CDEmu vs NetDrive
CDEmu
cdemu.sourceforge.ioNetDrive
netdrive.netSide by side
| Figure | CDEmu | NetDrive |
|---|---|---|
| Price from | Free | $2.49/mo |
| Free plan | Yes | — |
| Free trial | — | Yes |
| Open source | — | — |
| Windows | — | Yes |
| macOS | — | Yes |
| Linux | Yes | — |
| iOS | — | Yes |
| Android | — | Yes |
| Self-hosted | Yes | — |
| Plans published | 1 | 9 |
| Spec score · Virtual Drive Software | 8.1 (#7) | 8.0 (#10) |
| Founded | 2003 | 2010 |
| Purpose | CDEmu is a software suite designed to emulate an optical drive and disc, including CD-ROMs and DVD-ROMs, on Linux. | NetDrive mounts remote storage so files can be accessed like local files through Windows Explorer and macOS Finder. |
| Support | The project directs users to its support request tracker and mailing list for issues, suggestions and other feedback. | Subscription plans include support and updates during the subscription period; the lifetime team plan includes lifetime support and updates. |
Plans
NetDrive
- Personal free trialFree
- Team free trialFree
- Personal Monthly subscription$3.90 a month
- Team Monthly subscription$4.90 a month
- Personal Yearly subscription$29.90 a year
- Team Yearly subscription$34.90 a year
- Personal Lifetime / 1 year support$69.95, paid once
- Personal Lifetime$129.95, paid once
- Team Lifetime$149, paid once
In their own words
CDEmu
CDEmu emulates optical drives and discs on Linux, including CD-ROM and DVD-ROM media. Its kernel module provides a virtual SCSI host adapter that connects the Linux kernel with a userspace daemon, while libMirage gives access to many optical image formats, including MDS, CUE, BIN, ISO, NRG, UDF, DMG, CSO, GZ, DAA, and ISZ. Emulated media can be mounted in Linux, with automounting available. The project also describes experimental CD-R and DVD+R recording emulation, allowing blank virtual discs to be written with disc-burning software. Users can load and unload devices, check device status, and manage debug masks through command-line or GTK clients. The daemon exposes methods over D-BUS and can register on the session or system bus. System-bus use needs special permissions; session-bus use requires read and write access to the VHBA control device. CDEmu is free under the GNU GPL version 2 or later. The project lists official source tarballs and Linux distribution packages; third-party packages are not verified or formally supported.
NetDrive
NetDrive mounts remote storage so files can be accessed through Windows Explorer or macOS Finder like files stored on the computer. Its File Browser offers another way to manage remote files: users can open, download, rename, and delete them without mounting a drive. NetDrive 3 can upload files in the background, and file locking prevents other users from deleting, renaming, or overwriting locked files. Team maintainers can publish shared drives to members’ drive lists. Listed connections include Google Drive, Dropbox, OneDrive, Box, MEGA, Google Cloud Storage, Amazon S3, Azure, Backblaze B2, WebDAV, FTP, and SFTP. NetDrive lists Windows, macOS, Android, and iOS, though the download page lists Windows and macOS installers. Use requires a Bdrive account ID and an internet connection. One license supports one device at a time. Plans start at $3.90/mo, and a 7-day trial is available. NetDrive was founded in 2010 and is headquartered in Seoul, South Korea.