- Home
- MS-DOS Emulators
- js-dos
js-dos
What it is
js-dos provides a JavaScript API and player for running DOS and Windows 9x programs in a browser or Node. It supports DOSBox and DOSBox-X backends, including Windows 95 and 98 system images through DOSBox-X. Developers can add it to a webpage from its CDN, install it from npm or download GitHub releases. A basic player needs static website hosting but no backend, and the page must be served over HTTP rather than opened with the file protocol. Browser IPX networking uses WebRTC-NET for IPX servers, peer and alias connections, and shared network instances. Progress is stored locally in the browser by default, where storage may be wiped; cloud saves can be enabled with a secret key. Custom save storage is available through filesystem change hooks, and local persistence uses OPFS. All users can read sockdrive storage, while subscribers can write to drives to save progress and install games. The site describes WebGL-backed accelerated 3Dfx rendering. Mobile support is marked production for v7 and work in progress for v8. Core features are free; a subscription enables cloud saves and sockdrive write access.
For and against
For
- Supports DOSBox and DOSBox-X.
- Basic player needs no backend.
- Core features are free.
- Works in browsers and Node.
- Offers WebRTC-NET browser IPX networking.
Against
- Browser storage may be wiped.
- Mobile support for v8 is work in progress.
- Sockdrive deployment is in Europe, with regional performance variation.
- A shared secret key grants disk access.
The verdict
js-dos offers a free way to run DOS and Windows 9x programs in browser or Node environments, with networking and multiple save options. Check the mobile version status and save-storage limitations before choosing a setup.
Who it suits
It suits developers who want to embed DOS or Windows 9x programs in browser or Node projects. Users should consider the different mobile support status for v7 and v8, and the limits of browser-based saves.
Plans and prices
js-dos
Core features are stated to be free; subscription activates cloud saves and enables write access to sockdrive drives
Read 5 Oct 2026 · js-dos.com
Cloud saves subscription
Activates cloud saves; subscribed users can write to sockdrive drives
Read 5 Oct 2026 · js-dos.com
On the record
- Deployment limitation
- The documented sockdrive service has one active deployment in Europe, and the site says performance can vary by region.js-dos.com · read 5 Oct 2026
- Emulation
- It supports DOSBox and DOSBox-X backends, including Windows 95/98 system images through DOSBox-X.js-dos.com · read 5 Oct 2026
- Graphics
- The site describes WebGL-backed accelerated 3Dfx rendering as a unique capability.js-dos.com · read 5 Oct 2026
- Hosting
- A basic player needs static website hosting and does not require a backend; the page must be served over HTTP rather than opened with the file protocol.js-dos.com · read 5 Oct 2026
- Integration
- js-dos can be added to a webpage from its CDN, installed from npm, or downloaded from GitHub releases.js-dos.com · read 5 Oct 2026
- Maker
- The about page credits @caiiiycuk as maker and does not state a headquarters or founding date.js-dos.com · read 5 Oct 2026
- Mobile status
- The overview labels mobile support as work in progress for v8 and production for v7.js-dos.com · read 5 Oct 2026
- Networking
- Its browser IPX networking uses WebRTC-NET and supports IPX server creation, peer and alias connections, and shared network instances.js-dos.com · read 5 Oct 2026
- Persistence
- Game progress is stored locally in the browser by default, and the site says browser storage may be wiped; cloud saves can be enabled with a secret key.js-dos.com · read 5 Oct 2026
- Purpose
- js-dos provides a JavaScript API and player to run DOS and Windows 9x programs in a browser or Node.js-dos.com · read 5 Oct 2026
- Runtime
- The product supports execution in browsers and Node, works in a worker or render thread, and offers WebAssembly and pure JavaScript versions.js-dos.com · read 5 Oct 2026
- Security detail
- The site warns that a shared secret key grants direct access to the account's disk drives and saves, and concurrent writing can quickly corrupt them.js-dos.com · read 5 Oct 2026
- Self-hosting
- The site documents running a custom sockdrive server locally or globally on Linux distributions such as Ubuntu.js-dos.com · read 5 Oct 2026
- Sockdrive
- All users can read sockdrive storage, while subscribers get write access to save progress and install games; disk cloning and unlimited disks are listed features.js-dos.com · read 5 Oct 2026
- Storage integration
- The player supports custom save storage through filesystem change hooks, and local persistence is based on OPFS.js-dos.com · read 5 Oct 2026
- Support
- The about page directs users to open a GitHub issue or ask the maker on Twitter for questions and suggestions.js-dos.com · read 5 Oct 2026
