With Android’s growing popularity, the need for Android Emulator is also becoming apparent. From developers testing apps to gamers playing on a large screen, users yearn for experiencing Android OS on a Windows PC – complete with a mouse and keyboard.
Here, we list down some of the top Android emulators that can be used on Windows PC without any hassle.
The Nox Player specifically focuses on Android games and is best suited for playing games like PUBG or Justice League. With the emulator, you can easily map keys of Keyboard, Maps, and Gamepad. Also, you can specify the CPU and RAM usage in the settings option for the best gaming experience.
However, Nox Player puts a lot of load on the system and disables the use of many other apps. It is also based on Android 5 Lollipop, which might be problematic for some users.
Nox Emulator is completely free with no sponsored ads.
Price: Free
Why use Nox Player?
· Multiple windows on the single device
· Mapping shortcuts on controllers
· Easy to root
Download: Nox Player
One of the most popular Android emulators, the BlueStacks is best preferred for gaming besides being very easy to set up. It can be downloaded from the Play Store as well as its own app store.
Just like other emulators, BlueStacks supports keyboard mapping well but does not work as well with gestures.
The only drawback of the BlueStacks emulator is that it gets sluggish in productivity apps. Other than that, it is one of the best out there.
BlueStacks is available on Android 7 Nougat.
Price: Free/ Premium $24
Why use BlueStacks?
· Easy to set up
· Supports multiple accounts
· Works on the latest android version
Download: BlueStacks
Launched in 2015, MEmu is relatively a new player in the industry. However, it gives similar results as the big names like Nox and BlueStacks.
MEmu’s prime focus is on gaming and supports both – AMD and NVidia chips. It is based on Android Lollipop and supports all versions of the operating system.
The only drawback observed is that the graphics performance of MEmu is poor, in comparison to their app players.
Nevertheless, it is ideal for gamers who want to play games like Ingress or Pokémon Go.
Price: Free
Why use MEmu?
· Key mapping
· Allows setup of virtual location on Google Maps
· Works well with productivity apps
Download: MEmu
Similar to other Android game emulators KoPlayer focuses on delivering a lag-free gaming experience. The player is easy to install and supports the usual features such as keyboard mapping and gamepad emulation.
However, the player occasionally crashes and seems buggy at times. Additionally, the player is free to install but you may see random ads here and there – interfering in your use.
Price: Free
Why use Ko Player?
· Simple UI
· Easy to install
· Supports all Android versions
Download: Ko Player
Exclusively build for developers, Genymotion allows testing apps on a variety of virtual devices using different versions of Android. The emulator is compatible with Android SDK and Android Studio and even works with macOS and Linux.
Since Genymotion is targeted towards developers, it is packed with lots of advanced features and might not be the right choice for people looking for Android gaming experience.
Price: Trail/Premium $136 per year.
Why use Genymotion?
· Supports android Studio
· Runs versions from Android 4.1 to 8.0
· Advanced features ideal for the developers
Download: Genymotion
Android Studio is a development IDE (Integrated development environment) by Google itself and specifically targeted towards developers.
The Android Studio comes with several tools and plugins that assists developers to build and test their apps. However, in comparison to Genymotion, the Android Studio packs fewer features and is relatively hard to set up.
Price: Free
Why use Android Studio?
· Google’s official emulator
· Packed with advanced features
Download: Android Studio
ARChon is not as popular as other emulators are and is merely a fix to run Android apps on Chrome OS.
Created by a GitHub developer, the ARChon Android emulator is not suited for hardcore gaming but is excellent for using productivity app due to its easy access.
Price: Free
Why use ARChon?
· Easy to install
· Ideal for productivity apps
· Integrated into Chrome OS
Download: ARChon
Bliss OS works differently from the above-mentioned emulators. Where ‘Android Emulators’ work to emulate Android on your Windows PC, Bliss OC is an Android itself and installs as a separate OS.
A Virtual Box or a bootable USB drive can be used to install the Bliss OS ROM on the external storage. Moreover, Bliss OS is open source and doesn’t include ads or any other Android emulator clutter.
Price: Free
Why use Bliss OS?
· Free to install
· Ad-free
· Beta version running on Android 9 Pie
· Supports Substratum Theme engine
Download: Bliss OS
Do try the recommended tools and share your views with us at Digital Information World.
Read Next: 5 Apps Which Help Reduce the Harmful Blue Light That Emanates from Smartphones
Here, we list down some of the top Android emulators that can be used on Windows PC without any hassle.
