Simtel.Net- Very large selection of DOS programs; New DOS files activity low-moderate. You might wish to grab a custom search tool for offline browsing of the large SimtelNet DOS index (e.g., SIMTOOL.ZIP, 13K).
Also see the Network Bookcase's DOS collection. Although apparently restricted to listing Simtel.Net files, it contains brief program descriptions, and home page references accompany many of the newer programs.
Coast - Now extinct. Largely inactive since 1996 or so; up to this time COAST's SIMTEL archive was very similar- but not identical- to Simtel.Net. A few ftp sites still function as mirrors for the collection.
Garbo (or US mirror)- Large selection of quality DOS programs, many not available elsewhere. New files activity low.
SAC- Includes many DOS programs from developers in eastern Europe. DOS and WIN programs are not separated. New DOS files activity high.
University of Cologne- While relatively small, the actively maintained MSDOS collection is current and carries many excellent programs not stored on the other big sites, e.g., uni-koeln holds many of the files listed on the Free Software for DOS site which are difficult to locate elsewhere.
Hobbes- focus is OS/2, but some command line OS/2 apps are also ported to DOS (and not easy to locate).
PC-BLUE- Very old (early 80's up to 90's) and historically interesting collection of PC shareware/ freeware.
ZDNET- Search the zdnet file libraries. Include program reviews. The HTML on ZDNET is not well-suited to text mode browsers or low resource PC's. New DOS files activity moderate
Other DOS / Win3x freeware sites . . .
Freeware Only:
DOS
Best freeware for DOS and Windows 3.1 has been compiled by Yves Bellefeuille. Highly recommended, and still the first place to look for a concise, intelligent selection of DOS programs. (Last update was May 97- some links to files may not work, just use ftpsearch to find live links).
The valuable DOS Freeware page. Compiled by a DOS programmer, another good list that should interest the power user, programmer, and DOS network/ Internet user.
FreeDOS. MS-DOS may be "dead," but that doesn't mean DOS is dead. "The goal of the FreeDOS Project is to create a free implementation of MS-DOS." Take a look at the FreeDOS development site for the current status of the project and download links. Lots of general DOS news too.
GNU(ish) projects- Free software, mostly ports of Unix programs to DOS. Generally intended for users already familiar with the Unix counterparts.
Completely Free Software: An excellent meta-guide to free software- with an emphasis on Win3x/ 9x software, but also some good DOS finds.
Freeware Guide: This site is composed in German- but English users should explore this site for the good selection of newer Win3x programs; some DOS apps are also listed. Frequent updates. Graphics biased navigation.
Other Sites with a mix of DOS freeware and shareware:
Interesting DOS Programs: Dev Teelucksingh's concise selection of interesting DOS programs and resources- mostly freeware. Dev tracks the development of great DOS shareware as well.
Scott Nesbitt's Links: A great selection of links to recommended DOS and Windows freeware / shareware.
Of historical note: Dan's Abandonware site is an interesting and growing collection of descriptions/screenshots of many classic DOS and Windows applications of past.
For the kids: Instead of tossing that old 286 into the toxic waste dumpster, let the little ones use it for fun and learning (they aren't so easily swayed by the "new is better" argument). Check out this DOS retro site for young 'uns with hand-picked games, puzzles, menus, screen savers, etc. (mostly freeware).