Kali Linux vs Rocky Linux comparison

Kali Linux and Rocky Linux are both solutions in the Operating Systems (OS) for Business category. Kali Linux is ranked #11 with an average rating of 8.8, while Rocky Linux is ranked #4 with an average rating of 8.3. Kali Linux holds a 2.7% mindshare in OSB, compared to Rocky Linux’s 14.9% mindshare. Additionally, 100% of Kali Linux users are willing to recommend the solution, compared to 100% of Rocky Linux users who would recommend it.

Kali Linux

2,468 Views
1,777 Comparison Views

100% willing to recommend

Rocky Linux

Read 7 Rocky Linux reviews

12,415 Views
12,415 Comparison Views

100% willing to recommend

Kali Linux

Rocky Linux

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Executive SummaryUpdated on Aug 7, 2024

Rocky Linux and Kali Linux serve different purposes within the Linux ecosystem. Rocky Linux is valued for its user-friendliness, stable performance, and enterprise-grade support, whereas Kali Linux stands out for its specialized security tools and penetration testing capabilities.

Features: Rocky Linux users value its compatibility with enterprise applications, robust system reliability, and versatile use. Kali Linux users favor its extensive toolkit for security professionals, pre-installed penetration testing tools, and its focused functionality in cybersecurity.

Room for Improvement: Rocky Linux can improve its update process, cloud integration, and adaptability to modern workflows. Kali Linux can enhance its user-friendliness, performance in non-security tasks, and expand its versatility beyond security-centric functions.

Ease of Deployment and Customer Service: Rocky Linux has a straightforward deployment process and responsive customer service, making it more accessible for enterprises with less technical staff. Kali Linux's deployment requires more technical expertise and is ideal for environments with dedicated security teams.

Pricing and ROI: Rocky Linux offers cost-effective solutions with significant ROI for large-scale enterprise deployments. Kali Linux, while free, provides exceptional value in professional penetration testing environments, albeit without traditional ROI metrics.

To learn more, read our detailed Kali Linux vs. Rocky Linux Report (Updated: September 2025).

Buyer's Guide

Kali Linux vs. Rocky Linux

September 2025

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Helped 867,349 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

Kali Linux

Ranking in Operating Systems (OS) for Business

11th

Average Rating

8.8

Reviews Sentiment

7.7

Number of Reviews

Ranking in other categories

No ranking in other categories

Rocky Linux

Ranking in Operating Systems (OS) for Business

4th

Average Rating

8.2

Reviews Sentiment

5.5

Number of Reviews

Ranking in other categories

No ranking in other categories

Mindshare comparison

As of September 2025, in the Operating Systems (OS) for Business category, the mindshare of Kali Linux is 2.7%, up from 0.6% compared to the previous year. The mindshare of Rocky Linux is 14.9%, up from 11.4% compared to the previous year. It is calculated based on PeerSpot user engagement data.

Operating Systems (OS) for Business Market Share Distribution
Product	Market Share (%)
Rocky Linux	14.9%
Kali Linux	2.7%
Other	82.4%

Operating Systems (OS) for Business

Featured Reviews

NilutpalDutta

Senior Technical Manager at HCLSoftware

Provides valuable real-time data scanning for vulnerability assessment

We don't know if Kali Linux has the port scanning capability yet, but that is an area of improvement because we are working with DMZ zones and customized ports. If we can add featured customized port scanning and DMZ zone capability, then it will be a very great tool. It might be there, but we are not exploring it yet. We are not exploring 100% of Kali Linux capabilities. If real-time customized port scanning can be added, for example, instead of a default port such as 8080 or 443, if we can use a customized port such as 9876, that capability would be great. The only point that I didn't find on Kali Linux for now is the ability to customize port scanning.

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Jetsada Malaisirirat

System Engineer at clusterkit

Enhancements in package management elevate user experience

I have been using Rocky Linux for three or four years. It is used for HPC, online assessments, and Ceph storage The solution is free and open source. The OS choice in my project is quite specific. It is based on customer requirements, as they might want to use Rocky Linux or Ubuntu, depending on…

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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

"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."

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

"Additionally, it now includes comprehensive migration analytics and reporting capabilities."

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

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

"The interface is good and straightforward 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

"The most valuable feature of the solution is its stability."

"The custom install scripts streamline the setup process, making it straightforward."

"It helps us keep our workstations in sync and ensures consistent settings across most of our machines."

