Emulators are the best way to run Android applications on a PC. This type of program is gaining popularity. This is not surprising, since most of them are free, allow you to use all the features of the Android device on your computer.
What is the best Android emulator for PC? This is a question that concerns not only mobile gamers, but also application developers. Some use this type of game software. The software is perfectly placed on different versions of PC operating systems and copes well with loads.
Programmers see such software more as an environment for writing new applications and games regarding testing.
Why do we need emulators
Application developers use emulators to test their application before sharing it. With a mouse and keyboard, emulators provide the best gaming experience.
You can configure the hardware specifications on emulators depending on your requirements, such as OS version, processor core, RAM, SD card availability, its size, etc.
The Android simulator provides a workaround for people who don’t have an Android phone or high-performance Android device.
There are different types of software - some are free, others are for money. Below in the review will be presented the best emulators that can be used not only in games, but also for testing a written application.
Android Studio Emulator is the best way to develop
Android Studio is a development environment that Google approves and recommends to people who want to create their own applications. The software offers many features that help developers create their applications and games. It has been recognized more than once by the community of programmers as the best emulator of software development.
One of these features is the ability to use the full Android operating system through emulation. This emulator is intended for developers who want to test their applications now and then.
Advantages of the program:
- Ability to choose from several APIs.
- Easy to set up and learn.
- The emulator is free.
- Google officially supports it.
For many, an Android Studio emulator might be ideal. Nevertheless, it is important to note that Google did not create it for use at the consumer level, but more for developers.
Bluestacks 3 - allows you to run Android on PC
Bluestacks is perhaps one of the oldest Android simulators currently available on the market. In addition to the oldest, it is also one of the most common emulators.
As one of the market leaders, Bluestacks provides easy access to the consumer level. The emulator is extremely easy to use, has many features and has free and paid versions.
Benefits:
- Simple and affordable to use.
- Bluestacks 3 supports almost all applications in the Google Play Store.
- Allows the user to run multiple instances of applications.
- Allows you to customize the keys to your liking.
In addition, Bluestacks 3 has been repeatedly marked as the best pubg emulator. The game requires fine-tuning, so you must immediately adjust all the controls at the first start. The functions and tools of the software allow you to do this fully.
"Andy" - the best gaming emulator for games and performance for PC
Andy is a convenient and best PC emulator that was not popular during the first years of its existence. Although the earlier version had some problems, most errors no longer exist. There have been several fixes since its release.
At the moment, Andy is an ideal replacement for users who do not want to use Bluestacks or any other Android emulator that is available. Andy is able to run the entire catalog of available Andriod applications.
You can even provide root access if you want to test the application. Andy can also work on Mac, providing the best possible experience for users of both operating systems.
Advantages of the program:
- Provides root access to applications that require it.
- Available for use on Mac.
In addition, it is the best Android emulator in Russian. The translation is detailed. Additionally, all instructions and guides for setting up are also presented in the Russian version. No problems with localization. Immediately after starting the installation, the program will prompt you to select the desired language from the menu.
AMIDuOS
The next emulator is called AMIDuOS. This is the first Android emulator that has a free trial and 2 paid ones. One is Jellybean and the other is Lollipop. Both have different prices.
It's good that these are one-time payments, and you no longer have to pay monthly or annual subscriptions. Using AMIDuOS is simple as soon as you configure it after the first launch. Most AMIDuOS features are designed to improve performance.
Positive sides:
- Quickly check developed applications for errors.
- Install unlimited Android apps.
- Promotion of resources during development.
Unlike some of the other emulators available, AMIDuOS is not something that focuses on gamer-oriented features or developers. This is a fairly simple Android emulator that can test all your applications without problems.
Droid4X - Best for Gamers
For many, the Droid4X has some ups and downs, and it is not an ideal emulator. However, its simplicity means that it works well in all situations. The best emulator was created taking into account Android gamers. Therefore, the focus is on games.
Since Droid4X is primarily intended for Android games, it can easily run the entire Android game library. However, if you want, you can use it to run other applications and programs.
Benefits:
- The emulator is easy to install and easier to use.
- The emulator pays more attention to Android gamers.
- Droid4X is free.
- A Mac version is also available.
Droid4X is not an ideal emulator for Android, but it is he who will perform all the necessary work on installation and configuration thanks to the simple interface and the great experience of the creators programmers. In addition, it is the best emulator for pubg mobile.
Genymotion - best for running Android on PC
If you are a developer who always needs a device using a different version of Android so that you can effectively test your applications, then Genymotion is perfect for these purposes. This emulator is intended for programmers who need to test their applications and games on multiple devices without using the gadgets themselves.
Developers can configure the software to emulate various versions of Android, such as 4.2 or 6.0. Although this may not be very important for the average consumer, it is fantastic for developers. They can make sure that their application works on all versions of Android without any problems.
Pros:
- Genymotion allows you to effectively switch between all created devices.
- Well adapted for developers.
- Free for personal use.
This program can be noted as the best Android emulator in terms of application testing.
Nox Player (BigNox)
If you want the Android simulator to be strictly for games, then Nox is the right option. Available for free, this Android emulator for Windows PCs is designed to give players enough control. This gives the user a number of advanced features and controls.
The features are conveniently located, ensuring that gamers get the most out of their experience. Nox is one of the few emulators that allows you to use a full-sized game controller to play your games.
Benefits:
- Nox offers several gamer-oriented features.
- Nox supports a full-sized controller for games.
If you're interested in learning about performance, then yes, you can test your applications on Nox. However, keep in mind that this is primarily done for gamers, not programmers. Therefore, the program is included in the best emulators on the PC for ordinary users.
