- Home
- MS-DOS Emulators
- DOSBox
DOSBox
What it is
DOSBox is a free, open-source emulator for running older DOS programs and games that may not work on newer computers. It is available for Windows, Linux, and macOS, and emulates 286 and 386 CPUs in real and protected modes, along with XMS and EMS memory. Its graphics emulation includes Tandy, Hercules, CGA, EGA, VGA, and VESA, while its sound emulation covers SoundBlaster and Gravis UltraSound cards. DOSBox can mount floppy and CD-ROM images, including ISO and CUE/BIN formats. For network play, it supports IPX through its internal IPXNET program and can emulate a serial nullmodem connection over a network or the internet. The site identifies version 0.74-3 as the latest and lists packages for Mac OS X, Windows, Fedora, and Debian, as well as source code. A game compatibility list uses statuses such as runnable, playable, and supported. For untrusted files, the site recommends secure mode, which disables MOUNT, IMGMOUNT, and BOOT.
For and against
For
- Free and open source.
- Emulates several historical graphics and sound standards.
- Supports floppy and CD-ROM images.
- Offers IPX and serial network options.
Against
- Latest version listed is 0.74-3.
- Secure mode disables MOUNT, IMGMOUNT, and BOOT.
The verdict
DOSBox provides DOS emulation with support for legacy hardware standards, disk images, and networking. Check the compatibility list for a particular game, and consider secure mode when handling untrusted files.
Who it suits
DOSBox suits people who want to run older DOS software or games on Windows, Linux, or macOS. It may also suit users working with DOS disk images or networked play.
Plans and prices
DOSBox
x86 DOS emulator · free of charge · open source
Read 15 Oct 2026 · dosbox.com
On the record
- Android port features
- The Magic DosBox Android port advertises touch controls, mouse, keyboard, sound, gamepad support and IPX networking.play.google.com · read 15 Oct 2026
- Browser port
- The js-dos repository describes an Emscripten port that compiles DOSBox to JavaScript for browser play and is GPL licensed.github.com · read 15 Oct 2026
- Compatibility
- The site maintains a game compatibility list with statuses including runnable, playable and supported.dosbox.com · read 28 Sep 2026
- Configuration
- Settings are controlled through command-line options and text configuration files that are generated automatically.dosbox.com · read 15 Oct 2026
- Controller support
- The manual documents joystick and gamepad emulation, button mapping and configurable joystick types.dosbox.com · read 15 Oct 2026
- CPU emulation
- It emulates 286 and 386 processors in real and protected modes, with XMS and EMS memory.dosbox.com · read 15 Oct 2026
- Current official version
- The official site lists 0.74-3 as the latest version.dosbox.com · read 15 Oct 2026
- Developer build
- The source can be compiled on systems with SDL and a decent C++ compiler, supporting self-hosted builds.dosbox.com · read 15 Oct 2026
- Disk images
- The manual says IMGMOUNT can mount floppy disk images and CD-ROM images, including ISO and CUE/BIN formats.dosbox.com · read 28 Sep 2026
- Documentation
- The project provides a large v0.74-3 manual, FAQ, tutorial and configuration wiki covering installation, controls, networking and troubleshooting.dosbox.com · read 15 Oct 2026
- Downloads
- The download page lists DOSBox 0.74-3 builds or packages for Mac OS X, Windows, Fedora and Debian, as well as source code.dosbox.com · read 28 Sep 2026
- Frontends
- The official downloads page lists numerous community frontends for Windows, macOS, Linux and other systems.dosbox.com · read 15 Oct 2026
- Graphics
- DOSBox emulates Tandy, Hercules, CGA, EGA, VGA and VESA graphics.dosbox.com · read 28 Sep 2026
- Graphics emulation
- Supported display hardware includes Tandy, Hercules, CGA, EGA, VGA and VESA modes.dosbox.com · read 15 Oct 2026
- Independent platform description
- ComputerBase describes DOSBox as freeware for Windows, Linux and macOS with 286/386, classic graphics, sound, keyboard, mouse and DOS filesystem emulation.computerbase.de · read 15 Oct 2026
- Licence
- Open Hub identifies DOSBox as GNU General Public License version 2.0 or later.openhub.net · read 15 Oct 2026
- Limit: gaming focus
- The official FAQ says non-gaming DOS applications are not the project's primary focus and lists parallel ports, long filenames and Ctrl-Break as unsupported.dosbox.com · read 15 Oct 2026
- Limit: hardware edge cases
- A SourceForge reviewer reported that a game failed with a configuration error, while another requested better optimization for low-end hardware.sourceforge.net · read 15 Oct 2026
