10 best Android emulators for PC and Mac
There are many good reasons why someone would want to run Android emulators on their PCs. Application developers may be trying to test their application before shipping it. Players may want to use a mouse and keyboard on their games. Maybe you just want it there to have it. In any case, Android emulation on PC is possible. Here are the best Android emulators for PC and Mac.
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The best Android emulators for PC and Mac
AMIDuOS
AMIDuOS is the first on our list and is a relatively new Android emulator for PC. It comes in two flavors: Lollipop and Jelly Bean. Aside from the version type, the only other difference between the two is Jelly Bean costs $ 10 while Lollipop costs $ 15. The good news is that these are one-time fees. AMIDuOS works great for many purposes. Most of its features are for productivity rather than for games. This makes it a good option for office use, homework, and similar tasks. There are no specific game features, but the games work pretty well. Developers could use it for basic testing, but it will not be good for advanced things. It’s good overall and is worth a chance.
Android Studio
Android Studio is the Google approved development IDE for Android. It comes with a bunch of tools to help developers make apps and games specifically for Android. In the end, there is also a built-in emulator that you can use to test your app or game. Obviously, it’s not good for consumer products. However, these applications in development already have a powerful (and free) tool at their disposal to help test their applications. It’s a pain in the neck to put in place. It’s not too bad once you do, though.
Archon
ARChon is not a traditional emulator. You install it in Google Chrome. It then gives Chrome the ability to run Android apps. It’s not an easy emulator to use. You will need to install the trick on Chrome. From there, you have to get APK files and load them. As an addition, you may need to use a tool to edit the APK to make it compatible. We have the basic instructions related to the button above. It is compatible with Mac, PC and Linux. It’s also one of the most difficult to configure, but it’s also one of the most unique Android emulators.
Bliss
Bliss is something a little different. It works as an Android emulator for PC via a virtual machine. However, it can also work flat on your computer via a USB key. This is definitely a power user option and not recommended for the less tech savvy. As a VM installation, the process is quite simple, so tedious. The USB installation method is even more complicated, but it allows your computer to run on Android if your system is compatible. Of course, it works really well if your system is compatible and it’s a bit of a crapshoot right now. The system runs on Android Oreo, which represents a breakthrough even compared to the Bluestacks Nougat. It’s a bit of a rough diamond, but again, we only recommend this one to the forefront of technology.
Bluestacks 3
Bluestacks is the most common of all Android emulators. There are many reasons for this. For starters, it is compatible with Windows and Mac. The most recent Bluestacks, dubbed Bluestacks 3, were released in 2017. This is not the cleanest experience. However, it has the ability to launch multiple instances so that you can play multiple games at once. It also includes keymapping and settings for many installed games. This should help make things a lot easier. It’s still a bit inflated compared to something like Andy or Remix. However, those who want to play should probably start here. Those looking for productivity may want something lighter. Recent updates put Bluestacks on Android Nougat. This makes Bluestacks the most recent Android emulator currently available on PC.
Droid4X
Droid4X has had its ups and downs. However, it’s one of the classic Android emulators for PCs. It has a simple design that should be easy to use for most people. It sells to players and supports simple and casual games. However, like most Android PC emulators, you can do productivity tricks if you wish. We are not quite sure if Droid4X is still active, but their download page is. Thus, we recommend that you exercise caution as this could be a buggy and unstable product. Droid4x is also compatible with Mac. Finding the installer for this is a bit difficult, however.
Genymotion
This Android emulator is primarily for developers. It allows you to test your apps on a variety of devices without owning them. You can configure the emulator for a variety of devices with different versions of Android to meet your needs. For example, you can run a Nexus One with Android 4.2 or a Nexus 6 with Android 6.0. You can easily switch between “devices” at will. It’s not great for mainstream use, but Genymotion offers its services for free for personal use.
KoPlayer
KoPlayer is a new Android emulator for PC. He also managed to fly under most radars until recently. His main goal is for games. You can use keymapping to emulate a controller with your keyboard. Players will also be able to save the game and download it wherever they want. The installation process is quite easy and it seems to work. Like most emulators, there are some problems that you will come across at random. He claims to be an emulator in the middle of the road. You will be able to use it for a variety of things. The only drawback is that it’s still buggy. Nevertheless, it is a good free option.
MEMU
MEmu is another of the Android emulators for PC. One of its main features is support for AMD and Intel chipsets. It’s more rare than you think. In addition, it supports Android Jelly Bean, Kat Kit and Lollipop. You can even run multiple instances at once. This makes it one of the few emulators that rises as high as Lollipop. Like many, you can use it for just about anything you want. It will support most games and most applications. However, we recommend it primarily for productivity. It’s free to download and use if you wish.
NOx
Nox is another Android emulator for PCs for gamers. This includes utilities and additions specifically designed to help players. You will be able to do things like playing with a real controller. This includes things like the ability to assign “drag right” to, say, an arrow key and simulate real gesture movements directly on your keyboard or joystick if you have one. It is very funny and seems to work well most of the time. It’s also completely free. Do not pay attention to the shift in the video below. The emulator does not hang around like that.
