Greetings, dear lovers of tablet computers. In today's article, I made a selection of the best, in my opinion, emulators of the Android operating system for Windows. Also, based on all the material received, I will try to highlight the best Android emulator.
The Android app store has several hundred thousand different software products, both paid and free. Such an abundance of applications makes this operating system, along with iOS, one of the most popular and sought-after mobile operating systems in the world.
It is quite logical that with such, I'm not afraid of the word, huge popularity, various emulators appear on the PC, allowing you to open applications developed for Android on a regular platform. Below you can find a list of the brightest and highest quality emulators for Android.
Genymotion
This emulator is perfect for testing your applications created for the Android operating system, all this is available thanks to the built-in OpenGL hardware acceleration. In the past, this project (emulator) was called Android VM, gradually it grew into a full-fledged, and in my opinion, one of the highest quality products of this kind available.
The Genymotoin software tool is a multi-platform emulator, which means that it is available for most operating systems such as: Windows, MacOS, Linux.
Of the large number of advantages and capabilities of this software tool, I would like to note the following:
- Quite an impressive base of supported, for emulation, devices. At the same time, the database is constantly updated, which, of course, cannot but rejoice;
- Allows you to emulate a connection over a Wi-Fi network;
- Emulation of the rear and front video cameras on the device;
- Ability to create screencasts.
This, of course, is not a complete list of all the advantages of this tool. I specifically did not touch on some of the possibilities. they are unlikely to be understood by the average PC user.
Despite all the features and advantages of this emulator, of course, there are also disadvantages, where without them.
- Applications created with Adobe Air Mobile are not supported by this emulator.
If you do not know which tool to choose, then I recommend starting your search with this emulator.
Windroy
Emulator website - socketeq.com
The emulator is a creation of Chinese developers. Of course, this program does not reach the level of the previous one, but it can still be used as an alternative tool. There were no special features or benefits.
I would like to note the speed of this emulator, it is really somewhat higher than the speed of other tools. But, coupled with the number of “brakes” and “glitches”, this seemingly tangible plus fades. Perhaps by the time you are reading this article, the developers have eliminated the most obvious flaws and bugs. Suitable for Windows XP, 7, 8.
BlueStacks
Not exactly an emulator, in the usual sense of the word. This product is rather an environment for running Android games on a personal computer running the Windows operating system. If you are looking for an emulator only for running games, then you will not find a better tool than this one.
Of the advantages that this emulator has, I would like to note a pretty good application speed.
YouWave for Android
A small, simple program to emulate the Android operating system. If you compare it with other representatives of XP, 7,8) from this list, then YouWave is one of the most used tools. All the same, simplicity and an intuitive interface are the two most important qualities of a good emulator.
In fact, this tool is not an emulator - it is rather an Android application development environment that includes, which is completely understandable and natural, tools for testing and debugging created applications.
If you need an emulator for more complex purposes than “testing a toy”, then you can choose this tool. Available for most operating systems, including PC Windows (XP, 7.8).
If none failed to run
If you were unable to run any emulator, then you can use these. Because I haven't tested them myself so I can't say anything about them. Perhaps they will work fine for you:
Andy - a new emulator, according to some users, currently works without additional dances with a tambourine. I will test.
Nox APP Player is a good option.
IMPORTANT: If you have chosen the right option for yourself, then save time for the rest - vote for the working tool.
By default, the Android operating system is designed to be used on devices with an ARM architecture processor. The x86 computer processor from AMD or Intel simply will not understand the commands coming from the mobile operating system. Therefore, a special version of Android is installed on the PC. Or an emulator is used, as is the case with running games for very old consoles. But which one to choose? Our top Android emulators will help answer this question.
It should be noted that many of the developers' creations are tailored for use on Windows 10. Older versions may experience freezes and other problems. Although there are exceptions.
Without any doubt, this is the best emulator among those that have been developed relatively recently. It has not yet turned into a monster overloaded with functionality, while all the features that an ordinary user needs are present here. The program should also suit an application developer who needs to test their products.
An important feature is the fact that there is a built-in Play Store here. Also, this Android emulator on Windows impresses with its performance. Even when running heavy games, FPS drops are almost not felt. Another program is able to please the fact that it can be remotely controlled using a smartphone. She recognizes and connected.
To use the emulator, AMD-V or Intel VT-x virtualization technology must be enabled. Without it, the program will function noticeably slower. It should also be noted that the emulator is not yet fully optimized and tested, and therefore random slowdowns may occur from time to time.
