DOSBox vs js-dos
DOSBox
dosbox.comjs-dos
js-dos.comSide by side
| Figure | DOSBox | js-dos |
|---|---|---|
| Price from | Free | Free |
| Free plan | Yes | Yes |
| Free trial | — | — |
| Open source | Yes | — |
| Web | — | Yes |
| Windows | Yes | — |
| macOS | Yes | — |
| Linux | Yes | Yes |
| API | — | Yes |
| Self-hosted | Yes | Yes |
| Plans published | 1 | 2 |
| Spec score · MS-DOS Emulators | 9.0 (#1) | 7.8 (#13) |
| Graphics | DOSBox emulates Tandy, Hercules, CGA, EGA, VGA and VESA graphics. | The site describes WebGL-backed accelerated 3Dfx rendering as a unique capability. |
| Networking | DOSBox supports IPX networking through its internal IPXNET program. | Its browser IPX networking uses WebRTC-NET and supports IPX server creation, peer and alias connections, and shared network instances. |
| Purpose | DOSBox is a DOS emulator intended to run older programs and games that do not run on newer computers. | js-dos provides a JavaScript API and player to run DOS and Windows 9x programs in a browser or Node. |
| Support | The crew page directs questions about using DOSBox or running a specific game to the forum. | The about page directs users to open a GitHub issue or ask the maker on Twitter for questions and suggestions. |
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.
js-dos
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.