Cognosys Secured Visual Studio Professional vs Kali Linux comparison

Cognosys Inc Hardened Images and Kali Linux are both solutions in the AWS Marketplace category. Cognosys Inc Hardened Images is ranked #29 with an average rating of 9.0, while Kali Linux is ranked #6 with an average rating of 8.8. Cognosys Inc Hardened Images holds a 0.3% mindshare in AWSM, compared to Kali Linux’s 0.9% mindshare. Additionally, 100% of Cognosys Inc Hardened Images users are willing to recommend the solution, compared to 100% of Kali Linux users who would recommend it.

Cognosys Secured Visual Stu...

Read 1 Cognosys Secured Visual Studio Professional review

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101 Comparison Views

100% willing to recommend

Kali Linux

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237 Comparison Views

100% willing to recommend

Cognosys Secured Visual Stu...

Kali Linux

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Executive Summary

We performed a comparison between Cognosys Secured Visual Studio Professional and Kali Linux based on real PeerSpot user reviews.

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AWS Marketplace

June 2025

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Helped 859,129 peers since 2012

Review summaries and opinions

We asked business professionals to review the solutions they use. Here are some excerpts of what they said:

Categories and Ranking

Cognosys Secured Visual Stu...

Ranking in AWS Marketplace

29th

Average Rating

9.0

Number of Reviews

Ranking in other categories

No ranking in other categories

Kali Linux

Ranking in AWS Marketplace

6th

Average Rating

8.8

Reviews Sentiment

7.7

Number of Reviews

Ranking in other categories

Operating Systems (OS) for Business (11th)

Mindshare comparison

As of June 2025, in the AWS Marketplace category, the mindshare of Cognosys Secured Visual Studio Professional is 0.3%, down from 0.3% compared to the previous year. The mindshare of Kali Linux is 0.9%, down from 2.8% compared to the previous year. It is calculated based on PeerSpot user engagement data.

AWS Marketplace

Featured Reviews

Jose Antonio Lopez Mesa

Senior data Engineer at Avantica

With just a few keyboard shortcuts or menu clicks, I can create functions and scaffolds quickly, which boosts my productivity

Some of the features I find most valuable in Cognosys Secured Visual Studio Professional are the SQL tools for schema and data comparison, integration with Git for version control, and deployment tools for interacting with the cloud. These tools enhance productivity significantly, especially for smaller environments, although proper CI/CD practices should still be followed for larger organizations.

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Rohit Srivastava

IT Manager at PRATHAM SOFTWARE PRIVATE LIMITED

SQLmap for web application testing and good for web application penetration testing, network testing, vulnerability assessment of any devices or domains

Sometimes, I do face challenges. There's an issue where sometimes during the initial installation, it doesn't install properly. It gives multiple errors like packages not installing, so we have to install those tools separately. For instance, if we want to install a network or other tools, we have to install those complete toolkits manually. So, the challenge is with the initial setup, where I sometimes get errors. Regarding wireless attacks, OS attacks, and social engineering... the tools should be easier to learn because I know everything very well, but some people in my team struggle to understand. If there were GUI interfaces for the tools, it would help me guide my team in using them step-by-step. Command lines are very difficult for other team members who know the tool's purpose but not the Linux commands. GUI interfaces need more improvement. So, the UI interface needs improvement to make it more visible and easier for users. Expert users can do everything without any issues, but new users will struggle.

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Quotes from Members

We asked business professionals to review the solutions they use. Here are some excerpts of what they said:

Pros

"Some of the features I find most valuable in Cognosys Secured Visual Studio Professional are the SQL tools for schema and data comparison, integration with Git for version control, and deployment tools for interacting with the cloud. These tools enhance productivity significantly, especially for smaller environments, although proper CICD practices should still be followed for larger organizations."

"Kali Linux is much better than other OS because it gives you a good set of tools. It is preferred for vulnerability assessments and cybersecurity."

"The solution's most valuable feature is that it is very easy to use."

"The most effective features of Kali Linux include its stability as a Linux operating system, its flexibility in configuring resources such as partitions, its powerful and stable file system, and its multi-user capability, which allows for setting user privileges and rights. Additionally, Kali Linux provides access to a wide range of free and open-source applications for testing and development purposes."

"The most valuable feature of Kali Linux is the attack it performs using a CVE script that's already on the internet."

"We use the product for open-source intelligence and identifying vulnerabilities."

"I use the tool with Nmap to perform network audits. We use it to find vulnerabilities in our network through attacks. It's for those who want to launch or create viruses or perform attacks on systems. With Kali Linux, you can conduct penetration testing for networks, web applications, and Android mobile apps."

"I'm mostly using for the web security web application, so end map and the troubleshoot will it's my price, and it's available in ColliNX."

"In general, Kali Linux is used for hosting applications, developing new applications, and operating systems. It's also used in containers and nodes. The tool offers a smaller footprint than Windows because it lacks the functionality of graphical user interfaces. One advantage of Kali Linux is its lower maintenance requirements than Windows, with slower update cycles and easier maintenance procedures."

More Kali Linux pros

Cons

"I think it would be beneficial to improve the capabilities of Cognosys Secured Visual Studio Professional to interact more seamlessly with open-source languages like Python, alongside existing support for Microsoft technologies."

"The product should improve its security features."

"I would like to have automation in Kali Linux instead of manually configuring or setting up something in case of an upgrade."

"From an improvement perspective, Kali Linux could include more ML to help with academic literature, as it is one of the areas where there are shortcomings in the solution."

"There can be some lagging issues because the product gets stuck at times, making it an area of concern where improvements are required."

"I would like for them to offer more features for the free version in order for users to test them in their internal environment before purchasing."

