# Parrot OS Reviews 2026. Verified Reviews, Pros & Cons | Capterra

> Is Parrot OS the right Operating Systems solution for you? Explore 17 verified user reviews from people in industries like yours to make a confident choice.

Source: https://www.capterra.com/p/230180/Parrot-Security-OS/reviews

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Parrot OS

4.5 (17)

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Last updated March 13th, 2026

# Reviews of Parrot OS

Ease of use

4.1

Customer Service

3.8

## Showing most helpful reviews

Showing 1-17 of 17 Reviews

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Rating

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Reviewer's Role

Length of Use

Frequency of Use

Mohamed F.  
Associate Consultant  
Information Technology and Services  
Used the software for: 2+ years

### "Toppest OS of All Time for Pentesters "

November 26, 2022

5.0

It's perfect for People into Pentesting.

Pros

My favorite part is Open-Source. The Parrot Security team is working a lot and contributing to Open-Source Community. With Kali Linux, we may carry a useful operating system on a USB stick and use it from any device thanks to its persistent live boot mode and forensic mode. In terms of investigating cyber incidents, it will be quite helpful. Anyone interested in cyber security will find it to be a powerful OS. It offers very high levels of stability and security.

Cons

If all essential tools are pre-installed on the Kali Linux OS, that would be fantastic. because the most recent upgrades do not include programs like ZAP and several Python libraries. However, these are crucial components of security testing.

Review Source

JR

Jeffrey R.  
VoIP Operations Manager  
Telecommunications  
Used the software for: Less than 6 months

### "If your an IT Admin that has need for forensic work and advanced security apps"

May 10, 2022

4.0

Overall I am happy with the product, though I would not suggest this distribution for a beginner in the world of linux. While I have used other linux distros and simply installed the various tools I had need for a quick install of a system that had most of the tools I use daily and this was the option I chose.

Pros

That it came with a host of tools that I need to use on a regular basis for pentesting networks and various hardware components.

Cons

Clunky user interface, not as resource light as I would prefer and install was a little quirky.

Reason for choosing Parrot OS

I could never get Kali to work with my laptops hardware and rather than fighting with the software I opted for Parrot which was much easier to install and work with.

Switched from

[Fedora Workstation](https://www.capterra.com/p/229028/Fedora-Workstation/)

Needed a quick install option that included the majority of the tools I use daily.

Review Source

MI

Mohamed I.  
Network Administrator  
Information Technology and Services  
Used the software for: 1-2 years

### "Most Friendly Penetration Testing Distro"

June 7, 2022

4.0

Good experience and I think that it is better than Kali and other penetration testing distros in terms of consumption of device resources, user interface and fewer problems Plus there are a lot more penetration testing tools in Parrot than Kali

Pros

Definitely the interface that suits the user and the penetration tester, and it is the only distribution that combines these two features In addition to monitoring resources in a friendly and clear manner with a strong UI and appropriate in its consumption of resources It also has the most important and most powerful penetration testing tools without the need to download them and face the problems of their work. In addition, it consumes much less resources than Kali in terms of RAM, CPU and Disk Space, with a stronger graphical interface.

Cons

I haven't had any flaws with Parrot, on the contrary, I find it better than many penetration-testing distros.

Reason for choosing Parrot OS

The availability of direct solutions to the problems faced by the user and the lack of complexity of working with the distribution.

Review Source

PB

Piet B.  
teacher  
Education Management  
Used the software for: Less than 6 months

### "absolutely great"

July 7, 2024

5.0

10/10 I have some kind of perfect second system on my Chromebooks Gnome-Boxes, it is really amazing, I used to be a great Linux user 10-15 years ago until I switched to ChromeOS for ease of use, but now I have jumped in again with this system

Pros

ease of use, amazing layout, great security in a country where there is censorship, great to safely use in browsers with anonsurf

Cons

nothing, everything works out of the box and is self explanatory

Review Source

ANIRUDH T.  
Cyber Security Instructor  
Computer & Network Security  
Used the software for: 1-2 years

### "Best OS For Security Professionals"

November 9, 2023

4.0

I'm very satisfied with Parrot OS and all of my students are using it.

