Android has come a long way since its genesis and occupies 76.03% in the realm of the operating system. Such a mind-boggling statistic means that it should deliver at any cost and going by the survey, it has been steadily improving by upping the ante to successfully compete against rivals such as Apple. Android beat Windows Mobile OS only to prove that it is truly the ruling king. 6 in 10 people use Android. You may ask why? Well, because of its customization tools, open source behavior and it is user-friendly.

Android’s security is a bit questionable but it leapfrogs other operating systems when it comes to getting things done, effortlessly. So much so, that people wish that they could run Android on their personal computer, be it Windows or MacOS. Well, as I’ve said, it is really user-friendly. It can run on your Windows/Mac PC, sort of. Enter ‘Emulators.’ You might have heard this term but might have brushed it off as being insignificant. It definitely isn’t unimportant. An Android emulator is an Android Virtual Device or AVD, that simulates a specific Android device. Simply put, with accurate software, you will be able to run almost every Android applications or games on your personal computer whose OS isn’t Android.

That being said, emulators try to mimic Android experience on a non-Android device. It provides some capabilities of a real Android device. Emulators successfully mimic Android behavior such as texting, playing an Android game, accessing the Google Play Store, etc. You get the idea. Like there are millions of choices on an app store, you have a plethora of options to choose from but if you are a novice, it can get really confusing. So we will be guiding you folks on choosing an emulator that best suits your needs. Whether you are a gamer, a developer or just a curious cat, there is everything for everyone. So let’s dive in to explore the realm best android emulators for PC.

Best Android Emulators For PC/Window:

1. BlueStacks

2. NOX Player

3. Remix OS

4. Bliss OS

5. Genymotion

6. KoPlayer

7. MEmu

1. BlueStacks

When you ask a geek to name the best emulator around, BlueStacks is bound to crop up. This is the most mainstream emulator available. It is compatible with both Windows and Mac. The program felt a bit bloated sometimes but it was fixed with a recent update. Speaking of which, it is well-known for receiving regular updates. You can easily use key-mapper and other customization tools to dress your PC in an Android avatar. The latest update has put BlueStacks on Android 7.1.2 Nougat – not the latest in terms of Android OS but it’s perfect compared to other emulators who are lagging behind. This app works well on a low-end PC and of course a high-end one. BlueStacks is free but if you want more features, you’ll only have to shelve $2 per month.

Main Features:

Free to use.

Easy setup.

Uses Android 7 Nougat.

Supports multiple accounts.

Download BlueStacks.

2. NOX Player

If you are new to this scene or are a veteran on a lookout for a stunning emulator, this could well be your choice. NOX Player is based on Android 4.4 KitKat and is best suited for gamers who want to play PUBG or Justice League. The best part about this emulator is that it’s totally free with no advertisements. Users can assign CPU and RAM usage in the settings to take advantage of an amazing game. NOX includes controller support, key-mapping the keyboard and gesture controls. If you are experiencing compatibility issues, you can switch between DirectX or OpenGL. There’s a ‘Script Record’ functionality which enables you to record events on your screen to play it later on. Overall, NOX Player is an excellent emulator and won’t disappoint you.

Main Features:

Free to use.

Easy to root

Multiple windows.

Controllers mapping shortcuts.

Download NOX Player.

3. Remix OS

Remix OS is the new horse in the race of the emulators. It runs Android Marshmallow which is 2 years old but will get the job done. You won’t face any issues during installation or during your regular use. Remix OS, which acts as an independent operating system, mostly leans toward gamers. There are game-specific tools that will enhance the gaming experience. Want to play two games simultaneously because you are super bored? Well, Remix OS has got you covered. Keep in mind that the program hasn’t received any updates since 2017 so unless you want to play games/run applications that don’t require Android Orea or Pie as a minimum requirement, you are all set!

Main Features:

Free to use.

Runs on Android Marshmallow.

Customizable toolbar.

Run multiple games at once.

Download Remix OS.

4. Bliss OS

Like Remix OS, Bliss OS too is an emulator which acts as a different operating system. The installation is quite tedious but is worth the time. Create a full backup of your personal computer before installing it. Speaking of which, to install Bliss OS, you can create a bootable USB drive and install the Bliss OS ROM on the external storage. This isn’t for you if you prefer something simple; Bliss OS is much more than being a simple emulator. Make sure that your operating system is compatible with Bliss OS. It runs on Android 8 Oreo with support for Android 9 Pie beta, which is in works. This program is open source and doesn’t employ any advertisements. Amateurs should stay away from Bliss OS, we’d recommend this to tech-savvy folks out there.

Main Features:

Ad-free and open-source.

Runs on Android 8 Oreo.

Acts as a separate OS.

Supports Substratum Theme engine.

Android 9 Beta Support.

Download Bliss OS.

5. Genymotion

Developers, this is your region. Yes, Genymotion is mostly for developers and it does a great job. The best part about this emulator is that it lets you test your apps on plenty of devices without owning them. What does that mean? Well, you can run a OnePlus 2 with Android 6 or a OnePlus with Android 8 – you can effortlessly switch between virtual devices on your whim. Genymotion is available on both, your desktop computer and the cloud. In addition, it supports the Android SDK and Android Studio. What more? Linux and Mac users can use it too. It does offer its services for free if it’s for personal use, otherwise, be ready to fork out $136 per year.

Main Features:

Trail/Premium.

Runs on Android 4.0 to 8.0.

Compatible with Android Studio and Android SDK.

Supports desktop programs and Cloud.

Stupendous for developers.

Download Genymotion.

6. KoPlayer

KoPlayer is a fantastic Android emulator that aims to deliver lag-free gaming experience with a lightweight application experience. The installation is quite easy and works okay. KoPlayer lets you use key mapping for various controls. In addition, there’s a recording feature that seamlessly records gameplay and can be uploaded anywhere the gamer wants. All and all, KoPlayer is a great option if you are looking for a simple emulator.

Main Features:

Intuitive UI.

Easy setup.

Free to use.

Use any Android device.

Download KoPlayer.

7. MEmu

MEmu, which was launched back in 2015, is a new emulator compared to others on the list. And it is a great emulator if you are looking for something which is simple yet full of features. MEmu supports Android Jelly Bean, Kit Kat, and Lollipop. It caters to gamers and the speed matches that of BlueStacks and NOX Player. In addition, it can run multiple instances at once. The essential feature of this emulator, that might sway a lot of users is the compatibility with AMD and Nvidia chips – the only emulator in the list to do so. Also, it was updated back in December 2018, which isn’t bad.

Main Features:

Free to use.

Easy key mapping.

Supports both NVidia and AMD.

Virtual location for Google Maps.

Runs on Android Jelly Bean, Kit Kat, and Lollipop.

Download MEmu.

Conclusion

These were the best emulators to use Android applications on your Windows PC. Some also support MacOS. We suggest you try all the free emulators first so if you don’t like it, you can opt for paid ones which can be tested in a trial mode. Also, ensure that your PC’s operating system can support any emulator you choose so that it can run butter-smooth. Keep in mind that if you are going to access your personal credentials on a public PC, don’t use any kind of credentials on the emulator or otherwise. You must deal sensitively when it comes to using with your data on a non-personal computer.

What did you think about this article? Did you settle for an emulator? Which one is perfect? Have we missed an amazing emulator? Let us know your opinions in the comments section below.

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