Here is a list of 10 Best Android Emulators that could be used on windows PC and Mac in 2020. We have picked the right android emulators. For information on recommended devices and specifications, as well as Android Emulator support, visit chromeos.dev. Jul 07, 2021 Best Android Emulator For Mac. ARChon is a little different than most of our best Android emulators for PC or Mac in that this one is actually a Google Chrome extension. Jun 17, 2021 To run the emulator in Android Studio, make sure you're using Android Studio 4.1 or higher with version 30.0.10 or higher of the Android Emulator, then follow these steps: Click File Settings Tools Emulator (or Android Studio Preferences Tools Emulator on macOS ), then select Launch in a tool window and click OK.
Are you bored of looking at the tiny screen of your Android mobile phone? Do you want your Windows 10, 8, or 7 computers mimic your mobile phone so that your eyes aren’t stressed? You can also play your favorite games, including PubG, Justice League, and Clash of Clans on the computer.
To do so, you need what’s called an Android Emulator. It is a virtual device. You can build an Android emulator for Windows yourself but it is quite difficult, especially if you don’t have any technical knowledge regarding it. Rather than that, you can simply download software that turns your Windows in an emulator device, so that you can run Android apps on PC.
The Top 14 Best Free Android Emulators for Windows
We’ve made a list of the 14 best Android emulators for Windows 10/8/7 or Mac to help you make the right choice:
1. Nox App Player
One of the best Android emulator for PC for gamers, Nox App Player can be used to play big games including Justice League and Clash of Clans. You can use it for free. No ads are displayed while you are using the software. It also lets you to manually assign keys from the keyboard before you start playing games.
Using the settings, you can specify where you want to use CPU or RAM for the best gaming experience. The software supports easy rooting of the device, which barely takes a minute. Currently, Nox App Player is compatible with Android 4.4.2 and high versions.
Pros:
- You can open multiple windows on one computer.
- Roots easily.
- You can map shortcuts on the computer.
Cons:
- Puts an excess load on the computer, so you cannot use multiple apps at once.
2. BlueStacks 3
BlueStacks 3 is the most ideal Android emulator for PC. This software is also a preferred choice among gamers and has a very simple installation process. It offers you the option to download BlueStacks 3 optimized app from its personal app store, but you are also free to down from Android’s Play Store.
It has excellent keyboard mapping abilities. BlueStacks 3 is only available for Android Nougat users currently. The software comes in two versions – free and premium. Sadly, in the free version, there are continuous ads, which might annoy you. The premium version costs $24 and no ads are displayed in it.
Android Studio Emulator On Mac Download
Pros:
- You don’t need any technical knowledge to install it.
- Supports multiple accounts at one time.
- Supports the latest Android OS version.
Cons:
- Doesn’t work well with productivity apps.
- Sponsored ads are very annoying.
3. Bliss
If you are looking for Android emulator for PC free, then your search ends here. It offers better features compared to BlueStacks 3 and supports Android Oreo. It is compatible with Windows 10, 8, and 7 along with MAC. setting up Bliss can be a little complicated, so you’ll probably need technical help for it.
After the set up is over, you have to connect your Android mobile phone to the computer using a USB cable. Another way to connect is by installing a Virtual Machine, which is an easier way compared to the previous one. On the whole, the entire process is quite time-consuming.
Pros:
- Completely free to use without any sponsored ads.
- Supports Android emulator for MAC.
- More dependable than BlueStacks 3, doesn’t lag or crash.
Cons:
- Setting up a virtual device is quite difficult.
- Need technical knowledge to run it.
4. Android Studio
Many Android users prefer to use trusted software to run Android apps on Windows. Android Studio is one such virtual device. It is a Google-approved development IDE and also has several tools for making Android games. It isn’t an emulator itself but it is one of Android Studio’s features. However, you can only use it to play games or test them. You cannot use it to use other apps, including Facebook, Twitter, Snapchat, or Instagram.
Because it offers more than emulation, setup is difficult and you cannot do it without professional support.
Pros:
- Free to use.
- Since it is a Google software, you can trust it completely.
- Ideal for playing heavy games.
Cons:
- Cannot open apps other than games on it.
- Installation and set up is difficult and tedious.
5. Droid4X
Another free virtual device to run Android apps on PC, Droid4X has promising features. The emulator’s simple design is better at support casual games rather than heavy ones like Clash of Clans. The software surprisingly doesn’t lag while using productivity apps.
