Apr 25, 2018 - Android emulator on a Windows laptop. BlueStacks App Player is perhaps the best-known Android emulator, and it's hardly surprising given.
Android is the leader when it comes to mobile operating systems. One in 3 smartphones runs Android – different versions. Naturally, most of the programmers and developers tend to create apps – messaging, communications, office automation, and games, etc. – for the Android phones.
Before releasing an app, it has to be tested properly. For users, the phones may become slow and destroy their app experience. In such cases, both developers and users can use the Android emulators. While developers can test their apps on a bigger screen, regular end users can enjoy Android apps on computers that have a high-end configuration. This post lists three of the best Android emulators for Windows 10/8/7 PC that can be used by both developers and regular users of the Android operating system.
Android Emulators for Windows 10
1] Bluestacks Emulator
We had covered Bluestacks Android Emulator earlier when it was just a concept. Four years later, it is the most preferred Android emulator for Windows computers. It takes a while to install, so you have to be patient. It installs a special service that you can see in Windows Services and the Task Manager. That is to say that once installed; it will be running continuously in the background. But I did not notice any slowdown in speed for my other (Windows-based) applications like Word etc.
The emulator creates a new library called Apps. You can access this from your list of libraries. The apps you download, appear here. You can run the apps directly by clicking on them or by launching the emulator and then selecting the apps. While playing games, you can go full screen and back using a double-headed arrow icon.
The only drawback is that it is a bit slow to start. It took almost 10 minutes for the first run. But once started, the games go smoothly. There are other problems such as promotions of Android apps and push notifications from the makers of this emulator. Also, it won’t show you all features of an Android phone as other emulators do – such as settings, etc. It just serves as an Android app launcher.
2] Andy Android Emulator
There is a good competition between Andy and Bluestacks. The features of the Android phone are absent in the latter due to which, some people prefer Andy as it gives you a complete look of the Android phone. Read our review of Andy Emulator on The Windows Club. This serves a better purpose for developers who wish to test their applications on a wider screen. And it also makes it fun for the regular Android apps users by making their apps run faster and smoother.
3] Genymotion Android Emulator
This seems as if built upon the faults of Bluestacks – to eliminate them. Though there is a regular Android SDK that most developers use, I won’t mention it here as it requires much technical knowledge to configure and use it. Coming to Genymotion, it is focused on the developers but is much easier to use compared to standard Android SDK. It is faster compared to Bluestacks and does not have the problem of installing random applications.
Genymotion also provides you all the features of an Android phone and hence may be preferred to regular Android SDK for Windows. Genymotion also keeps on running in the background but is not heavy on resources. While most features are present in the paid versions, the free download still allows you to test Android apps and use them on Windows PC. It is, however, not free.
Nox Player is another awesome free Android Emulator for Windows PC! AMIDuOS, Droid4x, Windroy and Xamarin Android Player are some of the other Android Emulators for Windows 10 that are available.
The above are the best Android emulators for Windows according to me. If you have different views or wish to add to the list, please comment.
Go here if you are looking for iOS Simulators & Emulators for Windows PC.
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You’ve heard of Android phones, but did you know you can install the entire Android operating system directly on your computer?
Maybe you have an iPhone and want to test an Android before making the switch. Perhaps you’re investigating Android development and need an app testing environment, or you want to customize your Android operating system without worrying about bricking your Android phone.
No matter the reason, an Android emulator is useful to have on your PC. With that in mind, here are the best Android emulators for Windows 10.
What Makes a Good Android Emulator for Windows 10?
There are several fantastic Android emulators for Windows 10. Many of the best Android emulators are free, too. However, there are differences between a good and a bad Android emulator.
The most important feature for any Android emulator is stability. If your Android emulator stalls, lags, freezes, or otherwise, it is time to find an alternative. Because there are numerous options, you don’t have to suffer with an unstable Android emulator.
Next up, you must consider the Android emulator feature list. For example, some Android emulators allow for third-party controllers, allow you to simulate root capabilities, or install third-party APKs. Other’s don’t come with such functionality.
Reminder: The Android emulators below are all functional and receive regular updates, but the performance of your Android emulator ultimately lies with your Windows 10 machine. Another thing to remember is that some Android emulators offer faster speeds because they cut back on features. Keep this in mind when choosing an Android emulator.
1. NoxPlayer
NoxPlayer is one of the go-to Android emulators for Windows 10. Widely trusted, feature-full, extremely stable, NoxPlayer brings a lot to the table. It also has all of the options you need to treat NoxPlayer like other emulators. For instance, you can specify the CPU and RAM processing size of the NoxPlayer, allowing you to mimic the hardware specifications of individual devices.
Android modders should note that NoxPlayer also comes pre-equipped with root access. Simply enable root in your System Settings, and you can download your favorite modding and customization apps. (Android customizations worth modding your device for!9 Amazing Android Customizations Worth Rooting For9 Amazing Android Customizations Worth Rooting ForHaven't rooted your device yet? Once you get a look at all this awesome root-only customizations, you might change your mind.Read More)
Download: NoxPlayer for Windows | macOS (Free)
2. BlueStacks
BlueStacks is one of the most popular Android emulators for Windows 10, and it is easy to see why. From the installation to the UI, BlueStacks is quick and easy to use. Install it on your desktop or laptop, and BlueStacks gives you a full Android environment.
