Windows and Mac users can use BlueStacks to run Android on their computers. It provides the perfect balance between graphics, processing, and power making it the most favorable Android Emulator for PC. As Bluestacks is capable of playing high-graphics games, users can use Apps or play games smoothly. Are you looking for reliable free android emulators for PC or MAC? Click here for a list of top android emulators which lets you to play android games. It is now easy to Download Best Android Emulator for PC, Chromebook emulator,iOS Emulator (2020) by visiting Emulator Gaming. We also have best android emulator such as Bluestacks download.
Nowadays, people are looking for simple ways to download Android apps for PC because we all love to use applications and games on a bigger screen. There are several Android emulators available that allows us to download and install our favorite apps and games on our computer. A few months back, we shared the best emulators for Windows but today, we are going to share an updated post where we put together the best Android emulators for PC, Mac and Linux, so that you can run the apps on all the operating systems.
Since you have been searching for the best emulator software for Android, you might be looking for the best way to download and use your favorite apps on your computer without any difficulties. I have faced the same situation and after researching for a long time, I got to know about the best emulators for Android that I can use on different platforms. So I thought of making a list putting together the best Android emulator for Linux, Mac and PC so that everyone can get all the information at one single place.
How Does an Android Emulator Work?
An Android emulator is basically a software that creates a suitable environment for the Android apps to run on a computer. Without installing and running an emulator on your computer, you won’t be able to install or run any of the Android apps or games on your computer.
Once you download and install one of the below mentioned Android emulators on your computer, you will be able to search for the apps and games and install them on your computer via the Google Play Store integration.
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Best Android Emulators for PC, Mac and Linux
Droid4X
Droid4X is one of the newest Android emulator applications whose presence has had a major impact within the short period it has been on the market. Today, Droid4X is amongst the fastest growing and popular android emulators whose frequent upgrades have made it a platform of choice for many users because every improvement makes the application more effective, easier and friendly to use. With every new version that is released on the market, user requirements are addressed. Droid4X is a good choice if you are an expert with Android emulator applications. Being a relatively new application, it still has some bugs and also doesn’t have plenty of supporting documentation to guide new users.
On a brighter note, Droid4X is excellent, powerful and ranks among the top when it comes to Android virtual machines. If recent developments are anything to go by, it is expected Droid4X will soon rival major platforms such as Bluestacks, Andy and Genymotion. This android emulator is a better performer than many other emulators both on Mac OS X and Windows platforms. Droid4X runs on a machine as a guest operating systems and makes use of the same PC hardware facilities. Due to its superior performance, you can be guaranteed you’ll have an exciting and fruitful experience using various android apps and games.
AMIDuOS
If you’re looking for a great android emulator that will satisfy your needs, AMIDuOS is a powerful platform that has the capability to run android apps in Windows 7, 8 or 10. This android emulator is packed with numerous features especially for running android on a Windows PC. Compared to Bluestacks, Andy and Genymotion, this application has greater capability to run graphic intensive games thanks to well designed features. When using AMIDuOS, you get to experience excellent performance with android seamlessly running on your PC without any performance or usability compromises.
Since it’s a relatively new application, the performance is quite good. Overall, AMIDuOS is a smooth android emulator whose performance is impressive. This means you can comfortably run apps as well as games without encountering any major hitches. Furthermore, the installation process is stress free but developers lose out because this emulator lacks device-specific configurations; this emulator was evidently designed for the consumer. Even though AMIDuOS is a paid android emulator, you can enjoy it for free for one month. The key advantages for this emulator is it installs very fast, gives users a full android experience and runs at a great speed.
So what do you need to install AMIDuOS? A dual core CPU plus 2GB RAM, OpenGL 3.0 as well as a hardware virtualization enabled BIOS. This software has 3D acceleration allowing users to enjoy playing graphic intensive games on their Windows PC. The software makes use of Windows OpenGL drivers whose role is to make sure there is an acceptable frame-rate improvement. Once you have AMIDuOS installed, you’re free to easily share images, video and music between your Windows PC and Android. The software has an SD card option that permits you to tweak the size of the SD card with the help of a simple tool. If you’re keen on having an android emulator that offers you a full android experience, AMIDuOS is your best bet for windows powered PC.
Manymo
Unlike other android emulators, Manymo is a lightweight program that brings app right into the browser. It is more of an online android emulator meaning it permits you to successfully run android apps in a web browser. Here, you can easily and conveniently add functional android apps to website the same way you embed YouTube videos. Testing is a key phase in mobile app development. Fortunately, Manymo allows you to perform automatic testing with the assistance of virtual Android devices available in almost all screen sizes as well as OS versions. In other words, Manymo performs well with any android compatible automation platform. The good news is this online android emulator has been used by thousands of users online and therefore, can be trusted to deliver good results. In addition, you can open a free account and launch any android app; you will not be asked to provide your credit card details.
