DOSBox
7.1#4 in ms-dos emulatorsFree planFree planLinuxmacOSSelf-hostedWindows
VisitDOSBox vs DOSBox Staging
DOSBox Staging
7.2#3 in ms-dos emulatorsFree planFree planAPILinuxmacOSSelf-hosted
VisitWhat both publish
| Fact | DOSBox | DOSBox Staging |
|---|---|---|
| Compatibility | The site maintains a game compatibility list with statuses including runnable, playable and supported. | Its primary goal is to run PC Booter, DOS, and Windows 3.1 games released from 1981 to 2000. |
| Graphics | DOSBox emulates Tandy, Hercules, CGA, EGA, VGA and VESA graphics. | Features include zero-configuration CRT emulation, aspect-ratio-correct output, accurate VGA emulation, custom shaders, and 3dfx Voodoo emulation. |
| Graphics emulation | Supported display hardware includes Tandy, Hercules, CGA, EGA, VGA and VESA modes. | Graphics support includes Hercules, CGA, EGA, VGA, SVGA, expanded S3 emulation, custom CGA colors and 3dfx Voodoo 1. |
| Licence | Open Hub identifies DOSBox as GNU General Public License version 2.0 or later. | DOSBox Staging is licensed under GNU GPL version 2 or later. |
| Networking | DOSBox supports IPX networking through its internal IPXNET program. | A virtual Novell NE2000 card supplies TCP/IP networking through DHCP, with configurable TCP and UDP port forwarding. |
| Purpose | DOSBox is a DOS emulator intended to run older programs and games that do not run on newer computers. | Runs MS-DOS and Windows 3.1 software on modern Windows, macOS, and Linux computers, with MS-DOS emulation built in. |
DOSBox plans
- DOSBoxFree
DOSBox Staging plans
- DOSBox StagingFree
Pick DOSBox if…
DOSBox suits people who want to run older DOS games or programs on Windows, Linux, or macOS. Its emulation and disk-image support may also suit users working with older DOS software or game 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.