DOS Wasm X vs dosbox-automation
DOS Wasm X
neilb.netdosbox-automation
dosbox-automation.orgSide by side
| Figure | DOS Wasm X | dosbox-automation |
|---|---|---|
| Price from | Free | — |
| Free plan | Yes | — |
| Free trial | — | — |
| Open source | — | — |
| Web | Yes | — |
| Windows | — | Yes |
| Linux | — | Yes |
| API | — | Yes |
| Self-hosted | Yes | — |
| Plans published | 1 | 0 |
| Spec score · MS-DOS Emulators | 8.0 (#9) | 7.9 (#10) |
| Integrations | The README identifies DOSBox-X as the core engine, DOSBox Pure for the on-screen keyboard, JS Dos for its Asyncify module, and Emscripten among the codebases used. | The maker describes use with shell scripts, Python programs, game launchers, automated test harnesses, and CI/CD pipelines. |
| Purpose | DOS Wasm X is a browser-based DOS emulator built around ease of use and stability, based on the DosBox-X codebase. | dosbox-automation is a DOSBox Staging fork that lets launchers, test harnesses, and scripts launch, drive, and inspect DOS applications and games. |
| Support | The README points users to online documentation for more extensive guides and technical information. | The main branch and latest release are supported with security updates; the policy says private vulnerability reports receive a human reply. |
Plans
In their own words
DOS Wasm X
DOS Wasm X is a free, browser-based DOS emulator built around the DOSBox-X codebase and using WebAssembly. It provides virtual hard drive choices of 512 MB, 1 GB, or 2 GB and RAM choices of 32 MB, 64 MB, or 128 MB. The browser stores the drive so users can return later, and it can be exported as an image for local saving. Supported file types include ISO, ZIP, BIN, CUE, IMG, and 7z; users can import and export files and change a CD while the emulator is running. Controls include mobile mode, an on-screen keyboard, gamepad support, full screen, zoom, mouse capture, CPU speed and emulator time settings, and pause and resume. Audio, dark mode, and resolution resizing are also listed. Windows 95 or Windows 98 can be installed with the user's own Windows copy and ISO. The project can be hosted on a web server by copying the dist folder or run in a container using its Docker command. Before leaving after using Windows, shut it down within the guest system to save drive changes.
dosbox-automation
dosbox-automation is a free DOSBox Staging fork for automating the launch, control, and inspection of DOS applications and games. Its HTTP REST API uses bearer-token authentication and includes Swagger UI, while a sandboxed Lua engine can drive execution and input with frame-accurate timing. It can record and replay keyboard and mouse input, capture frames and video, read text in text modes, and inspect memory and CPU registers. TOML recipes can automate installations, including disk swaps, through the API and Lua engine. The project includes DOSBox Staging functionality, added fixes and hardening, and a FluidR3 General MIDI soundfont enabled by default. Official builds are available for Windows and Linux; the Linux build is statically linked and targets x86_64. There are no official macOS builds, and compiling from source is described as untested. The webserver is disabled by default. When enabled, it binds to localhost by default, requires a bearer token, restricts mounted paths, and runs Lua without filesystem or process access. Windows 9x is not supported.