js-dos vs Magic DosBox
js-dos
js-dos.comMagic DosBox
magicbox.imejl.skSide by side
| Figure | js-dos | Magic DosBox |
|---|---|---|
| Price from | Free | Free |
| Free plan | Yes | Yes |
| Free trial | — | — |
| Open source | — | — |
| Web | Yes | — |
| Linux | Yes | — |
| Android | — | Yes |
| API | Yes | — |
| Self-hosted | Yes | — |
| Plans published | 2 | 2 |
| Spec score · MS-DOS Emulators | 7.8 (#13) | 8.3 (#5) |
| Maker | The about page credits @caiiiycuk as maker and does not state a headquarters or founding date. | The app listing identifies the developer as Bruenor s. r. o. and gives an address in Sereď, Slovakia. |
| Networking | Its browser IPX networking uses WebRTC-NET and supports IPX server creation, peer and alias connections, and shared network instances. | The app supports IPX networking and serial modem connections. |
| Purpose | js-dos provides a JavaScript API and player to run DOS and Windows 9x programs in a browser or Node. | Magic DosBox is an optimized DOSBox port for Android that runs DOS games and applications and is designed for touch devices. |
| Support | The about page directs users to open a GitHub issue or ask the maker on Twitter for questions and suggestions. | 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
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.
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.