Emulators are a good way to test the Android OS on your computer. With an Android emulator, you can test apps, features and tweaks without the worry of messing up your smartphone’s software.
Developers use Android emulators on both Mac and Windows to ensure that their apps do not have bugs or glitches before sending them to the Google Play Store. There are the best Android emulators for both Mac & Windows.
Best Android Emulators For PC/Windows
Android Studio Emulator
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Google recommends Android Studio Emulator as one of the best emulators for app development. That is, if you want to run Android apps on your PC, this is a good start.
- Choose from multiple APIs.
- Easy setup and low learning curve.
- The emulator is free.
- Google officially supports it.
But, if you’re not a developer, then there are other Android emulators for Windows that caters to the regular folk like you and I.
Bluestacks 3
Bluestacks 3 let’s you run Android on your PC and it one the oldest and most reliable emulators available.
- Simple interface.
- Easy to use.
- Bluestacks 3 supports most apps on Google Play Store or otherwise.
- Run multiple instances of apps.
- Adjust keys to suit your needs.
It’s user friendly. Hence, even if you are not tech savvy, you can get by. There is a free version and a paid version.
I use Bluestacks mostly for playing games. I can access all the games on the Play Store and play them on my Windows 10 PC. There’s even a nice selection of games that don t need WiFi.
Andy
Andy is an emulator for Windows that can run any and all Android apps. Moreover, it has support for root access. So, for apps that need it, it’s as simple as a click.
Remix OS Player
As one of the first Android simulators for Windows that ran Android Marshmallow, Remix OS Player is great for both testing apps and for casual gaming.
But, the only drawback is that it does not support AMD Chipsets. It works with Windows 7 (64-bit) and above.
AMIDuOS
AMIDuOS claims to be the fastest Android emulator to run Android on Windows.
There claim isn’t far off. AMIDuOS really is fast. For now, it runs Lollipop or JellyBean (both paid). But, there is a free trial.
- Test your apps for bugs (developers).
- Unlimited installation of Android applications.
- Light on system resources.
As of writing, AMIDuOS has been discontinued. As, I had already purchased the software, I still have access. However, for new users, please use an alternative.
Virtual Box
If you ever wanted to build your very own emulator from scratch, then Virtual Box lets you do just that.
The learning curve is high. And, if you are not already accustomed to building your own OS, then, this software is not for you.
However, there are lots of guides online and if you’re determined to learn to code and build your own OS on the emulator, then you can give it a try.
MEmu
This emulator allows you to play Android games on PC with ease. It’s easy to install. Easy to set up. And, best of all, it’s free.
Genymotion
This emulator emulates the Android OS from 4.1 to 6.0. For most common fold, this may seem trivial. But, for a developer, it’s always good to know how your apps work on different versions of Android.
Xamarin
Xamarin now belongs to Microsoft. And it is a cross-platform emulator that can emulate the Android OS. It’s good for developers and gamers alike and is free for personal use.
Nox Player
This is another free emulator that prioritize games. It even goes a step forward and lets you use a gaming controller to play your favorite Android games.
Windroy
Windroy is an emulator that works just as well on older PCs as well as new PCs. It’s not so good for gaming. Better to use an alternative on the list for that.
But, for productivity, it checks out. It can run most of the office apps without an issue.
Also, in Windroy, you won’t find Google Play, the Android’s app store. To run applications, you have to download the APK file, and put it
Droid4X
Droid4X focuses mainly on Android games. Hence, it’s not the best option for other purposes. On the bright side, the emulator is free to use. There are a few glitches here and there so don’t expect a smooth ride.
Best Android Emulators For Mac
ARChon
ARChon is a web-based emulator and thus works on Mac and other platforms. It comes in the form of a Google Chrome extension.
It’s free to use and has instructions on how to use it readily available. All you need is the APK file for your app or game.
Droid4X
Droid4X is also a good Android emulator for Mac. However, as mentioned, it’s more for people wanting to play Android games on their MacBooks.
Bluestacks Android Emulator Mac
Conclusion
These are some of the best Android emulators for both Windows PC and Mac. Feel free to try them out or try out the free trials for the paid ones.
Android Emulator Mac El Capitan
Most work great. And, some are better at gaming than others. There are also emulators that work best for developers. There’s one for every need.