1. Nox Player
The Nox Player specifically focuses on Android games and is best suited for playing games like PUBG or Justice League. With the emulator, you can easily map keys of Keyboard, Maps, and Gamepad. Also, you can specify the CPU and RAM usage in the settings option for the best gaming experience.
However, Nox Player puts a lot of load on the system and disables the use of many other apps. It is also based on Android 5 Lollipop, which might be problematic for some users.
Nox Emulator is completely free with no sponsored ads.
Price: Free
Why use Nox Player?
· Multiple windows on the single device
· Mapping shortcuts on controllers
· Easy to root
Download: Nox Player
2. BlueStacks
One of the most popular Android emulators, the BlueStacks is best preferred for gaming besides being very easy to set up. It can be downloaded from the Play Store as well as its own app store.
Just like other emulators, BlueStacks supports keyboard mapping well but does not work as well with gestures.
The only drawback of the BlueStacks emulator is that it gets sluggish in productivity apps. Other than that, it is one of the best out there.
BlueStacks is available on Android 7 Nougat.
Price: Free/ Premium $24
Why use BlueStacks?
· Easy to set up
· Supports multiple accounts
· Works on the latest android version
Download: BlueStacks
Related: 5 Android apps that are yet ‘undiscovered’ by users
3. MEmu
Launched in 2015, MEmu is relatively a new player in the industry. However, it gives similar results as the big names like Nox and BlueStacks.
MEmu’s prime focus is on gaming and supports both – AMD and NVidia chips. It is based on Android Lollipop and supports all versions of the operating system.
The only drawback observed is that the graphics performance of MEmu is poor, in comparison to their app players.
Nevertheless, it is ideal for gamers who want to play games like Ingress or Pokémon Go.
Price: Free
Why use MEmu?
· Key mapping
· Allows setup of virtual location on Google Maps
· Works well with productivity apps
Download: MEmu
4. Ko Player
Similar to other Android game emulators KoPlayer focuses on delivering a lag-free gaming experience. The player is easy to install and supports the usual features such as keyboard mapping and gamepad emulation.
However, the player occasionally crashes and seems buggy at times. Additionally, the player is free to install but you may see random ads here and there – interfering in your use.
Price: Free
Why use Ko Player?
· Simple UI
· Easy to install
· Supports all Android versions
Download: Ko Player
5. Genymotion
Exclusively build for developers, Genymotion allows testing apps on a variety of virtual devices using different versions of Android. The emulator is compatible with Android SDK and Android Studio and even works with macOS and Linux.
Since Genymotion is targeted towards developers, it is packed with lots of advanced features and might not be the right choice for people looking for Android gaming experience.
Price: Trail/Premium $136 per year.
Why use Genymotion?
· Supports android Studio
· Runs versions from Android 4.1 to 8.0
· Advanced features ideal for the developers
Download: Genymotion
6. Android Studio
Android Studio is a development IDE (Integrated development environment) by Google itself and specifically targeted towards developers.
The Android Studio comes with several tools and plugins that assists developers to build and test their apps. However, in comparison to Genymotion, the Android Studio packs fewer features and is relatively hard to set up.
Price: Free
Why use Android Studio?
· Google’s official emulator
· Packed with advanced features
Download: Android Studio
7. ARChon
ARChon is not as popular as other emulators are and is merely a fix to run Android apps on Chrome OS.
Created by a GitHub developer, the ARChon Android emulator is not suited for hardcore gaming but is excellent for using productivity app due to its easy access.
Price: Free
Why use ARChon?
· Easy to install
· Ideal for productivity apps
· Integrated into Chrome OS
Download: ARChon
8. Bliss OS
Bliss OS works differently from the above-mentioned emulators. Where ‘Android Emulators’ work to emulate Android on your Windows PC, Bliss OC is an Android itself and installs as a separate OS.
A Virtual Box or a bootable USB drive can be used to install the Bliss OS ROM on the external storage. Moreover, Bliss OS is open source and doesn’t include ads or any other Android emulator clutter.
Price: Free
Why use Bliss OS?
· Free to install
· Ad-free
· Beta version running on Android 9 Pie
· Supports Substratum Theme engine
Download: Bliss OS
Android Emulators to Enhance your Experience
These are some of our best choices for Android emulators to run on Windows 10. Before installing any of the above, it is important to note that these emulators are not completely bug-free and may freeze on random occasions. In addition, their performance is dependent on the specification of your PC.Do try the recommended tools and share your views with us at Digital Information World.
Read Next: 5 Apps Which Help Reduce the Harmful Blue Light That Emanates from Smartphones
