CDEmu vs Virtual CD
CDEmu
cdemu.sourceforge.ioVirtual CD
virtualcd-online.comSide by side
| Figure | CDEmu | Virtual CD |
|---|---|---|
| Price from | Free | — |
| Free plan | Yes | — |
| Free trial | — | Yes |
| Open source | — | — |
| Windows | — | Yes |
| Linux | Yes | — |
| Self-hosted | Yes | — |
| Plans published | 1 | 4 |
| Spec score · Virtual Drive Software | 8.1 (#7) | 7.5 (#14) |
| Founded | 2003 | 1989 |
| Integrations | The GTK client can send daemon and device status change notifications via libnotify when its Python bindings are installed. | External programs can be added to Quick Launch and CD Management, with command-line arguments passed when they are run. |
| Purpose | CDEmu is a software suite designed to emulate an optical drive and disc, including CD-ROMs and DVD-ROMs, on Linux. | Virtual CD creates images of optical media so users can access them without the physical disc. |
| Support | The project directs users to its support request tracker and mailing list for issues, suggestions and other feedback. | The maker directs technical questions to its documentation, knowledge base, and support forum, and says it cannot provide telephone support. |
Plans
Virtual CD
- Update$16.95, paid once
- Full version$34.95, paid once
- 5-user license (private use)$69.95, paid once
- 5-user license$119.90, 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.
Virtual CD
Virtual CD has no write-up on Specifiction yet; its figures are above.