Software Alternatives, Accelerators & Startups

DOSBox-X VS DOSEMU

Compare DOSBox-X VS DOSEMU and see what are their differences

DOSBox-X logo DOSBox-X

DOSBox-X: Free, cross-platform and complete DOS, Windows 3.x and 9x emulation package

DOSEMU logo DOSEMU

DOSEMU stands for DOS Emulation, and allows you to run DOS and many DOS programs, including many...
  • DOSBox-X Landing page
    Landing page //
    2023-07-07
  • DOSEMU Landing page
    Landing page //
    2019-05-01

DOSBox-X features and specs

  • Cross-Platform Compatibility
    DOSBox-X is available for multiple platforms including Windows, Linux, and macOS, ensuring broad accessibility across different operating systems.
  • Enhanced DOS Emulation
    Offers improved emulation of MS-DOS systems, supporting a wider range of DOS applications and games compared to its predecessor.
  • Advanced Configuration Options
    Provides extensive configuration settings which allow users to customize and optimize the emulation environment according to specific needs.
  • Active Development
    The project is actively maintained and updated, incorporating community feedback and releasing new features and bug fixes regularly.
  • Comprehensive Debugging Tools
    Includes robust debugging tools useful for developers looking to analyze the behavior of DOS programs and games.

Possible disadvantages of DOSBox-X

  • Complexity
    The extensive configuration options may be overwhelming for beginners who may prefer a simpler, more straightforward emulation solution.
  • Performance Overhead
    Compared to simpler DOSBox variants, the additional features and capabilities can introduce performance overhead, particularly on lower-end systems.
  • Advanced Knowledge Requirement
    To fully utilize its capabilities, users may need a good understanding of DOS systems and emulation settings.
  • Occasional Stability Issues
    As with any emulation software, certain configurations or applications may lead to occasional crashes or unpredictable behavior.
  • Limited Official Documentation
    While it has an active community, some official documentation may not be as comprehensive, requiring users to search for external resources or community support.

DOSEMU features and specs

  • Compatibility
    DOSEMU provides a high level of compatibility with MS-DOS and other DOS environments, allowing users to run classic DOS applications and games on modern hardware and operating systems.
  • Performance
    Since DOSEMU runs natively on Linux, it tends to offer better performance and lower overhead than full-system emulators like QEMU or VirtualBox that virtualize hardware.
  • Integration with Linux
    DOSEMU integrates well with Linux systems, including support for Linux file systems and networking, enabling DOS applications to access files and resources seamlessly.
  • Open Source
    As open-source software, DOSEMU is free to use and modify, with a community of developers and users who contribute to its maintenance and feature development.

Possible disadvantages of DOSEMU

  • Limited Windows Support
    DOSEMU is primarily focused on DOS and does not support running Windows applications beyond version 3.11, making it unsuitable for users requiring compatibility with later Windows versions.
  • Complex Configuration
    Setting up DOSEMU to work smoothly with specific applications can be difficult, requiring a degree of technical knowledge about DOS and Linux systems.
  • Hardware Compatibility Issues
    Some modern hardware and peripherals may not be fully compatible with DOSEMU, leading to limitations in accessing certain features that DOS applications might require.
  • Dependency on Linux
    DOSEMU is specifically designed for Linux, so users of other operating systems will need to run a Linux environment to use it, which may not be convenient for everyone.

DOSBox-X videos

DOSBox 0.74-3 vs. DOSBox-X 0.82.20 - ADG Filler #78

More videos:

  • Review - How-to: Install DOSBox-X Running Windows 3.11, Netscape, CalmiraXP, and More!

DOSEMU videos

Linux - Dosemu playing dos games

Category Popularity

0-100% (relative to DOSBox-X and DOSEMU)
Games
67 67%
33% 33
Emulators
51 51%
49% 49
Gaming
57 57%
43% 43
Media Player
36 36%
64% 64

User comments

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Social recommendations and mentions

Based on our record, DOSBox-X seems to be more popular. It has been mentiond 59 times since March 2021. We are tracking product recommendations and mentions on various public social media platforms and blogs. They can help you identify which product is more popular and what people think of it.

DOSBox-X mentions (59)

  • 101 Basic Computer Games
    If you are craving a BASIC fix, I highly recommend getting a DOS emulator like DosBos-X and just installing a copy of Quickbasic 4.5 (which has a compiler among other niceties over the original Microsoft QBASIC). You can easily find it on the Internet Archive. There are modern variants like QB64, but personally I find that BASIC really loses a lot of its appeal/flavor when you move from an interpretative language... - Source: Hacker News / 10 days ago
  • doesn't exist error?
    If you want to use DOS productivity software or DOS database programs, go with https://dosbox-x.com/ or https://www.vdos.info/. Source: over 1 year ago
  • The Ur-Quan Masters: The Open Source Remake of Star Control II
    He probably meant this fork https://dosbox-x.com/. - Source: Hacker News / over 1 year ago
  • Best portable way to use MS-DOS/Windows 98?
    Have you tried DOSBox-X yet? It officially runs Windows 98 and can be mostly configured through a UI. Source: over 1 year ago
  • How/Where to get DosBox
    Https://dosbox-x.com/ if you want a version where modern controllers work properly. Source: almost 2 years ago
View more

DOSEMU mentions (0)

We have not tracked any mentions of DOSEMU yet. Tracking of DOSEMU recommendations started around Mar 2021.

What are some alternatives?

When comparing DOSBox-X and DOSEMU, you can also consider the following products

DOSBox - DOSBox is a DOS-emulator that uses the SDL-library.

vDos - vDos lets you conveniently run DOS applications by emulating a (spiced up) DOS PC in a window.

vDosPlus - vDosPlus (formerly vDos-lfn) is a free general-purpose non-gaming DOS emulator running on Windows...

FreeDOS - . creation tool just didn't feel up to the task. So, I created a new utility that may have better results.

DOSBox SVN Daum - An enhanced SVN build of the DOS emulator which incorporates unofficial features and fixes that are...

JsDOSBox - [Development stage] JavaScript PC DOS Emulator