Pros

As a cyber security instructor I'm using Parrot OS as my home OS for a long and its too easy for me to use. The factor that made me interested to Parrot more than Kali Linux is its stability, we can use it as our main OS without worrying about anything and of course its coming with a lot of preinstalled penetration testing tools and most of the common libraries.

Cons

For me the most hated thing in Parrot OS is lack of drivers, We need to install audio drivers , mic and camera drivers manually and community support is less than Kali Linux, however some people really love to install drivers manually as part of their learning.

Review Source

AAH

Al Amin H.  
Web Developer  
Information Technology and Services  
Used the software for: 2+ years

### "An in depth review of using Parrot OS"

March 6, 2023

5.0

Overall it is a powerful and versatile operating system designed for cybersecurity professionals and enthusiasts. Its pre-installed security tools, anonymity features, and sleek interface make it a top choice for penetration testing and digital forensics. While it may not be the easiest for beginners, the vast community support and active development make it a solid choice for those with advanced technical skills

Pros

Parrot OS is a fantastic platform for cybersecurity professionals and enthusiasts. Its pre-installed security tools and anonymity features make it a go-to choice for penetration testing and digital forensics. The sleek and user-friendly interface coupled with the vast community support further enhances the overall experience.

Cons

Parrot OS can be overwhelming for beginners due to its advanced features and complex interface. The frequent updates and compatibility issues can also be frustrating for some users. Additionally, the lack of official documentation and support can make troubleshooting difficult for those with limited technical knowledge.

Review Source

Abhijith J.  
Cyber security researcher  
Computer Software  
Used the software for: 2+ years

### "All in one tool for Cyber security"

November 6, 2023

4.0

I would say one of the best OS i ever used. I like it more than the kali linux

Pros

All the tools need for ethical hacking and Cyber security is preinstalled. Take only less resources compare to other OS in this field. Great repository and Regular updates. Excellent Community support.

Cons

Most of the hardware drivers are missing. Need to installed manually each of them

Review Source

MHA

Monir Hossain A.  
Front-end Developer  
Computer Software  
Used the software for: 2+ years

### "A stable OS with so many handy features for Ethical hacking"

March 12, 2023

5.0

Parrot OS is like the Batman utility belt of cybersecurity operating systems. It's got all the tools you need to fight cybercrime and protect your organization, making it an essential tool for any serious cybersecurity professional.

Pros

As a seasoned Linux user, I found Parrot OS to be a unique and comprehensive distribution that prioritizes both security and privacy without sacrificing usability. Its diverse toolset makes it an excellent choice for penetration testers and cybersecurity professionals, while its user-friendly interface and robust documentation make it accessible for beginners as well.

Cons

My experience with Parrot OS has been challenging as a beginner due to its complex interface and steep learning curve, which made it hard to navigate and utilize its powerful tools effectively.

Review Source

AI

Ariful I.  
COO  
Apparel & Fashion  
Used the software for: 2+ years

### "The things that you must know before using Parrot OS"

March 7, 2023

4.0

From what I've gathered, Parrot OS is an excellent choice for security enthusiasts and professionals due to its Debian-based structure, a wide range of pre-installed tools, and customizable features.

Pros

It's a Debian-based operating system designed for security professionals with a variety of pre-installed tools and customizable features. It's perfect for ethical hacking and research.

Cons

I've heard some people mention three potential downsides to Parrot OS. They claim it can be resource-intensive, has a steep learning curve for beginners, and may not have as extensive documentation as other operating systems.

Review Source

TP

Tanmoy P.  
Web Developer  
Information Technology and Services  
Used the software for: 2+ years

### "It's one of the best OS i have ever seen"

March 16, 2023

4.0

If you're serious about cybersecurity, Parrot OS is a must-have tool in your arsenal. It's a comprehensive operating system that provides everything you need to protect your digital assets from cyber threats.

Pros

As someone who's been exploring the depths of cybersecurity, I can confidently say that Parrot OS is a top-notch operating system that makes you feel like a master hacker, even if you're a beginner.

Cons

As someone who's used Parrot OS, I can say that the operating system's occasional stability issues have been a source of frustration for me, despite its impressive set of security tools.

