- 18 Best Android Emulators for Windows 10 and Mac of 2021 10 Best Lightweight Android Emulator for Low End PC in 2021 6 Best Free Android Emulators – For High/Low End Windows PC.
- BlueStacks (For Windows and Mac) BlueStacks is probably the biggest, most popular name in the Android mobile game emulating industry. It’s so big that all of the cool kids are starting to move away from it. It’s like if the Yankees or the Patriots were a gaming emulator: It’s good.
- Introducing Best Android Emulators For PC! Now you can easily play games like PUBG, Call of duty, and many more without any hassle! Play on your Windows and Mac Laptops and enjoy your gameplay from now! Emulators help you to imitate, any app in the Operating Systems like Windows, Mac, Linux, and more.
- I've played free fire with NoxPlayer for over a year and I've not met a better lightweight android emulator that renders me smoother game-play on my PC and hardly consumes resources. Mukisa NoxPlayer is a really useful tool for playing mobile games even while working or chatting at the same time.
18 Best Android Emulators for Windows 10 and Mac of 2021 10 Best Lightweight Android Emulator for Low End PC in 2021 6 Best Free Android Emulators – For High/Low End Windows PC.
Android is the most popular mobile operating system in the world, and with its success comes an abundance of apps.
The Google Play store offers over 2 million Android apps that are free to download. While you may not want to download an app every day, it’s still important to test your own before it’s released. This is because a lot goes into development and testing before a final product is released to the public. An Android emulator can be very useful for this purpose. There are many different Android emulators on the market today, so which one should you use? In this article, we’ll explore some of the best Android emulators on the market today, including what each offers and why they’re worth downloading!
Phoenix OS
It is an operating system that also functions as a lightweight android emulator on Windows devices. You can install it on a hard disk without impacting the original system document.
In terms of productivity, it works quite well, especially for gaming. The tool is easy to use and features a taskbar for your convenience. In addition, the emulator is equipped with multi-windows support so that you can work on different apps together.
It is based on Android 7 but it keeps getting updated. The only drawback of using it is that you can’t auto-install or update google play services.
BlueStacks
BlueStacks is a big player in the app industry for running Android applications and games. It is compatible with Windows and Mac. Many developers prefer using BlueStacks for checking the performance of an android game or an app.
One of the most popular features of this emulator is key mapping tools that permit customised control schemes.
Along with all these, it has an eco mode, which helps in running high-end games. So, it’s an all in one and one of the most popular android emulators. Even if you want to perform video recordings of any game, BlueStacks lets you do so without any hassle.
Android Studio
Android Studio is the most used app for the development of android apps and games. It’s an IDE, owned by Google and meant specially for the developers.
Along with that, it has a built-in emulator made for testing apps. But this software is not for personal use and playing games only. You can use its powerful features for developing high performing applications.
Initially, it’s hard to get familiar with its features but you will learn it sooner. The program also supports the running of high definition games at low memory usage.
LD Player
LD Player is a free emulator that runs on Android Nougat 7.1. The primary function of this app is to run some of the best Android games on your PC.
The program impresses us with its capabilities. It leverages the full power of your system without damaging its speed and performance. Also, you will get an amazing gaming experience even while playing high definition games. This became popular after the release of PUBG, as it was the first emulator to run that game.
It is updated from time to time so that your apps and games can run seamlessly.
Gameloop
Gameloop, also known as Tencent Gaming Buddy, is a fully powered free Android emulator for PC. The app supports many games that let you run them even on some low-end computers.
The best part is that everything is already configured so you can play games without any issues. In-game loop, you get a default mapping system that enhances your gaming experience.
Empowered with vibrant graphics, advanced PC rendering hardware, and an intuitive interface, this program can win the heart of any developer.
MeMU emulator
Running Android games on PC is a walk-in park now with the MeMU emulator. It is offering smooth functionality for playing games. Developers can use it for testing every kind of android apps and game. Until now, it has 100+ Million downloads.
In terms of flexibility, it is providing great optimization features, mapping, and much more.
In its recent update, many features have been upgraded. Now, players can check the free fire sensitivity and utilize macro now features for a better gaming experience. Besides, you can share files with users without any interruption.
Bliss OS
If you are looking out for an unique android emulator for your PC, then Bliss OS is the one for you. But keep in mind, it doesn’t behave as the emulator. It is itself an operating system that you have to install on your PC.
No need to dual boot your computer. Instead, use a virtual box and create a bootable USB drive. Install Bliss OS in the bootable drive and then you can test endless android applications. It operates on Android 9 Pie and is compatible with the substratum theme engine.
Xamarin
Xamarin is an open-source platform owned by Microsoft. Its functions are similar to Android Studio. You can use this platform for building standard applications with native user interface controls. It can be used along with Microsoft Visual Studio that gives you a larger environment to work on.
Moreover, you can enjoy visual studio debugging tools. This is also the best platform in terms of testing apps or games. It features a built-in emulator that developers can use to test their applications and games. However, it is not suitable for commercial use but you can use it personally without paying any cost.
