Kali Linux vs. Microsoft Windows

Overview
ProductRatingMost Used ByProduct SummaryStarting Price
Kali Linux
Score 7.3 out of 10
N/A
Kali Linux is an open source, advanced penetration testing platform supported by Offensive Security headquartered in New York.N/A
Microsoft Windows
Score 8.5 out of 10
N/A
Windows is an operating system with editions to support business workstations.N/A
Pricing
Kali LinuxMicrosoft Windows
Editions & Modules
No answers on this topic
No answers on this topic
Offerings
Pricing Offerings
Kali LinuxMicrosoft Windows
Free Trial
NoNo
Free/Freemium Version
NoNo
Premium Consulting/Integration Services
NoNo
Entry-level Setup FeeNo setup feeNo setup fee
Additional Details
More Pricing Information
Community Pulse
Kali LinuxMicrosoft Windows
Considered Both Products
Kali Linux
Chose Kali Linux
The hard feature to be beat Kali with is the amount of preinstalled tools. I.e. Ubuntu is great but you would have to install each and every tool separately.
Chose Kali Linux
I would say the number one competitor to Kali is Parrot OS. While they both do the same/similar things, both have over 600 pre-loaded tools. Parrot does use some more offer what may be considered a more intuitive user interface. Parrot OS has been around for longer than people …
Chose Kali Linux
As Parrot security OS is relatively new to the game, Kali Linux has an edge as it is in the market since 2013. Kali Linux has an advantage that it is opensource and has good back end technical support by open source developers worldwide. Also Parrot security OS is based on …
Chose Kali Linux
Different suite of tools and need of specialists to be familiar with the tools to use the best features. Most of the users will be familiar with Kali Linux compared with Blackbox. But easy to switch between the two and is more to complement with each other on the areas needed …
Microsoft Windows
Chose Microsoft Windows
I haven't used other OS.
Chose Microsoft Windows
We selected Microsoft Windows because of the user friendly nature of it and a big factor is that other user never used macOS or Ubuntu so the productivity will decrease a lot because you have to explain a whole new OS. I always only recommend MacOS or Ubuntu if you are a …
Chose Microsoft Windows
It's very different if we compare it with a Linux distribution. It's not free, and many apps you can get are paid (Office 365, for example). But also, you pay for a widely known product and a product that nearly every employee knows how to use. Linux is used more by sysadmins …
Chose Microsoft Windows
Microsoft Windows and MacOS are both useful operating systems. There are businesses who much prefer MacOS and some that prefer Windows. Businesses that revolve around industries such as game design, art design, graphic design may opt to use MacOS due to its optimization with …
Chose Microsoft Windows
Windows runs literally every piece of software I need to work. Installations are usually quick and uncomplicated, and configuration is usually quite simple, rarely requiring finding config files and editing them manually.

I chose Windows only because I had no other choice, …
Chose Microsoft Windows
Microsoft Windows OS is very secure and user-friendly. When compared to Kali Linux, various other open source OS'es, and Apple iOS, this system keeps up well with their competition. As an end user, I have used all three systems, and each has its positive and negative points. …
Chose Microsoft Windows
Windows is fundamentally different from Linux, each shines in their own spots and has cons as well.
Chose Microsoft Windows
Because of its compatibility with third-party software requirements.
Best Alternatives
Kali LinuxMicrosoft Windows
Small Businesses

No answers on this topic

Ubuntu
Ubuntu
Score 8.6 out of 10
Medium-sized Companies
Veracode
Veracode
Score 8.7 out of 10
Red Hat Enterprise Linux (RHEL)
Red Hat Enterprise Linux (RHEL)
Score 9.3 out of 10
Enterprises
Veracode
Veracode
Score 8.7 out of 10
Red Hat Enterprise Linux (RHEL)
Red Hat Enterprise Linux (RHEL)
Score 9.3 out of 10
All AlternativesView all alternativesView all alternatives
User Ratings
Kali LinuxMicrosoft Windows
Likelihood to Recommend
10.0
(0 ratings)
8.5
(0 ratings)
Likelihood to Renew
7.3
(0 ratings)
10.0
(0 ratings)
Usability
-
(0 ratings)
7.5
(0 ratings)
Support Rating
-
(0 ratings)
8.0
(0 ratings)
Implementation Rating
-
(0 ratings)
8.0
(0 ratings)
User Testimonials
Kali LinuxMicrosoft Windows
Likelihood to Recommend
Kali Linux is especially well suited in environments where high security is needed for your custom developed applications. This is well suited for offensive testing your high security in house developed applications. It is also very good for doing penetration testing on in house developed applications and safe guarding them from external attackers. Kali Linux is tough for use as a day to day Linux operating system as this was never intended to be used by beginners and occasional Linux users.
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I highly recommend it because it's the most used operating system in the world. If you work with other organizations or share info, it's easier if you have the same system instead of Linux, for example. Also, a large number of employees know how to use it, but not so many know how to use Linux or macOS.
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Pros
  • Analyzing SSL certificates
  • Analyzing SSL server configurations
  • Vulnerability scanning
  • Port scanning
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  • Great integration with my business accounting software Quickbooks
  • Great integration with Microsoft Office 365
  • Easy to find files that I haven't used in awhile with search feature
  • Simple, easy to find listing of programs available
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Cons
  • Usage wise, it is tough for use by beginners. Can be improved.
  • With Kali Linux have noticed driver related issues especially with Nvidia graphics cards.
  • Kali Linux can be improved for use as a day to day OS.
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  • Forced updates occasionally have bad timing when ignored for too long
  • Microsoft Edge Web Browser is a bit clunky
  • The 3D desktop still needs some improvement
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Usability
No answers on this topic
An all-purpose operating system for business or personal users. Overall, the OS is very user-friendly and intuitive, enabling even new users to quickly utilize the system. The same can be said about the apps within Windows. There is also good cross-functionality between applications, although the ease of use could be improved.
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Support Rating
No answers on this topic
support remains spotty, researching online articles are a pain
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Implementation Rating
No answers on this topic
MDT helped deploy OS to users machines via PXE boot.
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Alternatives Considered
I would say the number one competitor to Kali is Parrot OS. While they both do the same/similar things, both have over 600 pre-loaded tools. Parrot does use some more offer what may be considered a more intuitive user interface. Parrot OS has been around for longer than people think and still has active development a support. But Kali is used more broadly in Training sessions, demos and is considered to be form all the articles I have read, the gold standard for penetration testing and tool sets
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We selected Microsoft Windows because of the user friendly nature of it and a big factor is that other user never used macOS or Ubuntu so the productivity will decrease a lot because you have to explain a whole new OS. I always only recommend macOS or Ubuntu if you are a graphic designer of a developer. But for the day to day office work Microsoft Windows is the way to go.
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Return on Investment
  • Initial stages of figuring out back doors in an application hence making them secure.
  • ROI is good as it reduces in production security threats by letting us know well in advance.
  • Entire development team along with its designers get a huge sigh of relief as all security holes are sealed well in advance before going into production.
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  • As a a windows-based app, with a windows-using customer base, working in the environment is extremely helpful.
  • Relatively easy to develop on, there is documentation and support widely available.
  • VERY wide hardware compatibility, any replacement parts we need for our machines are easy to use.
  • Windows updates frequently fail requiring our MSP or more often one of our customer support staff to intervene to get them running again.
  • Poor performance and inefficient resource utilization requires frequent upgrades.
  • Windows 10's service ending next year has required company-wide hardware upgrades due to the Windows 11's excessive requirements.
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ScreenShots