Review Source

AC

Almudena C.  
Especialista comercial  
Insurance  
Used the software for: 2+ years

### "Una de las mejores distribuciones Linux"

March 4, 2023

5.0

Gran distribución Linux basada en Debian que gracias a su bonito escritorio facilita de manera sencilla a el tránsito de Windows a Linux.

Pros

Que esté basado en Debian ya dice mucho de una distribución Linux sobre su estabilidad, pero Parrot OS ha conseguido mejorarla!Escritorio muy bonito, instalación sencilla y mantenerlo actualizado no conlleva ningún esfuerzo extra. Si estás pensando en probar una distribución Linux para dejar Windows, sin duda Parrot OS es una gran opción!

Cons

Criticar un SO como Parrot OS que aun por encima es gratuito es muy complicado...Como siempre digo cuando tengo que hablar de una distribución Linux... el mayor inconveniente viene de los desarrolladores que no hace versión de sus software para Linux

Review Source

DB

Debasree B.  
Junior Frontend Software Developer  
Computer Software  
Used the software for: 2+ years

### "Must use OS for hacker and security tester"

March 7, 2023

5.0

I've been using Parrot OS for a while now, and I have to say, it's an incredibly versatile and powerful system. The pre-installed security tools are comprehensive, and the ability to customize the OS to my needs has been invaluable.

Pros

I'm a big fan of Parrot OS - as someone who's passionate about cybersecurity, it's been an invaluable tool for me. The pre-installed security tools and customization options make it a top choice for anyone looking to secure their digital environment.

Cons

While Parrot OS has its strengths, I've personally found that it can be overwhelming to use. The learning curve is steep, and the system can be resource-heavy, which can impact overall performance.

Review Source

SM

Sapan M.  
Assistant Engineer  
Consumer Electronics  
Used the software for: 1-2 years

### "An honest review from a long time Parrot OS user"

March 5, 2023

5.0

It comes with a lot of tools and features that make it a great choice for anyone looking for a good Linux distro. The only downside is that it doesn't have a lot of documentation, but other than that, it's a great distro.

Pros

I really like Parrot OS! It's a great Linux distro for security researchers and pentesters. The tools and features it comes with are awesome.

Cons

I don't really have any negative things to say about Parrot OS. It's a great Linux distro for security researchers and pentesters. The tools and features it comes with are awesome.

Review Source

WL

Whitney L.  
Owner/Operator  
Arts and Crafts  
Used the software for: 1-2 years

### "Parrot OS via live boot usb"

October 31, 2023

4.0

Pros

I enjoy all the penetration testing programs already included with it and how well organized just the try option on live usb boot generates for a person looking to get started in any kind of tech field career and computer technology.

Cons

The assumption that every user naturally knows the correct commands to operate an included program naturally and isn’t step by step instructing first to ease into it and educate others.

Review Source

FRS

Fayzur Rahman S.  
Head of Marketing  
Non-Profit Organization Management  
Used the software for: 1-2 years

### "A feature rich OS of Linux"

September 28, 2022

5.0

Pros

I could say a lot about Parrot OS and why it is the best operating system. I could talk about how it changed my life and made me realize that there is more to a computer than just Windows. But I won't. All you need to know is that Parrot OS is nothing short of incredible because it's Parrot OS!

Cons

I love Parrot OS. It's simple, yet powerful. The things I appreciate the most about it is that it doesn't have too many features and can run on any device. I have been using it for the past few months and I am not planning to switch anytime soon!

Review Source

SS

Solaiman S.  
Software Engineer  
Computer Software  
Used the software for: 1-2 years

### "I love using parrot Os"

October 12, 2022

5.0

Pros

parrot os is perfect for anyone looking for a solid OS. The interface is beautiful and there are not too many unnecessary extras that bog down the system.

Cons

Parrot os is the best operating system in the world, It is secured also. So it's recommended.

Review Source

GOT

Garin Osvaldo T.  
Especialista  
Mechanical or Industrial Engineering  
Used the software for: 2+ years

### "Para un trabajo especializado"

November 29, 2022

4.0

Me gusto la ap´liacion, facilidad de uso.

Pros

Muy buena herramienta a la hora de realizar evaluaciones de sistemas, la mejor opcion.

Cons

No es para todos, ni principiantes, cuesta arrancar.

Review Source

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