Parrot OS
Parrot OS (also known as ParrotSec) is a Debian-based rolling release distribution developed by the Italian Frozenbox team. Unlike purely security-focused distributions, Parrot OS is designed to be both a capable security research platform and a comfortable daily-use desktop. It provides several distinct editions to serve different workflows.
Basic Information
| Attribute | Details |
|---|---|
| Based on | Debian testing (rolling) |
| Release cycle | Rolling release |
| Default desktop | MATE (Security/Home), KDE Plasma (optional) |
| Target users | Security researchers, developers, privacy-conscious desktop users |
| Website | https://parrotsec.org |
Key Features
- Multiple purpose-built editions: Security (full pentesting toolkit), Home (lightweight daily desktop), HTB (pre-configured for Hack The Box), and Cloud/Docker editions for server and container use.
- Lighter than Kali: The MATE desktop combined with Parrot's kernel tweaks keeps RAM usage lower than Kali Linux. The system runs comfortably on 2 GB of RAM.
- Built-in privacy tools: AnonSurf (one-click Tor routing for all traffic), Firejail application sandboxing, and OnionShare are included, giving everyday users strong privacy controls without extra configuration.
- Developer-friendly Home edition: The Home edition ships without heavy security tools but includes popular programming runtimes and development utilities, making it a viable daily driver for programmers.
- Rolling updates: Based on Debian testing, software stays current without periodic reinstalls.
Relationship to Debian
Parrot OS is based on Debian testing and sources most packages directly from that branch, supplemented by the Parrot repository (containing security tools, proprietary software, and version-bumped packages). The Parrot team maintains security-hardened kernel patches and their own tooling repository. Because it tracks Debian testing rather than stable, software versions are more current but system stability is slightly lower than stable-based distributions.
Getting Started
# Download the appropriate edition ISO from: https://parrotsec.org/download/
# After installation, update using the Parrot upgrade command
sudo parrot-upgrade
# Equivalent to:
sudo apt update && sudo apt full-upgrade -y
# Enable AnonSurf to route all traffic through Tor
sudo anonsurf start
sudo anonsurf status
sudo anonsurf stop
# Install additional security tools as needed
sudo apt install metasploit-framework burpsuite -yWho Is It For?
- Security practitioners who want an environment that doubles as a daily-use desktop
- Students on Hack The Box, TryHackMe, or similar platforms (the HTB edition is pre-configured)
- Privacy-aware users who want one-click Tor routing without a live-only system
- Developers who want a modern rolling-release Debian base with built-in privacy tooling
Parrot OS vs. Kali Linux
Kali Linux prioritizes completeness of its security tool library and is tightly focused on professional pentesting. Parrot OS is a better fit if you want a general-purpose workstation that also handles security work, especially on lower-spec hardware.
Related Links
- Website: https://parrotsec.org
- Download: https://parrotsec.org/download/
- Documentation: https://parrotsec.org/docs/
- GitLab (source): https://gitlab.com/parrotsec
Next Steps
Return to the Debian Derivatives overview to explore other Debian-based distributions.