Ko Player
Ko Player is powerful enough to provide a seamless gaming experience. But it’s a great option for those who want to test lightweight apps and games. It’s due to the fact that Ko Player freezes sometimes. Still, we know how it benefits the developers who are new to android development. It’s free and pretty simple to use.
Conclusion
Go and check out your developed android apps on these Android emulators. They are best for people who want to become world-class android developers. Our choice goes with android Studio and BlueStacks for advanced software as well as lightweight ones.
To know more
Can you run Android apps on a PC or Mac? Apple will tell you that you can’t. But in truth, if you get a decent emulator, you can run Android apps and games on both Windows and Mac.
But how do you find a decent emulator? There are so many to choose from. Rather than experiment with random emulators, some of which may infect your PC with malware, you might as well choose an emulator from this list:
List of Best Android Emulator for PC (Low/High-end)
1. BlueStacks
You cannot talk about Android emulators without mentioning BlueStacks. This is easily the best emulator in the world. It guarantees amazing graphics and smooth performance. You can play multiple games at the same time. Gamers will appreciate the live recording and replay features.
Pros
- Easy to set up
- Safe
- It is compatible with numerous Android apps
Cons
- It requires a computer with good specs. It is slow on computers that don’t have enough ram.
2. Nox Player
If you can’t use BlueStacks, Nox Player is a great alternative. It allows gamers to use external controllers. You can also customize your keyboard and mouse controls.
Despite all the features it brings to the table, the emulator is free to use. You can use it to record gameplay.
Pros
- You can play multiple games at the same time
- Free
- Easy to use
- You can customize your controls
3. Game Loop
This is another free emulator that people use to play games like Call of Duty Mobile. You don’t have to register or open an account to use the emulator. Developed by Tencent, you can only find it on the Game Loop website. You cannot download it from the Google Play Store. But this is a minor inconvenience.
Pros
- The emulator guarantees the security of your data
- It is free
- You can play high-end games like Call of Duty and PUBG
Cons
- It doesn’t support other types of apps
4. Android Studio
This emulator was created with developers in mind. Compatible with Windows, macOS, and Linux, it has a code emulator and compiler. You can still use it as an Android emulator. It will download and run Android apps. But it also doubles as an app development tool.
Pros
- It supports app development
- It works on Windows, macOS, and Linux
- You can use the logcat tool to identify runtime errors
Cons
- It is slow on older machines. You need a laptop with decent specs
5. Andy
This is a simple emulator that can sync across your connected devices, simplifying the process of transferring apps from your android device to the emulator on your computer. You can also download apps from a desktop browser on a mac.
The emulator is free despite all the features it offers. It can run hundreds of games.
Pros
- You play games on a computer using your mobile phone as the controller
- You can access social media and messaging apps
- It supports PlayStation and Xbox controllers
- Easy to use
Cons
- The setup file is large
Fast Android Emulator
6. Genymotion
This is a great emulator for developers that want to test their apps before they upload them to an app store. The emulator allows visitors to use it for 60 minutes for free.
Once that period expires, they must pay 5 cents per minute. It has over three thousand Android devices for developers to choose from. Genymotion isn’t for gamers. You can’t download games.
Pros
- It is compatible with Eclipse and Android Studio
- It can emulate thousands of Android device configurations
- You can use the webcam on a desktop to record screencasts.
Cons
- It isn’t cheap
- You can’t play games
7. Prime OS
This emulator has a desktop interface that gives users access to a whole slew of Android applications. It makes dual-booting easy (Just one click). Unlike Genymotion, Prime OS provides a memorable gaming experience.
Pros
- Promises a better performance than its rivals
- Great gaming experience
- Dual boot with a single click
Cons
- It doesn’t have official support
- It runs the Android LTS build which is dated
8. ARChon
This is a free emulator that works on windows, mac, and Linux. Rather than an independent program, ARChon is a Chrome extension. It takes a while to master the emulator. But on the positive side, as an extension, the emulator is as lightweight as they come. It supports every Android system. You can run applications and play games.
Pros
- Lightweight
- Installation is easy because the emulator is a browser extension
- You can run apps and play games
Xamarin
Xamarin is an open-source platform owned by Microsoft. Its functions are similar to Android Studio. You can use this platform for building standard applications with native user interface controls. It can be used along with Microsoft Visual Studio that gives you a larger environment to work on.
Moreover, you can enjoy visual studio debugging tools. This is also the best platform in terms of testing apps or games. It features a built-in emulator that developers can use to test their applications and games. However, it is not suitable for commercial use but you can use it personally without paying any cost.
Ko Player
Ko Player is powerful enough to provide a seamless gaming experience. But it’s a great option for those who want to test lightweight apps and games. It’s due to the fact that Ko Player freezes sometimes. Still, we know how it benefits the developers who are new to android development. It’s free and pretty simple to use.
Conclusion
Go and check out your developed android apps on these Android emulators. They are best for people who want to become world-class android developers. Our choice goes with android Studio and BlueStacks for advanced software as well as lightweight ones.