Advantages:
- Able to work even without the inclusion of virtualization technology.
- Excellent performance.
- Clear interface.
- Support for remote control.
- The ability to use a gamepad.
- 99% of existing applications and games work.
Flaws:
- Sometimes there is instability.
We talked about installing this program in more detail in an article called. This utility is primarily intended for application developers who need to test their creations on devices with different screen resolutions. offers a huge number of virtual gadgets equipped not only with a different display, but also with a different version of the Android operating system.
You can download this emulator for free. But if you are going to use it for non-educational purposes, you will have to use one or another subscription, which costs some money. Importantly, the program is designed for weak PCs, as long as the computer supports virtualization technology. At the same time, Genymotion consistently copes with its tasks, emulating not only the operating system, but also the operation of the front cameras, as well as interaction with wireless modules. In commercial assemblies, there is also a screencast and a remote control function.
Advantages:
- Huge selection of virtual devices.
- Virtually nothing needs to be configured.
- There are versions for Mac OS X and Linux.
- The work of the front and main cameras is emulated.
- Shared clipboard for virtual machine and PC.
- You have access to the computer's command line.
- After subscribing, screencast and remote control are provided.
- Even wireless modules are emulated.
Flaws:
- The need to register an account on the developer's website.
- Full use is possible only by subscription.
This Android emulator for a computer in Russian has one unpleasant feature. Its free version brings viruses to the PC from time to time. If you have a good antivirus, then you should not be afraid of this. And there is absolutely no need to worry if you are an application developer who wants to subscribe to a paid subscription, which costs about two dollars a month - it eliminates this shortcoming in no time.
In theory can be used on Windows 7. But it shows maximum performance on the "top ten", like many other programs reviewed today. As for the functionality of the emulator, it is very wide. The user can run 3D games, work in full screen mode, install an unlimited number of applications and perform other actions. Synchronization with an existing Android device is also available. BlueStacks comes with over a dozen pre-installed applications.
Advantages:
- Ability to run heavy games.
- There are pre-installed applications.
- Stable work.
- Synchronization with a real smartphone or tablet.
- Easy to learn interface.
- Inexpensive subscription.
Flaws:
- The free version suffers from downloading viruses.
nox
If you are considering Android emulators on PC only for the sake of games, then you should stop at nox. This program supports the largest number of inputs. You can work with this emulator using the keyboard, mouse, gamepad and other game controllers.
A unique feature of Nox is its support for multitasking. Right in the window of this emulator, you can run two games at once, thereby creating a multiplayer. Ideal for developers of multiplayer games!
The application has a clear interface. Users note that it functions equally stably on all modern versions of the Windows operating system.
Advantages:
- Stable work on most computers.
- The best option for games.
- Ability to run two identical games at the same time.
- The interface and setup are not difficult.
Flaws:
- Old version of android.
Xamarin Android Player
This is the simplest emulator of the Android operating system, distributed for free. Theoretically, application developers can try it. But such people will note the absence of any serious functionality, after which they will switch to more advanced analogues. Well, ordinary users of opportunities Xamarin Android Player will be quite enough.
This program works on all versions of Windows, starting with the "seven". But to install it, you need VirtualBox from Oracle (also distributed free of charge). Also do not forget to enable the appropriate technology in the BIOS settings.
Advantages:
- Very simple interface.
- All basic functions are in place.
- There are no installation problems.
- Compatible with different versions of Windows.
- Can be downloaded for free.
Flaws:
- There are no major features.
- No good multitasking.
- Tough games come with great difficulty.
Another fairly simple Android emulator for PC. It was created by Chinese developers, so you should not expect any serious opportunities from it. Moreover, the program regularly produces stutters, which will annoy some people. But can be installed even on Windows XP, which cannot be said about most of its competitors! Perhaps this is its main and only advantage. In addition, you can only remember the high speed of work - in those moments when sudden braking does not occur.
Advantages:
- Competent emulation of Android and most applications.
- Simplified installation.
- Complete free.
- Works even on older versions of Windows.
- Good performance.
Flaws:
- No gamepad support.
- Sudden brakes while working.
- No normal multitasking.
gameloop
Gameloop is an Android emulator from the Chinese company Tencent. The program is great for running mobile games such as Call of Duty: Mobile and PUBG Mobile. Optionally, you can install Google Play services on the emulator and use it to work with other Android applications.
First of all, Gameloop is suitable specifically for working with games, since it is convenient to configure control from the mouse and keyboard through it. Also in the settings you can specify the desired visualization parameters, change other configurations. However, compared to other emulators, Gameloop's capabilities are limited in this regard.
