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MidnightBSD VS Kali Linux

Compare MidnightBSD VS Kali Linux and see what are their differences

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MidnightBSD logo MidnightBSD

MidnightBSD is a new BSD-derived operating system developed with desktop users in mind.

Kali Linux logo Kali Linux

Kali Linux is a Debian-derived Linux distribution designed for digital forensics and penetration...
  • MidnightBSD Landing page
    Landing page //
    2023-10-05
  • Kali Linux Landing page
    Landing page //
    2022-10-30

MidnightBSD features and specs

  • Focus on Desktop Use
    MidnightBSD is designed with a focus on desktop users, making it more user-friendly and accessible for those who are not server administrators or power users.
  • Mports System
    MidnightBSD uses its own package management system called 'mports', which offers a wide range of applications and utilities and is designed to be simpler for desktop users compared to some other BSD ports systems.
  • BSD Legacy
    Built on the BSD legacy, MidnightBSD benefits from robust security features, a stable environment, and advanced networking capabilities, which are hallmark features of the BSD family of operating systems.
  • Customizability
    Like many BSD systems, MidnightBSD allows a high degree of customizability, enabling users to tailor the system according to their specific requirements and preferences.
  • ZFS Support
    MidnightBSD offers support for the ZFS file system, providing advanced features like snapshotting, data integrity verification, and efficient data compression.

Possible disadvantages of MidnightBSD

  • Limited Hardware Support
    Compared to more mainstream operating systems, MidnightBSD may have limited support for modern hardware, which can be a barrier for users with newer devices.
  • Smaller User Base
    MidnightBSD has a smaller user and developer community, which can lead to fewer resources, less frequent updates, and limited third-party support.
  • Software Availability
    While the mports system provides a variety of applications, there might be fewer packages available compared to larger operating systems like Linux, potentially making it harder to find specific or niche software.
  • Learning Curve
    Users coming from other operating systems, especially those less familiar with Unix-like systems, might find the transition to MidnightBSD and its management tools challenging at first.
  • Development Pace
    The development of MidnightBSD can be slower compared to larger projects, with updates and new features being introduced at a more measured pace.

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.

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

MidnightBSD videos

+ Add

MidnightBSD 1.1 Quick Look - Oh Dear...

More videos:

  • Review - How-to Install MidnightBSD 8.5 plus XFCE desktop
  • Review - MidnightBSD 2.0 update

Kali Linux videos

+ Add

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!

Category Popularity

0-100% (relative to MidnightBSD and Kali Linux)

MidnightBSD

Kali Linux

Operating Systems
12 12%
Operating Systems
88% 88
Linux
12 12%
Linux
88% 88
Linux Distribution
13 13%
Linux Distribution
87% 87
BSD
100 100%
BSD
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 MidnightBSD and Kali Linux

MidnightBSD Reviews

We have no reviews of MidnightBSD yet.
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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.
Source: cloudinfrastructureservices.co.uk
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,...
Source: linuxsecurity.com
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

Social recommendations and mentions

Based on our record, Kali Linux seems to be more popular. 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.

MidnightBSD mentions (0)

We have not tracked any mentions of MidnightBSD yet. Tracking of MidnightBSD recommendations started around Mar 2021.

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: over 2 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: over 2 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: over 2 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 2 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 2 years ago
View more

What are some alternatives?

When comparing MidnightBSD and Kali Linux, you can also consider the following products

GhostBSD - GhostBSD is a user friendly desktop operating system based on ...

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

FreeBSD - FreeBSD is an advanced operating system for x86 compatible (including Pentium® and Athlon™)...

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

NomadBSD - NomadBSD is a persistent live system for USB flash drives, based on FreeBSD.

Ubuntu - Ubuntu is a Debian Linux-based open source operating system for desktop computers.

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