Software Alternatives, Accelerators & Startups

DOSBox VS vDosPlus

Compare DOSBox VS vDosPlus and see what are their differences

DOSBox logo DOSBox

DOSBox is a DOS-emulator that uses the SDL-library.

vDosPlus logo vDosPlus

vDosPlus (formerly vDos-lfn) is a free general-purpose non-gaming DOS emulator running on Windows...
  • DOSBox Landing page
    Landing page //
    2021-09-27
Not present

DOSBox features and specs

  • Cross-Platform Compatibility
    DOSBox is available on multiple operating systems including Windows, macOS, and Linux, which makes it accessible to a wide range of users regardless of their operating system.
  • Accurate DOS Emulation
    DOSBox provides highly accurate emulation of the original DOS system, allowing older games and applications to run smoothly as they did on legacy hardware.
  • Open Source
    Being open-source software, DOSBox is freely available and can be modified by anyone with programming knowledge, fostering community contributions and improvements.
  • Active Community and Support
    DOSBox boasts an active user community and comprehensive documentation, which provides extensive support, troubleshooting tips, and user-generated content.
  • Customization and Configuration
    Users can customize and configure DOSBox through its configuration file to optimize performance and compatibility for specific games and applications.

Possible disadvantages of DOSBox

  • Steep Learning Curve for Beginners
    New users might find DOSBox's command-line interface intimidating and may need time to familiarize themselves with its commands and setup procedures.
  • Limited Hardware Emulation
    While DOSBox emulates essential hardware, it may not support all legacy hardware configurations, potentially leading to compatibility issues with some older titles.
  • Performance Limitations
    Although suitable for many older games, DOSBox might struggle with more demanding applications from the late DOS era due to its emulation overhead.
  • Manual Configuration Required
    Some games and applications may require manual configuration adjustments for optimal performance, which can be time-consuming and challenging for less tech-savvy users.
  • Not Ideal for Non-Gaming Applications
    DOSBox is primarily geared towards gaming emulation, and it might not be the best solution for users looking to run non-gaming DOS applications.

vDosPlus features and specs

  • Compatibility
    vDosPlus is designed to run DOS-based applications on modern Windows environments, providing a high level of compatibility and allowing users to continue using legacy software.
  • Active Development
    The software receives updates and improvements, ensuring better performance, stability, and additional features over time.
  • Configuration Flexibility
    vDosPlus offers a range of configuration options that allow users to tailor the environment to suit the specific needs of their applications, enhancing usability and functionality.
  • Support for Long Filenames
    Unlike some DOS emulators, vDosPlus supports long filenames, making it easier to work with modern file naming conventions without losing compatibility.

Possible disadvantages of vDosPlus

  • Limited Platform Support
    vDosPlus primarily targets Windows systems, which means users on other operating systems like macOS or Linux might need to seek alternatives or use compatibility layers.
  • Resource Intensive
    While generally efficient, vDosPlus can be resource-intensive on older or low-spec systems, potentially affecting performance when running large or complex applications.
  • Learning Curve
    New users or those unfamiliar with DOS environments may face a learning curve when configuring and running applications in vDosPlus.
  • Limited Graphics Support
    vDosPlus may not fully support certain graphical applications or complex multimedia DOS programs, limiting its use to primarily text-based software.

DOSBox videos

Why Do You Need DOSBox?

More videos:

  • Tutorial - DOSBox Tutorial - Installing Games With DOSBox
  • Review - DOSBox review - Can DOSBox actually replace real DOS?

vDosPlus videos

How to print from vDosPlus (or vDos / DOSBox)

Category Popularity

0-100% (relative to DOSBox and vDosPlus)
Emulators
54 54%
46% 46
Gaming
57 57%
43% 43
Games
50 50%
50% 50
Tool
100 100%
0% 0

User comments

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Reviews

These are some of the external sources and on-site user reviews we've used to compare DOSBox and vDosPlus

DOSBox Reviews

7 Best Mac Emulators For Gamers In 2022
For those hoping to go back to that magical time, or even for those who were not lucky enough to live it in the moment: DOSBox has got you covered.
Source: retrododo.com
12 Best Gaming Console Emulators for Mac in 2022
Honestly, people still play these games made for MS-DOS hence the need for DosBox. If you miss those games and still want to use your dos commands, this emulator is for you. Download
Source: thebingeful.com
10 Emulators To Turn Your Computer Into A Retro Console
DOSBox specializes in emulating an environment where MS-DOS programs can run as intended. So if you have some old DOS games lying around that won’t run on your modern PC, give it a try on DOSBox. It should emulate the game accurately and at native speed.

vDosPlus Reviews

We have no reviews of vDosPlus yet.
Be the first one to post

Social recommendations and mentions

vDosPlus might be a bit more popular than DOSBox. We know about 1 link to it since March 2021 and only 1 link to DOSBox. We are tracking product recommendations and mentions on various public social media platforms and blogs. They can help you identify which product is more popular and what people think of it.

DOSBox mentions (1)

  • Emulation retro game console that lets me add my own games
    Any xbox using dosbox.com. Plays right from the browser, uses your google drive to pull the roms from. I adore that site. Source: over 1 year ago

vDosPlus mentions (1)

  • how to? lpt1 lags
    It sounds like you're using LPT1 directly (bypassing the Windows print manager, which makes sense here) and filling up the printer's buffer. I know next to nothing about NTVDM, so I don't have a software fix to recommend. You might be able to bypass the problem by using a productivity-focused DOS emulator like vDOS or vDOSPlus. You could also try hardware fixes: hunting down an old parallel printer buffer or... Source: over 2 years ago

What are some alternatives?

When comparing DOSBox and vDosPlus, you can also consider the following products

DOSEMU - DOSEMU stands for DOS Emulation, and allows you to run DOS and many DOS programs, including many...

vDos - vDos lets you conveniently run DOS applications by emulating a (spiced up) DOS PC in a window.

FreeDOS - . creation tool just didn't feel up to the task. So, I created a new utility that may have better results.

DOSBox-X - DOSBox-X: Free, cross-platform and complete DOS, Windows 3.x and 9x emulation package

JsDOSBox - [Development stage] JavaScript PC DOS Emulator

DOSBox SVN Daum - An enhanced SVN build of the DOS emulator which incorporates unofficial features and fixes that are...