An Android emulator emulates the Android OS on Windows 10 or Windows 7, or Mac OS. This emulation allows users to run virtual Android OS on their computers. Therefore, by installing an Android emulator on your computer, you can use Android Apps, Play Android Games, and test your Android Applications without Android Phone.
Best 10 Android Emulators to Run Android Apps on Mac OS X BlueStacks. You can use this software to run Android apps on Mac OS X. AMD, Samsung, Intel, and Qualcomm has investments. Virtualbox happens to be one of the complicated Android software for Mac. Technically it’s not an. BlueStacks is the best Android emulator available for Mac OS X running devices as it allows you to run your favorite Android games and apps without much of work. Jan 17, 2021 — Mac users interested in Instagram os x 10.5.8 generally download: App on PC, you need to download and install Android Emulator on your.
Run Android on your PC. This is a project to port Android Open Source Project to x86 platform, formerly known as ' patch hosting for android x86 support '. The original plan is to host different patches for android x86 support from open source community. A few months after we created the project, we found out that we could do much more than. Nox is a free Android emulator and it offers multiple game controllers. Apart from that, Nox allows users to run Android games and apps in full-screen mode. So, this article is all about the Best Android Emulators For MAC OS X. Using the above emulators you can enjoy your favorite Android apps on your MAC. I hope this article helped you!
This article will give you the list of the best Android emulators for PC and links to download all of these Android emulators for free. If you are thinking of running your favorite android apps and games or testing your own Android Apps and lacking the appropriate Android device, you must use An Android emulator on your PC.
Note: I highly recommend you try 3-5 emulators and stick to the one you like most. Because most of the emulators have many bugs, performance issues & some of them even have serious malware issues. So, based on your PC configuration, you should pick the emulator that works well with your PC.
Are you in a hurry? Can’t read our in-depth review? Don’t worry, I’ve got you covered.
Our Expert Verdict
#1 Overall | #1 For Gaming | #1 For Developers |
---|---|---|
Bluestacks | Gameloop | Android Studio |
Free or 2/Mon | Free | Free |
Windows & Mac | Windows Only | Windows & Mac |
Even though they are many android emulators in the market, not all of them function correctly. Here is a list of some of the best Android emulators for PCs tested by me and accepted by millions of users. These top Android Emulators will help you achieve a fantastic Android user experience on your laptop or desktop.
Contents
1. Bluestacks
Bluestacks earns the leading position as the best Android emulator because of its high performance and stability. Bluestacks emulator is very popular and has been on the market for a while. Primarily, Bluestacks App Player targets gamers and developers who create apps and test gaming content.
Bluestacks App Player Features
- Bluestacks is available for both Mac OS and Windows 10 PC users, so you can run and play games on it regardless of your operating system.
- Most gamers prefer Bluestacks because it’s optimized for gaming and has the right proportion of features like power, processing, and graphics. It’s quite easy to install and use it.
- It features a built-in Google Play store that allows users to download games and apps quickly.
- Also, the Bluestacks Android emulator has its App store, which is optimized for downloading games. The best part is you can earn monetary benefits through its affiliate option.
Bluestacks Emulator System Requirements
Name | Bluestacks |
---|---|
OS Platforms | Windows 7, Windows 8, Windows 10, MAC |
Cost | Free |
System Requirements | 4GB RAM, Dual Core 2.3 GHz, 5GB Disk Space |
Name | Bluestacks |
---|---|
Category | Android Emulator |
Version | 4.215.0.1019 |
Platform | |
File Size | 0.00 KB |
Last Updated Date | September 30, 2020 |
Downloads | 38980 |
2. Nox App Player
Nox App Player is the best emulator for enjoying the whole Android experience. It’s smoother, stable, and fully optimized for both games and apps. With this emulator, you receive the same gaming experience as that of a gaming console.
Nox App Player Features
- Unlike other consoles that can crush easily, Nox is stable and works perfectly without crashes. This is because developers regularly update it to fix bugs.