Unfortunately, it hasn’t been updated since March 28, 2016. However, it supports all the latest versions of Android OS, which is a huge advantage. Along with Windows 10, 8, and 7, Droid4X is compatible with MAC. The software is too good to be true because it lets you adjust the resolution of the display and performance level of the emulator.
Pros:
- Simple design and easy to use.
- Supports productivity apps.
- Compatible with gaming controls.
Cons:
- Tedious setting up process.
- Android emulator is not in development phase anymore.
6. ARChon
The ARChon is a free Android emulator and can be installed as a Google Chrome extension. The ARChon emulator provides an ability for Google Chrome to run Android apps and games. The installation process is a bit tricky since you will have to install on Chrome, followed by loading APKs. You should also use a relevant tool to modify the APK for compatibility purposes. Developers who worked with ARChon argue that they need to work more to get started with the Android emulator than competing emulators on PC. The advantage of the ARChon emulator is that you can work with any system loaded with Mac OS, Linux, and Windows. You can access ARChon from the official GitHub page.
7. Genymotion
With Genymotion, developers will be able to test-drive apps on a wide range of Android devices. It is possible to run Genymotion using Nexus One or Nexus 6 loaded with Android 4.2 and Android 6.0, respectively. You can also switch between virtual devices without any complicated steps. Genymotion is compatible with both desktop and cloud-enabled devices. You can opt for the either a free or paid version. The Genymotion servers are configured in such a way that it can handle loads from powerful computers.
8. KoPlayer
The KoPlayer is a free Android emulator with a focus on gaming and is regarded as Gamers First Choice of Android Emulator. The key-mapping functionality can be used to emulate a controller with your keyboard. If you are a player, you can record gameplay and upload the content. The installation process is tricky by easy to follow through. The KoPlayer runs inside a virtual machine just like other Android emulators for PC. You can not only test drive the apps but also enhance productivity. It is possible to configure multiple accounts simultaneously coupled with streamlined controls by keyboard mapping. The emulator includes a unique capability to record videos and share gameplay. The KoPlayer is based on x86 Architecture with support for advanced features such as OpenGL, hardware acceleration, and much more.
9. MEmu
MEmu is a free Android emulator and is popular among gamers. The big advantage of MEmu emulator is its compatibility with both Intel and AMD chipsets. Moreover, the emulator also provides support for Android KitKat, JellyBean, and Lollipop operating platforms. With MEmu, it is possible to run multiple instances at a single time for more than one game. The emulator looks similar to that of the Bluestack but can also be used as a productivity tool. The company is constantly providing updates, and this is indeed a good sign that developers have access to an emulator with the latest features.
10. PrimeOS
PrimeOS can be installed as a partition on the computer and runs similar to that of the ChromeOS. The emulator boots up running native Android. The highlight of the PrimeOS is that it includes a gaming center with support for keyboard and mouse. You can access a wide range of Android apps and games. It is possible to multitask, play games, including the ability to watch video content. The main aim of the PrimeOS is to not only leverage the power of Android but also to enhance productivity. An emerging Indian company develops the product.
11. Remix OS Player
The Remix OS Player is one of the latest Android emulators for PC and runs on Android Marshmallow. You will be able to install the Remix OS easily and will satisfy the demand of gamers. The Remix OS Player also includes gamer specific features alongside a customizable toolbar. You can easily run multiple games simultaneously, including the ability to use it as a productivity tool. We observed that the official site is inactive with no activity on the social media accounts. You can install and work with the Remix OS Player if you like, but we are concerned about its future.
12. Xamarin
Xamarin is an Integrated development environment identical to that of Android Studio. It is available in both free and enterprise versions. Xamarin can be easily integrated with Microsoft Visual Studio. The emulator included with the Xamarin can be used for app and game testing. You should note that the installation process is a bit tedious for a beginner. It is to be noted that the emulator is not powerful like Genymotion. However, it completes the intended job. You can also customize Xamarin as per your requirements. You can use Xamarin free of cost for personal use, but enterprise companies will have to pay based on the terms.
13. YouWave
If you are thinking about an old Android emulator for PC, then it is YouWave. The free version is developed using Android Ice Cream Sandwich, and the last update was in the year 2016. If you pay $29.99, you will be able to avail of the Lollipop version. You can either use PayPal or Amazon Pay to purchase the emulator. You can easily install YouWave Android Emulator for PC. Even though the emulator doesn’t have any game-specific features, you can play games without any lags for light gaming work and productivity purposes. The company hasn’t updated YouWave emulator, and the Lollipop build is heavily outdated. You should download the free version to test drive the features and functionalities before investing for the premium version. You can install Youwave on Windows guests if you have installed VirtualBox. You should not install the emulator on the host machines until you have uninstalled VirtualBox.
