Have you ever wanted to test drive Linux or brush up on your command line skills but didn‘t want to go through the hassle of installing it on your computer? Online Linux emulators allow you to launch Linux directly in your web browser without needing to configure anything on your local machine.
In this comprehensive guide, we will cover 9 websites that let you access Linux and other Unix-based operating systems without any set up. Whether you are a Linux newbie looking to experiment before taking the plunge or a seasoned sysadmin needing a quick terminal, these online emulators have got you covered!
JSLinux – Fully Functional Linux in JavaScript
JSLinux is an incredible emulator that runs Linux directly in your browser using only JavaScript. Developed by Fabrice Bellard, this emulator uses Emscripten to port the Linux kernel and Busybox userland into JavaScript that executes in the browser.
It supports popular browsers like Chrome, Firefox, Opera and works surprisingly well. You get networking access, can run basic Unix commands and utilities like ping, df, cat etc. It even detects mice and supports copy-paste from the host browser.
The only caveat is that performance depends on your browser and computer speed. But it‘s still mind-blowing how Bellard managed to get Linux running quite smoothly with only web technologies.
Copy.sh – Test Drive Linux and Other Systems
If you want to experiment with not just Linux but other operating systems too, check out Copy.sh which offers browser-based emulators for:
- Windows 98
- Arch Linux
- KolibriOS
- Linux kernel 2.6 and 3.18
- Windows 1.01
- FreeDOS
- OpenBSD
- Many others!
To launch Linux, simply select one of the Linux profiles after opening Copy.sh in your browser. It uses an emulation engine called v86 to virtualize x86 hardware and boot operating systems. Performance is quite good and you can fully test out Linux distros without any install.
The only downside is that some features like networking don‘t work properly due to browser limitations on low-level hardware access. But it‘s an impressive free service for quickly evaluating Linux and other niche OSs.
Practice Linux Commands on Webminal
Webminal offers an online terminal for practicing Linux administration and shell commands. It‘s been used by over 125 countries and has served over 1.5 million commands!
After registering for a free account, you get access to a Linux container with popular tools like vim, gcc, python etc pre-installed. Everything runs server-side so performance is decent. You can practice basic commands, write and execute scripts or even edit files.
Webminal won‘t let you fully administer or test a Linux distro. But if you just want hands-on practice with commands and scripts on a quick throwaway container instance, it fits the bill perfectly.
DistroTest – Safely Evaluate Hundreds of Linux Distributions
Have you ever wanted to check out an obscure or niche Linux distribution but didn‘t want to go through the hassle of a full install with partitioning etc? DistroTest lets you conveniently test out hundreds of Linux distros instantly right in your browser.
With their custom made Hypervisor, the DistroTest team have managed to safely containerize environments for over 350 Linux/Unix operating systems without needing local installation or configuration changes.
All it takes is selecting your distro of choice from their interactive interface. The system will boot a containerized VM allowing you to evaluate the OS – install apps, test compatibility, delete system files etc without affecting your host machine.
This makes DistroTest a linux enthusiast‘s playground. You can experiment with exotic distros like Red Star OS, ReactOS, Haiku etc or go on a nostalgic trip booting legacy operating systems!
CoCalc – Collaborative Linux Environment for Coding
CoCalc offers an impressive online work environment built around a fully-featured Linux container. Teams can collaboratively code, access graphical desktops, run documentation servers and even use Linux admin tools.
Some highlights include:
- Real-time chat and comment syncing
- File versioning and automatic backups
- Support for over 35 programming languages
- Visualization and education tools
- Linux administrator access via integrated terminal
If you‘re looking for a persistent Linux machine for computational science, data analytics or collaborative software projects, CoCalc is tough to beat. Pricing starts at $14/month for individuals. Students and educators get premium accounts for free!
Practice Bash Scripting on GeekFlare
GeekFlare offers an online Bash compiler for quickly testing shell scripts in a sandboxed environment.
While limited compared to full Linux virtual machines, it lets you conveniently test Bash syntax, pipe commands or implement simple scripts online without installation. It‘s a handy tool for examples while learning shell scripting.
WebVM – Debian Virtual Machine in Browser
WebVM takes Linux in the browser to the next level by virtualizing a complete Debian Linux virtual machine using WebAssembly.
Built on CheerpX technology, WebVM beams down Debian disk images and an XTERM environment into your browser. There are no compromises – you get a proper Linux VM that runs sudo commands, launches desktop GUIs, installs packages remotely and more!
As it uses WebAssembly for near native performance, heavy tasks like compiles and disk writes are much faster. Networking is limited to HTTP ports though due to browser constraints. Overall WebVM sets a new bar for seamless Linux VMs that launch instantly without installation.
JS/UNIX – JavaScript Simulated Unix OS
For a lightweight Linux-like environment, check out JS/UNIX which recreates the look and feel of an old school UNIX terminal using JavaScript.
The entire OS is emulated including the shell, filesystem and even basic compilers like GCC. Out of the box you get utilities like Wget, Pine mail client, Nano text editor and even primitive networking support.
Just don‘t expect a production quality distro. Performance is mediocre at best. But it‘s still pretty mindblowing how much Unix goodness the developer managed to pack in with just JS!
Test Drive FreeBSD via CB.VU
If you‘re curious about FreeBSD, check out CB.VU which offers a FreeBSD 7.1 image that boots straight into your browser.
It uses a similar emulation technique as JSLinux to virtualize the kernel and userland utilities. You get a terminal to run basic FreeBSD commands and some pre-installed tools.
Just set your expectations accordingly – it‘s more of a demo rather than full featured VM. But a nice glimpse into FreeBSD if you‘ve never tried it.
Conclusion
Online Linux emulators offer a quick and convenient way to test drive Linux distros right from your browser without affecting your local machine. Whether you want to experiment freely, learn shell commands or even code collaboratively, these handy websites let you boot Linux with a click.
We‘ve covered a range of offerings from fully featured VMs like WebVM to basic terminals like JS/UNIX. Each caters to different needs ranging from software dev, admin training or just Linux enthusiasts.
So bookmark this post and check out these cool websites letting you tap into Linux from your browser without any hassles of installing operating systems locally!
