DOSBox Staging vs Magic DosBox

DOSBox Staging9.0Visit Magic DosBox6.7Visit

Higher score DOSBox Staging #1 in MS-DOS Emulators 9.0/10 Free plan Free plan✓ 3 of 4 features Visit DOSBox Staging

vs

Magic DosBox #8 in MS-DOS Emulators 6.7/10 Free plan Free plan✓ 3 of 4 features Visit Magic DosBox

• DOSBox Staging fits best

  Most DOS users on desktop platforms

• Magic DosBox fits best

  Android users playing DOS games

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Side by side

Feature	DOSBox Staging 9.0/10 Visit ↗	Magic DosBox 6.7/10 Visit ↗
At a glance
Editor score	9.0	6.7
Ranking	#1 in MS-DOS Emulators	#8 in MS-DOS Emulators
Best for	Most DOS users on desktop platforms	Android users playing DOS games
Pricing model	Free	Free plan + paid
Starting price	Not published	Not published
Free plan	✓	✓
Free trial	—	—
Deployment	Desktop	Mobile
Platforms	Windows, macOS, Linux	Android
Support	Community, Docs	Email, Community, Docs
Built for	Solo, Small business	Solo, Small business
Features DOSBox Staging 3/4 · Magic DosBox 3/4
Gamepad support	✓	✓
Save states	Not published	✓ (best)
Audio CD support	✓ (best)	Not published
Source available	✓	✓
Specs
Supported host platforms	Windows, macOS, Linux	Android
DOS target versions	Ms-dos	Ms-dos
Disk image formats	IMG, IMA, CUE/BIN, ISO, MDS/MDF, VHD	ISO, GOG, INST, CUE
Our review
Pros	Supports Windows, macOS, and Linux with open-source licensing Covers graphics, sound, storage images, input, and CD audio Adds CRT shaders, scaling, remapping, and media capture	Custom profiles, collections, layouts, and virtual controls Supports keyboard, mouse, stylus, gamepad, audio, CD-ROM, and ISO input Includes save states, networking, and layout import/export
Cons	Focused on MS-DOS software and Windows 3.1 environments No paid tier or commercial plan structure Requires hardware and media configuration for some emulation scenarios	Free Lite limits users to one game profile Free Lite allows only three widget types Games are not included, and save states have reliability limitations
Our verdict	DOSBox Staging is an open-source MS-DOS emulator for running DOS software and games on Windows, macOS, and Linux. It also supports Windows 3.1 environments and emulates IBM PC-compatible hardware, including graphics adapters, sound… Read the review →	Magic DosBox is an open-source Android port of DOSBox for running users’ own MS-DOS games and applications on phones, tablets, and other Android devices. It is aimed at Android users who want configurable touch controls alongside physical… Read the review →

Strengths and trade-offs

• DOSBox Staging — where it wins

  • Supports Windows, macOS, and Linux with open-source licensing
  • Covers graphics, sound, storage images, input, and CD audio
  • Adds CRT shaders, scaling, remapping, and media capture

  Where it doesn't

  • Focused on MS-DOS software and Windows 3.1 environments
  • No paid tier or commercial plan structure
  • Requires hardware and media configuration for some emulation scenarios

• Magic DosBox — where it wins

  • Custom profiles, collections, layouts, and virtual controls
  • Supports keyboard, mouse, stylus, gamepad, audio, CD-ROM, and ISO input
  • Includes save states, networking, and layout import/export

  Where it doesn't

  • Free Lite limits users to one game profile
  • Free Lite allows only three widget types
  • Games are not included, and save states have reliability limitations

• DOSBox Staging9.0/10 · Free plan

  A capable free emulator for DOS software, games, and Windows 3.1 environments.

  Visit DOSBox StagingFull verdict →
• Magic DosBox6.7/10 · Free plan

  A feature-rich Android DOS emulator with a capable free Lite tier.

  Visit Magic DosBoxFull verdict →