- Just like Bluestacks, it has a built-in Google play store so that you can download apps and games.
- The NoxPlayer emulator offers several options, such as initiative keyboard mapping, multi-instance, and script recording. All these features provide you with the best gaming experience.
- You can choose how much CPU core, RAM, or FPS you want to allocate to the emulator with various customization options.
- Furthermore, it offers you two graphics rendering modes: OpenGL and DirectX, which can be used when facing compatibility issues with any game.
- You can download Nox Emulator for free on both PC & Mac devices.
Name | Bluestacks |
---|---|
Category | Android Emulator |
Version | 4.215.0.1019 |
Platform | |
File Size | 0.00 KB |
Last Updated Date | September 30, 2020 |
Downloads | 38980 |
3. Gameloop
Do you want to get a grip on that Android game you like, but you lack the right hardware? Don’t worry! GameLoop got you covered. Being a product of Tencent Gaming Buddy, the GameLoop android emulator focuses entirely on fusing mobile gaming with Windows 10 PCs.
- GameLoop acts as the official gaming utility for Tencent Games.
- It has been optimized and refined to easily play massive mobile games such as PUBG and Call of Duty.
- It brings fluid gameplay and controls with PC’s Keyboard and mouse that matches Android devices’ touch controls.
- Although it offers support to non-gaming apps, it’s not as versatile for non-gaming apps as other emulators. Nonetheless, it delivers excellent results.
- Recently, GameLoop released its latest version of GameLoop 3.0 to the public and its new beta testing version.
- Not only does the new version provide exciting games for all players and exciting features, but it also solves most design and settings issues players might face when playing games.
Name | Gameloop |
---|---|
Category | Android Emulator |
Version | 3.2 |
Platform | |
File Size | 17.98 MB |
Last Updated Date | July 30, 2020 |
Downloads | 23340 |
GameLoop has proven to handle mobile games on PC with so much ease, making it a notable competitor to other mobile gaming emulators. So, go ahead and download the new version and have a fantastic gaming experience on GameLoop.
4. MEmu
MEmu is still new in the market, but it’s gaining popularity rapidly for its high performance- it’s giving competitors a run for their money. It solely targets Windows 10 PCs, with its focus being on gaming.
- With a simple installation process and several features like Keyboard mapping, Memu is efficient in gaming, just like Nox App Player and Bluestacks. You can install the emulator using the APK and test it by running it on multiple occasions.
- Like other emulators, this one also features customization options for the RAM and CPU and supports a 4K gaming experience.
- MEmu emulator stands out because it offers support for Intel, Nvidia, and AMD chipsets. (very few emulators support AMD). The deep integration of the mouse and Keyboard allowed by the emulator results in to smooth gameplay experience.
- The only downside is its graphic quality, which is weak compared to other emulators. However, this doesn’t limit it from providing a high-quality gaming experience. The emulator is updated regularly to fix any bugs within its games and apps.
- The latest version of MEmu now supports a 64-bit Android emulator. This means MEmu can now play games that are coded with only 64-bit architecture like arm64-v8a and x86-64. Such a game that requires 64-bit android is Lineage 2m by NCsoft.
- Note: Memu is not Available for Mac.
- You can download the Memu free Android emulator on Windows 10 PC.
Name | Memu |
---|---|
Category | Android Emulator |
Version | 2.3 |
Platform | |
File Size | 3.91 MB |
Last Updated Date | April 5, 2020 |
Downloads | 861 |
5. Android Studio Emulator
Android Studio is the latest Android IDE, supported by Google’s Android system. It has incredibly versatile functionality and can start consumer apps quicker than actual computers. With more flexibility and a more comprehensive view, consumers can reach superior output and perspective in their smartphone applications. It facilitates limited memory high-definition games on the device.
Features
- Android Studio supports a Multifunctional Simulator with a good user experience and apps.
