Alternatives to DOSBox-X

A DOSBox fork that also runs Windows 3.x, 95, 98 and Me, plus Japanese PC-98 software. The listings below can replace it for an important use case. Each note says what changes if you switch.

Replacements

Listings that take over the same core job as DOSBox-X.

  • DOSBox Staging

    Modern continuation of DOSBox for running DOS games and software.

    FreeOpen sourceWindowsmacOSLinux

    DOSBox Staging uses sensible modern defaults so most DOS games run without config editing, with CRT shaders and MT-32 sound, but it does not list old Windows or PC-98 support.

  • 86Box

    A low-level emulator of vintage IBM PC-compatible hardware for running old DOS and Windows systems.

    FreeOpen sourceWindowsmacOSLinux

    86Box emulates real vintage PC hardware at a low level for DOS and Windows systems, needing original BIOS ROMs and a fast host CPU, and stops at the Pentium era.

  • v86

    An x86 PC emulator that runs operating systems such as Linux and Windows 9x inside a web browser.

    FreeOpen sourceWeb

    v86 runs x86 operating systems such as Windows 9x inside a web browser with a WebAssembly JIT, requiring no install but running slower than native emulation.

Also worth comparing

These listings name DOSBox-X as their own alternative, so the relationship runs both ways.

  • ScummVM

    Replaces the original executable of hundreds of classic adventure games so they run on hardware that did not exist yet.

    FreeOpen sourceWindowsmacOSLinuxAndroid

    DOSBox-X emulates DOS and also Windows 3.x to Me and PC-98 software, covering games outside ScummVM's engine list, but it has far more settings and config file work.

Similar software

Related functionality, not a direct replacement.