DOSBox Staging vs js-dos

DOSBox Staging runs MS-DOS and Windows 3.1 software on modern Windows, macOS, and Linux computers through built-in MS-DOS emulation. Its main compatibility goal is PC Booter, DOS, and Windows 3.1 games released from 1981 to 2000. Default settings are intended to let most games and applications work without adjustment, and existing DOSBox configurations remain usable. Graphics options include CRT emulation, aspect-ratio-correct output, VGA and 3dfx Voodoo emulation, and custom shaders. Emulated audio includes Roland MT-32 and SC-55, FluidSynth MIDI, OPL, Gravis UltraSound, and PC speaker sound. Networking includes Ethernet through SLiRP and ENet modem transport. Host features include clipboard integration, physical CD-ROM mounting, high-DPI support, and Windows 3.1 seamless mouse integration. An optional HTTP REST API can inspect or modify emulator state, but it is disabled by default and binds to localhost; exposing it to untrusted networks gives them full control of the emulator. The project says it collects no personal information and makes no network connection unless initiated by the user. It is free for personal use, without warranty, and intended for low-stakes scenarios.

js-dos provides a JavaScript API and player for running DOS and Windows 9x programs in a browser or Node. It supports DOSBox and DOSBox-X backends, including Windows 95 and 98 system images through DOSBox-X. Developers can add the player to a webpage from its CDN, install it from npm, or download it from GitHub releases. A basic player needs static website hosting and no backend, but the page must be served over HTTP rather than opened with the file protocol. Browser IPX networking uses WebRTC-NET for IPX servers, peer and alias connections, and shared network instances. Game progress is kept in browser storage by default, which may be wiped; cloud saves can be enabled with a secret key. Custom save storage is supported through filesystem change hooks, and local persistence uses OPFS. All users can read sockdrive storage, while subscribers can write to it to save progress and install games. The site describes WebGL-backed 3Dfx rendering. Mobile support is marked production for v7 and work in progress for v8.