversion script. Kali’s WSL integration is officially supported, whereas Parrot’s is community-driven.
Virtual Containers (VMware/Parallels Containers): Both support being run in container-like virtualization (LXC, systemd-nspawn) given their Linux base.
In summary, Kali Linux has more established support for virtualization, containers, and especially cloud usage (official VM images, Docker images, cloud images). Parrot OS works in all these scenarios but may not offer the same out-of-the-box convenience for cloud and container images. For an educator, if you want to distribute the environment easily, Kali’s pre-built VMs or Docker instances could save time. If you prefer Parrot, you might have to prepare those images yourself (which are doable, and once done, Parrot will run quite efficiently on them).
Long-Term Viability and Use Cases in Education
It’s important to consider each project’s long-term viability and how well it fits into educational use cases or specific professional scenarios. Kali and Parrot have been around for over a decade, but let’s analyze their trajectories and where they shine in teaching or enterprise environments.
Project Longevity and Development Outlook
Kali Linux benefits from corporate backing (Offensive Security) and a huge user base, which strongly suggests it will remain actively developed for the foreseeable future. OffSec uses Kali as a platform for their training and certifications, so they have a vested interest in keeping Kali updated and relevant. Over 10+ years, Kali has only grown in popularity and features (with expansions like Kali Purple). The project shows no signs of slowing – regular releases every year and adaptation to new trends (e.g., containers, cloud, defensive tools). This means if you invest time learning Kali, the knowledge and environment will be useful for years to come. Industry adoption also means Kali knowledge is often expected or valued in cybersecurity roles, which adds to its viability as a skill set.
Parrot OS is community-driven (though with a core team). It has also persisted for about a decade, and in recent years, it has matured significantly (the 5.x and 6.x releases aligned Parrot with modern Debian bases and improved its tooling). The Parrot project appears committed to a long-term presence; it follows an LTS model and has a clear audience. While it doesn’t have the same level of corporate funding as Kali, Parrot’s user community and niche (privacy + pentest blend) give it a sustainable edge. It might not have the same guarantee of longevity as Kali (since companies can ensure continuous development), but given its growth and the fact that it fills a slightly different niche, it is likely to remain relevant. There’s also diversity in the security Linux space (some users prefer alternatives to Kali), which Parrot caters to.
In terms of viability, both are likely to be around long-term. Kali might develop new features faster, whereas Parrot might iterate more slowly but steadily. Also, being Debian-based means that neither is likely to hit a technological dead-end; they can continue rebasing on new Debian releases (Debian itself is very long-term). The only risk for Parrot would be if interest waned, but current trends (with version 6.3 being well-received) indicate it’s doing well.
Use Cases in Education and Training
Kali Linux in Education: Kali is prevalent in formal cybersecurity education. Many cybersecurity courses and textbooks use Kali for labs (for example, “Penetration Testing with Kali Linux” by OffSec or university lab manuals for ethical hacking classes). The rationale is that students should learn the tools on the same platform that professionals use. Kali’s extensive toolset is beneficial in an academic setting because an instructor can ask students to try different techniques without worrying if the tool is available – it almost certainly is, on Kali. Kali is often the default VM provided to participants for capture-the-flag competitions or cyber ranges.
However, educators sometimes express caution: giving Kali to absolute beginners can lead to confusion or misuse. It’s not uncommon for instructors to spend time teaching basic Linux or troubleshooting Kali setup issues, which detracts from teaching pentesting concepts. Some instructors mitigate this by providing pre-configured Kali VMs and a curated list of tools to focus on. Overall, Kali’s presence in education is strong due to its industry alignment; students using Kali feel like they’re learning in a real-world environment, which is a pedagogical plus.
Parrot OS in Education: Parrot OS is used in educational contexts, too, though more informally or by specific preference. For instance, a cybersecurity club mentor might choose Parrot for their students to install on personal laptops because it can dual-boot and serve as a daily OS. Its lighter requirements mean even students with older hardware can participate (not everyone has a high-end laptop for running VMs). Parrot’s emphasis on privacy can also spark lessons about operational security – an instructor can easily demonstrate Tor, DNS tunneling (via tools), and secure communications with Parrot’s built-ins.
Parrot OS might be less seen in an official curriculum, but that could change as it gains recognition. The use-case-based advantages in education:
- If teaching a course that also touches on digital forensics or secure computing, Parrot’s forensics mode and anonymity tools might give it an edge as a teaching tool (students learn how to not only attack but also how to stay hidden and safe).
