# Parrot OS

> Linux distribution

**Wikidata**: [Q19768087](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q19768087)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Parrot_OS)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/parrot-os

## Summary
Parrot OS is a Linux distribution based on the Linux kernel and core GNU components. Initially released on April 10, 2013, it is also known as Parrot Security OS or Parrot Linux.

## Key Facts
- **Classification**: Linux distribution (operating system based on the Linux kernel).
- **Inception Date**: April 10, 2013.
- **Latest Version**: Version 7.0 (Stable), released on December 24, 2025.
- **Package Management**: Uses dpkg.
- **Official Website**: https://parrotsec.org
- **Also Known As**: Parrot Security OS, Parrot Linux.
- **Social Media**: Active on Twitter (@ParrotSec), Facebook (ParrotSec), Mastodon (parrotsec@mastodon.social), and Reddit (r/ParrotSecurity).
- **Development Community**: Maintains repositories on GitHub and GitLab (username: parrotsec).

## FAQs
### Q: What is the latest version of Parrot OS?
A: As of late December 2025, the latest stable version is Parrot OS 7.0, released on December 24, 2025.

### Q: When was Parrot OS created?
A: Parrot OS was inceptioned on April 10, 2013.

### Q: What package manager does Parrot OS use?
A: Parrot OS uses the dpkg package management system.

### Q: Is Parrot OS free to use?
A: Yes, as a Linux distribution, it is open-source. The project also accepts donations via its official page.

## Why It Matters
Parrot OS serves as a distinct Linux distribution within the open-source software ecosystem. Its consistent release cycle—documented from version 5.0 in March 2022 through version 7.0 in December 2025—demonstrates active development and maintenance. The distribution provides an alternative operating environment based on the Linux kernel and GNU components, managed via the dpkg system. Its presence is supported by a dedicated community forum, active social media channels (with followers growing from ~11,700 in 2021 to ~23,000 in 2025), and multilingual documentation (including Arabic, German, Spanish, and English). The project exemplifies a sustained, community-supported software initiative in the security and general computing space.

## Notable For
- **Rapid Release Cadence**: Released six major stable versions (5.0 through 7.0) between March 2022 and December 2025.
- **Multi-Architecture Support**: Version 5.3 "Electro Ara" explicitly supported amd64 and arm64 architectures.
- **Strong Community Presence**: Maintains active official forums using Discourse, a dedicated subreddit, and verified accounts across Twitter, Facebook, and Mastodon.
- **Transparent Development**: Utilizes public GitLab and GitHub repositories and maintains a detailed official blog for release notes.

## Body

### History and Development
Parrot OS was established on April 10, 2013. It functions as an operating system based on the Linux kernel and often core GNU components. The project is developed openly, with source code and projects hosted on GitHub and GitLab under the username "parrotsec".

### Version Timeline
The distribution follows a regular release cycle for its stable versions:
- **Version 5.0**: Released March 24, 2022.
- **Version 5.1**: Released September 29, 2022.
- **Version 5.2**: Released February 15, 2023.
- **Version 5.3 "Electro Ara"**: Released May 1, 2023.
- **Version 6.0**: Released January 24, 2024.
- **Version 6.1**: Released June 5, 2024.
- **Version 6.2**: Released October 23, 2024.
- **Version 6.3**: Released January 31, 2025.
- **Version 6.4**: Released July 7, 2025.
- **Version 7.0**: Released December 24, 2025.

### Technical Specifications
Parrot OS utilizes the **dpkg** package management system. The graphical user interface relies on a framework identified as Q194090. The distribution is available in multiple architectures, with version 5.3 specifically citing support for amd64 and arm64.

### Community and Support
The project supports a multilingual audience with Wikipedia entries in languages such as Arabic, Azerbaijani, Bengali, Catalan, Czech, German, English, Spanish, and Persian.
- **Official Resources**: The official website is hosted at parrotsec.org, with an official blog and a community forum hosted on Discourse.
- **Social Media**: The project maintains a significant social media footprint, with approximately 23,000 followers counted on Facebook in mid-2025 and a Mastodon account established in late 2024.

## References

1. [2022](https://parrotsec.org/blog/2022-03-24-parrot-5.0-press-release)
2. [Source](https://www.parrotsec.org/blog/2022-09-24-parrot-5.1-release-notes)
3. [Parrot 5.2 Release Notes. 2023](https://parrotsec.org/blog/2023-02-15-parrot-5.2-release-notes/)
4. [Version 5.3 "Electro Ara" Release Date May 1, 2023 Architecture amd64, arm64. 2023](https://parrotsec.org/download/)
5. [Parrot 6.0 Release Notes. 2024](https://parrotsec.org/blog/2024-01-24-parrot-6.0-release-notes)
6. [Parrot 6.1 Release Notes. 2024](https://parrotsec.org/blog/2024-06-05-parrot-6.1-release-notes)
7. [Parrot 6.2 Release Notes. 2024](https://parrotsec.org/blog/2024-10-23-parrot-6.2-release-notes)
8. [Parrot 6.3 Release Notes. 2025](https://parrotsec.org/blog/2025-01-31-parrot-6.3-release-notes)
9. [Source](https://parrotsec.org/blog/2025-07-07-parrot-6.4-release-notes)
10. [Parrot 7.0 Release Notes. 2025](https://parrotsec.org/blog/2025-12-24-parrot-7.0-release-notes)
11. [Parrot 7.1 Release Notes. 2026](https://parrotsec.org/blog/2026-02-11-parrot-7.1-release-notes)