Android Emulators have different purposes, depending on your usage.
From testing Android apps on PC to playing Android games on a large display.
If thats not the case, a regular user craves to try the Android OS on an enormous screen.
If its for testing any custom ROM or Android operating system itself, the usage might vary.
Now that youve recognized the benefit of Android emulators, you want to give a shot at one.
Strictly speaking, there are numerous Android Emulators for Windows and Mac.
Bluestacks has been the nonpareil choice for many meantime; the tables have turned in recent years.
The Android Emulators mentioned on this list run on Windows primarily, while some have support for macOS/Mac.
Every emulator has its pros and cons.
You might have gone on a cruise to search for the best Android emulators for Android.
We believe that your search ends here with our list of best Android Emulators for Windows PC and Mac.
What is Android Emulator?
Android Emulatoris a virtual gadget for testing Android apps without installing them on your smartphone.
you’ve got the option to target any platform you want and debug your app.
Since it works on a desktop platform, the emulator is called AVD(Android Virtual rig).
Uses of Android Emulator?
An Android Emulator has different uses based on a users purpose.
There are two primary uses of Android Emulators:1.
For Developers debug Android apps before releasing them.2.
For Gamers play games on a large screen without an Android smartphone.
Dont worry about it if you are entirely new to the Android emulator platform.
Every Android Emulator mentioned on this list is easy to use.
All you need is a basic knowledge of using an Android smartphone, and you are good to go.
Best Android Emulators for PC and Mac
1.
Bluestacks
Bluestacks is the most dominant Android emulator among all of them.
It is the best Android Emulator for Windows and Mac.
Not only for gaming, but Bluestacks is also adaptable for regular Android usage.
Back in the early days of Android emulators, it was the only one that worked.
It went through numerous updates, and you get Android 7.1.2 Nougat on the latest Bluestacks.
On the bright side, Bluestacks will be bringing Android 8.0 Oreo on its new Bluestacks 5 game engine.
It includes different key-mapping and macros and scripts added for games at variance.
Bluestacks can run on any Windows or Mac regardless of the chipset used in the machine.
Bluestacks is another way to test your Android apps if you dont have a mobile/tablet.
The only sad part is that productive apps might be stagnant.
Anyways, its the best Android Emulator for Windows and macOS, without a doubt.
Download Bluestacks
2.
GameLoop
Tencent released their Android emulator for PUBG Mobile players looking to play on low-end PCs.
It was known as Tencent Gaming Buddy and, lately, renamed to GameLoop.
Its purpose is to play high-quality FPS games like PUBG Mobile and Call of Duty: Mobile.
Since its the official emulator from Tencent, these games tend to perform better on GameLoop.
It also features games apart from Tencents ones.
Subsequently, the collection isnt a huge one.
GameLoop is devoted to Android gaming on PC; thus, support for running other Android apps is absent.
GameLoop has excellent integration with the mouse and keyboard on the bright side.
The FPS we got was admirable when we tried some games on it.
It runs on Android 7.1.2 Nougat and will be further updated as well.
If gaming is your top priority, you should look no further.
GameLoop is the best Android Emulator for playing FPS games.
Download GameLoop
3.
MEmu Play
MEmu is a new player in the market of Android emulators.
While MEmu made its entry in 2015, it gained popularity recently.
Similar to Bluestacks and GameLoop, MEmu App Player focuses on gaming too.
Talking about speed, its on par with Bluestacks and GameLoop.
MEmu has a minimal UI in comparison to other emulators.
MEmu runs on Android 7.1.2 Nougat and gets regular updates to improve the performance.
It can also run Android Lollipop, KitKat, and Jellybean.
MEmu allows you to run different Android versions in other Windows concurrently.
While it gives exceptional gaming performance, it provides notable performance for regular users in the same way.
In our opinion, MEmu Play is yet another best Android Emulator for PCs.
Download MEmu Play
4.
Genymotion
Genymotion is more of an Android emulator for developers.
It allows you to test your apps on different virtual devices without owning them physically.
The Android simulator has various Android versions to test apps on different API levels.
The good part is that Genymotion is compatible with both Windows PCs and macOS.
As Genymotion favors developers, many features are apt for developers.
It integrates well with Android SDK and Android Studio.
Its perfect for the developers to use it for their personal use.
Besides, Genymotion offers cloud services with no requirement of a powerful CPU to fire off the simulations.
you’ve got the option to rely on the servers to take up the heavy work for you.
Download Genymotion
5.
LD Player
LD Player is another latest contender for gaming Android emulators.
It is one of the best of its kind and well-optimized for gamers.
Since its launch, it has grabbed the attention of many emulator players.
The speed and performance of the LD Player play a crucial role in its quick popularity.
Another positive fact is that it receives monthly updates, and the team seems to be very active.
LD Player is compatible with both Intel and AMD chipsets and delivers a top-notch performance.
