Multipass vs 86Box

Struggling to choose between Multipass and 86Box? Both products offer unique advantages, making it a tough decision.

Multipass is a Development solution with tags like virtualization, ubuntu, linux, docker.

It boasts features such as Create Ubuntu VMs with a single command, CLI and GUI available, Built-in SSH access to VMs, Suspend and restart VMs while maintaining state, Share folders between host and VMs, Customizable CPU and memory allocation, VM image caching to speed up launches and pros including Simple and easy to use, Lightweight and fast VM launches, Reproducible dev environments, Native clients for Linux, macOS and Windows, Active development and maintenance.

On the other hand, 86Box is a Gaming Software product tagged with emulator, dos, windows, vintage-computing, retro-gaming.

Its standout features include Emulation of x86-based PCs from the 1980s and early 1990s, Supports emulating DOS, early Windows, classic games and apps, Modular and plugin-based design, Cycle-accurate emulation for high compatibility, Supports graphics, sound and input devices from the era, Customizable configuration of emulated hardware, Save states and snapshots, Debugging tools, and it shines with pros like High accuracy and compatibility, Active development and support, Open source and free, Allows using old software easily, Customizable to suit needs, Preserves old systems and software.

To help you make an informed decision, we've compiled a comprehensive comparison of these two products, delving into their features, pros, cons, pricing, and more. Get ready to explore the nuances that set them apart and determine which one is the perfect fit for your requirements.

Multipass

Multipass

Multipass is a lightweight virtual machine manager for Linux, Windows and macOS. It simplifies setting up virtual Ubuntu instances in just a few clicks, allowing developers to easily create reproducible development environments.

Categories:
virtualization ubuntu linux docker

Multipass Features

  1. Create Ubuntu VMs with a single command
  2. CLI and GUI available
  3. Built-in SSH access to VMs
  4. Suspend and restart VMs while maintaining state
  5. Share folders between host and VMs
  6. Customizable CPU and memory allocation
  7. VM image caching to speed up launches

Pricing

  • Free
  • Open Source

Pros

Simple and easy to use

Lightweight and fast VM launches

Reproducible dev environments

Native clients for Linux, macOS and Windows

Active development and maintenance

Cons

Only supports Ubuntu VMs currently

Limited configuration options compared to other VM managers

No snapshot or cloning support yet

No built-in orchestration features


86Box

86Box

86Box is an open-source x86 emulator that specializes in emulating software and hardware from the 1980s and early 1990s. It supports emulating systems like DOS, early versions of Windows, and classic games and applications.

Categories:
emulator dos windows vintage-computing retro-gaming

86Box Features

  1. Emulation of x86-based PCs from the 1980s and early 1990s
  2. Supports emulating DOS, early Windows, classic games and apps
  3. Modular and plugin-based design
  4. Cycle-accurate emulation for high compatibility
  5. Supports graphics, sound and input devices from the era
  6. Customizable configuration of emulated hardware
  7. Save states and snapshots
  8. Debugging tools

Pricing

  • Open Source
  • Free

Pros

High accuracy and compatibility

Active development and support

Open source and free

Allows using old software easily

Customizable to suit needs

Preserves old systems and software

Cons

Can require tinkering to work properly

Limited support for newer systems

Steep learning curve

Potential stability issues

Requires decent system resources