14. Build your own (DIY)
If you are not satisfied with the emulators, you can build your emulator. You should download VirtualBox and the relevant image from Android-x86.org. The setting up of your DIY Android emulators is difficult, and it requires tedious effort. If you are not experienced in coding, then you will find it difficult to resolve bugs. Hence, you should venture into the development of your Android emulator only if you are confident of programming.
So did you find the Android emulator you were looking for?
Every person is different and you might not like the emulator that your friend does. All the ones we mentioned have free versions, which you can download and try for yourself. Then, continue using the one you liked.
Make sure you never allocate more than 50 percent of your computer space to an Android emulator. If you cross the limit, your Windows 10, 8, or 7 computers will lag and you won’t be able to enjoy the games.
Tips: If you accidentally deleted important files from your Android devices while having no backup, there is a free Android data recovery software that can help you get them back quickly. It supports recovering deleted data from Samsung, Huawei, HTC, LG, Motorola, Google Pixel, OnePlus, Sony and other brands of Android phones. With it, you are no need to worry about data loss.
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Please enable JavaScript to view the comments powered by Disqus.Android Emulator is an Android Virtual Device, i.e., AVD, designed to represent any Android device.
Windows Emulator can be used as a platform or environment to run and execute the Android application on the computer. Emulators' usage depends on our needs. It is helpful to deploy the applications developed in users IDE without actually installing them in your system.
Working of Android Emulator
Android Emulators work on the principle of platform virtualization for both hardware and software. The AVD manager helps the user to set up and do the configurations for virtual Android devices. It has information on device type, system image, or Application Binary Interface (ABI) and verifies the structures.
Android Emulator can be used to mimic the device's hardware. Now, post that. It helps in translating the ABI to match the host device. Then the user integrates it with the operating system and runs it like a program or application on their computers.
The translation of CPU configurations is complicated and can be slow, so it is better to have the same guest and host CPU configurations.
Android Emulators are becoming more popular as they provide a good workaround for people who don't have high-end Android devices with exemplary configuration. They also offer access to all mobile applications from PC. Users can play multiple games at a time with good performance.
1: Android Studio Emulator
Android Studio is Android's official IDE for the Android operating system of Google. It comes with highly flexible features and can start user's applications way faster than real devices.
Users can get the advanced performance and view of its mobile applications in a system with more freedom and a bigger picture. It supports high definition games consuming low memory on the system. With Google's brand, excellent reliability also comes with this emulator.
Features:
- Android Studio is a multi-functional emulator that comes with an excellent graphical user interface and features.
- It allows the user to set the emulator window theme as per their choice for a better user experience.
- It allows users to use multiple applications simultaneously and to take screenshots while using applications in the system.
- Based on Java language, this emulator comes with high performance and work functions.
Supported Platforms: Android, Microsoft Windows, and Apple Mac OS.
Advantages of Android Studio Emulator:
- Android Studio is an official emulator by Google, so it comes with solid reliability and good features.
- It provides several options for accessing mobile applications on the desktop like testing apps, high definition gaming experience, etc.
Disadvantages of Android Studio Emulator:
- The premium version of the Android Studio emulator comes with a high price compared to other emulators in the market.
- The visual interface needs to be improved for a better gaming experience for the user.
2: BlueStacks Emulator
BlueStacks is an American company that produces BlueStacks Android Emulator. BlueStacks was introduced in the market to push the mobile gaming boundaries.
It allows you to run Android apps and high-definition games on the user's system. It offers a unique platform that combines traditional and digital advertising channels to maximize their capacity in a manner never done previously.
BlueStacks Facts:
In 2013, BlueStacks had a user application install base of 10 million, which provided access to around 1.5 million Android applications and games. It is continually growing and now has approximately 130 million users using it. BlueStacks raised around $30 million in funds from companies like Samsung, Qualcomm Ventures, Andreessen-Horowitz, Intel, and others.
Recommended Reading=>BlueStacks
Features:
- BlueStacks is one of the fastest mobile gaming platforms with the most comprehensive range of experience-enhancing options.
- It offers support for Android N on user's systems with better graphics and saves many phone batteries.
- It does not capture a lot of RAM, and the installation process is relatively user-friendly.
- It offers customizable gaming controls, a clean and straightforward interface, allows the user to run multiple applications or games at a time.
Supported Platforms: Android, Microsoft Windows, and Apple Mac OS.
