Software Alternatives, Accelerators & Startups

Shadow VS DOSBox

Compare Shadow VS DOSBox and see what are their differences

Shadow logo Shadow

Transform any device into a supercharged gaming machine.

DOSBox logo DOSBox

DOSBox is a DOS-emulator that uses the SDL-library.
  • Shadow Landing page
    Landing page //
    2023-10-04
  • DOSBox Landing page
    Landing page //
    2021-09-27

Shadow

$ Details
-
Release Date
2015 January
Startup details
Country
France
City
Paris
Founder(s)
Asher Kagan
Employees
100 - 249

DOSBox

Website
dosbox.com
$ Details
Release Date
-

Shadow features and specs

  • High-Performance
    Shadow provides a high-performance virtual computer with dedicated resources, ensuring smooth operation for demanding applications and games.
  • Accessibility
    Users can access their Shadow PC from various devices including Windows, macOS, Android, and iOS, making it versatile and highly accessible.
  • Cost-Effective
    For users who require high-end hardware but cannot afford the upfront cost, Shadow's subscription model provides access to powerful technology for a manageable monthly fee.
  • Security and Updates
    The service includes regular updates and security measures, so users donโ€™t need to worry about maintaining their hardware or software.
  • Storage
    Shadow offers substantial cloud storage, which can be a significant advantage for users needing large amounts of space for their projects and files.

Possible disadvantages of Shadow

  • Internet Dependency
    Shadow requires a stable and fast internet connection to function properly. Poor connectivity can result in lag and reduced performance.
  • Bandwidth Usage
    Streaming a virtual computer can consume a lot of data, which may be an issue for users with limited bandwidth or data caps.
  • Subscription Cost
    Although cost-effective for some, the subscription fee can become expensive over time compared to owning your own hardware outright.
  • Latency
    Despite high performance, users may still experience latency issues, especially in high-speed applications like competitive gaming.
  • Limited Offline Use
    The reliance on cloud means that there is no offline mode, so users canโ€™t access their virtual machine without an internet connection.

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.

Shadow videos

Shadow - Movie Review

More videos:

  • Review - Shadow Cloud Gaming Review
  • Review - Shadow - Movie Review

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?

Category Popularity

0-100% (relative to Shadow and DOSBox)
Games
80 80%
20% 20
Emulators
0 0%
100% 100
Game Streaming
100 100%
0% 0
Gaming
57 57%
43% 43

User comments

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Reviews

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

Shadow Reviews

11 Best Parsec Alternatives & Similar Apps
Still, it can consume your battery. All in all, Shadow is a worth-trying app for those who love games and want to always connect with their games regardless of the location.
7 Best Cloud Gaming Services for 2020 (No. 3 is My Favorite)
Although games are a popular use of Shadow, and work well on it, Shadowโ€™s core service is more than just games. While thatโ€™s a pro for some, it may be extra weight for people who want to keep things simple.
Source: hostingpill.com
Stream games with these Google Stadia alternatives
The Shadow cloud gaming model is about to be updated, and it will make it quite the formidable foe. For the basic monthly investment of ยฃ13, you gain access to a timeshare comprised of an Intel Xeon CPU, an Nvidia GTX 1080 equivalent graphics card, 12GB of DDR4, a 256GB SSD, and an internet connection thatโ€™ll make you weep in awe. Itโ€™s 1Gbps, so you absolutely donโ€™t need to...
15 game streaming services you can try before Google Stadia arrives
You might not have heard of Shadow, but itโ€™s a real cloud game streaming service based in the United States. Like other similar platforms, Shadow works by giving you a virtualized computer with the means to play 3D games. Currently, Shadow is operational in 38 out of the 50 states, with more on the way.
The Best Cloud Gaming Services for Streaming Video Games
Shadow: Cloud gaming at a fixed price. Shadow functions as a subscription service, with a price of $35 a month no matter how much time you spend playing. For those of you that play way more than you should, this service may be for you. Itโ€™s also similar to Parsec in that itโ€™s essentially a computer in the cloud, so you can run any app you want in it.

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 wonโ€™t run on your modern PC, give it a try on DOSBox. It should emulate the game accurately and at native speed.

Social recommendations and mentions

Based on our record, Shadow seems to be a lot more popular than DOSBox. While we know about 320 links to Shadow, we've tracked only 1 mention of 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.

Shadow mentions (320)

  • ๐Ÿš€ Get a 5โ‚ฌ Discount on Your ShadowPC Subscription with Code: 80EDA79
    Upgrade your gaming experience with ShadowPC! Use my referral code "80EDA79" at checkout to snag a cool 5โ‚ฌ off your first subscription. Game on! ๐Ÿš€. Source: almost 2 years ago
  • PCVR on Mac?
    I had Shadow. There quite affordable when I registered and the hardware was top line. I was using it as my gaming PC for a long time (mainly for PCVR). I live in Spain and these days there wasn't dedicated servers here so I connected through Paris nodes (and that increased a bit the latency) but I play HL Alyx and a lot of games that way with good graphics (in that moment Shadow has a GTX1080 GPU) and great... Source: over 2 years ago
  • Journeyperson save on a potato? Or stuck to one large nation/several small ones?
    Https://shadow.tech/ Itโ€™s a cloud PC. I used to use it until I got my current laptop. Not cheap but very good. Source: over 2 years ago
  • Apple's game porting toolkit is fantastic. Cyperbunk 2077 at Ultra on an M1 MBP
    > But then Apple doesn't ship devices with actually powerful GPUs, so it can never compete with the gaming PCs which are far less expensive and far more powerfull graphics-wise. It is still expensive to have to use Windows just so you can game. Or put all the effort into dual booting Linux. Most people just use a Macbook and then get an Xbox/Ps5/Switch/Quest2. For games I can't use on those you can get Shadow PC... - Source: Hacker News / over 2 years ago
  • Stream pirated Games
    There is shadow.tech, which just gives you a full Windows Desktop with a little persistent disk. This should in theory work the way you want to. Source: over 2 years ago
View more

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 2 years ago

What are some alternatives?

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

Parsec - Streams games locally or over the internet

vDosPlus - vDosPlus (formerly vDos-lfn) is a free general-purpose non-gaming DOS emulator running on Windows...

Geforce Now - Underpowered PC can now pack the punch of high-performance GeForce GTX GPUs with GeForce NOW.

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

Vortex Cloud Gaming - Cloud gaming app allowing to play PC games on Android, PC or even in web browser

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