--- title: 86Box canonical: https://saasranked.com/software/86box/ category: Virtual Machine Software points: 57 rank: 8 of 12 facts_checked: 2026-10-09 --- # 86Box Free, open-source emulator that recreates old IBM PC hardware for DOS, early Windows and similar systems. 57 points out of 100. #8 of 12 virtual machine programs. Vendor: 86Box project. Website: https://86box.net/ - It is free and open source under GPL v2 or later [2][7]. - Version 6.0 was released on 31 May 2026 [8]. - It runs on Windows 7 SP1 or newer, macOS 10.14 or newer, and Linux distributions from 2016 onward [1]. - The FAQ lists DOS, Windows 2.1x to 3.11, Windows 95, 98 and NT 4.0 as era-appropriate guests [3]. - Its documentation describes NAT-like and bridge-like networking. It does not describe snapshots, USB passthrough or shared folders [4][10]. Verdict: 86Box suits people who want to run old PC operating systems and software on faithfully emulated hardware, at no cost [1][2][3]. It emulates real hardware, so the FAQ says advanced features such as pointer integration are not possible, and the project discourages Windows XP or newer [3]. Its documentation does not describe snapshots, USB passthrough, shared folders or a shared clipboard [3][10]. Best for: Retro-computing fans who want to run 1980s and 1990s PC software accurately. ## Points | Criterion | Line | Value | Points | Note | |---|---|---|---|---| | Systems | Guest systems | Windows, Linux | 8/8 | FAQ lists Windows 2.1x to 98 and NT 4.0 as guests [3]. README says it runs many Linux distributions [7]; machine notes give Linux settings [6]. | | Systems | Also runs on other hosts | macOS, Linux | 4/4 | The home page lists macOS 10.14 or newer and Linux distributions from 2016 onward as hosts [1]. | | Systems | Works on Windows Home | Yes | 5/5 | Lists Windows 7 SP1 or newer on Intel and AMD, with no edition limit [1]. | | Virtual machines | Snapshots | Not published | 0/8 | Not published on the vendor's FAQ or menu bar pages [3][10]. | | Virtual machines | Virtual TPM and Secure Boot | Not published | 0/5 | Not published on the vendor's FAQ [3]. | | Virtual machines | Network modes | NAT, Bridged | 4/6 | SLiRP is similar to NAT and PCap to bridge. Host-only exists only as a VMware adapter under PCap, so it is not counted [4]. | | Virtual machines | Nested virtualization | Not published | 0/4 | Not published on the vendor's FAQ [3]. | | Virtual machines | Starts from a ready-made image | Not published | 0/4 | Not published on the vendor's docs; machines are set up by hand from ROM sets [2][3]. | | Devices | 3D graphics for guests | Yes | 8/8 | Settings describe emulating a 3dfx Voodoo 1 or 2 add-on 3D accelerator. It is an emulated card, not the host GPU [5]. | | Devices | USB devices in the guest | Not published | 0/6 | Not published on the vendor's FAQ or menu bar pages [3][10]. | | Devices | Shared folders | Not published | 0/6 | Not published on the vendor's FAQ or menu bar pages [3][10]. | | Devices | Shared clipboard | Not published | 0/4 | The FAQ says advanced integration such as pointer integration is not possible [3]. | | Openness and upkeep | Open source | Yes | 6/6 | The repository's COPYING file is the GPL v2; the project says GPL v2 or later [2][7]. | | Openness and upkeep | Security advisories published | No | 0/4 | The GitHub repository has a security policy but no published security advisories [9]. | | Openness and upkeep | Updated in the last 12 months | Yes | 4/4 | Release 6.0 is marked latest, dated 31 May 2026 [8]. | | Price | Free edition | Yes | 6/6 | Free open-source software with no paid edition [2][7]. | | Price | Cheapest licence for work use | $0 | 12/12 | Free under GPL v2 or later, with no paid edition listed [2][7]. | ## Plans | Plan | Price | Per month (USD) | |---|---|---| | 86Box | Free [2][7] | $0 | ## Strengths - Free and open source under GPL v2 or later [2][7]. - Runs on Windows, macOS and Linux hosts [1]. - Emulates a 3dfx Voodoo 3D accelerator for guests [5]. - Updated in May 2026 [8]. - Offers NAT-like (SLiRP) and bridge-like (PCap) networking [4]. ## Limits - The FAQ strongly discourages running Windows XP or newer, so it is unsuited to modern guests [3]. - No snapshots, USB passthrough, shared folders or guest clipboard sharing are described [3][10]. - The FAQ describes no virtual TPM or Secure Boot [3]. - The security page shows a reporting policy but no published advisories [9]. ## Vendor claims (not scored) - The project says 86Box emulates processors from the 8086 up to the Pentium, with a focus on accuracy [1]. ## Sources 1. [86Box](https://86box.net/), 86Box project, accessed 2026-10-09 2. [About 86Box](https://86box.readthedocs.io/en/latest/), 86Box project, accessed 2026-10-09 3. [Frequently asked questions](https://86box.readthedocs.io/en/latest/usage/faq.html), 86Box project, accessed 2026-10-09 4. [Networking](https://86box.readthedocs.io/en/latest/hardware/network.html), 86Box project, accessed 2026-10-09 5. [Display settings](https://86box.readthedocs.io/en/latest/settings/display.html), 86Box project, accessed 2026-10-09 6. [Machine-specific notes](https://86box.readthedocs.io/en/latest/hardware/machinespecific.html), 86Box project, accessed 2026-10-09 7. [86Box/86Box repository](https://github.com/86Box/86Box), GitHub, accessed 2026-10-09 8. [86Box releases](https://github.com/86Box/86Box/releases), GitHub, accessed 2026-10-09 9. [86Box security](https://github.com/86Box/86Box/security), GitHub, accessed 2026-10-09 10. [Menu bar](https://86box.readthedocs.io/en/latest/usage/menubar.html), 86Box project, accessed 2026-10-09