dosbox-automation vs Magic DosBox
dosbox-automation
dosbox-automation.orgMagic DosBox
magicbox.imejl.skSide by side
| Figure | dosbox-automation | Magic DosBox |
|---|---|---|
| Price from | — | Free |
| Free plan | — | Yes |
| Free trial | — | — |
| Open source | — | — |
| Windows | Yes | — |
| Linux | Yes | — |
| Android | — | Yes |
| API | Yes | — |
| Plans published | 0 | 2 |
| Spec score · MS-DOS Emulators | 7.9 (#10) | 8.3 (#5) |
| Purpose | dosbox-automation is a DOSBox Staging fork that lets launchers, test harnesses, and scripts launch, drive, and inspect DOS applications and games. | Magic DosBox is an optimized DOSBox port for Android that runs DOS games and applications and is designed for touch devices. |
| Scripting | Its sandboxed Lua engine drives execution, input, and system state with frame-accurate timing. | Since version 84, the app supports simple JavaScript for combo or Deadly Strike actions, including keyboard and layer controls. |
| Support | The main branch and latest release are supported with security updates; the policy says private vulnerability reports receive a human reply. | The app listing provides [email protected] as its support email and points users to the maker’s website for documentation. |
Plans
In their own words
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.
Magic DosBox
Magic DosBox emulates MS-DOS so users can play their own classic DOS games on Android phones and tablets; games are not included. Its on-screen widgets can send keys, emulate a mouse, pause a game, and perform other actions. Users can customize widget appearance, size, and position, then export or share game profiles and layouts. It also supports physical mice, Samsung styluses, external gamepads, keyboards, sound, IPX networking, and serial modem connections. Games can be configured through a simplified interface or Expert settings based on a modified DOSBox configuration. The app lists ISO, GOG, INST, and CUE files, and supports save states. Magic DosBox Lite is free, with three widgets and a limited number of games in the collection. The $3.99, paid once plan includes all widgets and removes the collection limit. The maker says Google Play's required storage access can be slower than direct access, while Android 11-based changes block mounting the storage root and Downloads folder.