Software Alternatives & Startups

Kali Linux VS Devuan GNU+Linux

Compare Kali Linux VS Devuan GNU+Linux and see what are their differences

Kali Linux logo Kali Linux

Kali Linux is a Debian-derived Linux distribution designed for digital forensics and penetration...

Devuan GNU+Linux logo Devuan GNU+Linux

Debian without Systemd
  • Kali Linux Landing page
    Landing page //
    2022-10-30
  • Devuan GNU+Linux Landing page
    Landing page //
    2020-01-19

Kali Linux features and specs

  • Specialized Tools
    Kali Linux comes pre-installed with numerous penetration testing and security tools tailored for various forms of security testing, including network scanning, vulnerability detection, and digital forensics.
  • Regular Updates
    Frequent updates ensure that the tools and the kernel include the latest capabilities and patches for performance and security.
  • Community Support
    Kali Linux has a large and active community of users and developers, offering vast resources, guides, and forums for troubleshooting and learning.
  • Customizability
    Users can customize their environment by building their own Kali images, adding or removing tools, and adjusting configurations to fit specific requirements.
  • Multi-Platform Support
    Kali Linux can be installed on various platforms including ARM devices, virtual machines, and cloud platforms, offering flexibility in deployment.

Possible disadvantages of Kali Linux

  • Complexity
    Due to its advanced nature and specialized tools, Kali Linux has a steep learning curve, making it challenging for beginners.
  • Not Intended for General Use
    Kali Linux is specifically designed for penetration testing and security research, and using it for general desktop purposes may not be ideal.
  • Potential for Misuse
    The tools included in Kali Linux can be used for malicious purposes if fallen into the wrong hands, raising ethical and legal concerns.
  • Hardware Compatibility
    Certain hardware, particularly newer or less common configurations, may not be fully supported, potentially requiring advanced troubleshooting to resolve.
  • Resource Intensive
    Running some of the powerful tools included can be resource-intensive, requiring significant computing power and memory to operate efficiently.

Devuan GNU+Linux features and specs

  • Systemd-Free
    Devuan does not use systemd as its init system, which appeals to users who prefer alternative init systems like sysvinit due to systemd's complexity and perceived centralized control.
  • Stability
    Devuan aims to provide a stable and consistent operating environment by forking from Debian without using systemd, suitable for users who value stability over the latest features.
  • Compatibility
    Devuan maintains a high level of compatibility with Debian, allowing users to access a wide range of software packages available in the Debian repositories, minus those requiring systemd.
  • Privacy and Control
    By avoiding systemd, some users feel they have greater control over their system's processes, enhancing privacy and reducing potential data collection.

Possible disadvantages of Devuan GNU+Linux

  • Limited Software Support
    Some modern software packages that depend on systemd may not be available or function optimally on Devuan, potentially limiting choices for users requiring such software.
  • Smaller Community
    As a relatively niche distribution compared to Debian, Devuan has a smaller community, which may result in less community support and fewer resources or tutorials.
  • Delayed Updates
    Updates on Devuan may lag behind other distributions, as it takes time to ensure compatibility without systemd, which might affect users seeking the latest software features or security fixes.
  • Complex Migration
    Users migrating from systemd-based systems may face complexities or a steeper learning curve as they adapt to different init systems used in Devuan.

Analysis of Kali Linux

Overall verdict

  • Kali Linux is excellent for its intended purpose as a penetration testing and security-focused distribution. Its robust suite of tools and focus on security make it a versatile and powerful platform for cybersecurity professionals, though it may not be ideal for general-purpose computing or users not involved in security fields.

Why this product is good

  • Kali Linux is a specialized distribution of Linux designed primarily for security professionals and penetration testers. It is equipped with a wide array of tools for network and security analysis, penetration testing, and forensics. This makes it highly suitable for individuals who require advanced security capabilities from their operating system.

Recommended for

  • Cybersecurity professionals
  • Penetration testers
  • Network security analysts
  • IT security consultants
  • Individuals or organizations needing a comprehensive security toolkit

Kali Linux videos

Kali Linux Review & Walkthrough | NEW Undercover Mode | 2019.4 Update | (Linux Beginners Tutorial)

More videos:

  • Review - Kali Linux 2020.1 | The Best Linux Distro For Hacking
  • Review - KALI LINUX : THE BEST DISTRO FOR PENTESTING!

Devuan GNU+Linux videos

Devuan GNU+Linux 3.0.0 overview | software freedom, your way

More videos:

  • Review - Devuan GNU+Linux presented at FSCONS 2016

Category Popularity

0-100% (relative to Kali Linux and Devuan GNU+Linux)
Operating Systems
68 68%
32% 32
Linux Distribution
63 63%
37% 37
Linux
75 75%
25% 25
Security & Privacy
100 100%
0% 0

User comments

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Reviews

These are some of the external sources and on-site user reviews we've used to compare Kali Linux and Devuan GNU+Linux