Remix OS Player
Remix OS Player was a surprise to many users and developers. Firstly, it was one of the first Android simulators for Windows that had Android 6.x Marshmallow. Secondly, other programs were still on older versions of the OS.
That's not all, Remix OS Player is also incredibly simple and straightforward when it comes to customization. Once you're done, you can start using it the way you want.
Pros:
- Easy to install and configure.
- Running Android 6.x Marshmallow.
- The emulator is suitable for both players and developers.
Remix OS Player is a reliable option for anyone who wants to access the Android emulator. This is a simple and one of the best Android emulators available for download, and for free.
The only drawback is that it does not support AMD processors. However, this may change soon with the update. Based on constantly improving improvements, it can be called the best Android emulator for PC.
Youwave
YouWave can be considered as an Android emulator since ancient times. This is because it is one of the oldest Android PC simulations. However, last year the software received an update. The emulator is available in free and paid versions.
In the free version you get almost everything, but your OS will be Ice Cream Sandwich. However, paying $ 29.99 will give you Android Lollipop, with the option of continuous updating.
Benefits:
- You can play games and run applications.
- Easy installation and setup.
Now use suggests that YouWave is not intended for gamers. The emulator pays more attention to programmers, which explains the many development options available to you. Therefore, it is a good Windows emulator for Android applications.
ARChon is the only browser-based emulator for Android
Users need to install it in Google Chrome, and once the installation is complete, you can download the APK files and use them as you please. It is not intended for games or for writing code.
However, the software does a great job when it comes to quickly running and testing your applications to see if they work. The installation process is complicated, but the fact that you only need Google Chrome, and some basic knowledge to make it work, is the reason why it has become popular.
Pros:
- ARChon does not require installation.
- Free.
- Extremely lightweight.
- Compatible with Mac, PC and Linux.
Fortunately, all the information necessary to launch the program is already included and is displayed at the first start of the plugin. The fact that it can work on all operating systems that support Google Chrome gives a definite advantage, and it does not take up a significant part of the resources.
KoPlayer - a reliable Android simulator for PC
So far, KoPlayer is an application that has not received much publicity. This is because it was created relatively recently, but at the same time it shows itself promisingly. This is the best android emulator for Windows, according to many players.
Since this software is more suitable for the player, you get features such as the ability to reassign. You can even simulate the controller using the keyboard. One unique feature of KoPlayer is that it allows players to record their game clips and download them anywhere.
Pros:
- KoPlayer allows players to record and upload their videos.
- It is easy and simple to install.
- The program allows you to reassign buttons and other game functions.
KoPlayer has several good features that make it easy and simple to run games on users' computers. At the same time, there are some errors, but they are quickly fixed with the release of updates. KoPlayer is the best Android simulator released in early 2018.
MEmu - supports both AMD and Intel chipsets
It's hard to find Android simulators for PCs that focus more on making life more comfortable. For example, several emulators that were present in the description above do not support AMD chips. MEmu is one of the few that supports both processor manufacturers. This is a relatively new kind of program, with a different core architecture than many programs.
It comes with support for Jelly Bean, Ice Cream Sandwich and Lollipop. Later with updates there will be more recent OS versions on mobile platforms. It also supports the ability to run multiple instances of different applications or the same, working in multitasking mode.
This feature is important for developers who want to test the same application on different versions of the OS. MEmu allows them to conduct testing without creating virtual work machines. Even after that, the software does not advertise itself as a developer-oriented software.
Pros:
- Allows developers to run multiple instances of applications.
- Supports Android Jelly Bean, Ice Cream Sandwich, Lollipop.
- Easy installation.
It cannot be denied that MEmu is an almost perfect combination of every useful feature that you can find in this program. He repeatedly got into the best Android emulators for computers.
Xamarin
Xamarin is more of an environment for programmers, but still applies to emulators. This is similar to Android Studio, but there are some differences. For starters, Xamarin has a list of various functions and tools, and Android Studio.
In addition, Xamarin can connect to Microsoft Visual Studio, and for those who are writing applications, it offers simulations like Android Studio does. The software is suitable for both developers and gamers.
Pros:
- The software is suitable for both developers and gamers.
- Easy to install for the most part.
- Free for personal use.
Now you need to know that Xamarin will provide you excellent opportunities for developers, but for this you will have to configure it according to the established requirements. It is not difficult if you are a developer, but beginners may have problems. Xamarin is free, it is easy to use for private users without paying a fee, but companies and development teams will have to pay a subscription. Therefore, it is the best Android emulator on PC for team development and testing.
Windroy - reliable for gamers
Most of the programs that are on the list are more focused on modern equipment and go well with it. This means that older machines do not really like this type of software. Windroy does things differently since it is available for older computers.
The software is performance oriented, and you can easily manage most of your office applications. It doesn’t work well with games and is not very reliable. However, if you have a PC with outdated hardware, Windroy is perfect.
Benefits:
- Windroy works brilliantly on older equipment.
- Simple and efficient installation.
- It can run most office applications.
It's hard to say that Windroy is the perfect Android emulator, but it has its advantages. The software is free, works well on older machines and is suitable for low performance. However, calling it the best emulator for modern games still does not work, because of the low performance.
Total
The Android PC emulators mentioned above are currently the most affordable on the market. All of them are equally good, and each has its own advantages and disadvantages. Each has its own requirements, which lead to the fact that you must compare and see which of the emulators suits you best. Therefore, which emulator is best for a PC, each reader will choose for himself based on their preferences and technical features.