--- title: Parrot Security OS Reviews meta_title: 'Parrot Security OS Reviews 2026: Details, Pricing, & Features | G2' meta_description: Filter 61 reviews by the users' company size, role or industry to find out how Parrot Security OS works for a business like yours. aggregate_rating: rating_value: 4.4 review_count: 61 scale: '5' date_modified: '2026-08-13' parent_category: name: IT Infrastructure url: https://www.g2.com/categories/it-infrastructure --- # Parrot Security OS Reviews **Vendor:** Parrot Security OS **Category:** [Operating Systems](https://www.g2.com/categories/operating-system) **Average Rating:** 4.4/5.0 **Total Reviews:** 61 ## About Parrot Security OS Parrot Security OS is a free and open-source GNU/Linux distribution based on Debian, tailored for security experts, developers, and privacy-conscious users. It offers a comprehensive suite of tools for penetration testing, digital forensics, reverse engineering, and software development, all within a lightweight and flexible environment. Key Features and Functionality: - Extensive Toolset: Parrot Security OS includes over 600 tools for various cybersecurity operations, such as penetration testing, vulnerability assessment, and digital forensics. - Multiple Editions: The distribution offers several editions to cater to different user needs: - Security Edition: Designed for penetration testing and red team operations, providing a full arsenal of ready-to-use tools. - Home Edition: Aimed at daily use, privacy, and software development, with the option to manually install security tools as needed. - IoT Edition: Compatible with Raspberry Pi devices, suitable for embedded systems. - Docker Images: Pre-packaged Docker images for easy deployment in containerized environments. - Lightweight and Modular: Parrot Security OS is efficient even on older hardware, allowing users to select and install only the components they need. - Rolling Release Model: The system follows a rolling release model, ensuring users have access to the latest updates and features. - Privacy and Anonymity Tools: Built-in tools like AnonSurf, Tor, and I2P facilitate anonymous web browsing and enhance user privacy. Primary Value and User Solutions: Parrot Security OS provides a robust and versatile platform for cybersecurity professionals and enthusiasts. Its extensive toolset and modular design allow users to conduct comprehensive security assessments, develop software, and maintain privacy without the need for additional installations. The lightweight nature of the OS ensures optimal performance across a wide range of hardware, making it accessible to a broad user base. By integrating privacy-focused tools, Parrot Security OS addresses the growing need for secure and anonymous computing environments. ## Parrot Security OS Pros & Cons **What users like:** - Users highlight the **lightweight size** of Parrot Security OS, ensuring smooth performance even on modest hardware. (7 reviews) - Users appreciate the **strong emphasis on privacy** in Parrot Security OS, making it ideal for secure and efficient workflows. (4 reviews) - Users appreciate the **lightweight and fast performance** of Parrot Security OS, making it ideal for low-end laptops. (4 reviews) - Users enjoy the **user-friendly interface** of Parrot Security OS, appreciating its lightweight performance and intuitive design. (4 reviews) - Users praise the **powerful features** of Parrot Security OS, enhancing efficiency in penetration testing and digital forensics. (3 reviews) - Users value the **lightweight and feature-rich** nature of Parrot Security OS, making it ideal for ethical hacking. (2 reviews) - Security/Safety (2 reviews) - Command Line Interface (CLI) (1 reviews) - Community Support (1 reviews) - Design Aesthetics (1 reviews) **What users dislike:** - Users report frequent **driver issues** with Parrot Security OS, citing compatibility problems and manual fixes after updates. (3 reviews) - Users find the **skill requirements** for Parrot Security OS high, making it complex for beginners to navigate. (2 reviews) - Users find the **time-consuming setup process** of Parrot Security OS challenging, especially when searching for effective tutorials. (2 reviews) - Users report frequent **compatibility issues** with tools and packages, complicating their experience with Parrot Security OS. (1 reviews) - Users face **hardware limitations** with Parrot Security OS, as it sometimes doesn't support certain Wifi monitor devices. (1 reviews) - Users find **integration issues** with enterprise tools in Parrot Security OS, affecting collaboration in team environments. (1 reviews) - Lack of Support (1 reviews) - Users find the **limited gaming** options on Parrot Security OS frustrating, impacting their overall experience with the system. (1 reviews) - Users find **limited software support** problematic, as updates can break functions and hardware compatibility is inconsistent. (1 reviews) - Slow Updates (1 reviews) ## Parrot Security OS Reviews ### 1. Good for high end PC **Rating:** 3.0/5.0 stars **Reviewed by:** Anirudh S. | Web Developer, Computer Software, Small-Business (50 or fewer emp.) **Reviewed Date:** August 31, 2023 **What do you like best about Parrot Security OS?