Why would you want to run Linux from a web browser with the help of a website??
Well, I can understand if you are new and want to play around, learn or want a test drive. Or maybe just bored with Windows and MAC.
The following tools will help you launch Linux-based OS within a browser.
The good thing about that emulator is you don’t have to install anything on your PC. It works within your web browser as you are surfing any website.
Best Online Linux Emulators
Now, let’s get to those emulators!
JSLinux
JSLinux is fully functional Linux running entirely in a web browser, meaning if you have almost any modern web browser suddenly you can run a basic version of Linux on any computer.
This emulator is written in JavaScript and supported on Chrome, Firefox, Opera, and Internet Explorer. You can refer to the official technical notes about this fantastic emulator.
Copy.sh
Run Linux 2.6 from copy.sh.
- Windows 98
- Arch Linux
- KolibriOS
- Linux 2.6 and 3.18
- Windows 1.01
- FreeDOS
- OpenBSD
- Solar OS
Boot time for Linux is less than one minute, and you may launch the other following operating systems too.
Webminal
Webminal is GNU/Linux terminal and the best place to practice the Linux commands and interact with other users. To access the Webminal terminal, you need to register a free account with them.
Webminal has helped students from more than 125 countries that have practiced more than 1.5 million commands.
CoCalc
CoCalc offers real-time, collaborative, and fully synchronized Linux Terminal in the browser. It will help you in maintaining software without installing it. You can leverage the benefit of using the same terminal so multiple users can open it. Additionally, it allows you to edit the shell script files and run them effortlessly.
CoCalc provides a side-chat that allows you to discuss the commands with others. In addition, automatic backup helps to keep the files safe. You can also copy or paste between the online terminal and your local PC.
CoCalc has a frame editor that supports script file editing with a terminal side by side. It includes many popular applications like Git, Emacs, GitHub, and VIM and supports programming shells such as R shell, IPython, and SageMath. It also supports programming languages and powerful compilers, including Python, Java, C, and C++ through GNU GCC or Ada, Clang, Haskell, Rust, Smalltalk, and more.
This Linux terminal is ideal for learning or teaching Linux. CoCalc’s servers enable everything to run remotely, and you don’t need to worry about complexities, handle setup or installation issues, or take risks of corrupting your files upon making minor mistakes. Moreover, you will always get snapshots of your files that you can restore and copy in case of file corruption or mismanagement to ensure you don’t lose anything.
Geekflare Compiler
Not exactly the entire OS but you can practice bash commands on Geekflare Bash Complier.
WebVM
You can use WebVM to run client-side Debian binaries right from your web browser. It is powered by the CheerpX virtualization engine.
The core components involve:
- A CheerpX execution engine,
- Xterm.js as the primary UI module,
- A Debian buster disk image with a few pre-installed packages.
This has no server-side components, and you would basically be accessing disk images held on a Content Delivery Network like Cloudflare. This approach essentially means many simultaneous users without any technical bottlenecks.
JS/UNIX Terminal
JS/UNIX is UNIX-like Operating System for web browsers written in JavaScript. It doesn’t require any plugin to open the terminal. You get a “guest” login to practice the commands.
CB.VU
CB.VU gives you FreeBSD 7.1 stable version.
If you are looking to build your career in Linux, then you may check out this online course by Jason Cannon.
Conclusion
These emulators should help you get the job done. I’ve tried them myself and found them very useful.
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