DOSBox vs EM-DOSBox
DOSBox
dosbox.comEM-DOSBox
github.comSide by side
| Figure | DOSBox | EM-DOSBox |
|---|---|---|
| Price from | Free | — |
| Free plan | Yes | — |
| Free trial | — | — |
| Open source | Yes | — |
| Web | — | Yes |
| Windows | Yes | — |
| macOS | Yes | — |
| Linux | Yes | — |
| Self-hosted | Yes | — |
| Plans published | 1 | 0 |
| Spec score · MS-DOS Emulators | 9.0 (#1) | 6.7 (#24) |
| Compatibility | The site maintains a game compatibility list with statuses including runnable, playable and supported. | The project says most games run successfully in web browsers, though a few programs can have problems due to paging exceptions. |
| Configuration | Settings are controlled through command-line options and text configuration files that are generated automatically. | A dosbox.conf file can be included in a package to change emulator speed, audio, or graphics settings. |
| Purpose | DOSBox is a DOS emulator intended to run older programs and games that do not run on newer computers. | EM-DOSBox is a DOSBox version that can be compiled with Emscripten to run DOS games and programs in a web browser. |
Plans
In their own words
DOSBox
DOSBox is a free, open-source DOS emulator for running older programs and games that may not run on newer computers. It emulates 286 and 386 CPUs in real and protected modes, along with XMS and EMS memory. Its graphics support covers Tandy, Hercules, CGA, EGA, VGA, and VESA, while sound emulation includes SoundBlaster and Gravis UltraSound cards. Users can mount floppy and CD-ROM images, including ISO and CUE/BIN formats. DOSBox also supports IPX networking through its internal IPXNET program and can emulate a serial nullmodem cable over a network or the internet. The site identifies version 0.74-3 as the latest version and lists builds or packages for Mac OS X, Windows, Fedora, and Debian, along with source code. Its game compatibility list uses statuses including runnable, playable, and supported. For untrusted files, the site recommends secure mode; that mode disables MOUNT, IMGMOUNT, and BOOT. DOSBox runs on Windows, Linux, and macOS, and the forum is the suggested place to ask about usage or a particular game.