The Best Android emulators for PC

Are you looking to run android on windows? If yes, then you’re in luck because a wide variety of emulators for pc are available today. An android emulator is a software program that provides an interface to access android apps on PC. It enables you to test apps on PC without requiring a phone, which ultimately saves you a lot of time.

Typically, three types of people use android emulators:

• Developers
• Gamers
• General users

Developers use emulators for testing and debugging android apps because they find it easier to execute the testing operations on bigger screens. Similarly, gamers use this technology to enjoy android games on high-definition screens and to play them with a mouse and a keyboard. However, when it comes to the general users, they might just want to use the emulators for the change of taste or to use their favorite apps such as Whatsapp and Instagram on bigger screens.

Now that you know the main benefits of android emulators, it might be tempting to try one. However, we’d like to inform you that some of the emulators may not work as advertised. Therefore, we have picked 10 of the best emulators for pc android to make life easy for you. Here it goes.

1. BlueStacks

BlueStacks is hands down the most famous and widely used android emulator today. It was founded in 2014 and is totally free to use. This emulator works best on Windows XP and Windows 7,8,10.

Photo Credit to BueStacks Website

Android developers that are looking for a complete android interface on PC, BlueStacks is the best option. Here you can play android games, test android apps, and do a variety of other tasks.  Plus, the advanced versions of BlueStacks let you run apps and games on PC simultaneously. Some special features that make BlueStacks an all-time favorite are:

• App syncing between your android device and Windows.
• Shared folders to move files between BlueStacks and Windows.
• Side-loading apps.
• Direct streaming on twitch.

2. Genymotion

Genymotion is an extremely stable android emulator that is widely used for testing and debugging apps. It is basically a third party emulator that uses android virtualization for app testing. Several other similar programs are available in the market but Genymotion has many advantages over them.

Image by Genymotion

For example, speed is one of the primary issues in virtual machines. The majority of emulators are slower than actual devices, which makes app testing very challenging. However, Genymotion doesn’t have this issue. It comes with enhanced speed to provide developers with a great platform for app testing. Its top features include:

• Unlimited app installation.
• Support for all android versions.
• GPS widget to test location-based apps.
• Real size app display on a computer screen.

3. Nox Player

Nox Player is one of the top emulators for PC designed to combine android apps and games on a bigger screen with improved hardware performance. It is free to download and comes with a broad array of features.

Nox Player came out in 2015 and has been rolling out new features ever since. Besides, the makers have massively optimized its performance as well which now makes it an unmatched tool in the market. The software is compatible with Windows XP to all the way up to the latest version of Windows 10.

Photo Credit to Bignox

Another cool feature of Nox is that it could execute several apps and games simultaneously. If you have a big screen, then you can work and track several apps at the same time. Here some of the amazing features of this emulator:

• Can emulate any android OS on PC.
• Multiple options for software/hardware configuration.
• Compatible with Intel and AMD processors.
• Easy to use interface with quick commands.

4. Andy

Andy is a unique emulator which combines the experience of mobile and PC computing. It keeps the users up to date with the latest Android updates and provides unlimited storage capacity. Andy is also compatible with both PC and Mac. You will have the freedom to opt-out of this option and use your mouse and keyboard as controllers.

Photo by andyroid

With Andy, you also get to keep all your conversations in one place. Whether its work messages on Slack, friends buzzing your Whatsapp or calls from relatives on Skype; Andy keeps all your communication apps at one place – desktop. The other features that Andy has to offer are:

• Keeps your favorite apps on the desktop by default.
• Freedom to directly download apps from any desktop browser.
• Always keeps your android OS up to date.
• Seamless syncing between Android and desktop devices.

5. Memu Play

Memu Play is 5^th on our list of best emulators for pc android. It has gained a lot of traction recently because of the fact that it is loaded with tons of useful features. The emulator is compatible with all versions of Windows from XP to 10.

Image by Memu Play

One of the most amazing features of Memu is that it is compatible with both Intel and AMD processors. Memu’s compatibility is one of the main reasons gamers prefer it over other emulators as it provides a superb gaming experience on PC. Here are some of the features of Memu that will certainly impress you:

• Millions of games to enjoy.
• Keymapping.
• Freedom to drag and drop files from Windows.
• Synchronizer tool to help you open several VMs simultaneously.

6. LDPlayer

If you love the idea of playing android games on PC, then LDPlayer is an excellent option. This emulator is one of the latest in the market and has been specifically designed for gaming. Despite its young age, LDPlayer has quickly joined the list of top android emulators for PC in the market thanks to its excellent performance.

Photo by LD player

Similar to Memu Play, LDPlayer runs flawlessly on both AMD and Intel-based processors. The emulator also has a dedicated app store for games. Plus if you don’t like the performance of the program, you can enhance the performance using Virtualization Technology from the Settings option. Take a look at some of the fantastic features of LDPlayer:

• Keymapping to play games from mouse/keyboard instead of touching.
• Special PUBG mode.
• Easy to install APK files.
• Supports the entire range of Google games.

7. Droid4x

Droid4x is a top gaming emulator for both PC and Mac users. It comes with add-ons, which is a rare feature for emulators. Plus it has a mobile app that lets you use your smartphone to play games on PC.

Droid4x comes with Google Play Store to let you download your favorite apps. It also has an offline installer, which enables you to use your PC or Mac console to explore and enjoy different apps.

Image by Droid4x

The Screen Mapping of this emulator provides extraordinary proficiency; while the Contact Motions feature lets you zoom through a substance and makes dragging, opening, and closing things simpler than other emulators. Some useful features of Droid4x are:

• PlayStation/Xbox controller.
• Console mapping support.
• Coordinated sensors.
• Freedom to use a cellphone as a joystick.

8. Gameloop

Gameloop is another excellent tool for android gaming on PC. It’s a dedicated gaming emulator where you can enjoy a variety of android games including PUBG, Call of Duty, Free Fire and more. It is only compatible with Windows OS and works perfectly on both 32-bit and 64-bit versions.

Gameloop has a variety of useful features to provide an excellent experience. For example, its Network Acceleration feature lets you optimize your network speed for smoother gameplay. Additionally, you can watch live streams of different gamers and also make random friends in the Join Random Friends section. Some sophisticated features of Gameloop are:

• Customizable smart keyboard.
• Supporting multiple languages.
• High-quality graphics.
• Prevention of fraud (hack, cheat).

9. Windroy

Are you annoyed that you can’t use your favorite android apps on Windows? Don’t worry because Windroy is an excellent alternative to enjoy the android experience on PC.

Hundreds of websites let you download Windroy. Its file size is just about 80 MB, which only takes a few seconds to install. It is an extremely stable emulator that runs on Windows OS. Because of its stability, users feel like they’re running the same system on PC that they run on their phones.

A downside of using Windroy is that it does not support audio. Plus, you may experience problems running some applications. Therefore, it is mostly used by only developers. Some unique features of this emulator include:

• Stable and secure emulation
• Powerful processor
• Integrated support for keyboard and mouse
• Compatible with both PCs and laptops

So, these were some excellent emulators for pc android. Whether you’re a developer looking to test apps or a gamer seeking smooth gameplay, these will certainly do the job for you. With so many good options, you might find yourself torn between a few. So take your time and choose the one that suits you the best.