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FreeDOS VS ReactOS

Compare FreeDOS VS ReactOS and see what are their differences

LibHunt
LibHunt tracks mentions of software libraries on relevant social networks. Based on that data, you can find the most popular projects and their alternatives. featured
Note: These products don't have any matching categories. If you think this is a mistake, please edit the details of one of the products and suggest appropriate categories.
Contents:
  1. » Base Details
  2. » Videos
  3. » Reviews
  4. » Alternatives

FreeDOS logo FreeDOS

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

ReactOS logo ReactOS

ReactOS is a free, modern operating system in alpha stage, based on the design of Windows XP/2003.
  • FreeDOS Landing page
    Landing page //
    2022-06-18
  • ReactOS Landing page
    Landing page //
    2021-09-21

FreeDOS features and specs

  • Open Source
    FreeDOS is open source software, which means that users can freely view, modify, and distribute the source code. This promotes transparency and community involvement.
  • Compatibility with DOS Programs
    FreeDOS is highly compatible with legacy DOS applications and games, making it a suitable choice for running older software that requires a DOS environment.
  • Lightweight
    Given its text-based interface and minimal system requirements, FreeDOS is lightweight, making it ideal for use on older or resource-constrained hardware.
  • Active Community Support
    An active community surrounds FreeDOS, offering support, documentation, and a range of contributed software that helps users overcome issues and expand functionality.
  • No Cost
    FreeDOS is free to download, install, and use, making it a cost-effective solution for users and organizations needing a DOS-compatible operating system.

Possible disadvantages of FreeDOS

  • Limited Modern Software Compatibility
    FreeDOS primarily supports programs designed for DOS, which limits its compatibility with modern software that requires advanced operating systems and features.
  • Lack of GUI
    As a command-line-based operating system, FreeDOS does not offer a graphical user interface, which can be a hurdle for users accustomed to GUI-based systems like Windows or macOS.
  • Limited Device Driver Support
    FreeDOS may struggle with hardware compatibility due to limited support for modern device drivers, impacting its ability to work seamlessly with current peripherals.
  • Steep Learning Curve
    For users not familiar with command-line interfaces, FreeDOS can have a steep learning curve, requiring an understanding of DOS commands and file systems.
  • Limited Security Features
    FreeDOS lacks the sophisticated security features found in modern operating systems, which may pose a risk for handling sensitive data or connecting to networks.

ReactOS features and specs

  • Open Source
    ReactOS is an open-source operating system, which means its source code is freely available for anyone to view, modify, and distribute. This allows developers and contributors to participate in its development and enhancement.
  • Windows Compatibility
    ReactOS aims to be binary-compatible with Windows, especially Windows Server 2003, meaning it can run many Windows applications and drivers without modification. This could be beneficial for users who rely on legacy Windows software.
  • Lightweight
    ReactOS is designed to be lightweight, requiring fewer system resources compared to modern Windows operating systems. This makes it suitable for older hardware that may not support contemporary operating systems efficiently.
  • Freedom from Licensing Costs
    Being free and open source, ReactOS eliminates the cost associated with purchasing Windows licenses, providing an alternative for users who wish to avoid these costs.

Possible disadvantages of ReactOS

  • Incomplete Development
    ReactOS is still in the alpha stage of development, which means it is not yet stable or feature-complete. This can lead to various issues such as system crashes, incomplete features, and compatibility problems.
  • Limited Application Support
    Despite its goal of Windows compatibility, ReactOS does not support all Windows applications and drivers, particularly newer ones that require features not yet implemented in ReactOS.
  • Lack of Commercial Support
    Unlike Windows, which has extensive commercial support from Microsoft and third-party service providers, ReactOS lacks official commercial support, which may be a concern for enterprise environments.
  • Security Concerns
    As ReactOS is still under development, it may not have implemented all necessary security features and updates that a more mature operating system might have, potentially leading to security vulnerabilities.

FreeDOS videos

+ Add

FreeDOS 1.2 Review - Can it replace MS DOS for retro gaming?

More videos:

  • Tutorial - How to install FreeDOS + Review of features
  • Review - FreeDOS Review

ReactOS videos

+ Add

ReactOS Demo

More videos:

  • Review - ReactOS 0.4.12 Review - Window Snapping, New Fonts, New Looks!
  • Review - ReactOS Is An Open Source Windows-Inspired Operating System

Category Popularity

0-100% (relative to FreeDOS and ReactOS)

FreeDOS

ReactOS

Emulators
100 100%
Emulators
0% 0
Linux
10 10%
Linux
90% 90
Gaming
100 100%
Gaming
0% 0
Operating Systems
0 0%
Operating Systems
100% 100

User comments

Share your experience with using FreeDOS and ReactOS. For example, how are they different and which one is better?
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Social recommendations and mentions

Based on our record, ReactOS should be more popular than FreeDOS. It has been mentiond 70 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.

FreeDOS mentions (8)

View more

ReactOS mentions (70)

  • Unofficial Windows 7 Service Pack 2
    > but there’s no reason why a thoughtfully engineered Win7 clone DE on a lightweight Linux Why not a "thoughtfully engineered Win7 clone Desktop Environment" (without Linux :-) ). By the way: people are working on ReactOS: > https://reactos.org/. - Source: Hacker News / about 1 month ago
  • Free95: An open-source windows-compatible operating system
    Seems very WIP. Might be easier to start with something like ReactOS[0] and work backwards. [0]https://reactos.org/. - Source: Hacker News / about 2 months ago
  • You can now write React in Lua
    Soon, everything will be in react. Your browser? React. OS? React. Car operating system? React. I thought I was making a joke and then googled some and here it is: https://github.com/shirakaba/react-native-web-browser-app https://star.global/posts/react-native-for-automotive/ They were so preoccupied with whether or not they could that they didn't stop to think if they should. - Source: Hacker News / 11 months ago
  • ExectOS – brand new operating system which derives from NT architecture
    Why this over ReactOS, a much more mature open source OS, which is also based on NT? https://reactos.org/. - Source: Hacker News / 11 months ago
  • Someone connected Windows XP to the internet, and it didn't survive long
    I wonder how ReactOS does as it is Windows XP/2003 compatible? https://reactos.org/. - Source: Hacker News / 12 months ago
View more

What are some alternatives?

When comparing FreeDOS and ReactOS, you can also consider the following products

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

Ubuntu - Ubuntu is a Debian Linux-based open source operating system for desktop computers.

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

Linux Mint - Linux Mint is one of the most popular desktop Linux distributions and used by millions of people.

DOSEMU - DOSEMU stands for DOS Emulation, and allows you to run DOS and many DOS programs, including many...

Debian - Debian is a free distribution of the GNU/Linux operating system.

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