Brandwave

Kali Linux vs Nmap:Which is more popular?

In September 2026, Kali Linux had more branded searches than Nmap among penetration testing platforms worldwide. Kali Linux had about 550,000 branded searches, while Nmap had 165,000. Kali Linux made up 54.1% of all penetration testing platform searches we track, and Nmap accounted for 16.2%. When we asked ChatGPT and Google AI Overviews about penetration testing platforms, Kali Linux and Nmap each appeared in three of the five answers. Kali Linux was mentioned before Nmap in three out of four answers that named either.

Among penetration testing platforms worldwide in September 2026

Who do people search for more?

Kali Linux, about 3 searches for every 1 for Nmap

Kali Linux 550K searchesNmap 165K searches

Who does AI mention more?

Both were mentioned in 3 of 5 answers.

Kali Linux in 3 of 5Nmap in 3 of 5

Who does AI recommend more?

Kali Linux, named ahead of Nmap in 3 of 4 answers

Kali Linux first in 3Nmap first in 1

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Top penetration testing platforms in ChatGPT and Google AI Overviews

In three ChatGPT questions and two Google AI Overviews, Kali Linux was mentioned in three out of five: in two of the three ChatGPT answers and in one of the two Google AI Overviews. Nmap was mentioned in three out of five: in one of the three ChatGPT answers and in both Google AI Overviews. Kali Linux was listed before Nmap in three out of four answers that named either.

Most recommended by AI

Brands get a higher ranking if they are mentioned earlier in the answers.

  1. Burp Suite1st
  2. Kali Linux2nd
  3. Metasploit3rd
  4. ZAP4th
  5. Tenable5th
  6. Nmap6th
  7. Horizon3.ai7th
  8. Pentera8th
  9. Intruder9th
  10. Cobalt10th
  11. +1 more

Mentioned by AI

Each dot is one answer, filled in when that answer mentions the brand.

  • Burp Suite5 of 5Named in 3 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 2 of 2 Google answers
  • ZAP5 of 5Named in 3 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 2 of 2 Google answers
  • Metasploit4 of 5Named in 2 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 2 of 2 Google answers
  • Kali Linux3 of 5Named in 2 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 1 of 2 Google answers
  • Nmap3 of 5Named in 1 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 2 of 2 Google answers
  • Tenable3 of 5Named in 2 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 1 of 2 Google answers
  • Pentera2 of 5Named in 1 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 1 of 2 Google answers
  • Horizon3.ai2 of 5Named in 1 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 1 of 2 Google answers
  • Cobalt1 of 5Named in 1 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 0 of 2 Google answers
  • Intruder1 of 5Named in 0 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 1 of 2 Google answers

+1 more

See every answer about penetration testing platforms

5 answers

Not named in any answer:

Brands are shown in the order each answer named them. The survey took place in the United States on October 21, 2026.

Is Kali Linux or Nmap more popular in search?

This chart shows how often people search Google for Kali Linux and Nmap by name. Each line represents a brand's share of searches for all 11 penetration testing platforms we track, month by month, from English-language searches worldwide.

Kali Linux and Nmap among penetration testing platforms worldwide, by month

Share of searches by month for Kali Linux, Nmap. The figures are in the table below the chart.

View monthly share of searches table
MonthKali LinuxNmapBurp SuiteZAPTenableMetasploitPenteraHorizon3.aiAstra SecurityCobaltIntruder
Oct 202555.2%16.5%11.1%4.3%6.1%5%1%0.41%0.24%0.2%0.06%
Nov 202552.1%15.6%12.8%5%7%5.7%0.96%0.39%0.27%0.18%0.05%
Dec 202553.9%16.2%13.2%4.2%5.9%4.9%0.81%0.35%0.28%0.14%0.05%
Jan 202653.6%16.1%13.2%4.2%5.9%4.8%1.2%0.43%0.28%0.16%0.05%
Feb 202653.8%16.1%13.2%4.2%5.9%4.8%1%0.43%0.28%0.15%0.05%
Mar 202651.3%18.7%12.6%4.9%5.6%4.6%1.2%0.55%0.34%0.15%0.06%
Apr 202653.2%15.9%13%5%5.8%4.8%1%0.64%0.35%0.17%0.05%
May 202648.7%17.8%14.6%4.6%6.5%5.4%1.1%0.72%0.39%0.16%0.06%
Jun 202652.3%15.7%12.8%6%5.8%4.7%1.2%0.87%0.42%0.18%0.06%
Jul 202651.1%18.7%12.5%4.8%5.6%4.6%1.2%0.85%0.41%0.17%0.05%
Aug 202656%16.8%11.2%4.3%5%4.1%1%0.88%0.37%0.15%0.04%
Sep 202654.1%16.2%13.3%5.1%4.9%4%1%0.92%0.35%0.16%0.04%

How has the Kali Linux and Nmap comparison changed over the last 12 months?

3 findings

How did search popularity change for penetration testing platforms worldwide in September 2026?

2 changes

  1. In September 2026, Kali Linux lost share of searches among penetration testing platforms worldwide, from 56% to 54.1%.

  2. In September 2026, Nmap lost share of searches among penetration testing platforms worldwide, from 16.8% to 16.2%.

How are branded searches counted?

2 search terms

Brandwave collects information about searches that people make online using Kali Linux’s and Nmap’s names. When viewed over time, estimated search volumes for these branded terms can be used to understand whether interest in the brands is growing, holding steady, or fading.

Kali Linux

1 branded search term

  • kali linux

Nmap

1 branded search term

  • nmap

How the Brand Demand Index is measured

Other head-to-heads among penetration testing platforms

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