- If resources are limited (e.g., a class uses a lab of older PCs), Parrot could run more smoothly than Kali, as it works shockingly quickly on all PCs and is forgiving on lower specs.
- Parrot’s stability can reduce class time lost to troubleshooting broken updates. An unexpected Kali rolling update might disrupt a lab in a semester-long course if a tool suddenly behaves differently; Parrot’s consistency can be beneficial here.
Use Cases in Professional Settings: Outside education, consider specialized uses:
- A penetration tester in a red team might prefer Kali for its comprehensiveness and the fact that clients/colleagues expect Kali usage (plus official support if needed).
- A security researcher who values privacy might choose Parrot for daily work, especially if combining pentesting with activist or journalism work, where anonymity is crucial.
- For a long-running deployment (like a pentest Dropbox or a cloud pentest server left running), Parrot’s stable base could mean less maintenance over time compared to Kali’s constant updates. On the flip side, if that box needs the latest exploits, Kali’s frequent updates help.
- Facilitators might choose Parrot in educational hackathons or workshops for beginners to avoid scaring people off. Participants get a secure environment that feels like a normal desktop, plus some hacking tools.
Learning either Kali or Parrot will give largely transferable skills in terms of long-term viability in skill development. Since both use similar tools, someone trained on Parrot can operate Kali and vice versa. Kali might be specifically named in job postings or exams, but familiarity with one means minimal adjustment to using the other.
Finally, both projects encourage contributions and learning. Kali has “Kali Revealed” and open packaging (great for advanced students to learn how to build distro packages). Parrot’s open-source nature invites community involvement—an educational program could even have students contribute improvements to Parrot (documentation or coding), which is a valuable experience.
Recommendations and Use-Case-Based Decision Guide
After examining Kali Linux and Parrot OS across various dimensions, it’s clear that each has its strengths. The better choice really depends on your specific use case, preferences, and environment. Here, we provide recommendations based on different scenarios to guide your decision:
When to Choose Kali Linux
Choose Kali Linux if you identify with these scenarios or priorities:
- Industry Standard Requirement: If you are pursuing professional certifications (OSCP/OSCE) or working in an environment where Kali is the expected tool, go with Kali. Many employers and courses default to Kali, so aligning with that will make things smoother.
- Comprehensive Toolset Out-of-the-Box: You want the maximum number of pentesting tools pre-installed and ready. Kali’s extensive toolkit covering all phases of pentesting is unmatched. This is useful if you don’t want to spend time installing extra tools or if you regularly need a wide variety of less common tools.
- Community & Support: If having a huge community and readily available answers is important, Kali’s support network will benefit you. Beginners who can navigate through the volume of Kali resources might find comfort in knowing there’s likely a tutorial or forum post for every question they have.
- Frequent Updates & Latest Features: Kali’s rolling updates are ideal for those who always want the newest tools and features (maybe you like to try the latest exploits as soon as they’re out). For example, if a new version of Metasploit drops, Kali will likely have it packaged very soon.
- Specialized Kali Features: If you need Kali’s unique offerings like NetHunter (for mobile pentesting) or Kali Purple (for defensive security practice), then Kali is the obvious choice, as Parrot doesn’t provide these equivalents.
- Training Others with Standardized Material: In an educational setting, if you want to use existing lab materials or books that assume Kali, sticking with Kali will save you the effort of translation. Many instructors choose Kali for this reason alone – it’s easier to say “Open Kali and do X” when all students have the same interface from the textbook.
In short, Kali is better for users who want a tried-and-true pentesting platform with broad recognition or who require the full offensive security arsenal at their fingertips. It’s often favored by experienced users who appreciate its no-frills, direct approach and by organizations for its proven track record.
When to Choose Parrot OS
Choose Parrot OS if the following resonates with your needs:
- Lower System Resources / Older Hardware: Parrot’s lightweight nature will serve you better if you are running on a laptop or VM with limited RAM or an older CPU. Parrot is tuned for efficient performance even on less powerful hardware, meaning fewer slowdowns during your work.
- Privacy and Anonymity are a Priority: Parrot is a great pick for users who want built-in anonymity tools (Tor, AnonSurf) and a distro that is generally free of telemetry by design(reddit.com, ultahost.com). If you plan on doing a lot of operations that require hiding your identity (OSINT research, darknet exploration, etc.), Parrot has the edge from the get-go.
