Justine B.
JB
Justine B.
Web Developer / Analyst
Small-Business (50 or fewer emp.)
"Ultimate Toolkit for Penetration Testing"
5/5
What do you like best about Kali Linux?

I use Kali Linux for its extensive built-in security tools that enable end-to-end pentesting right out of the box, saving setup time and ensuring core capabilities are ready to go. I appreciate its flexible deployment options which let me run Kali in safe labs on different machines or portable environments. The fact that it's non-root by default is great as it reduces daily risks and helps me learn with safer defaults. I also like the easy tool customization through metapackages, which makes it really convenient. Review collected by and hosted on G2.com.

What do you dislike about Kali Linux?

Some common pain points and improvements ideas for Kali Linux: Not ideal as a daily driver; designed for security testing, not general productivity. Rolling release churn; wireless NIC compatibility monitor mode and GPU drivers can require manual setup and documentation lags. Tools docs sometimes lag behind actual tool or versions. Review collected by and hosted on G2.com.

Rahul M.
RM
Rahul M.
Manager
Small-Business (50 or fewer emp.)
"Industry-Standard, Well-Documented Kali Linux with Powerful Security Tools"
4/5
What do you like best about Kali Linux?

What I like most about Kali Linux is that it’s developed according to industry standards, which helps keep the community active and the documentation well maintained. Because of that, it feels easy to use, even without a full installation—for example, by running it from a USB. On top of that, it includes a wide variety of tools that can help protect you from attackers. Review collected by and hosted on G2.com.

What do you dislike about Kali Linux?

Kali Linux isn’t especially user-friendly for just anyone to pick up and use. You need at least some basic knowledge, along with a clear purpose for why you’re using it. It also tends to demand higher-end hardware; on lower-end systems, you may run into slow performance and sluggish processing. Review collected by and hosted on G2.com.

Verified User
G
Verified User
"The Ultimate Toolkit for Cybersecurity Professionals"
4/5
What do you like best about Kali Linux?

I like how powerful and flexible Kali Linux is. I use it for a variety of tasks like testing websites, checking WiFi security, analyzing networks, and digital investigations. It feels like a complete toolkit for anyone serious about cybersecurity. I also appreciate that it has many powerful tools already installed, making it easier to check how secure a network, website, or computer system really is. The initial setup was fairly easy, and I find it to be an excellent choice for those interested in cybersecurity, ethical hacking, or learning how systems are protected. Review collected by and hosted on G2.com.

What do you dislike about Kali Linux?

One of the biggest downsides is that it's not very beginner-friendly. If you're new to Linux or cybersecurity, Kali can feel overwhelming. There are so many tools and technical terms that it's easy to feel lost at first. Also, it's not ideal for everyday use. Things like media playback, office work, or gaming aren't really what Kali is designed for, so it can feel uncomfortable to use as a daily operating system. Review collected by and hosted on G2.com.

Shubham Y.
SY
Shubham Y.
System Administrator
Small-Business (50 or fewer emp.)
"Powerful, Customizable Kali Linux for Ethical Hacking and Security Research"
4/5
What do you like best about Kali Linux?

Kali Linux provides a wide range of powerful security and penetration testing tools in one place. It is highly customizable and built specifically for ethical hacking and security research. The system is stable, regularly updated, and supported by a strong community. It makes vulnerability testing and learning cybersecurity much easier. Review collected by and hosted on G2.com.

What do you dislike about Kali Linux?

Kali Linux can be complex for beginners and has a steep learning curve. Some tools require deep technical knowledge to use effectively. Hardware compatibility issues may occur on certain systems. It is not ideal as a regular daily-use operating system. Review collected by and hosted on G2.com.

TS
Tania S.
"Essential for Cybersecurity Pros, Packed with Tools"
5/5
What do you like best about Kali Linux?

I use Kali Linux for cyber security and ethical hacking because it has many pre-installed tools. It solves a lot of my problems since on other operating systems, I have to install tools manually one by one, which wastes time. I like that it has all the security tools used in penetration testing. Whenever I need to scan a network, I can easily use pre-installed tools like NMAP, Metasploit, and Wireshark. I also appreciate that I can use it without installing it on a system; just install it on a pendrive, and I can use it anywhere without installing it on any computer. NMAP helps me scan the network and find vulnerabilities, Metasploit helps exploit vulnerabilities, and Wireshark helps capture and inspect data packets, allowing me to analyze the network and monitor suspicious activity. Review collected by and hosted on G2.com.