- It allows users to choose the style of the simulator window for an excellent user interface.
- It enables users to concurrently use various applications and grab screenshots while they are in the system.
- This simulator is founded on Java language and has high efficiency and features.
- Android Studio is the official Google simulator and is therefore highly stable and well designed.
- It offers too many alternatives beyond mobile device connectivity, such as checking software, high-definition gaming, etc.
6. ARChon
Last but not least, we have ARChon. ARChon is different from the emulators on this list. It’s not like common emulators that you download and install as software on their own. Instead, you install this emulator as an extension on Google Chrome.
- ARChon is also a bit more challenging to operate compared to other emulators.
- After you download the APKs you’ll use, you’ll also have to download another tool to make these files compatible and executable on Chrome.
- Despite the difficulties in using ARChon, the setup is only hard at the beginning. Once you get used to it and become more familiar with the emulator, it’ll be hassle-free to set up.
- ARChon is decent for high-end games, but there are other better options if your primary purpose is for gaming.
- Where this emulator excels is in using productivity apps since it is integrated into Chrome.
- ARChon is a great choice for Windows 7 users as it is a browser-based Android emulator.
7. Genymotion
If you are a developer looking for software to run various Android versions so you can check your app, then Genymotion is your best bet. Genymotion is the best Android emulator for App development.
Some of the most prominent emulators focus mainly on gaming, but Genymotion took a different path and focused entirely on Android development. This emulator features a design that assists app creators in testing their apps in a safe environment.
Features such as plugins, tools, and support make the overall installation process of the emulator hassle-free. Genymotion is made up of salient features like OpenGL and supports different versions of Android operating systems.
When you want to create a new virtual device, you must know that you need to first log in to a Genymotion account. Once you have logged in, it presents you with a launch screen. From here, you can select and download an Android device you want to emulate.
Overall, Genymotion is faster than Bluestacks because it’s developed on X9 architecture. If you have a powerful PC, then you are in for a treat, as its performance translates into a rapid, virtual Android experience.
8. Andy Android Emulator
Andy is one of the oldest and trusted emulators among users. Andy developers are always quick to upgrade the Android OS engine used in their Virtual OS emulation.
This exactly means that if Google updates the Android OS, then Andy users will have the same Android version on Windows 10 PC. Generally, other developers take months before they update their emulation engine.
Andy App is famous for its syncing capabilities between Windows 10 Operating System and Android mobile phone.
The best feature of Andy Android emulator for Windows 10 is that you can use your Android phone as a Joystick for your Desktop or PC.
This enables you to use features like Gyro movements and touch combinations or multi-touch while playing games like Pubg Mobile or Call of Duty mobile.
You can receive your Instagram DMs, Whatsapp text messages, or Snapchat pictures directly on your home or work Computer.
9. Bliss OS
Bliss OS is quite different from all the above Android emulators. This software works as an Android OS for PC. For installation, you can use a Virtual Box or create a bootable USB drive. It runs well if you have a compatible system, so always prepared with a backup of the current operating system.
10. Remix OS Player
Remix OS Player is one of the outdated Android emulators for PC. This player is a product of Jide Technology, owned by a company by Google’s former employees. Remix OS Player is excellent for productivity apps but does not go well with heavy gaming. Moreover, it is the only player, which allows its users to play several games simultaneously.
Remix OS Player is known for providing the most personal Android interface on Windows 10 computers. The software also provides the primary mapping tool that helps Android games, including touch handling systems. It helps the players to interact with the keyboard as well as the mouse more effectively.
Remix OS Player Features
- Remix OS Player is a strong simulator designed to incorporate Android, which provides high compatibility in a free preview of Android apps.
- It provides Google marshmallows and enables gaming platforms in high definition.
- It will allow Android programmers to automate Android or Chrome applications since it supports multi-window systems.
- Users should map a variety of buttons to provide game programs with access control.
