The most common operating systems among average users are Windows and macOS. Linux is an operating system that is popular among developers and gaining popularity among average users. Among the operating systems that are based on the Linux kernel, Kali Linux is the most popular. On the other hand, Ubuntu is based on Linux distribution. Both Ubuntu and Kali Linux are open-source Linux distributions based on Debian. An open-source distribution allows users to modify its code, create and install numerous copies they want and distribute the customization anywhere. As they are free, so you do not need to pay for a license to use Kali Linux or Ubuntu. Both distributions are also available for download free of cost.
Ubuntu is a full-blown operating system that is suitable for desktops and servers while Kali Linux is suitable as an ethical hacking operating system. Ubuntu is the OS for developers and programmers and Kali Linux is a special-purpose OS for digital forensics. A lot of people ask the question: Kali Linux vs Ubuntu which is best? In this post, you can read about the major differences between the two types of distributions based on the two types of users, i.e., developers and non-developers and decide which is more suitable for you.
What is Ubuntu?
Linux is a free operating system and comes in various distributions, such as CentOS, Fedora and Debian. Ubuntu is an open-source distribution based on the Debian distribution. It is a suitable Linux-based distribution for beginners and hence, the average users can easily use it. It is sponsored by Canonical Ltd. The main target of this operating system was initially personal computers but over time, it has also been used on servers. Ubuntu consists of all the things that organizations, enterprises, homes and schools need. Similar to other operating systems, Ubuntu Software Centre comes with pre-installed applications, some of which are office suits, e-mail, browsers, media apps and numerous games.
What is Kali Linux?
As mentioned above, Kali Linux is also an open-source Linux distribution that is based on Debian. Kali Linux also supports numerous wireless devices. It runs properly on a wide variety of hardware and is compatible with many USB and other wireless devices. The primary functions of Kali Linux are penetration testing, reverse engineering and forensics.
Also Read: Learn To Detect Your Cyber Threats
Difference Between Kali Linux and Ubuntu
Let us look at the major differences between these two distributions.
- Architecture
Though both systems are Linux distributions based on Debian, there are significant differences in their architectures. Kali Linux has been built on the Linux kernel while Ubuntu is based on the Ubuntu architecture.
- Environment
Kali Linux is based on GNOME which is short for GNU Network Object Model Environment. GNOME is a Graphical User Interface (GUI) and a set of desktop applications in Linux. The Kali Linux browser uses Kali Linux Tools Interface. Kali Linux Tools Interface is a graphical interface to use information security tools.
Ubuntu also uses GNOME and several other GUI interfaces like KDE and Unity. Ubuntu is user-friendly and efficient for both software developers and average users.
- Main purpose
The main purpose of Kali Linux is penetration testing and ethical hacking. The main purpose of Ubuntu is similar to operating systems like Windows and macOS, i.e., to provide user-friendly computer usage.
- Structure
Both Kali Linux and Ubuntu are based on Debian, one of the distributions of the Linux system.
- Speed
Both systems provide a good speed for developers and average users. If you compare them, Kali Linux provides a faster speed than Ubuntu on some platforms.
- Mobile support
Operating systems on mobile phones do not frequently use these systems. However, both systems provide mobile support. Ubuntu can be used as a perfect replacement for Android. As the interface of Ubuntu is user-friendly, it would be a better choice than Kali Linux for a mobile operating system. High-end smartphones with Ubuntu as their OS can also act as a replacement for personal computers.
- Nature
Kali Linux is built for specific purposes of security research. That is why Ubuntu is a preferred system for average users over Kali Linux. Though both systems are friendly to use for most developers, the features and characteristics of Ubuntu make it more suitable for general use by the average user.
- Dependency Injection
Dependency Injection is a design pattern in which an object/function receives other objects/functions on which it depends. Both systems use dependency injection. Furthermore, Ubuntu allows modification of the patterns as well.
- Target audience
There is a prominent difference between Kali Linux and Ubuntu regarding their target audience. The nature of the applications of the operating systems heavily influences their target audience. Most of the applications in Kali Linux are related to security and penetration testing. Kali Linux is mostly popular for information security purposes. Ubuntu, on the other hand, does not have any particular kind of target audience. It is suitable for normal computer users including developers and non-developers.
- Tools included
Kali Linux is an ideal platform for vulnerability testing and it features more than six hundred pre-installed penetration tools. These tools also have living boot capability. Thus, Kali Linux has some restrictions since its GUI is limited and constrained primarily for security purposes. Ubuntu consists of a lot of tools like email, games, calendars, word processors, graphics programs, etc. There are also a lot of administrative tools such as command-line greats and bash in Ubuntu. It also consists of the standard GNU toolkits for networking services, security and maintenance of the system.
Ubuntu vs Kali Linux for programming and hacking
Ubuntu and Kali Linux serve different purposes and hence will have different types of users. Regarding Ubuntu vs Kali Linux for programming, Ubuntu is a better choice for first-time Linux users and experienced programmers. If you are a new developer or are someone trying their hands out at programming, then pick Ubuntu. It is suitable for personal use and beginners who want to learn Linux. People who want their computers to be free of viruses prefer Ubuntu. Ubuntu does not cut back on security and runs software applications without any disturbances. Kali Linux is specialized for penetration testing and is not suited much for programming.
Regarding Ubuntu vs Kali Linux for hacking, Kali Linux is the freely available, convenient and highly secure Linux operating system to choose from. As it includes over 600 tools for information security, hackers commonly use Kali Linux. It has security analysis, security auditing and penetration testing which makes it the best OS for ethical hackers and vulnerability testers. Ubuntu does not come packed with hacking and penetration testing tools, unlike Kali Linux. Though you can install the same set of hacking tools on Ubuntu, it would be inconvenient and highly time-consuming.
Conclusion
After going through the main differences and uses of the two operating systems, you must be able to choose the one that works the best for you. Whether you are a developer, a hacker or an average user, it is always good to know the specifications of an operating system first. This helps you immensely as you dive deep into Linux, Ubuntu, Kali Linux or other variations of the Linux distributions. Since most of these systems are open source and customizable, you can always try them out and decide which one to use regularly.
Also Read: How to Install MERN Stack on Ubuntu 20.04
About the Author
Great breakdown of the differences between Kali Linux and Ubuntu! As a developer, I find Kali’s specialized tools incredibly useful for penetration testing. However, for everyday tasks, I prefer Ubuntu’s user-friendly interface. It’s interesting to see how both cater to different audiences so effectively!