Blog | G5 Cyber Security

Arch Linux vs Kali: Which is Best?

G5 Cyber Security

TL;DR

Kali Linux is excellent for penetration testing and digital forensics *out of the box*. Arch Linux requires more setup but offers greater flexibility, customisation, and a lighter system. For general use or learning Linux, Arch is often better. For dedicated security work, Kali remains a strong choice.

Why Choose Arch Linux over Kali?

  1. Customisation: Arch lets you build the system *exactly* as you want it. You choose every component. Kali comes pre-configured for security tasks, which is great but less flexible.
    • You select your desktop environment (e.g., KDE Plasma, XFCE, i3).
    • You install only the packages you need, keeping the system lean and fast.
  2. Rolling Release: Arch is a rolling release distribution. This means updates are continuous, so you always have the latest software without major version upgrades.
    • Kali has a more traditional release cycle, requiring periodic re-installation or significant upgrading.
  3. Learning Experience: Installing and configuring Arch forces you to understand Linux fundamentals. It’s an excellent way to learn how the system works.
    • Kali abstracts away much of this complexity, which can be helpful initially but hinders deeper understanding.
  4. Resource Usage: Because you only install what you need, Arch typically uses fewer resources (CPU, RAM) than Kali. 
    top

    Use the top command to monitor resource usage.

  5. General Purpose Use: While Kali *can* be used for general tasks, it’s primarily designed for security. Arch is a better all-rounder.
    • Easier to set up as a daily driver workstation.

Setting Up Arch Linux

  1. Download the ISO: Get the latest ISO image from the official Arch Linux website (https://archlinux.org/download/).
  2. Boot from USB: Create a bootable USB drive using tools like Rufus or Etcher.
  3. Follow the Installation Guide: The official Arch Wiki (https://wiki.archlinux.org/title/Installation_guide) is essential. It’s detailed but thorough.
    • Partition your disk using tools like fdisk or parted.
    • Mount the partitions and configure the file system.
    • Install the base packages with 
      pacstrap /mnt base linux linux-firmware

      .

    • Generate an fstab file: 
      genfstab -U /mnt >> /mnt/etc/fstab

      .

    • Chroot into your new system and configure it (hostname, locale, network, bootloader).
  4. Install a Bootloader: GRUB is a common choice.
  5. Desktop Environment & Applications: Install your preferred desktop environment and applications using pacman. For example: 
    pacman -S plasma-desktop firefox

Kali Linux Still Has Advantages

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