MEMU
Memu is known for its exemplary performance with Windows PC especially for users who’re keen on enjoying a great Android experience. Memu is a new entry on the market and therefore, doesn’t have enterprise grade features such as those found in bluestacks or Genymotion. Memu is a product of Microvirt Co. Ltd and there’s every indication the developers intend to nurture this software to greater heights in order for it to compete with market leaders such as Andyroid, Genymotion and Bluestacks.
For now, you can use this software to comfortably play Android games, chat using the keyword while using apps such as wechat and whatsapp, enjoy live TV shows as well as run multiple android windows. In addition, this software supports multiple hardware configurations and therefore you don’t have to worry so much about compatibility. In addition, users are guaranteed of having great experiences while interacting with this Android emulator.
Best Android Emulator For Mac 2019
BlueStacks (For PC and Mac)
Download (PC) | Download (Mac)
BlueStacks is one of the best and the most popular Android emulator that everyone uses and recommends when it comes to downloading Android apps on PC.
The app player is available on both Windows PC and Mac so if you own any of these, then you can download it on your computer and install the application to start using your favorite apps. It is free to download and install – all you have to do is follow the installation instructions. Note that, in order to run BlueStacks without any glitches, you must have a decent graphics card installed in your system.
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AndyRoid (For Mac and PC)
AndyRoid emulator is growing in popularity and more and more people are loving the way it allows you to use your favorite apps and games from your desktop.
With AndyRoid, you can not only play apps and games on your computer, but it also provides you with a lot of features like using your smartphone as a remote control to play games with ease and also allows you to download nay app from desktop browser to Andy OS. Once you start using this particular Android emulator, I am pretty sure you won’t be looking at any other software.
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YouWave (For PC)
Another great alternative to run apps and games on your computer is YouWave. With this particular emulator, you will be able to get the apps running on your PC easily.
The emulator comes in two different variants – free and paid. If you don’t want to pay for the app then you can download the free version and use it without any troubles but if you don’t want any limitations then you would have to go with the paid version of the emulator. Also, YouWave is available for only Windows platform.
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Official Android Emulator (For Linux, PC and MAC)
This Android emulator software, as its name suggests, is the official emulator that was designed specifically for developers so that they can install it on their computers and test the applications. The emulator can be operated on Linux, Mac as well as Windows PC and can be downloaded for free.
Since it was developed for app developers, the installation process is a bit complicated, so I suggest you to follow the steps in the link mentioned below.
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GenyMotion (For PC, Linux and Mac)
GenyMotion can be considered as one of the best Android emulators for Mac, Linux and PC because it is the perfect platform for developers to test their apps and games.
Using GenyMotion emulator, you will come across no glitches or difficulties when running Android apps and games on your computer. To download the software, you will have to create an account, confirm your email address and then you will receive the download links to get it on your computer running either Linux, Windows or Mac OS.
Nox
http://noxappplayer.com/
If you’re an Android game lover, Nox has been specifically designed to cater for the needs of gamers. The software is packed with numerous features whose role is to help gamers have full control of their games using the mouse and keyboard. Some of the great addons included in this software are “swipe right” to simulate gesture movements on your keyboard or a joystick if you are in possession of one. When you begin using this android simulator, you will not want to stop because it’s a lot of fun. In addition, the software features seem stable and reliable. The best part about Nox is its completely free so you need not worry about any charges.
Jar of Beans
http://www.androidemulator.in/emulators/jar-of-beans/
This is an awesome Android emulator with capability to run all games and apps that can be run on Android Jelly Bean devices. The user-developed emulator is a product of “UnrealManu” and gamers love it because this Android emulator can smoothly run games which rely on hardware graphics acceleration. When it comes to app and games emulation, Jar of Beans comes in second after Bluestacks. The good news is you can enjoy playing your games in full-screen mode as well as switch to tablet mode for games which are supported by Android tablet. There are plenty of settings which enable you to customize how you play your games as well as app usage experience. Jar of Beans avails a wide variety of configuration options that include keyboard support, a virtual SD card as well as different viewing modes. It is expected that in future Jar of Beans versions, this emulator will incorporate numerous skins and multiple resolutions.
Apparently, this emulator can also work as an app-testing sandbox and therefore, you can easily and conveniently test your apps without having to use a real device. In addition, you can also import .apk files you’ve created on your PC into the emulator via a special button. Given that Jar of Beans is extremely flexible when it comes to customization, you can easily adjust your settings according to your app preferences. Also, feel free to create a virtual SD card with a size of your choice. This emulator has mixed reviews so feel free to download it and be the judge.
So those were the best Android emulators that you can use on your desktops to either play games or use apps or if you are a developer, then you can test your apps to see if they are working fine in all the platforms or not.
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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.
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.
Best Android Emulators Mac
6. ARChon
Best Android Emulator For Mac 2021
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.