Parrot
Debian family, based on Debian · first released 2013
- Popularity rank
- #47
- Index
- 275
- Released
- 2013
you want full control and don't mind the terminal, you write software, privacy or security is the priority or you prefer tested updates on a fixed schedule.
Pros and cons
Good
- Security tools ready to use
- Home edition for private everyday use
- Debian base
Trade-offs
- Security edition is not an everyday desktop
- Tools are only legal on systems you're allowed to test
- Smaller community than Kali
How Parrot fits what you do
Everyday use: Not the best fit
Good
Nothing that stands out for this.
Trade-offs
- Expects you to set things up yourself
- Not mainly built as an everyday desktop
Gaming: Can work
Good
Nothing that stands out for this.
Trade-offs
- NVIDIA drivers need setting up yourself
- Graphics drivers and kernels update more slowly
- Steam and gaming tweaks are up to you
Older computers: Can work
Good
- Offers a lightweight desktop
Trade-offs
- No 32-bit images
Programming: Good fit
Good
- Popular with developers
- A stable base that doesn't change under you
- Also runs on ARM machines
Trade-offs
None we know of.
AI & Local LLMs: Not the best fit
Good
Nothing that stands out for this.
Trade-offs
- No official CUDA packages, so NVIDIA AI tools need workarounds
- AMD ROCm isn't officially supported
Servers & home labs: Can work
Good
- Fixed releases with tested updates
- Runs on ARM boards and Raspberry Pi
Trade-offs
- Mainly a desktop system
Privacy & security: Good fit
Good
- Built with privacy or security as the goal
Trade-offs
- Usage data not checked by us yet
Music, video & graphics: Can work
Good
Nothing that stands out for this.
Trade-offs
- Creative apps and low-latency audio setup are up to you
From our hand-written profile of Parrot. Take the quiz to compare it with other distros for your setup.
Rank over time
| Window | Rank | Index | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Last month | #98 ▼ 51 | 247 | |
| 12 months | #47 | 275 |
Shorter windows react faster. A better rank there than over 12 months means interest is growing.
Telemetry
Not checked yet. We only list what we've confirmed in the project's own documentation.
Rate Parrot
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Ranking from our composite index: English Wikipedia article views, DistroWatch page hits, GitHub stars and views on this site, built 2026-11-12. All of these measure interest, not installs. Ratings come from signed-in LinuxStatistics users.