Kali Linux vs Linux Mint
| Kali Linux | Linux Mint | |
|---|---|---|
| Free plan | Yes | No |
| Free trial | No | No |
| Paid from | Free | — |
| Open source | No | No |
| Platforms | Android, Linux, macOS, self-hosted, Windows | Linux |
| Free plan | Yes | Yes |
| Device types | — | desktop computers, laptop computers |
| Support lifecycle | — | LTS releases are supported for 5 years; Linux Mint 22.3 is supported until April 2029. |
| Built-in management | — | Update Manager; centralized software updates |
| App compatibility | — | Software manager; access to software packages; dual-boot installation alongside Windows |
| Deployment models | — | Installation on desktop and laptop computers; live USB |
Both are listed in Best Operating Systems. On Freedom251, Kali Linux scores higher on our published basis.