- Beginner-Friendly Environment: If you’re relatively new to Linux or ethical hacking and a bit intimidated, Parrot’s more user-friendly GUI and default apps can ease you in. The interface feels more like a general-purpose OS, and it strikes a balance between everyday use and hacking tools. As noted earlier, many beginners find Parrot easier to acclimate to.
- Stability for Long-Term Projects: For a lab environment or a long-running server where you prefer not to update every day, Parrot’s LTS approach can be beneficial. For example, if you’re setting up a training environment for a semester, Parrot is less likely to change underneath you than Kali.
- Versatility (Pentesting + General Use): If you want one machine to double as your hacking lab and your regular work machine, Parrot is arguably safer. It comes with productivity tools and has modes (like a “Home” edition) that you can use for normal tasks. It’s like having Debian stable with the option to turn on pentest mode. Kali can also be used daily, but Parrot leans more in this dual-use direction (for instance, handling software development – Parrot is marketed to developers).
- Focused Use Cases: If your work has a particular focus, check if Parrot’s specialized editions match it. For example, if you do a ton of Wi-Fi pentesting, Parrot Security OS Air might cater to that with the necessary drivers and tools. If you are into IoT security, Parrot’s ARM support plus Debian stable reliability could be handy for custom device work.
In essence, choose Parrot OS for a balanced approach – it’s solid for pentesting but also supportive of privacy and daily usability. It might especially appeal to those in academic or research settings who want a secure platform for both offensive and defensive experiments. It’s also a good choice if you’ve tried Kali and found it overkill or clunky on your hardware, as several users have switched to Parrot.
Final Thoughts
Both Kali Linux and Parrot OS are powerful, capable distributions designed for cybersecurity professionals and learners alike. There is no absolute winner – the “better” distro ultimately depends on what you value more:
- If you value lightweight design, privacy features, and newbie-friendliness, Parrot OS is better for you.
- If you value community size, tool breadth, and industry alignment, Kali Linux is better for you.
Some professionals even use both — for instance, Kali in virtual labs and Parrot on their daily driver or portable setups. Because both are Debian-based, switching between them is seamless. Most tools and commands behave the same, and the core skill sets are transferable.
Depending on your specific goals, it’s also worth exploring other specialized distros, such as Fedora Security Lab (Red Hat-based) or BlackArch (Arch-based). Though these remain niche compared to Kali and Parrot, one of these two will more than suffice for most learners, educators, and entry-level professionals.
Don’t hesitate to test both in a VM or dual-boot environment and evolve your setup as you grow. Flexibility is a key trait in cybersecurity.
Conclusion
Parrot OS and Kali Linux have earned their place as two of the most trusted operating systems in cybersecurity and penetration testing. Each one brings a lot to the table, but they shine in different ways, depending on who you are, your workflow, and what you need.
If you’re just starting out or working with limited hardware, Parrot OS might feel like a better fit. It’s lightweight, privacy-focused, and easy to navigate, which makes it especially friendly for beginners. With tools like AnonSurf and built-in privacy safeguards, Parrot takes extra steps to help users stay secure and anonymous right out of the box.
On the flip side, Kali Linux is a powerhouse built for professionals who need a wide range of tools, solid documentation, and strong support from a massive global community. If you’re preparing for certifications or handling serious pentesting engagements, Kali gives you the depth and scale to go all in.
At the end of the day, the best choice depends on you, your goals, your experience level, and your setup. One of the best things about both distros? They’re flexible, Debian-based, and constantly updated. That means whichever you choose, you’ll be learning skills that easily transfer between them.
So, whether you’re diving into ethical hacking for the first time, teaching others, or running advanced audits, Kali Linux and Parrot OS are both excellent allies. You are encouraged to explore both options, considering factors such as user interface preferences, specific tool requirements, and system compatibility to determine the best fit for your penetration testing and security analysis needs.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Is Parrot OS better than Kali Linux for beginners?
For most beginners, Parrot OS can feel more approachable than Kali Linux. Parrot’s interface is user-friendly and it has additional tools (like Tor and AnonSurf) that work out-of-the-box to protect privacy. Kali is powerful but can be overwhelming to newcomers due to its vast toolset and rolling updates. That said, with proper guidance, beginners can use Kali; it just has a steeper learning curve. In summary, Parrot OS is often recommended as “better” for beginners because of its ease of use, but motivated learners can start with Kali if they focus on learning Linux basics first.
Does Kali Linux have any tools that Parrot OS doesn’t include?
What are the system requirements for Kali Linux vs. Parrot OS?
Is Parrot OS as secure as Kali Linux?
Besides Kali and Parrot, are there other alternatives for penetration testing OS?