Advantages:
- There is access to Google Play services.
- Distributed for free.
- Great for running games.
- Clear interface.
- Customizable control.
- Not suitable for testing Android applications.
- Limited settings.
Summarizing
There are actually other Android emulators out there. But they often work even less stably, and therefore their installation is not recommended. Well, the developers of the programs we have reviewed deserve praise. Their creations function perfectly on most computers, while offering a fairly wide range of functionality.
The Android application technology platform has proven to be versatile and developer friendly. You can develop an Android app and publish it on the Google Play Store with minimal restrictions. This concept has led to the rapid development of popular Android applications, some of which are not available on iOS and other platforms. To run an Android application, you usually need to use a smartphone or tablet with this OS - this is obvious. What if you want to try Android without buying a device?
Fortunately, you have such an opportunity, Android can be run even on an old desktop computer. To accomplish this task, there are several ways, each of which has its own advantages and disadvantages.
Perhaps the easiest way to run Andoid apps on a Windows computer is to use the ARC Welder app for the Google Chrome browser. The application was developed by Google and can be used not only on Windows computers - this method also works on Chromebooks and Macs. The launch process is practically independent of the platform used. Just go to the Chrome Web Store and install the ARC Welder app from the catalog.
The ARC Welder app is in beta and is intended primarily for developers. However, the process of downloading the application is quite simple. You need to upload the APK file to ARC Welder. The APK file can be obtained by backing up the app on a physical Android device, or by downloading it from various third-party sites on the internet. We do not recommend downloading paid apps and games from questionable websites. There are resources that archive free apps, such as APK Mirror.
When the required APK file is downloaded and ready to be uploaded, you can open ARC Welder from the list of extensions in Google Chrome and point to this file. Then you need to choose how to display apps - landscape/portrait mode, smartphone/tablet and clipboard access method. Not every Android app will launch this way, and some apps may lose some of their functionality. ARC Welder, unfortunately, does not currently support Google Play services natively (unless you are the developer of the application and do not have access to the source code), so Google applications and some third-party applications will refuse to work.
Applications or games that run in ARC are mostly stable. You can get full functionality from Evernote, Instagram, and even Flappy Bird. You can only have one application installed in ARC Welder at a time, to launch another application you need to return to the installation dialog.
The process of deploying applications and the limitation of running only one application at a time creates barriers to everyday use of the tool. Nevertheless, the extension is suitable for the needs of developers and testers, or just to get acquainted with the capabilities of the mobile platform.
The next easiest way to run Android apps on a PC is to use the Android emulator developed by Google as part of the Software Development Kit (SDK). The emulator can be used to create virtual devices with any version of Android on board with different screen resolutions and hardware configurations. The first disadvantage of this method can be called a rather complicated installation and configuration process.
None of the products are perfect - you need tool-supported devices, like the Dell XPS 12 for the Intel version, or the Lenovo ThinkPad x61 for Android-x86. You can install environment data over Windows, but that's not the best idea. The smartest way is to create a separate hard drive partition and install Android on it.
If your PC configuration is not supported by these products, you can try installing them in VirtualBox or VMware virtualization environments, which are faster than the Android emulator. These products may still not be suitable for testing games, but most applications will install and work correctly. You will need to install applications yourself, because. There is no Google Play integration in these products. As a help, you can use the instructions on our website - Installing Android in VMware Workstation.
If you're looking for a way to run multiple Android apps and games at the same time that's easy to install and set up, then BlueStacks is your choice. presents one of the easiest ways to launch applications. However, the product uses a heavily modified version of Android to run apps. BlueStacks has a built-in Google Play store and you have access to all purchased paid apps. The program is added to the list of Google Play devices under the name Galaxy Note II.
A separate BlueStacks window contains a list of applications, divided into categories: games, social networks, etc. When searching for an application or clicking on the icon of a specific application, an unexpected thing happens - the Google Play client is displayed in tablet mode. The user can navigate through the interface just like a regular Android device, which makes BlueStacks more than just an “app player”. In fact, the user can install third-party launchers such as Nova or Apex from the app store and choose them as default launchers. The home screen in BlueStacks with app categories is a variant of the home screen. Thus, by replacing it, you can feel like the owner of a real Android device.
Full access to the Google Play Store eliminates app deployment issues, and BlueStacks itself is stable and fast. You can play most games, but there may be problems using the mouse. If your computer has a touch screen, you will be able to use applications that support multi-touch. BlueStacks can turn your Windows 8 tablet into an Android tablet. The technology behind BlueStacks is called "LayerCake" because Android apps run in a separate layer on top of Windows.