However, LD Player runs on Android 7.1.2 Nougat and is likely to receive future updates.
It comes with a built-in app store that fulfills its purpose for exploring new games.
LD Player provides the complete experience of an Android emulator on Windows PCs for gamers.
Download LD Player
6.
It includes features like key-mapping, controller compatibility, and key-mapping gestures too.
Nox can fairly outperform any other Android emulator with its top-of-the-line interface.
It means it’s possible for you to map keyboard shortcuts without needing specific hardware.
If you are into rooting, it lets you change the build.prop of the emulator.
The benefits dont stop there.
you’ve got the option to gain root access by simply enabling an option.
Its much better than trying to go through the complete rooting process on other emulators.
When someone hears terms like rooting, they would askif Nox Player is safe; the answer is yes.
Albeit, its one of the best Android emulators for Windows and Mac.
Download Nox Player
7.
Android Studio
Android Studio is more of an emulator for developers and made by Google.
Its essentially a tool for developers to build and test their apps and games for Android smartphones.
Several tools and plugins are present in Android Studio to help developers test their applications.
Its not for regular Android users and might take a little longer to set up.
Android Studio comes with a built-in Android emulator and packs some good features.
Its the favorite tool for developers to build and test apps.
While it doesnt rank out Genymotion, many prefer it.
The emulator can run any app for testing on the emulator and run any Android version.
It would be best if you considered that gaming is out of the question on Android Studio.
It is one of the best Android emulators for developers and runs on Windows and macOS.
Download Android Studio
8.
Remix OS Player
Remix OS launched as a full-fledged operating system based on Android.
Installing it besides Windows operating system is bickering.
Remix OS comes with an Android emulator that you might run on Windows to avoid those difficulties.
It is entirely free and comes with Android 6.0 Marshmallow, which is a little old considering the competition.
Remix OS Player is relatively stable, given that its development has concluded.
Still, its persistent and easy to use.
This Android Emulator focuses primarily on gaming as well as productivity apps.
The addition of Google Play as a native app is an excellent minor tweak.
Its the perfect emulator for the time being.
If there comes a better one, well soon replace it with another one.
Its one of the best stable Android Emulators for Windows.
Download Remix OS Player
9.
PrimeOS
PrimeOS is more of an operating system on its own.
The installation will be a little complex since it involves booting into native Android OS.
Unlike Remix OS, it is suitable for gaming and productivity apps too.
The best part of PrimeOS is its UI, which is stunning.
Moreover, it looks like ChromeOS is running Android apps better and more stable way.
It includes features like Gaming Center and adds support for external devices like mouse and keyboard.
you’re able to play multiple games simultaneously while watching your favorite content.
It has been new in terms of development since 2019, and its a startup based in India.
Its pretty stable for Android OS in gaming and other applications.
It had to make its way to our list of the best Android Emulators.
It can be installed on any Windows or Mac if you know the installation process specifically.
Download PrimeOS
10.
Phoenix OS
Phoenix OS is another new Android Emulator in the market.
Like most of the emulators, its focused on gaming.
It runs on Android 7.1 and emphasizes desktop features like multi-windows, keyboard and mouse support, and more.
Phoenix OS comes with some native applications pre-installed for effortless accessibility.
Phoenix OS can run without a problem on Intel x86 based chipsets too.
It also doubles as an operating system and wouldnt affect your documents in that way.
It is the best overall Android Emulator for both gamers and regular users.
We tested them and found them unstable or couldnt run correctly.
Those include Droid4x, Windroy, Andy, and Xamarin.
Since we couldnt get them to work on our machines, it doesnt mean you cant.
Andy got arraigned for installing crypto miners on users machines without intimidating them out of the four mentioned.
We recommend you stay away from Andy.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Which is the best Android Emulator for PC?
Many Android Emulators produce different outputs.
For overall purposes, Bluestacks seems to be the best for gaming and regular users.
Another great option would be MEmu Play for both general and gaming purposes.
check that to choose the right Android Emulator based on your usage.
Which is the best for playing PUBG?
Other options would be Bluestacks, MEmu, and Nox Player, ensuring PUBG Mobile runs smoothly.
PUBG Mobile requires constant FPS and needs a better internet connection too.
If you dont have a stable internet connection, these emulators might not be much valuable to you.
Which is the best Android emulator for low-end PC?
Bluestacks and MEmu Player seemed to put less load on the CPU and GPU than we have used.
The mentioned ones can run on Windows 10/8.1/8/7 PCs and Mac if the emulator supports it.
The performance of these Android emulators will depend on the hardware specifications of your PC or Mac.
Whether you better develop apps or play games, you will find this helpful list.
Android is an open-source project, and thus the growth of Android emulators was possible.
But there are some emulators like Andy that take advantage of user permissions.
You should better stay away from them to keep your PC from malicious stuff.
Our list of best Android emulators is clean from all malicious activities.