To know more
Can you run Android apps on a PC or Mac? Apple will tell you that you can’t. But in truth, if you get a decent emulator, you can run Android apps and games on both Windows and Mac.
But how do you find a decent emulator? There are so many to choose from. Rather than experiment with random emulators, some of which may infect your PC with malware, you might as well choose an emulator from this list:
List of Best Android Emulator for PC (Low/High-end)
1. BlueStacks
You cannot talk about Android emulators without mentioning BlueStacks. This is easily the best emulator in the world. It guarantees amazing graphics and smooth performance. You can play multiple games at the same time. Gamers will appreciate the live recording and replay features.
Pros
- Easy to set up
- Safe
- It is compatible with numerous Android apps
Cons
- It requires a computer with good specs. It is slow on computers that don’t have enough ram.
2. Nox Player
If you can’t use BlueStacks, Nox Player is a great alternative. It allows gamers to use external controllers. You can also customize your keyboard and mouse controls.
Despite all the features it brings to the table, the emulator is free to use. You can use it to record gameplay.
Pros
- You can play multiple games at the same time
- Free
- Easy to use
- You can customize your controls
3. Game Loop
This is another free emulator that people use to play games like Call of Duty Mobile. You don’t have to register or open an account to use the emulator. Developed by Tencent, you can only find it on the Game Loop website. You cannot download it from the Google Play Store. But this is a minor inconvenience.
Pros
- The emulator guarantees the security of your data
- It is free
- You can play high-end games like Call of Duty and PUBG
Cons
- It doesn’t support other types of apps
4. Android Studio
This emulator was created with developers in mind. Compatible with Windows, macOS, and Linux, it has a code emulator and compiler. You can still use it as an Android emulator. It will download and run Android apps. But it also doubles as an app development tool.
Pros
- It supports app development
- It works on Windows, macOS, and Linux
- You can use the logcat tool to identify runtime errors
Cons
- It is slow on older machines. You need a laptop with decent specs
5. Andy
This is a simple emulator that can sync across your connected devices, simplifying the process of transferring apps from your android device to the emulator on your computer. You can also download apps from a desktop browser on a mac.
The emulator is free despite all the features it offers. It can run hundreds of games.
Pros
- You play games on a computer using your mobile phone as the controller
- You can access social media and messaging apps
- It supports PlayStation and Xbox controllers
- Easy to use
Cons
- The setup file is large
Fast Android Emulator
6. Genymotion
This is a great emulator for developers that want to test their apps before they upload them to an app store. The emulator allows visitors to use it for 60 minutes for free.
Once that period expires, they must pay 5 cents per minute. It has over three thousand Android devices for developers to choose from. Genymotion isn’t for gamers. You can’t download games.
Pros
- It is compatible with Eclipse and Android Studio
- It can emulate thousands of Android device configurations
- You can use the webcam on a desktop to record screencasts.
Cons
- It isn’t cheap
- You can’t play games
7. Prime OS
This emulator has a desktop interface that gives users access to a whole slew of Android applications. It makes dual-booting easy (Just one click). Unlike Genymotion, Prime OS provides a memorable gaming experience.
Pros
- Promises a better performance than its rivals
- Great gaming experience
- Dual boot with a single click
Cons
- It doesn’t have official support
- It runs the Android LTS build which is dated
8. ARChon
This is a free emulator that works on windows, mac, and Linux. Rather than an independent program, ARChon is a Chrome extension. It takes a while to master the emulator. But on the positive side, as an extension, the emulator is as lightweight as they come. It supports every Android system. You can run applications and play games.
Pros
- Lightweight
- Installation is easy because the emulator is a browser extension
- You can run apps and play games
Cons
- The emulator is complicated. It may take beginners a while to understand the process of editing APK files.
9. Ko Player
This free emulator will bring all the applications, features, and functions of an Android device to your Windows or macOS computer. It has an intuitive user interface and functions that enable users to record videos. You can play games using the keyboard and mouse or a gamepad. For the most part, it is lag-free.
Pros
- It doesn’t have ads despite being free
- You can record and share gameplay
- The emulator is safe and secure
Cons
- The design requires additional refinement
10. Bliss
Bliss isn’t an ordinary emulator. If you boot your computer from a USB stick, Bliss will run your computer. Though, the USB installation method is complicated and not worth it for people that do not understand what they are doing.
The open-source emulator has numerous customization and power-saving options.
Pros
- The emulator has reliable security features
- It can reduce your battery consumption
- It can run your computer
Cons
14 Best Lightweight Android Emulator For Pc/mac 2020
- The taskbar has problems
- The sleep state is unreliable
Related: Droid4X Emulator for low-end PCs
Conclusion
Despite what some people think, emulators are not illegal. You can use them to run Android apps and games on your PC and Mac without facing any legal repercussions. The applications above are definitely the best android emulators for PC and Mac on the internet.
Best Lightweight Android Emulators
They stand out because they have been thoroughly tested. Some emulators, such as BlueStacks, have stood the test of time. People trust them because they have spent so many years providing a reliable service. If you need an Android emulator for your PC and Mac, one of the options above will satisfy your needs.