The only drawback of BlueStacks is that it uses a modified build of Android. All changes made by the product developer to run Android apps on PC may cause app crashes and failures. This modified environment is of little value to developers - there is no guarantee that apps that display and run correctly on BlueStacks will also behave on a physical device. The service uses a freemium monetization model - you can either pay $2 for a subscription or install multiple sponsored apps.
Which way is better?
If you want to test your app before installing it on physical devices, the Android emulator offers the best way to pre-test your app on your computer. The product is quite slow, but standardized, so the developer can see how the application will behave on a real smartphone or tablet. While porting Android to PC, you can get decent performance, but there may be issues and glitches, and you need compatible hardware.
If you need to get several Android apps on your computer at once, BlueStacks App Player is the best solution. The product provides full access to Google Play, is fast and supports multi-touch Windows devices. Don't forget about ARC Welder as a way to run one application at a time. The extension is free and easy to install.
For operating systems running Mac OS 10.X, Windows XP, Vista, 7, 8, a huge number of tablet emulators on PCs running on Android OS have been created. And among the whole variety of programs, a couple of unique ones should be distinguished: Genymotion and Bluestacks.
This representative of emulators is now the most advanced and sophisticated. It uses the section with settings and navigation from Android, but the interface has significant differences.
Thanks to the built-in Google Play Store, you can easily download and install many programs and games that this emulator supports. In addition to the standard features, you can use Google Drive and free check email, as well as unlimited use of the Internet, just like on a regular tablet.
A huge plus of this emulator is a simple and convenient download. It is enough to go to the official website of the program and click the download button (Download App), and after downloading, launch and easily install on a PC. When installing, select the required OS (supported from Windows XP to Windows 8, as well as Mac OS X).
After installing the emulator, you need to make settings. Going to the "Settings" of the program, we connect a Google account, for this we go to the "Accounts" tab and enter our data or register if there was no profile. After logging into Google services, you can download various applications and games from the Play Store, as well as save statistics and achievements in online games. Read more about installing and configuring the Android tablet emulator later in this article.
But in the Bluestacks emulator, there are a couple of disadvantages, and the main one among them is the high consumption of RAM. So, according to the minimum characteristics, 2 GB of RAM is required. Therefore, an old and low-power PC will not cope with the task. Also, many games simply can not be played. Among these: action games, namely "Fruit Ninja", where you need to perform game actions in five touches, which cannot be done on a PC. And in strategies and MMORPGs, there will be no problems with management.
This emulator is shareware, that is, you need to either pay money for its use ($2/month or $24/year) or install the games offered.
Go to the website of the software developer and download the application. To do this, click on the big green button.
Run the downloaded file and click the "Continue" button.
Select the location of the data and click "Next".
In the next window, you can enable or disable Store Access and Notifications.
After clicking the "Install" button, the installation of the application will begin.
After the installation is completed, we will see the start window. The view is a bit different from the home desktop of a tablet. To fix this, you need to install a launcher. But before that, you need to register an account with Google. To do this, click on any application from the list.
We will go to the add Google account page. If you already have an account, then simply click "Existing" and enter your details. I will create a new one.
Enter the first and last name.
We come up with a login, it will also be our mailbox in Gmail.
We create a strong password.
Next, you will be asked to create an opportunity to recover your password using SMS or an additional email address. This step can be skipped. Additional Google services such as newsletters and backups can be left on if you need them.
We accept the terms of use of Google services.
Important! It is better to register an account on a computer and then just log in, since it will be quite problematic to do this using an emulator.
Now you need to go to the Play Store. To do this, click on any application in the emulator. In the search, enter "launcher" and install a Russian-language launcher, for example GO launcher EX.
Now we all have the usual Android tablet desktop.
Genymotion
Genymotion - this tablet emulator for a computer is even more demanding on system performance. For its operation you need: VT-x or AMD-V hardware virtualization function, OpenGL 2.0 support, 400MB free hard disk memory, 2GB RAM.
Its main difference from other applications is the complete copying of the Android interface.
To download the program, the PC owner will definitely have to register on the official website of the manufacturer, after which he will be able to download the emulator and install it on the computer. When you first start the program, a list of available operating systems is offered, as well as shells that will be copied to the PC. In addition, it is possible to select the version of Android from the oldest to the latest released - Android Lollipop.
