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Pros & Cons summary

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Prominent pros & cons

PROS

Kali Linux effectively performs attacks using CVE scripts for vulnerability identification.
Stability and flexibility are key features, offering multi-user capability and a stable file system.
The platform provides comprehensive open-source tools for security assessments and penetration testing.
Offers real-time data scanning for backend vulnerabilities, resulting in improved application security.
The powerful tools facilitate fast learning and understanding, allowing for task completion with minimal guidance.

CONS

Users desire automation for configuration and upgrades rather than manual processes.
Incorporating artificial intelligence and GPT capabilities has been requested for enhancement.
Frequent performance issues occur, including slow installation and package upgrades in virtual environments and occasional lags.
Users wish for additional free features for testing in internal environments before purchase.
There is inadequate documentation and insufficient guidance for learning and utilizing the tools effectively.
 

Kali Linux Pros review quotes

Rohit Srivastava - PeerSpot reviewer
Apr 22, 2024
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.
Mathews Daniel - PeerSpot reviewer
Oct 27, 2025
Kali Linux has helped me significantly in simulating penetration testing and other activities, and since all the tools are open source, I can easily modify and customize them based on my needs.
Gaurav Pratap Singh - PeerSpot reviewer
Sep 30, 2025
The outcomes from using Kali Linux in our organization are significant; we experienced reduced cybersecurity attacks and improved application security, leading to decreased attack surfaces and quicker testing cycles that enabled faster launches and installations.
Learn what your peers think about Kali Linux. Get advice and tips from experienced pros sharing their opinions. Updated: October 2025.
873,003 professionals have used our research since 2012.
NilutpalDutta - PeerSpot reviewer
Aug 29, 2025
Kali Linux has the capability of real-time data scanning for vulnerability assessment for backend services, and that is actually very far more valuable.
Aditya Pillai - PeerSpot reviewer
Sep 27, 2025
Kali Linux has helped me learn faster and understand concepts better; you get a sense of appreciation when completing tasks on your own machine without help or hints from available tools or operating systems, with minimal guidance.
Aqeel Junaid - PeerSpot reviewer
Mar 14, 2024
The interface is good and straightforward to use.
PN
Mar 11, 2024
The tools available in Kali Linux are incredibly effective for conducting security assessments.
VishalSingh15 - PeerSpot reviewer
May 28, 2024
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.
GurpreetSingh4 - PeerSpot reviewer
Jun 3, 2024
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.
MF
Nov 22, 2023
The most valuable feature of Kali Linux is the attack it performs using a CVE script that's already on the internet.
 

Kali Linux Cons review quotes

Rohit Srivastava - PeerSpot reviewer
Apr 22, 2024
Any new user or someone without deep expertise won't be able to understand how to scale or manage it
Mathews Daniel - PeerSpot reviewer
Oct 27, 2025
Some tools in Kali Linux lack documentation and details on how to use them, which is one area where it can be improved.
Gaurav Pratap Singh - PeerSpot reviewer
Sep 30, 2025
There are areas for improvement in Kali Linux, particularly regarding its use of the Linux kernel, which requires external additional patching, and the fact that network services are disabled by default, which complicates usage; enhancing user-friendliness through more GUI-based tools and better integration could be beneficial.
Learn what your peers think about Kali Linux. Get advice and tips from experienced pros sharing their opinions. Updated: October 2025.
873,003 professionals have used our research since 2012.
NilutpalDutta - PeerSpot reviewer
Aug 29, 2025
The only point that I didn't find on Kali Linux for now is the ability to customize port scanning.
Aditya Pillai - PeerSpot reviewer
Sep 27, 2025
Many users utilize Kali Linux through virtual machines. Sometimes Kali Linux has issues detecting hardware such as inbuilt or external Wi-Fi adapters.
Aqeel Junaid - PeerSpot reviewer
Mar 14, 2024
There can be some lagging issues because the product gets stuck at times, making it an area of concern where improvements are required.
PN
Mar 11, 2024
The installation process of Kali Linux can be slow, particularly when installing and upgrading packages within virtualized environments.
VishalSingh15 - PeerSpot reviewer
May 28, 2024
The tool is slightly difficult to learn.
GurpreetSingh4 - PeerSpot reviewer
Jun 3, 2024
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.
MF
Nov 22, 2023
I would like to have automation in Kali Linux instead of manually configuring or setting up something in case of an upgrade.