Running Linux in the Browser and Virtual Machines

LinuxOnTab is a standalone solution for running a full Linux operating system directly in a browser tab. The project uses Linux kernel version 6.12.13 and the Alpine Linux distribution, loading them via a WebAssembly emulator.

The solution runs without a server, software installation, or Docker daemons. Users get access to a Linux desktop with a file manager, port tunnels, and a social environment based on Nostr. After loading, the system is ready for offline use.

For quick deployment of virtual machines, ready-made images are available for VirtualBox and VMware. These resources are convenient for creating experimental testbeds and testing various configurations.

• Collection of VirtualBox images from osboxes.org
• Official images from VirtualBox developers
• Ready-made VM collection from Oracle
• Linux-based configurations from TurnKey Linux
• Images for the VMware platform
• UTM apps for iOS and MacOS

There are several services for running operating systems directly in the browser. This allows users to explore OSes without downloading or installing them.

• WebVM — serverless Debian virtual machine
• Instant Workstation — run Linux, BSD, and other OSes
• Distrosea — free service with over 70 systems
• PCjs Machines — emulator for computers from the 1970s–1990s
• Redroid — run Android in a Docker container

Besides Redroid, interesting alternatives include Waydroid, Bliss-OS, and Memuplay. They provide various ways to integrate an Android environment on standard PCs and laptops.