11. Phoenix OS
Among the latest Android emulators is Phoenix OS. It gives the games a whole new experience and improves the performance of the desktop. This implies that it suits best the productivity sector. Google play services are available on Phoenix OS though it is quite hard to update the facilities. You can get phoenix OS from its web page for free.
Note: XDA developers run Phoenix OS forums, and it supports Android 7.1
12. Xamarin
Xamarin is almost similar to Android Studio. The main difference is that Xamarin can plug into Microsoft visual studio, something which Android studio cannot accomplish.
- Xamarin comes with an in-built emulator app used for testing the game, just like Android studio.
- The emulator comes free for regular use, but companies must settle on the pricing for heavy usage.
- You can download the app from the Microsoft official website.
13. KoPlayer
Ko Player focuses on providing lightweight software with a lag-free gaming experience. This emulator is free of cost; that’s why you might see a few ads there. Ko Player is easy to install and supports gamepad emulation and keyboard mapping.
KoPlayer was discontinued in 2019, so it’s better if you don’t use Koplayer Emulator.
Which is the best Android emulator for PC?
Bluestacks App Player is the best Android emulator for Windows 10 PC and Mac OS.
Which Android emulator is the fastest?
After testing many emulators for days, I can surely say, Gameloop and BlueStacks Android emulators are faster and smoother than all other emulators out there.
Are Android emulators safe for PC?
Yes. Android Emulators are safe to download and use on a PC.
Is BlueStacks or NOX better?
I have tried both Bluestacks and Nox emulators. There is no significant difference, but BlueStacks is better than Nox.
Which Android emulator is best for low-end PC?
It is recommended to use Gameloop or Nox App Player for low-end Windows 10 PC.
Are Android emulators illegal?
Yes. Android emulators are legal. Android OS is an open-source project. So, as long as you use the emulators for the right purposes, it is legal and safe.
Android Emulator for PC like Windows & Mac, is software that allows a PC to create an Android environment to run Android Applications. And the Best Android Emulators for PC are listed here in this article.
About Android OS
The Android OS is a pretty great Operating System that encompasses all the features that are needed by a smartphone and also provide users with amazing access to their mobile device’s features.
With Android Operating System, users can install 3rd party applications on their smartphone and also install a new UI system if they desire it. Users can fully customize the display and functions of their smartphones.
This level of customization is even greater than the one found in the iOS devices as iOS users cannot install 3rd party apps that are not on the Apple pay store and they are unable to change the UI. All these factors are why people decide to create an Android Simulator for PC and not an iOS Simulator.
What is an Android Emulator?
A software that can be used to make a PC act like another operating system is known as an Android Emulator. An Android Emulator will help create an environment on your PC that will be able to support various kinds of Android Applications and run them smoothly.
What is the Use of Android Emulators for PC?
Android Emulators can be used on the PC for several purposes ranging from Usability testing for apps to gameplay.
In order to test their apps before it goes live, developers can decide to use an Android Emulator on their PC and test the app on their PC.
Sometimes gamers also use an Android Emulator because they want to use a gaming mouse and keyboard to play their game on a PC.
Benefits of Android Emulators for PC
Android Emulators enable PC users to develop and run an Android environment on a Mac OS or Windows Operating System. However, your system features and specifications will determine how well the mobile apps will run on your PC.
If you have a PC with a good specification, you will be able to play some pretty great games on your PC. The Android Emulator will enable you to get the full Android experience on your Mac OS or Windows PC.
There are a lot of Android Emulators available on the internet, but a good number of them are unable to carry out their functions properly. This is why it can be particularly challenging to find the best android emulators on PC.
Here are some of the best android emulators on PC.
Best Android Emulators for PC
- LDPlayer
- Bluestacks
- Nox Player
- MEmu
- Gameloop
- Genymotion
- ARChon
- Android Studio
- Bliss OS
- Xamarin
- KO Player
- Droid 4X
- Andy
LDPlayer
The LDPlayer Android Emulator is one of the best Android Emulators on PC around and it was specifically developed for running mobile games on Windows devices.