** Parrot provides a lot more tools inbuilt compared to Kali. This OS has most of the necessary thing preinstalled which makes it easier to install and use. **What do you dislike about Parrot Security OS?** However, Parrot minimum spces are 1GB RAM and 20GB Storage but it's lags on 4GB RAM with 40GB Storage on AMD Ryzen 5500u. Not sure if it's because of VirtualBox. **What problems is Parrot Security OS solving and how is that benefiting you?** I used it for learning Ethical Hacking. Mostly about penetration testing and Python (Selenium) for app testing. ### 2. Very Good And High security OS ! **Rating:** 2.5/5.0 stars **Reviewed by:** Aumy K. | Chief Executive Officer, Small-Business (50 or fewer emp.) **Reviewed Date:** June 28, 2020 **What do you like best about Parrot Security OS?** Almost all of the tools from Kali Linux,but on a much more stable and user friendly base and with more current versions of kernel non-pentest software. Also, snapd is installed by default, giving you access to software from the Snap Store. Like Kali, chances are extremely high that your networking hardware will work out of the box (critical for wireless on a MacBook). Polished look and feel, easy install processing. I like that it has already all the security software pre-installed and that it is configured to start safely. I pretty much don't have to set up anything. **What do you dislike about Parrot Security OS?** I like it all. I can't say anything bad about it Even in a VM, it's amazing. **Recommendations to others considering Parrot Security OS:** This is the best os for network security testing ! **What problems is Parrot Security OS solving and how is that benefiting you?** As a tool, it lets me easily demonstrate weaknesses in local network admin. It has potentially saved thousands.safe system with ok performances. I was using Zorin before which is very convenient but a bit less safe. ## Parrot Security OS Discussions - [can i use this for hacking.](https://www.g2.com/discussions/can-i-use-this-for-hacking) - 2 comments, 1 upvote - [What tools does Parrot OS have?](https://www.g2.com/discussions/what-tools-does-parrot-os-have) - 2 comments - [How many tools does parrot security have?](https://www.g2.com/discussions/how-many-tools-does-parrot-security-have) - 2 comments - [Is Parrot OS a good OS?](https://www.g2.com/discussions/is-parrot-os-a-good-os) - 2 comments - [What can Parrot OS do?](https://www.g2.com/discussions/what-can-parrot-os-do) - 1 comment - [View Parrot Security OS pricing details and edition comparison](https://www.g2.com/products/parrot-security-os/reviews?filters%5Bnps_score%5D%5B%5D=3§ion=pricing&secure%5Bexpires_at%5D=2026-08-13+12%3A30%3A19+-0500&secure%5Bsession_id%5D=6ae0e417-2034-4c6b-9259-d103183f32a2&secure%5Btoken%5D=f194e574fdf9b8435f61f8c46da5b63bd07fff844ae7c1c9bc53ddad70562408&format=llm_user) ## Parrot Security OS Integrations - [Kali Linux](https://www.g2.com/products/kali-linux/reviews) - [Splunk Enterprise](https://www.g2.com/products/splunk-enterprise/reviews) - [VirtualBox](https://www.g2.com/products/virtualbox/reviews) ## Parrot Security OS Features **Analysis** - File Analysis - Memory Analysis - Registry Analysis - Email Analysis - Linux Analysis - Event Analysis - Network Analysis **Memory Management - Operating System** - RAM management - App Management - File Management **Functionality** - Incident Alerts - Anomaly Detection - Continuous Analysis - Decryption **Device Management - Operating System** - I/O management **Remediation** - Incident Reports - Remediation Suggestions - Response Automation - Threat Response - Customizable Reports **Backup and Recovery - Operating System** - Data backup **Generative AI** - AI Text Generation - AI Text Summarization - Generative AI **Error Detection - Operating System** - System operations monitoring **Additional Functionality** - Activity Dashboard - Reporting/Analytics - Threat Intelligence - AI Copilot - Secure Data Storage - Case Management - Text Extraction - Search/Filter - Multiple File Format Support - Prioritization - Web Data Extraction - Reporting & Statistics - Real-Time Chat - Optical Character Recognition - Third-Party Integrations - Access Management - Task Management - Data Extraction - Data Security - Data Import/Export - Incident Management - User Management - Web Threat Management - API - IT Incident Management - Data Visualization - Data Recovery - Vulnerability/Threat Prioritization - Real-Time Reporting - Investigation Management - Incident Reporting - Messaging - Endpoint Protection - Analytics - Dashboard - Threat Protection - Access Control - Network Monitoring - Behavioral Analytics - Customizable Dashboard - Access Controls/Permissions - Alerts/Notifications **Additional Functionality** - Generative AI - Data Security - User Interface - Resource Allocation - System Updates - For Developers - AI Copilot - Desktop Interface ## Top Parrot Security OS Alternatives - [Ubuntu](https://www.g2.com/products/ubuntu/reviews) - 4.5/5.0 (2,347 reviews) - [Red Hat Enterprise Linux](https://www.g2.com/products/red-hat-enterprise-linux/reviews) - 4.6/5.0 (933 reviews) - [Kali Linux](https://www.g2.com/products/kali-linux/reviews) - 4.5/5.0 (242 reviews)