Life & fun · alternatives · 2026

24 alternatives to Nostalgia – A shareable Windows 98 desktop builder

Nostalgia — make a desktop for someone.

Below are 24 products that do a similar job, ranked by how close each is in meaning and then by launch-day votes.

1
Nostalgia Chest▲81
A chest of nostalgia. Be a 90s kid again. 😊
2015 · its alternatives →
2AR
A retro video game console I've been working on in my free time▲2,690
Software and hardware projects for fun from a guy who loves retro computing
2019 · internalregister.github.io · its alternatives →
3
98.css▲256
A design system for building faithful recreations of old UIs
2020 · jdan.github.io · its alternatives →
4
A Windows 7 web desktop recreation▲74
2021 · desk.glitchy.website · its alternatives →
5RM
Revived my personal website to join the nostalgia▲116
2020 · gasoved.github.io · its alternatives →
6
Deep Nostalgia™▲762
Animate your family photos
2021 · myheritage.com · its alternatives →
7
Windows 96▲88
A live simulation of Windows 98 in the browser
2021 · windows96.net · its alternatives →
8
Windows 11▲234
New Windows experience bringing you closer to what you love
2021 · microsoft.com · its alternatives →
9
Desktopcolors.com – A museum for solid background colors of classic OS▲166
Hi HN, in my last vacation, I built desktopcolors.com as a place to collect iconic solid background colors. Let me know what you think.
Aug 2026 · desktopcolors.com · its alternatives →
10
Windows 98½ – fake desktop, real Internet▲14
Browse the live web through retro desktop environments. Windows 98, System 7, NeXTSTEP, and more — every page is a real interactive browser session.
Feb 2026 · win9-5.com · its alternatives →
11
Virtual Windows 98▲158
Use Windows 98 in your browser
2016 · copy.sh · its alternatives →
12
TIC-80▲69
Create and play games for a retro fantasy computer
2017 · apps.microsoft.com · its alternatives →
13
My First Computer, Byte Edition v3.0▲85
Re-build a retro computer with Lego®
2017 · powerpig.ecwid.com · its alternatives →
14
Nostalgia Map▲12
A place to map your memories
2025 · its alternatives →
15
Windows 9X▲148
Windows 98 but all of the apps are AI generated
2024 · windows9x.com · its alternatives →
16
Lets Do Retro▲84
The next generation retrospective tool
2021 · its alternatives →
17
Metro Retro▲114
For productive, engaging and fun retrospectives
2019 · spreo.io · its alternatives →
18
XP.css – Windows XP CSS file and framework for building GUIs▲297
A design system for building faithful recreations of old UIs.
2020 · botoxparty.github.io · its alternatives →
19
Retro▲17
Share moments worth remembering
2023 · apps.apple.com · its alternatives →
20
Windows 98 themed website in 1 HTML file for my post punk band▲204
Here's the code: https://github.com/ConorCorp/corp-website
2025 · corp.band · its alternatives →
21IM
I made my own OS from scratch because I was bored▲224
I've wanted to make my own OS since I started programming. Now, 5 years later, I did it (kind of). Sure, it is really basic, has very little functionality, but I made it and I'm proud of that. Oh, and I'm just 16 btw.
2025 · jotalea.com.ar · its alternatives →
22
Retro▲244
A friends-only photo journal for moments big and small
2023 · retro.app · its alternatives →
23
I built a hand-modeled 3D Windows 98 portfolio with Three.js▲16
Interactive portfolio by Wessel — explore a 3D retro desk with a working Windows 98 desktop. Projects, files, and newsletter inside.
Sep 2026 · wesselsdesktop.com · its alternatives →
24
Nostalgia▲10
Create & share your most precious digital memories
2025 · nostmoments.io · its alternatives →

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Ranked by how close each launch is in meaning, then by votes. Prices were read from each product’s own site when checked and can change. Refine with your own description →