Advantages of Bluestack:
- It supports almost all games and does not require a lot of RAM for processing.
- It offers custom key mapping to play mobile games with a keyboard setup and shows an impressive performance ratio.
- It is free of cost, can run multiple games simultaneously, sleek design and interface.
Disadvantages of Bluestack:
- BlueStacks offers no control over home screen applications.
- The features it offers are reluctantly buggy in nature.
3: Remix OS Player Emulator
Remix OS Player is an Android emulator for the Windows system known to offer the most immersive Android experience on the system. It also includes an essential mapping tool phenomenon that helps the Android games with touch controlling schemes to play more efficiently with mouse and keyboard.
The user needs only a .exe file for installing this emulator and directly runs the Remix OS Player.
Features:
- Remix OS Player is a powerful emulator built for AndroidPC system integration and provides good usability of Android apps in desktop view.
- It comes with marshmallow Android and supports high definition gaming systems.
- It can allow Android developers for app optimization of AndroidPC or chrome environment as it has multi-window support.
- Users can map any number of keyboard buttons to provide access control in gaming applications.
Android Studio Emulator Path Mac
Supported Platforms: Android and Microsoft Windows.
Advantages of Remix OS Player Emulator:
- Remix OS Player emulator is highly recommended for productivity apps.
- It runs all the Android games in the latest versions of Android OS available in the market.
- Multi-functional as it supports simultaneously like using chat apps, internet browsers, office software, etc.
Disadvantages of Remix OS Player Emulator:
- Remix OS Player emulator does not support all the games available in the market.
- It does not provide customizable themes for the user.
4: Nox Player Emulator
Nox Player is one of the famous Android emulators on PC. It is free and entirely safe for use. It has compliance with GDPR and cares about the personal information of the user, and protects it. It is fully optimized and is very stable for both gaming and applications. It also makes the use smoother.
Using Nox, users will have the same gaming experience as a system. It supports a gamepad, keyboard, multiple instances running simultaneously, script recording, etc.
Facts about Nox Player:
Gamers and users around the world have highly recognized nox Player since it is launched in the market. Currently, Nox Player has been found in more than 200 countries and areas around the globe. It has more than 150 million users now and is in one of the top positions of the Asian market share.
It is believed that after the successful running of Nox Player, Company is planning to release its upgraded version with more premium features for the users.
Features:
- Nox Player emulator has open keyboard mapping running with a single click, all gaming controls on gamepad, mouse, and keyboard.
- It allows running multiple functions to run at a time to enjoy more games at one time.
- It comes with a macro recorder to record the complex operations and execute the script in one click.
- As it supports Android 7, which gives the ultimate user experience and superior performance.
Advantages of Nox Player Emulator:
- It is open-source and comes with upgraded Android version support for the best gaming experience.
- It is effortless to root and allows multiple Windows on a single device.
Disadvantages of Nox Player Emulator:
- Nox Player sometimes lags when too many windows are open simultaneously on a device.
- The user interface needs to be enhanced for a better user experience.
5: MEmu Emulator
MEmu is one of the famous Android emulators. It is among the fastest open-source Android emulator for playing mobile games on a desktop. It is known to provide excellent performance and an extreme user experience.
MEmu allows one to level multiple accounts for the same game, or the user can play many games on one account simultaneously. It has more than 20 million users in over 200 countries and approximately 20 languages with continuous progress.
Features:
- MEmu allows users to play free Android games and comes with many optimized graphics.
- It has a simple installation process supporting a keyboard, mouse, and gamepad to perfectly play mobile games.
- It provides an option to develop a custom Android emulator or application distribution to meet the business requirements.
- It allows file sharing between the Android and Windows platforms. It also has a fast APK installation by drag and drops feature.
Advantage of MEmu Emulator:
It has the option of passing through sensor data like an accelerometer to Android, so high-definition games like Pubg or car racing can be played intuitively.
Disadvantages of MEmu Emulator:
- The UI can be improved for a better user experience, like adding specific custom themes or so.
- It does not support all the games, so games lag when running on the MEmu emulator.
6: Genymotion Emulator
Genymotion is a powerful and very easy-to-use Android emulator. It is specifically designed for supporting the application developers to test the products in a secure virtual environment.
It provides a lot of custom features for users to meet their requirements. It is capable of emulating 3000 plus virtual Android device configurations like screen size or Android versions. It has robust sensors, like GPS, multi-touch, etc.
Features:
- Genymotion is a multi-support Android emulator that speeds up testing, sharing live demos, and monitoring performance across all devices.
