DOSBox Pure
7.2#2 in ms-dos emulatorsFree planFree planLinuxmacOSSelf-hostedWindows
VisitDOSBox Pure vs DOSBox Staging
DOSBox Staging
7.2#3 in ms-dos emulatorsFree planFree planAPILinuxmacOSSelf-hosted
VisitWhat both publish
| Fact | DOSBox Pure | DOSBox Staging |
|---|---|---|
| Current release | The maker's page lists DOSBox Pure Unleashed 1.0 Preview 7, updated 7 October 2026, with Windows, macOS and Linux archives. | The homepage identifies version 0.83.0 as the latest release and provides Windows, macOS and Linux downloads. |
| Documentation depth | Ars Technica described the documentation as sparse and said it assumes substantial prior RetroArch and DOS-emulation knowledge. | The manual covers installation, command-line use, configuration, storage, captures, Windows 3.1, graphics, sound, input, networking and API endpoints. |
| Graphics emulation | The core includes 3dfx Voodoo PCI card emulation, with OpenGL hardware rendering by default and a software rendering option that uses much more CPU. | Graphics support includes Hercules, CGA, EGA, VGA, SVGA, expanded S3 emulation, custom CGA colors and 3dfx Voodoo 1. |
| License | DOSBox Pure is released under the GNU General Public License version 2 or later. | DOSBox Staging is licensed under GNU GPL version 2 or later. |
| Purpose | DOSBox Pure is a DOS game emulator fork of DOSBox designed for simplicity and ease of use. | Runs MS-DOS and Windows 3.1 software on modern Windows, macOS, and Linux computers, with MS-DOS emulation built in. |
DOSBox Pure plans
- DOSBox Pure downloadFree
- Name your own priceFree
DOSBox Staging plans
- DOSBox StagingFree
Pick DOSBox Pure if…
It suits players who want to run DOS games on a desktop system and use gamepad mappings or save states. It also supports users installing an operating system from bootable DOS media.
Pick DOSBox Staging if…
DOSBox Staging suits people seeking to run DOS or Windows 3.1-era software on Windows, macOS or Linux. It is intended for personal, low-stakes use rather than guaranteed compatibility.