"The tool is slightly difficult to learn."

"Unfortunately, my current tool runs on Windows 10, and its use is restricted to enterprise versions. Integrating this tool or similar functionalities into Kali Linux for non-enterprise users would be incredibly valuable."

"The installation process of Kali Linux can be slow, particularly when installing and upgrading packages within virtualized environments."

More Kali Linux cons

Pricing and Cost Advice

"I find the pricing for Cognosys Secured Visual Studio Professional to be very accommodating for organizations, with various license types available, starting around $90 per person per year."

"Kali Linux offers a perpetual license, meaning you pay for it once and can use it. While free versions of Linux are available, Kali Linux, being an enterprise edition, usually comes with a perpetual license. I rate its pricing a five out of ten."

"The licensing fee is expensive compared to other products."

"The tool is open-source."

"Kali Linux is a free product, and you don't have to pay for a license."

"Kali Linux is open source."

"There is no need to make any payments towards the licensing costs since it is a solution that is available for free."

"It is an open-source tool."

"I use it free of charge."

More Kali Linux pricing and cost advice

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859,129 professionals have used our research since 2012.

Top Industries

By visitors reading reviews

No data available

Comms Service Provider

14%

Computer Software Company

13%

University

13%

Educational Organization

11%

Company Size

By reviewers

Large Enterprise

Midsize Enterprise

Small Business

No data available

Questions from the Community

What is your experience regarding pricing and costs for Cognosys Secured Visual Studio Professional?

I find the pricing for Cognosys Secured Visual Studio Professional to be very accommodating for organizations, with various license types available, starting at around $90 per person per year.

See all answers

What needs improvement with Cognosys Secured Visual Studio Professional?

I think it would be beneficial to improve the capabilities of Cognosys Secured Visual Studio Professional to interact more seamlessly with open-source languages like Python, alongside existing supp...

See all answers

What is your primary use case for Cognosys Secured Visual Studio Professional?

I primarily use Cognosys Secured Visual Studio Professional for developing Azure functions, working with Python on CCR, and managing database projects. While I'm involved in some application develo...

See all answers

What do you like most about Kali Linux?

I use the tool with Nmap to perform network audits. We use it to find vulnerabilities in our network through attacks. It's for those who want to launch or create viruses or perform attacks on syste...

See all answers

What is your experience regarding pricing and costs for Kali Linux?

Kali Linux offers a perpetual license, meaning you pay for it once and can use it. While free versions of Linux are available, Kali Linux, being an enterprise edition, usually comes with a perpetua...

See all answers

What needs improvement with Kali Linux?

The tool is already stable and well-developed, so there's minimal feedback for enhancement or change. However, it should improve security, which is crucial, especially with the increasing use of Ka...

See all answers

Comparisons

No data available

Red Hat Enterprise Linux (RHEL) vs Kali Linux

Compared 19% of the time

Windows 10 vs Kali Linux

Compared 18% of the time

Windows 11 vs Kali Linux

Compared 16% of the time

CentOS vs Kali Linux

Compared 13% of the time

Rocky Linux vs Kali Linux

Compared 11% of the time

More Kali Linux Competitors

Product Reports

Buyer's Guide

AWS Marketplace

June 2025

Cognosys Secured Visual Studio Professional report

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Buyer's Guide

Kali Linux

June 2025

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Overview

Code with confidence : Visual Studio guides you with live assistance as you write code, no matter what language you use, from C#/VB and C++ to JavaScript and Python. Professional developer tool for building any application type.
Visual Studio helps you find your way around more easily, without losing the context of the code or the markup you started from, with capabilities like Peek to definition, Navigate To, and Quick Find.Powerful features such as CodeLens improve your team's productivity.
Collaboration- Agile project planning tools, team rooms, charts and more. Includes core Microsoft software, plus Azure, Pluralsight, and more.

Cognosys Inc Hardened Images

Kali Linux is widely used by organizations for penetration testing, vulnerability assessments, web application security, network audits, ethical hacking, and open-source intelligence, providing extensive free features.

Organizations run Kali Linux in virtualized environments alongside other operating systems, employing tools for automated scans, malware identification, infrastructure testing, and application development or hosting. These users benefit from lower maintenance requirements and a smaller footprint. The toolset includes Nmap, SQLMap, Metasploit, and Hydra, ensuring effective security assessments. Its high scalability, performance, user-friendly interface, and extensive documentation enhance the platform's usability. Known for stability, flexibility, and virus resistance, Kali Linux supports web security, troubleshooting, and configuration tasks comprehensively.

What are the most important features of Kali Linux?

Nmap: A network scanning tool for discovering hosts and services.
SQLMap: An SQL injection and database takeover tool.
Metasploit: A penetration testing platform with various exploit tools.
Hydra: A network log-in cracker supporting numerous protocols.
Documentation: Offers extensive resources for user guidance.
Stability: Provides a reliable and consistent operating environment.
Scalability: Adapts efficiently to growing security needs.
Performance: Ensures fast and efficient operations.
Virus Resistance: Enhances security through robust virus protection.

What benefits and ROI should users look for in reviews?

Cost Efficiency: Free tools reduce operational expenses.
Operational Efficiency: Lower maintenance needs and quick setup.
Enhanced Security: Robust tools for comprehensive security measures.
Flexibility: Adaptable to different environments and requirements.

Kali Linux can support industries in improving security through stable and flexible environments that resist viruses and provide extensive documentation. Users employ it for web security, troubleshooting, and configuring capabilities. Necessary improvements include automation, user-friendliness, and integrating AI and blockchain. Enhancements in security features, faster installations, and better learning tools are also essential. Machine learning integration and non-enterprise user functionalities can address current limitations.

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