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js-dos

js-dos.com

Free plan WebLinuxAPISelf-hosted
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Spec score 7.8 #13 of 26 in MS-DOS Emulators

What it is

js-dos provides a JavaScript API and player for running DOS and Windows 9x programs in a browser or Node. It supports DOSBox and DOSBox-X backends, including Windows 95 and 98 system images through DOSBox-X. Developers can add the player to a webpage from its CDN, install it from npm, or download it from GitHub releases. A basic player needs static website hosting and no backend, but the page must be served over HTTP rather than opened with the file protocol. Browser IPX networking uses WebRTC-NET for IPX servers, peer and alias connections, and shared network instances. Game progress is kept in browser storage by default, which may be wiped; cloud saves can be enabled with a secret key. Custom save storage is supported through filesystem change hooks, and local persistence uses OPFS. All users can read sockdrive storage, while subscribers can write to it to save progress and install games. The site describes WebGL-backed 3Dfx rendering. Mobile support is marked production for v7 and work in progress for v8.

Spec sheet

Purpose
js-dos provides a JavaScript API and player to run DOS and Windows 9x programs in a browser or Node.Read 5 Oct 2026 · js-dos.com
Support
The about page directs users to open a GitHub issue or ask the maker on Twitter for questions and suggestions.Read 5 Oct 2026 · js-dos.com
Maker
The about page credits @caiiiycuk as maker and does not state a headquarters or founding date.Read 5 Oct 2026 · js-dos.com
Deployment limitation
The documented sockdrive service has one active deployment in Europe, and the site says performance can vary by region.Read 5 Oct 2026 · js-dos.com
Emulation
It supports DOSBox and DOSBox-X backends, including Windows 95/98 system images through DOSBox-X.Read 5 Oct 2026 · js-dos.com
Graphics
The site describes WebGL-backed accelerated 3Dfx rendering as a unique capability.Read 5 Oct 2026 · js-dos.com
Hosting
A basic player needs static website hosting and does not require a backend; the page must be served over HTTP rather than opened with the file protocol.Read 5 Oct 2026 · js-dos.com
Integration
js-dos can be added to a webpage from its CDN, installed from npm, or downloaded from GitHub releases.Read 5 Oct 2026 · js-dos.com
Mobile status
The overview labels mobile support as work in progress for v8 and production for v7.Read 5 Oct 2026 · js-dos.com
Networking
Its browser IPX networking uses WebRTC-NET and supports IPX server creation, peer and alias connections, and shared network instances.Read 5 Oct 2026 · js-dos.com
Persistence
Game progress is stored locally in the browser by default, and the site says browser storage may be wiped; cloud saves can be enabled with a secret key.Read 5 Oct 2026 · js-dos.com
Runtime
The product supports execution in browsers and Node, works in a worker or render thread, and offers WebAssembly and pure JavaScript versions.Read 5 Oct 2026 · js-dos.com
Security detail
The site warns that a shared secret key grants direct access to the account's disk drives and saves, and concurrent writing can quickly corrupt them.Read 5 Oct 2026 · js-dos.com
Self-hosting
The site documents running a custom sockdrive server locally or globally on Linux distributions such as Ubuntu.Read 5 Oct 2026 · js-dos.com
Sockdrive
All users can read sockdrive storage, while subscribers get write access to save progress and install games; disk cloning and unlimited disks are listed features.Read 5 Oct 2026 · js-dos.com
Storage integration
The player supports custom save storage through filesystem change hooks, and local persistence is based on OPFS.Read 5 Oct 2026 · js-dos.com

Plans and prices

js-dos Free Core features are stated to be free; subscription activates cloud saves and enables write access to sockdrive drives Read 5 Oct 2026 · js-dos.com
Cloud saves subscription Priced on request Activates cloud saves; subscribed users can write to sockdrive drives Read 5 Oct 2026 · js-dos.com

Every js-dos plan and price →

Strong points and limits

Strong points

  • Supports DOSBox and DOSBox-X backends
  • Basic player requires no backend
  • Browser IPX networking supports shared instances
  • Custom save storage can use filesystem hooks

Limits

  • Browser storage may be wiped
  • Cloud saves require a subscription
  • Shared secret keys grant direct drive access
  • Concurrent writing can corrupt saves

Who it suits

js-dos suits developers embedding DOS or Windows 9x programs in webpages or running them in Node. It also offers networking and save-storage options for projects that need them.

Verdict

js-dos offers browser and Node execution with multiple backends, networking, and storage choices. Note the HTTP hosting requirement, possible loss of local browser saves, and risks associated with shared keys and concurrent writes.

Where Specifiction places it

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