This piece of software enables users to play various kinds of mobile games on their PC with their Keyboard and Mouse. It is also compatible with various multiplayer Android mobile games and it provides great graphics for games if your system specifications can handle it. This particular software also enables users to run more than one mobile game at the same time.
The default Android OS for this software is Android 5.1.1 Lollipop and it also provides access to Google Play Store. You can play FPS games like PUBG, Call of Duty: Mobile, and Black Desert online with this software.
Bluestacks
Considered to be one of the best Android Emulators on PC of all time, Bluestacks is the most popular Android Emulator available on the market. They can be used on both Windows and Mac Operating Systems. Bluestacks is one of the first Android Emulators that was developed and worked well while still getting various updates.
This amazing piece of software is able to perfectly balance graphics and processing power without having to compromise one for the other. This is one of the things that makes it one of the best Android Emulators on PC around currently.
This is also why it is often preferred by a lot of gamers that want to run their high-end and high-graphics mobile games on their PC. However, for you to be able to get these good graphics, you have to make sure that your PC has a good specification that can handle the graphic level.
Bluestack is not just one of the best Android Emulators on Computer, it is also one of the most trusted by PC users all around the world for both Windows and iOS devices. This is why a lot of people are excited about the latest “Nougat Version” which is said to be about six times faster than typical smartphones.
Nox Player
One of the best Android Emulators around currently is the Nox Player. Nox Player is compatible with both Windows and Mac devices. Although this piece is based mainly on the Android version Lollipop 5.1.1, users can still decide to run more than one Android version (up to the Nougat version at least) on the software using its Multi-Drive option.
Nox Player is one of the best Android Emulators on PC for gaming on Windows and Mac devices. It is capable of running high FPS games like PUBG Mobile and CODM without any issues.
It also features support for a keypad, script recording, and gamepad. And, if you notice that the graphics you need to play the game are a little higher than your system can handle, you can decide to optimize the quality and tweak the controls in the settings.
MEmu
When compared to Bluestack, MEmu is a relatively new piece of software. However, although it is still relatively new, it is still a pretty great Android Emulator for PC, which is why it is considered one of the best Android Emulator for PC, both Windows and Mac devices.
One of the things that make MEmu stand out from other Android Emulator for PC is the fact that it is compatible with both AMD, NVIDIA and Intel Chipsets. It also supports more than one version of Android including Kit Kat, Lollipop, and the Android Jelly Bean.
It also comes with a pre-installed Google Play Store. And if your system has the specification, you can use it to play high-end games with great graphics.
Gameloop
If you are the type of person that like mobile games, then there is a chance that you are familiar with the famous gaming developer company commonly known as Tencent.
Tencent is responsible for the development of some of the most popular mobile games around and some of the most common ones are Call of Duty Mobile (CODM) and PUBG Mobile. However, Tencent is also responsible for the development of the amazing Android Emulator for PC known as Gameloop (previously known as Gaming Buddy).
Gameloop is one of the best Android Emulators for PC available, even though it was specifically developed for playing mobile games on PC. The company even went as far as announcing that Gameloop is the official Android emulator for mobile games. However, this piece of software can also be used for other high-end (mostly FPS) games apart from the ones created by Tencent.
Genymotion
If you are a developer and you are looking for the best Android Emulator for Computers to test out your latest app projects, then you should definitely try out this piece of software.
This particular Android emulator enables users to customize their own ecosystem for a range of devices with different Android versions to test out their latest applications before it is made live. This software is very easy to use and you can easily switch between various Android devices.
ARChon
ARChon is not exactly like other Android Emulators for Windows and Mac PC due to the fact that it is installed in a completely different way.
In order to use this particular Android Emulator on your PC, you will have to install it just like you will install a Google Chrome Extension. Apart from that unique difference it has with other Android Emulators, it can also be used to operate Android Applications and Games on the PC.