"It's very simple to work with, easy to learn, and know where things are."

"I haven't needed to use customer service or support, which speaks volumes about their product's reliability and ease of use."

"The solution is free and open source."

Cons

"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 only point that I didn't find on Kali Linux for now is the ability to customize port scanning."

"From an improvement perspective, it should be made possible for users to learn about the product easily."

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

"The product should improve its security features."

"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."

"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 tool is slightly difficult to learn."

More Kali Linux cons

"One of the potential issues is that if you don't pay for support, you may need to manage certain aspects on your own and rely on the community for assistance."

"Improved integration with Windows, particularly Active Directory, would be beneficial for the product. Currently, this aspect requires additional effort."

"The solution's audio integration for virtual machines could be improved."

"The package versions can be quite older compared to other distributions such as Ubuntu."

"In terms of improvement, Rocky Linux needs to clarify its identity and target audience."

"I have certain problems with the tool's DNS part, making it an area where improvements are required."

Pricing and Cost Advice

"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."

"I have used the free version."

"The tool is open-source."

"It is an open-source tool."

"Kali Linux is open source."

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

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

More Kali Linux pricing and cost advice

"The product is expensive. I rate the pricing a three."

"Compared to the market prices of other tools, the solution has a very competitive pricing."

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Top Industries

By visitors reading reviews

Comms Service Provider

13%

Computer Software Company

13%

University

13%

Educational Organization

10%

Computer Software Company

14%

Comms Service Provider

11%

University

11%

Educational Organization

Company Size

By reviewers

Large Enterprise

Midsize Enterprise

Small Business

By reviewers
Company Size	Count
Small Business	9
Midsize Enterprise	1
Large Enterprise	5

By reviewers
Company Size	Count
Small Business	4
Large Enterprise	4

Questions from the Community

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...

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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...

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What needs improvement with Kali Linux?

See all answers

What do you like most about Rocky Linux?

It's very simple to work with, easy to learn, and know where things are.

See all answers

What needs improvement with Rocky Linux?

If I find something which is strong with virtualization with Rocky Linux, it's an alternative that I can study and spend time learning about, trying it, making tests, validating, and perhaps ultima...

See all answers

What is your primary use case for Rocky Linux?

I am responsible for virtualization and networking, and other services related to the systems including Linux and Windows, but the security part is actually the responsibility of the French team in...

See all answers

Comparisons

CentOS vs Kali Linux

Compared 19% of the time

Windows 10 vs Kali Linux

Compared 18% of the time

Windows 11 vs Kali Linux

Compared 15% of the time

Red Hat Enterprise Linux (RHEL) vs Kali Linux

Compared 13% of the time

Debian vs Kali Linux

Compared 8% of the time

More Kali Linux Competitors

Fedora Linux vs Rocky Linux

Compared 26% of the time

Ubuntu Linux vs Rocky Linux

Compared 20% of the time

Debian vs Rocky Linux

Compared 15% of the time

Oracle Linux vs Rocky Linux

Compared 10% of the time

CentOS vs Rocky Linux

Compared 1% of the time

More Rocky Linux Competitors

Product Reports

Buyer's Guide

Kali Linux

September 2025

Download Kali Linux product report

Buyer's Guide

Rocky Linux

August 2025

Download Rocky Linux product report

Overview

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.

Kali Linux

Rocky Linux is a robust and secure enterprise-grade operating system designed as a drop-in replacement for CentOS. Its primary use case is to provide a stable and reliable platform for organizations to run their critical workloads and applications.

The most valuable functionality of Rocky Linux lies in its compatibility with CentOS, ensuring a seamless transition for organizations already using CentOS. It offers long-term support, regular security updates, and a predictable release cycle, providing stability and reliability for mission-critical systems.

Rocky Linux helps organizations by offering a free and open-source alternative to CentOS, which was discontinued by Red Hat. It allows businesses to continue using their existing CentOS-based infrastructure without the need for costly migrations or vendor lock-in. With its strong community support and active development, Rocky Linux ensures a sustainable and community-driven future for CentOS users.

Moreover, Rocky Linux is built with security in mind, providing robust features like SELinux and secure defaults. This helps organizations protect their data and systems from potential threats and vulnerabilities.

Rocky Linux

Buyer's Guide

Kali Linux vs. Rocky Linux

September 2025

Free Report: Kali Linux vs. Rocky Linux

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