What do you dislike about Kali Linux?

I think it could be more beginner friendly. Review collected by and hosted on G2.com.

Lalit B.
LB
Lalit B.
Student
Enterprise (> 1000 emp.)
"The Ultimate Cybersecurity Learning Platform"
4/5
What do you like best about Kali Linux?

I use Kali Linux for learning and enhancing my skills in ethical hacking. It provides a suitable environment for practice and a large library of pre-installed tools. It's a perfect operating system for ethical hacking, offering troubleshooting skills step by step. For a student like me, it's a gateway to real-world cybersecurity. What stands out most is how Kali Linux transforms curiosity into capability. Every tool feels like a puzzle piece, and every experiment adds another layer of skill. Review collected by and hosted on G2.com.

What do you dislike about Kali Linux?

Sometimes it becomes very hard for finding file location. Upon uploading any file to the IDE the file doesn't look where it should be. Review collected by and hosted on G2.com.

Nitin  B.
NB
Nitin B.
"Essential for Cybersecurity Professionals but Resource-Intensive"
4/5
What do you like best about Kali Linux?

I use Kali Linux for penetration testing, vulnerability assessment, and hands-on cybersecurity practice using its built-in security tools. I like its wide range of pre-installed security tools that make testing and learning fast and efficient. It helps me quickly identify vulnerabilities and test security in a controlled, efficient environment. The initial setup was fairly easy for us, especially using a virtual machine, and we were able to get started quickly. Review collected by and hosted on G2.com.

What do you dislike about Kali Linux?

It can be resource-heavy and less beginner-friendly, so a lighter setup and better guidance would help. Review collected by and hosted on G2.com.

Ruchit V.
RV
Ruchit V.
"Powerful Tool for Cybersecurity Pros"
4/5
What do you like best about Kali Linux?

I like that Kali Linux comes ready with hundreds of security tools in one system, which is great for learning and practicing ethical hacking. It stays up-to-date, works well on laptops, virtual machines, and even phones, and gives full control over the system. Additionally, I enjoy that it has a strong community and good documentation, making help easy to find. It runs smoothly on virtual machines and live USBs, supports many hardware tools, and is highly customizable, which makes experimenting and learning cybersecurity much easier. Review collected by and hosted on G2.com.

What do you dislike about Kali Linux?

Some things about Kali Linux that could be improved are that it’s not beginner-friendly, so new users can feel confused at first. It’s not ideal for daily use like browsing or office work, some tools can be complex to set up, and hardware drivers or Wi-Fi cards may not work out of the box on all systems. Review collected by and hosted on G2.com.

allen r.
AR
allen r.
"A Powerhouse for Cybersecurity Professionals"
4.5/5
What do you like best about Kali Linux?

I use Kali Linux for penetration testing, ethical hacking, vulnerability assessment, and cybersecurity research. I appreciate its extensive pre-installed tools, which save me time by providing everything I need in one place. I also like the regular updates and strong community support, as they help me quickly troubleshoot issues and learn new techniques. The customizability is another great feature, allowing me to tailor the OS to my specific testing needs and workflow. These aspects make penetration testing, ethical hacking, and learning cybersecurity much more efficient and accessible, making Kali Linux highly efficient and valuable for cybersecurity work. Review collected by and hosted on G2.com.

What do you dislike about Kali Linux?

Kali Linux can be challenging for beginners due to its steep learning curve and heavy reliance on the command line. Some hardware compatibility issues—especially with certain Wi-Fi adapters or drivers—can cause frustration. Additionally, running multiple tools simultaneously can be resource-intensive, which may slow down lower-spec systems. Review collected by and hosted on G2.com.

Joy M.
JM
Joy M.
Cloud Engineer
Computer Software
Mid-Market (51-1000 emp.)
"Kali Linux - a perfect tool for start career in Ethical Hacking"
4.5/5
What do you like best about Kali Linux?

Kali Linux comes with various collection of tools that are used for cybersecurity. Instead of having to find and install each tool one by one. It comes with everything preinstalled and organized.It is designed for penetration testing and security. It has a separate custom kernel used for wireless injection. Best thing I like is Kali can be run directly from a USB drive or CD without making changes to the host operating system. Review collected by and hosted on G2.com.

What do you dislike about Kali Linux?

Kali Linux is not for beginners, before using one should know how to use them responsibly. Also since it runs inside Virtual machine, if you have low end (ram, cpu) you might experience lags or system working slowly. Review collected by and hosted on G2.com.