However, it requires users to use a particular tool to change the APK file in order to make it more compatible with the Android Emulator. Currently, ARChon often comes with Android 4.4 as its default Android version.
Android Studio
Android Studio is one of the best Android Emulator on PC and it is also one of the most common Android Emulator for App testing.
Android Emulator For Mac Os X
This software is used by a lot of Android App developers to test their new mobile apps and games before they go Live. It also comes with a wide range of amazing features that are designed to help developers test and improve their mobile apps.
Developers can monitor the performance of their apps in different Android environments with this software. They can test the apps with different RAM, Battery, GPU, Signal Strength, and storage.
Bliss OS
This particular PC Emulator for Android is also a bit different than most of the other Android Emulators due to the act that it operates through a Virtual Machine. This software can however also be used on the PC with the aid of a USB Stick.
This particular Android Emulator is often used by developers that are looking for a great Android OS to test out their mobile apps. Unlike most of the other Android Emulators, it can run on Android Pie and not just Marshmellow Version of Android. However, there is a chance that this piece of software will not be compatible with your PC.
Xamarin
Another great Android Emulator for Developers to test out their apps on Windows devices is Xamarin. This particular software is preferred by a lot of professional app developers.
Xamarin is just like the Android Studio software except for the fact that it is capable of creating a bigger ecosystem for development by plugging into tools like Microsoft Visual Studio.
It also comes with a lot of features to help the developers test and debug the new app. This software can also be used to test new iOS apps before they go live.
KO Player
The KO Player emulator runs on Android 4.4.4, which is a bit dated, but that won’t stop your applications from working.
We like it very much, for several reasons. First, it is easy to configure and we can do it in detail: keyboard settings, resolution adjustment, increased game performance, and even access to your practical webcam for certain applications, on which you must put your face.
KO Player also has a button to record your screen, which will delight YouTubers and creators of tutorial or live game session content. Like its competitors, KO Player plays applications that you download directly from the Play Store, but also APK files.
The only downside, it is rarely updated and it sometimes freezes from time to time, which is annoying! But apart from this concern, it is one of the best Android PC emulators of the moment.
Droid 4X
Complete and appreciated by FPS players or racing games, this emulator allows you to run larger software on your PC. It also has a graphics performance booster and is fully configurable. Those who swear by the mouse + keyboard combo will be happy to apply their method on favorite Android games.
The interface, which is quite cold, will not, however, be exotic for those who frequently use their smartphones and tablets. We would have liked a little more color, but the set is quite easy to use. In addition, we like the possibility of launching an APK by simply dragging it onto the Droid 4X program. Fast and efficient, we don’t ask for more!
Andy
Here is an emulator completely free and very easy to access.
We tested it when it first came out. Although it had some problems at the time, it still managed to prove that it could replace apps like Bluestacks. Today it is really functional. In our opinion, it remains a little worse than the emulator proposed above, but it is still nice.
Finally, note that the Andy Emulator software is available on Windows PC, but also compatible with Mac.
Bottom Line – Best Android Emulators for PC
I’ve listed all the best Android Emulator for PC that can be installed and run on both the Windows and Mac OS to test or run Android applications. You can download, install and run desired Android Emulator on your PC according to your requirements.
Android Emulators FAQs
What is the best Android Emulator?The Bluestacks is considered the best Android Emulator of all time.
Is there any PC emulator for Android?No, there is no PC emulator for an Android device.
Is Android Emulator free?Yes, most of the Android emulators mentioned in this post are free to use.
Android For Mac Os
Os X 10.11.4
Is Android Emulator safe?You can consider the above mentioned Android emulators safe, as they have good reputation. But you’ve to check the online reviews before using anyone of them.
Which Android emulator is best for 4GB RAM PC?Android For Mac
The Bluestacks is the best Android emulator of all time for all kind of PCs. But you can also use use any of the Android Emulators mentioned in post.