Kali Linux (formerly known as BackTrack) is a Debian-based distribution with a collection of security and forensics tools. It features timely security updates, support for the ARM architecture, a choice of four popular desktop environments, and seamless upgrades to newer versions.
To compare the software in this project to the software available in other distributions, please see our Compare Packages page.
Notes: In case where multiple versions of a package are shipped with a distribution, only the default version appears in the table. For indication about the GNOME version, please check the "nautilus" and "gnome-shell" packages. The Apache web server is listed as "httpd" and the Linux kernel is listed as "linux". The KDE desktop is represented by the "plasma-desktop" package and the Xfce desktop by the "xfdesktop" package.
Colour scheme:green text = latest stable version, red text = development or beta version. The function determining beta versions is not 100% reliable due to a wide variety of versioning schemes.
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Reader Ratings
Reader supplied reviews for Kali Linux
Average rating
9.3
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Say hello to Kali Linux 2025.4! Expect updated tools, performance tweaks, and improved support - no fluff, just the essentials. The summary of the changelog since the 2025.3 release from September is: Desktop Environments - Changes to all! GNOME, KDE & Xfce Wayland - VM Guest Utils Support Halloween Mode - dresses the desktop for the occasion 3 New Tools - As always, new packages added and upgraded! Desktop Environments GNOME 49 As with previous GNOME updates in Kali, we’ve given all our themes a fresh coat of paint - everything has been tuned to look sharp and feel smooth.
Thanks to the Kali developers for the perfect 2025.4 version of Kali Linux!
My PC doesn't show any errors in the journal!
Kali Linux developers are among the best developers in the world! Cheers
X-Mas
There are also updates to Kali's built-in tools. Besides the new features and bug fixes for Kali NetHunter, there are three new tools: bpf-linker (a BPF static linker), evil-winrm-py (for executing commands on remote Windows PCs), and hexstrike-ai (an MCP server for AI agents). Kali is also now using Linux kernel 6.16.
Finally, there's a change to downloading Kali: the live boot image will only be available through BitTorrent. It's approaching the 5GB size limit for Kali's CloudFlare CDN, and the team wanted to avoid customizing it or removing tools from all versions of Kali Linux. Many of the other images can still be downloaded through a web browser, though, including the main installer and several pre-built virtual machines. It's still available as of the time of writing, but it's a 4.9GB download, so the next update could push it over the line.
If you already have Kali Linux installed, you can just run the update process to get the latest version. For a fresh install, head over to the Kali Linux website for downloads and torrent links.
Kali Linux 2025.3 is a meaningful update for security professionals, red-teamers, wireless testers and lab managers. With ten new tools, improved wireless injection support (especially for Raspberry Pi devices), updated virtualization build workflows, and a continued focus on modernization, this release expands what you can do out of the box. If you rely on Kali for pentesting or security lab work, this version is worth installing or upgrading to, provided you verify compatibility and test your key workflows.