Kali Linux Reviews

The best Linux distributions (operating systems)
Kali Linux is often referred to as Hacker Linux. In fact, the main task of the operating system is security. Kali Linux provides numerous features for testing and maintaining computers, networks, and systems. Vulnerabilities are identified and lost data can be quickly recovered. However, users must have prior knowledge for the best possible results. Accordingly, more...
Source: www.ionos.com
Best Top 20 Ubuntu Linux Alternatives (Pros and Cons)
Kali Linux is a Linux distribution, that was created purely for the purpose of penetration testing and ethical hacking. Kali Linux is Debian-based Linux distribution that is maintained by top feature security.
Best Secure Linux Distros for Enhanced Privacy & Security
There’s a Kaili Linux training suite available called Kali Linux Dojo, where users can learn how to customize their own Kali ISO and learn the basics of pentesting. All of these resources are available on Kali’s website, free of charge. Kali Linux also boasts a paid-for pentesting course that can be taken online, with a 24-hour certification exam. Once you pass this exam,...
Top 10 Most Secure Linux Distros for Personal Use
You can use Kali Linux via a USB stick or DVD, so this distro is quite easy to use, like the Tails distro mentioned earlier in the list. Kali Linux is compatible with both 32- and 64-bit systems. Apart from that, the basic requirements of Kali Linux are 512 MB of RAM and 10 GB of hard disk space. According to multiple surveys, developers consider Kali Linux to be one of the...
Source: linuxhint.com
Best Kali Linux Alternatives
A system based on security is a great approach for hackers, as it can immediately detect any defects and weaknesses in a computer or network. Linux is the most commonly used operating system among hackers. Various Linux hacking distributions consist of several tools used to improve the security of the network. Kali Linux is one of the best distributions, and alternative...
Source: linuxhint.com

Devuan GNU+Linux Reviews

We have no reviews of Devuan GNU+Linux yet.
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Social recommendations and mentions

Based on our record, Kali Linux should be more popular than Devuan GNU+Linux. It has been mentiond 42 times since March 2021. We are tracking product recommendations and mentions on various public social media platforms and blogs. They can help you identify which product is more popular and what people think of it.

Kali Linux mentions (42)

  • Windows 10 finds Viruses in Kali Linux iso or VM image
    Thanks. It was downloaded from official kali.org website. Source: about 3 years ago
  • Resources needed.
    Step 1: download the Kali image from kali.org Step 2: burn the image with Rufus app (windows) on a pen-drive (16gb would be a good choice). Source: about 3 years ago
  • I have 2 versions of python (python3 and 3.11) and i can't seem to uninstall any of them ( i don't run kali on vmware)
    Hi, thanks for the reply (: I just mentioned in the 1st comment above that I actually had some trouble burning the iso into my pen usb since the windows firewall assumed some files as trojan. I don't know if they're really trojan ( and why would an operative system would have been built by trojan since I downloaded it from kali.org ) or if windows firewall is just too above of it's head. Source: about 3 years ago
  • Desperate for advise! I’m a greenhorn.
    I think you're in over your head tbh. I wouldn't fret about getting haxxed or anything. I mean we could spend all day talking about all the ways you could, but if you got the iso from kali.org and used best practices shown on their website, you'll be fine. Source: over 3 years ago
  • No gui and unable to fetch
    From what it looks like, you’re unable to resolve http://kali.org so this should fix it after you restart the service from the command I provided above. Let me know 👍🏼. Source: over 3 years ago
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Devuan GNU+Linux mentions (7)

  • Store birth date in systemd for age verification
    Hello, as always: imho. (!) idk the exact procedure which will apply to enter the birth-date on such a system, but if other comments are correct: just enter what you want! There will be no real possibility to tie this to anything "legal" / to "enforce" any "official" check of lets say your passport or other governmental id. And if in my personal opinion (!) the pretty crazy guy behind the systemd-project tries to... - Source: Hacker News / 6 months ago
  • User and Admin Documentation?
    I'm a new user with first install. Are there any user guides / admin guides available? I'm not seeing much documentation available at devuan.org -- maybe my eyes glaze over(?). Source: over 3 years ago
  • I removed Gnome and snapd from Ubuntu and it turns out the system underneath is reasonably lightweight with 130M ram and 2.8G disk usage.
    If Canonical spin a variant without systemd, possibly choosing Devuan as the base, it'll be great. Possibly, less resource hungry. Source: over 4 years ago
  • Trisquel GNU/Linux
    Trisquel's FAQ says: > Why should I use Trisquel instead of one of the better-known distributions? > There are literally hundreds of GNU/Linux distributions designed to fill every conceivable niche. Only a handful of them are entirely free software; Trisquel is one such distribution. ... But I disagree. Trisquel is based on ubuntu, and uses systemd. Not just as some optional init system you can remove -... - Source: Hacker News / over 4 years ago
  • Move from Ubuntu?
    If you're experienced, look at Devuan Chimaera. BTW, I always felt Gnome is the most productive work environment with that UI. I think Cinnamon may come close. Source: almost 5 years ago
View more

What are some alternatives?

When comparing Kali Linux and Devuan GNU+Linux, you can also consider the following products

Parrot OS - The best choice for security experts, developers and crypto-addicted people.

Gentoo - The website of Gentoo, a flexible Linux or BSD distribution.

BlackArch - BlackArch Linux is an Small Arch Linux iconArch Linux -based distribution for penetration testers...

Debian - Debian is a free distribution of the GNU/Linux operating system.

Bugtraq - Bugtraq system offers the most comprehensive distribution, optimal, and stable with automated...

Void Linux - Void is a general purpose operating system, based on the monolithic Linux kernel.