Despite all the simplicity and perfection of Genymotion, it has a drawback. Namely, the lack of pre-installed Google programs, as well as Google Play. So additional services will have to be searched through the browser of the installed emulator on the Internet.
In the free version, there will be an inscription at the bottom left of the program window "Free for personal use" (for personal use). The paid version is quite expensive at €299 per year.
Go to genymotion.com and register.
Now you need to select the version of your operating system and click on the link to download the application.
Run the downloaded file and install. There is nothing complicated about this, just press the “next” and “install” buttons.
When you first start the program, you need to select the device that will be emulated on the computer by clicking the "Yes" button and entering your username and password.
From the proposed list, you can tear out your device (if any) or any other. You can also choose the version of the Android operating system.
Thus, you can select and load emulators of different devices, they will be displayed in the list of the program window. To start, you need to press the "Start" button.
This is how easy it is to install a tablet emulator on a PC.
Outcome
I have tested both programs. I want to say right away that I could not install any of the programs on my old laptop 5 years ago. This once again confirms the significant requirements of these applications.
When choosing which Android emulator to install, Genymotion or Bluestacks, you need to be guided by the characteristics of the computer. If the PC is powerful then the choice falls on Genymotion, otherwise the best choice would be Bluestacks.
From my experience of using Bluestacks, I liked Bluestacks more, everything works quickly and is easy to set up. Genymotion was constantly slowing down and freezing for some reason I didn't understand.
Well then. We have come to the most important part of the review, but can we choose an emulator that we will call the best emulator without a twinge of conscience? Let's think.
- Firstly, it is worth noting that most of the presented software is solutions from Chinese developers, who quickly “cool off” to the project and stop supporting it. That is why not everyone supports Android versions higher than 4.4, and the same software testing should be carried out on several OS versions.
- Secondly, it is impossible to name the best of the best for one simple reason - different software is designed for different categories of users. Let's try to correctly distribute it.
BlueStacks, Andy, Nox, MEmu- popular emulators, free, approximately equal in capabilities, functions, with a similar implementation. All of them are designed for ordinary users., who need to install, run, click a button and get the result. Here you do not have to set anything up for a long time - virtual reality will load immediately, and the user interface will please you with intuitiveness.
Looks good against the background of brothers Nox App Player. The application player installs quickly, works stably, supports all modern games. Provides the most convenient control and is not demanding on PC resources. It's nice that the computer program is equally convenient for both gamers and ordinary users, and also does not bother with ads, unlike some popular alternatives. Another plus - you do not need a Google account to install "computer games" from the company store!
And a few more words about BlueStacks. The developers offer a fairly high-quality product with a package of irreplaceable services. For example, video streaming on Twitch.tv, as well as access to adapted versions of games with redesigned PC controls. Among other things, BlueStacks performs very well in games. The emulation is quite high-quality, and the brakes are minimal, since the creators of the program removed unnecessary processes in the OS, reducing the load on the RAM and the computer's central processor.
Windroy is our winner in the "simple emulator" category. His undemanding to iron deserves special honor and praise. But if Windroy allows a maximum of "pass through the birds", then Droid4X you will pass the demanding games that once migrated to Android from the PC without discomfort. With this emulator, the work will become, you will want to conquer all the tracks in Asphalt, destroy all the enemies in Gangstar, and, of course, nostalgic for Infinity Blade, but on a personal computer. Root access to apply cheats is included.
For professional testing in our list, as many as three emulator options are suitable: BlueStacks Genymotion and LeapDroid. The first applicant got here for the quality of performance. The second for the variety of images - almost any cell phone of the top segment is emulated, and the third for the number of settings.
notice, that Genymotion and LeapDroid do not contain a virtual machine engine, but simply create images for virtual box. But Genymotion clearly does it better. The program database contains profiles of several dozen smartphones and tablets on different operating systems, up to Nexus on Android 7 Nougat. Moreover, the set is constantly updated - this is suitable for developers and testers.
As for LeapDroid- it's software for geeks and advanced users. If you want to spend a lot of time, but by trial and error to set up the emulator for perfect work, we recommend a free download. Support for opengl (hardware virtualization technology) will undoubtedly be a plus when choosing among analogues. However, the development environment is not disabled. The product is more household than specialized. It's too early to write it into the best Android emulators.
P.S. advanced users will probably ask, but where is the youwave emulator, which is so praised on other sites? The answer is that we have not tested products based on ICS and older versions of the operating system. We will say the same if you came to download the Android emulator on the Amiduos Computer or Koplayer - the applications are clearly outdated and have not been updated for a long time.
Emulators
