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Kali Linux screenshot

Kali Linux

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.

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SmartOS screenshot

SmartOS

SmartOS is an open-source UNIX-like operating system based on illumos, a community fork of OpenSolaris. It features four technologies - ZFS (a combined file system and logical volume manager), DTrace (a dynamic tracing framework for troubleshooting kernel and application problems), Zones (a lightweight virtualisation solution), KVM and bhyve (two full virtualisation solutions for running a variety of guest operating systems, including Linux, Windows, BSD and Plan9).

Technical Specs Comparison
Kali LinuxSmartOS
Debian (Testing)BaseSolaris
apt / debPackage Managerpkgsrc
systemdInit Systemother
Rolling ReleaseRelease ModelFixed Release
2026.1Latest Version
IntermediateDifficultyIntermediate
March 24, 2026Release DateJune 11, 2026
ARM64x86_64
Architecture
ARM64x86_64
GNOMEKDE PlasmaXfceNo Desktop
Desktops
GNOMEKDE PlasmaXfceNo Desktop