Life & fun · alternatives · 2026

24 alternatives to Windows 98 in browser

Run KolibriOS, Linux or Windows 98 in your browser

Windows 98 in Browser is a web-based emulator that lets users run KolibriOS, Linux, or Windows 98 directly in their browser without installation. The tool is designed for anyone curious about retro operating systems or… Below are 24 products that do a similar job, ranked by how close each is in meaning and then by launch-day votes. Windows 98 in browser launched in 2016; newer entries below may have overtaken it.

1. 1
   My x86 emulator written in JavaScript▲765

   Run KolibriOS, Linux or Windows 98 in your browser

   2013 · copy.sh · its alternatives →

2. 2
   Docker in the browser using x86-to-WASM recompilation▲119

   Run KolibriOS, Linux or Windows 98 in your browser

   2022 · copy.sh · its alternatives →

3. 3
   Sacred OS▲155

   Retro OS in your browser

   2024 · sacred.neocities.org · its alternatives →

4. 4OS
   Open Source emulator in Javascript that runs Linux▲65

   2012 · ubercomp.com · its alternatives →

5. 5
   Windows 95▲405

   Windows 95 app that runs on macOS, Windows, and Linux

   2018 · github.com · its alternatives →

6. 6
   RetroTick – Run classic Windows EXEs in the browser▲195

   RetroTick parses PE/NE/MZ binaries, emulates an x86 CPU, and stubs enough Win32/Win16/DOS APIs to run classics like FreeCell, Minesweeper, Solitaire and QBasic, entirely in the browser. Built with Preact + Vite + TypeScript. Demo: https://retrotick.com GitHub: https://github.com/lqs/retrotick

   Feb 2026 · retrotick.com · its alternatives →

7. 7
   Neverinstall 2.0▲368

   Your browser is the new operating system

   2022 · neverinstall.com · its alternatives →

8. 8
   98.css▲256

   A design system for building faithful recreations of old UIs

   2020 · jdan.github.io · its alternatives →

9. 9
   Windows 96▲88

   A live simulation of Windows 98 in the browser

   2021 · windows96.net · its alternatives →

10. 10
    Nostalgist.js – Run emulators of retro consoles, within web browsers▲124

    Nostalgist.js is a JavaScript library that allows you to run emulators of retro consoles within web browsers.

    2023 · nostalgist.js.org · its alternatives →

11. 11
    Windows 95 in an Electron App▲213

    Windows 95 in an app. Runs on macOS, Linux, and Windows. - felixrieseberg/windows95

    2018 · github.com · its alternatives →

12. 12W9
    Windows 98 VanillaJS Boot, React OS Implementation w/ Component Library▲14

    2019 · packard-belle.netlify.com · its alternatives →

13. 13
    A simple Unix-like operating system that runs Doom▲233

    A Simple Unix-like operating system. Contribute to ozkl/soso development by creating an account on GitHub.

    2019 · github.com · its alternatives →

14. 14AB
    Atto – BASIC computer that runs in the browser▲102

    2021 · jamesl.me · its alternatives →

15. 15
    Virtual Windows 98▲158

    Use Windows 98 in your browser

    2016 · copy.sh · its alternatives →

16. 16
    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 →

17. 17
    A Golang CP/M emulator▲107

    Z80-based CP/M emulator, in golang. Happily runs Zork, Microsoft BASIC, Turbo Pascal, Wordstar, etc. - skx/cpmulator

    2024 · github.com · its alternatives →

18. 18
    Hyper 1.0.0▲413

    Terminal built and extensible with HTML, CSS, and JavaScript

    2016 · hyper.is · its alternatives →

19. 19
    c64js▲100

    A commodore 64 emulator

    2016 · its alternatives →

20. 20XA
    X86CSS – An x86 CPU emulator written in CSS▲275

    x86CSS is a working CSS-only x86 CPU/emulator/computer. No JavaScript required!

    Feb 2026 · lyra.horse · its alternatives →

21. 21
    Libmui is a macOS Classic widget lib for Linux▲300

    Not sure if I would post this for the last day of #marchintosh OR wait for tomorrow the 1st of April. Both apply equally. Anyway, here's a pet project of mine, I made it as a glued on for another pet project of mine, but it developed a life of it's own now and can soar skyward toward success, fame, and glory.

    2024 · github.com · its alternatives →

22. 22
    GentleOS – A pair of hobby OSes for vintage 32-bit and 16-bit PCs▲132

    Hello HN, I've been working on a simple OS for tinkering and running bare metal apps on vintage PCs. Since I couldn't quite decide whether to target pure 16-bit, or slightly more capable 32-bit machines, I ended up with two separate versions: - GentleOS/32 (https://github.com/luke8086/gentleos32) works on i386+, requires 4MB of RAM and VGA display supporting 640x480x16 mode or any 256-color VESA mode. - GentleOS/16 (https://github.com/luke8086/gentleos) works on 80186+, requires less than 192KB of RAM and a CGA display supporting 320x200x4…

    Jun 2026 · github.com · its alternatives →

23. 23JE
    JS-emulated Linux with network support, everyone on one subnet▲26

    2013 · jor1k.widgetry.org · its alternatives →

24. 24
    A DOS-like hobby OS written in Rust and x86 assembly▲207

    To try it out, simply build the project yourself from source, or use attached bootable ISO image of the system (in Releases on Github) and run it in QEMU. https://blog.vxn.dev/rou2exos-rusted-edition

    2025 · github.com · its alternatives →

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 →