DOS Wasm X vs DOSBox-X
DOS Wasm X
neilb.net
DOSBox-X
dosbox-x.comSide by side
| Figure | DOS Wasm X | DOSBox-X |
|---|---|---|
| Price from | Free | Free |
| Free plan | Yes | Yes |
| Free trial | — | — |
| Open source | — | Yes |
| Web | Yes | — |
| Windows | — | Yes |
| macOS | — | Yes |
| Linux | — | Yes |
| Self-hosted | Yes | Yes |
| Plans published | 1 | 2 |
| Spec score · MS-DOS Emulators | 8.0 (#9) | 8.7 (#4) |
| 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 project says printing can work with third-party tools such as Printfil or WinPrint on Windows hosts. |
| Purpose | DOS Wasm X is a browser-based DOS emulator built around ease of use and stability, based on the DosBox-X codebase. | DOSBox-X is an open-source DOS emulator for running DOS applications and games. |
| Self-hosting | The project says users can host it on their own web server by copying the dist folder. | Source code and build instructions are published, and binaries are available for Windows, Linux, macOS and DOS. |
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-X
DOSBox-X is a free, open-source DOS emulator for running DOS applications and games on Linux, macOS and Windows. It also supports DOS-based Windows guests, including Windows 3.x and Windows 9x/Me. The project emphasizes general emulation and accurate hardware behavior, with DOS/V services and emulation for NEC PC-98, AX and J-3100 systems. A graphical configuration tool and many virtual-machine options let users adjust the emulated environment. DOSBox-X provides up to 100 save slots, with automatic saving for selected programs or at user-defined intervals. Its emulated NE2000 adapter supports guest networking through PCAP and Slirp backends. Printing can use parallel ports and real or emulated printers, with PostScript or PNG output. Launching host applications from the emulator is disabled by default for security and can be enabled through configuration or a command-line option. The project describes use for DOS software, historical preservation, testing and continued DOS development; emulating Pentium 4-or-higher CPUs and post-2000 PC hardware are listed as non-goals.