- It has high definition pixel compatibility, which shows your mobile app with great clarity on systems.
- It allows the user to forward gyroscope and multi-touch events from any Android device connected to their desktop.
- It uses the desktop webcam as the video source to record screencasts of the user's virtual device.
Advantages of KO Player Emulator:
- It supports multiple operating systems.
- It can emulate devices with prolonged internal storage.
Disadvantages of KO Player Emulator:
- The combined features of the Genymotion emulator sometimes make lag in Android application execution.
- It is not open source and comes with a high price per user.
7: ARChon Emulator
ARChon Android emulator is a famous emulator known for its flexibility. It is the first Android emulator that is capable of working in the Google Chrome browser. It is different from another Android emulator, which is used to play games. It also works on chrome books.
It handles Android gaming very well on a desktop. It is robust and efficient in executing mobile applications. Users need a chrome extension to run this emulator on their system.
Features:
- ARChon is highly secured and comes with Google's reliability.
- As it supports a chrome browser, so it makes it different from other emulators.
- ARChon runtime lets the user run an unlimited number of Android APK created with chromes APK.
- It supports multiple Android applications in a single browser simultaneously.
Advantage of ARChon Emulator:
- ARChon emulator does not require any tool installation and works perfectly on chrome browsers with an internet connection.
Disadvantages of ARChon Emulator:
- The Android APK default files do not work directly as they first need to be converted into chrome-compatible APK files.
- Installation is not easy, and users have to follow specific guidelines to install it in chrome extension.
8: Ko Player
Ko Player is one of the best Android emulators, allowing the user to experience a quality Android playing experience on the desktop. This robust and powerful emulator mainly focuses on providing a smooth and lag-free gaming experience for users.
If you don't have an Android device, it still allows enjoying features of Android on desktop. Any app present in the Google play store can be run on this emulator.
Features:
- Ko Player supports all the peripheral devices like keyboard, gamepad, mouse, microphone, camera to enjoy mobile-based games on desktop.
- It comes along with a built-in video recording feature that enables you to record any video and can watch back later at any time.
- It allows all the Android apps to run on a big desktop screen to enjoy a better gaming experience.
- Users can capture and share the gameplay with anyone they want.
- It has one key feature of the toolbar: quick access to features like screen capturing, volume adjustment, resolution, etc.
Advantages of Ko Player Emulator:
- It is simple and easy to use.
- Easy and quick download.
- Avoids compatibility challenges.
Disadvantage of Ko Player Emulator:
- Ko Player does not provide custom options for the user to enhance usability as per their requirements.
9: Bliss Emulator
Bliss Emulator is an open-source and non-profit organization that works to maintain open-source projects. It works mainly on the open-source OS, based on Android, which will have many customizations, security features, and user options.
It also allows users to integrate Android applications on the desktop with a smooth experience. The most compatible Bliss variant as of now is Bliss ROM.
Features:
- Bliss Android Emulator mainly focuses on the design, which includes many options for customizations and themes.
- It comes along with excellent execution performance and works hassle-free.
- It has some power-saving options to reduce battery consumption, thus increasing battery life.
- High-security features are added to the tool, and updates are provided regularly.
Advantages of Bliss Emulator:
- Bliss Emulator now comes with Vulkan support present in the advanced menu, which partially supports the sleep state means, CPU will be active during this period, but the activity drops down to null.
Disadvantages of Bliss Emulator:
- The taskbar is not functioning correctly. As such, the navbar issue still exists.
- Sleep state is not working correctly for the default options, and many are UI can get restarted at the same time.
10: Amiduos Emulator
AMIDuOS is an American Android Emulator developed in the United States. It offers seamless integration between an Android device and a system.
It comes with the full-screen regime. If the user runs any game or application in extraordinary power, the user will not identify any difference between using an Android mobile or system. It is so great in use. It allows the user to shar any files between the mobile and the computer device smoothly.
Features:
- AMIDuOS has a rapid setup of any application from Gmail, play store, or Google plus.
- It comes with high performance and a lack of any limitations.
- It is compatible with all the new versions of Windows.
- It takes some space on a user's hard disk but does not slow down the system.
- It only requires 2 GB of space on the system to run freely.
Advantage of AMIDuOS Emulator:
- AMIDuOS allows the user to run multiple applications at one instance without lag and supports most of the games in the play store.
Disadvantages of AMIDuOS Emulator:
- AMIDuOS Emulator is based on an outdated version of Android.
- The application list to install the software is not available.
- It is only compatible with the Intel x86 processor.