F5 BIG-IP Virtual Edition vs Kali Linux comparison

F5 BIG-IP Virtual Edition

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237 Comparison Views

100% willing to recommend

Comparison Buyer's Guide

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Executive Summary

We performed a comparison between F5 BIG-IP Virtual Edition and Kali Linux based on real PeerSpot user reviews.

Find out in this report how the two AWS Marketplace solutions compare in terms of features, pricing, service and support, easy of deployment, and ROI.

To learn more, read our detailed F5 BIG-IP Virtual Edition vs. Kali Linux Report (Updated: April 2025).

F5 BIG-IP Virtual Edition vs. Kali Linux

April 2025

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Helped 857,028 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

F5 BIG-IP Virtual Edition

Ranking in AWS Marketplace

13th

Average Rating

8.6

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 F5 BIG-IP Virtual Edition is 0.6%, down from 2.1% 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

Lilian Blaitt

IT Specialist at a manufacturing company with 10,001+ employees

Virtual deployment boosts efficiency and support is quick

In my company, we use NGINX. I don't work with NGINX. For us, it is better to have the virtual solution because we have more virtual VJPs on fewer machines. This is the reason we are using it today It's easy to use, and they have good support. When we open tickets, they are answered quickly, and…

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GurpreetSingh4

Manager at Accenture company

Has small footprint and low maintenance cycles

Pre-installed tools can provide basic training and security measures, which is helpful. However, these tools may not be sufficient to secure your workload fully. That's why it's important to complement them with other specialized security tools to enhance your overall security. Before using Kali Linux, make sure you know its pros and cons. It's a good system to learn because it's the best choice for some situations. It has default firewall settings that block everything by default. It's up to the user to decide how much they want to open up. Learning Kali Linux takes time because it relies on command-line tasks instead of graphical interfaces. Practice is key to becoming comfortable with it.

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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

"The tool's investment is less than a physical device."

"The features that I like include LTM and Global Traffic Manager (GTM)."

"It's easy to use, and they have good support."

"It has DoS layer 7 protection, which not many vendors have."

"I have a specific issue with the network interface connector, the NIC. We're limited to a maximum of two NICs in a virtualized environment. It's a limitation of the tool."

"The integration capabilities of the product are easy to use, and there is no complexity involved in it."

"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."

"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."

"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 interface is good and straightforward to use."

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

"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."

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

"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

"BIG-IP could improve in supporting microservices, for example, in Docker and Kubernetes environments."

"On-the-go upgrades are an option that the tool currently lacks, making it an area where improvements are required."

"I have a specific issue with the network interface connector, the NIC. We're limited to a maximum of two NICs in a virtualized environment. It's a limitation of the tool."

"The tool has limitations with respect to code and RAM."

"F5 BIG-IP Virtual Edition is a heavy system that needs a lot of CPU, memory, and hard disk."

"It's expensive and could be cheaper."

"Any new user or someone without deep expertise won't be able to understand how to scale or manage it"

"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."

"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."

"The product should integrate AI and GPT capabilities."

"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 Kali Linux in cloud environments."

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

"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."

More Kali Linux cons

Pricing and Cost Advice

"My company's customers need to make payments for the licensing charges attached to the product. It is an expensive product."

"The pricing is standard."

"F5 BIG-IP Virtual Edition is an expensive solution, but it's worth the price."

"I would rate the pricing a three out of ten, with ten being expensive."

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

"I use it free of charge."

"The price is good because Kali Linux already provides a good bundle of tools."

"Kali Linux is open source."

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

"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."

"It is an open-source tool."

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

More Kali Linux pricing and cost advice

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Top Industries

By visitors reading reviews

Financial Services Firm

18%

Computer Software Company

13%

Retailer

Comms Service Provider

14%

Computer Software Company

13%

University

13%

Educational Organization

11%

Company Size

By reviewers

Large Enterprise

Midsize Enterprise

Small Business

Questions from the Community

What do you like most about F5 BIG-IP Virtual Edition?

The integration capabilities of the product are easy to use, and there is no complexity involved in it.

What needs improvement with F5 BIG-IP Virtual Edition?

It's expensive and could be cheaper. At the moment, I can't think of anything to improve.

What advice do you have for others considering F5 BIG-IP Virtual Edition?

The solution is very good. I would rate the solution maybe ten out of ten.

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...

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...

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...

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Red Hat Enterprise Linux (RHEL) vs Kali Linux

Compared 20% 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 12% of the time

Rocky Linux vs Kali Linux

Compared 11% of the time

More Kali Linux Competitors

Product Reports

F5 BIG-IP Virtual Edition

June 2025

Download F5 BIG-IP Virtual Edition product report

Download Kali Linux product report

June 2025

Overview

When you need to move faster than hardware allows, BIG-IP Virtual Editions (VEs) deliver the application services you need in a more agile and flexible form factor. Get the scalability, security, and automatability BIG-IP products are known for—all in software designed for use in single-, hybrid-, or multi-cloud architectures.

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.