![Best Android Emulator For Windows 10 Best Android Emulator For Windows 10](/uploads/1/2/5/7/125735012/346419090.png)
Like NoxPlayer, BlueStacks targets Android mobile gamers more than developers. BlueStacks also has a bunch of built-in extras. For instance, BlueStacks Affiliate lets you create Android gaming content that you can monetize through the platform.
Gamer or not, BlueStacks provides a stable and comprehensive Android experience on your Windows 10 machine.
Download: BlueStacks for Windows (Free)
3. Andy
Andy goes above and beyond, consistently providing one of the best overall Android emulator experiences around. Besides packing in all of the Android features you need to rival a smartphone experience, Andy also comes with a bunch of handy features for developers and gamers.
For instance, you can use your smartphone as a remote control for Andy. Don’t have a smartphone? You can use your Xbox or PlayStation controller instead. Another handy feature is storage integration with your desktop, which makes testing and debugging during Android app development that little bit easier. Also, you can modify and customize hardware features like RAM and CPU use through Andy’s integrated virtual machine settings.
Overall, Andy is a snappy, stable Android emulator for Windows 10.
Download: Andy for Windows (Free)
4. Phoenix OS
Long-time Android emulator users will likely be familiar with Jide’s Remix OS Player. Remix OS Player was a great Android emulator based upon the popular Linux Remix OS. Great, until Jide stopped supporting Remix OS Player, leaving a gap in the market.
The gap wasn’t there for long. While Phoenix OS was being developed at the same time as Remix, since the demise of the latter, Phoenix has become the go-to for a modified Android emulator environment for Windows 10. We have a tutorial on how to install Phoenix OS on a Windows 10 system.
As an addition to Kannon’s review and tutorial, I would strongly advise installing Phoenix OS in a virtual machine, as it is unlikely you want to replace your host Windows 10 operating system with Phoenix OS.
Download: Phoenix OS for Windows (Free)
5. MEmu
MEmu is another useful Android emulator for Windows 10, with an easy installation process and plenty of features. One of MEmu’s best features is the keyboard mapping. You can click an area on the screen using your mouse, then input a key to control your game or app.
MEmu also supports one-click APK installation, meaning you can install any APK present on your host machine to MEmu. Better still, you can run multiple instances of MEmu for app testing or otherwise. You can quickly install your app to several different instances, each using a different RAM and CPU configuration to test the performance of your app.
Furthermore, MEmu supports Android games in 4K, so you can enjoy the maximum native resolution of your 4K monitor (if you have one, of course).
Download: MEmu for Windows (Free)
6. Genymotion
Genymotion is different from the other Android emulators on this list. Whereas the majority of the others focus on gaming and productivity, Genymotion is a pure Android development tool. Genymotion is a fantastic and speedy Android emulator that allows developers to test their Android application with a variety of Android versions. Genymotion works with VirtualBox, so you’ll have to install it before you can use Genymotion.
The main draw of Genymotion isn’t just that you can use it as an Android emulator. You can also set up Genymotion with Android Studio, the de facto Android development, to combat the notoriously laggy default emulator it comes with.
By default, Genymotion comes equipped with more features than you can count. Tools, plugins, and unbeatable support staff come all-inclusive when you subscribe to Genymotion. If you’re an Android developer, Genymotion is an investment you won’t regret.
Download: Genymotion for Windows (Free trial, Indie subscription for $99/yr, Business from $299/yr)
What’s the Best Android Emulator for Windows 10?
Android is a fantastic platform. Over time, Android development has seen it become a complete offering, full of productivity, social, and management apps, as well as the countless amazing gaming experiences on offer.
You can use one of these Android emulators to bring the platform directly to your Windows 10 desktop. Whether you’re a mobile gamer or a developer looking for a testing environment, one of these Android emulators will fit your requirements.
Looking for some fresh Android games? Here are some Android games that don’t require the internet20 Best Offline Games on Android That Don't Need Internet20 Best Offline Games on Android That Don't Need InternetThese best offline games for Android are from all genres, including strategy, puzzle, racing, and more. No internet required.Read More.
Explore more about: Android Tips, App Development, Emulation, Mobile Gaming, Operating Systems, Windows Tips.
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- Well informative article.Thanks!
- BlueStacks is a bloatware and comes with always running services in background. Andy comes with coin miner called AndyCloudCPU.exe!
- BlueStacks stopped doing that some time ago, Current versions have a clean exit without any lingering services when not in use.
- Forgot to add that I agree Andy should be avoided, they're very shady, never respond to messages and the last few versions trigger windows defender for Trojans during the install process, (I downloaded the installer directly from their site.)My personal favorite emulators are NOX & Bluestacks although if you happen to play Family Guy Quest for Stuff use NOX as it seems to be the only emulator that runs it without bugging out over time (forcing you to reinstall the game).
- That would explain why Malwarebytes Premium automatically quarantined it and notified me that it had malware in it.
- FYI Bitdefender pegged NOX communicating with a known malware target on the internet. As always, if something is 'free,' you are the product.
- These programs are only bloatware filled with ads. Install Android Studio -- it comes with the best (ad-free) Android emulator.
- Six Android emulators for Windows. These are considered the best? I'm curious how many others exist that didn't make the cut... Whatever the total number is, that's a lot.When I was a Windows user, I ran Bluestacks occasionally. It performed well but Android on a Desktop OS was always limited. Perhaps this is why the focus seems to be games.The sheer effort of the work done here, re: Android emulation, is a testament to mindshare as opposed to anything special Microsoft has done on their end. Despite Microsoft's dramatic and vulgar shift into surveillance and data-mining, it is mindshare that continues to prop up this Operating System.