Powerful android emulator for PC. The best Android emulators on PC

WindowsAndroid is an emulator program that allows you to simulate the operation of the Android OS on Windows computers, which in turn allows you to work on a computer under the same conditions and principles as on a smartphone with an Android operating system installed.

The unique feature and advantage of this PC emulator over analogues is its simple and at the same time intuitive use. It would seem that this is an elementary condition for the popularity of an application, however, oddly enough, it occurs and is not fulfilled as often as we would like. The main requirement from you when working with an emulator program for Android WindowsAndroid is to install the file. At this point, your work stops; the application will independently make the necessary settings for the system to operate.

The difference in use between a smartphone and a personal computer will be only that, in the first case, you use your fingers on touchpad, and in the second, a mouse. To unlock the device, you will need to drag a specific item to its designated location.

The interface is no different from the one you are used to seeing on the screen of your smartphone. All functions of the device become available, as well as manipulations that are available by default on any gadget with the Android system.

Another important detail is the opportunity to use Google Play for your computer. You can download and install all the games and programs available and available there on your PC just as you do on a smartphone.


This application, an Android emulator for PC, can confidently be called one of the best among similar applications that are available on the software market. It allows you to customize the interaction to work with new system quickly and clearly, without creating absolutely any inconvenience. In addition, it independently performs basic configuration when installed on a PC.

Using the keyboard and mouse. In any case, Android on personal computers exists and below we will look at them. It should be noted that to use them you must have certain technical skills. Many of these emulators are similar to each other.

AMIDuOS

AMIDuOS comes first on our list because it is a relatively new Android emulator for PC. There are two versions of the application available: for Android Lollipop and for Android Jelly Bean. The first costs $15, the second $10. No subscription is needed, you only have to pay to purchase the emulator once. The program copes well with numerous tasks. Most of its functions are aimed at increasing productivity. For this reason, this emulator is well suited for use in the office, work from home, etc. There are no special gaming features here, but the games run well despite this. Developers can use this emulator for basic testing tasks, but it is not suitable for more advanced purposes. Overall, this is a good emulator and worth giving it a chance.

Emulator from Android Studio

Android Studio is an integrated development environment for Android developed by Google. There are a number of tools here to help developers create apps and games directly for Android. This is not the best option for consumers, but application developers get a powerful and free tool for testing their programs. Setting up the emulator is not easy, but then it’s easy to work with.

Andy

When this emulator appeared, reviews said that it had some problems, but despite them, it is a good replacement for applications like BlueStacks. This emulator handles a wide range of Android tasks, including work apps, downloaders, games, and you can even install Root access. The program works well and is also available for free. Some users complain about problems during installation, you need to keep this in mind.

BlueStacks

BlueStacks has long been the most famous Android emulator on the computer. It could no longer be called the best option, but last year the developers devoted a lot of time to updating their program. The result is BlueStacks 2, which is faster and more stable. Multitasking applications and built-in functionality such as location setting are supported. The main target audience of this emulator remains gamers. This is not the best program for productivity work, but the price remains the same. There are quite a few bloatware applications here, but overall the emulator is not bad.

Droid4X

Droid4X has its advantages and disadvantages. This is one of the classic Android emulators on personal computers. It has a simple design that makes it easy for most users to use. It is unknown if development of this program is still ongoing, but the download page is still in place, so it is recommended to use it with caution.

Genymotion

This Android emulator is aimed at developers who want to test games and applications on different devices without having to purchase them. You can configure the emulator for different devices With different versions Android. For example, you can emulate a Nexus One running Android 4.2 or a Nexus 6 running Android 6.0. You can quickly switch between different virtual devices. It's not the best option for consumer purposes, but Genymotion is available free for personal use.

KoPlayer

KoPlayer is a new Android emulator on PC that until recently remained in the shadows. The main audience of the program will be gamers. You can assign functions to keys and use the keyboard instead of the joystick. You can record gameplay on video and upload it to various services. The installation is quite simple and does not bring any unpleasant surprises. Like most emulators, this one sometimes encounters problems during operation. It can be used for a variety of tasks. The downside is a certain amount bugs, but it's still a good free option.

Manymo

Manymo is also an interesting choice, mainly because it works online. This makes it a cross-platform program for any desktop operating system; it can run on any processor. There is support for different sizes and tools for developers. It is for them that the emulator is primarily intended, and not for consumers. The price depends on how many emulators buyers are going to use using the site.

MEmu

Another one of the modern Android emulators, which is also doing well. One of the advantages is support for AMD and Intel processors, which is rare. Android versions Jelly Bean, Kit Kat and Lollipop are supported, and you can run multiple instances at the same time. This is one of the few emulators that supports such a modern version as Lollipop. It can be used for a variety of purposes and can run most applications and games. Recommended mainly for work.

Nox

Like BlueStacks, Nox will be useful mainly for gamers. There are utilities specifically for their needs. You will be able to interact with games as if you had a real joystick. You can assign a swipe to the right, for example, to an arrow on the keyboard and press it instead of the screen. In most cases, such a replacement does its job perfectly.

Remix OS Player

Remix OS Player from Jide was released on PC not so long ago. This is the only emulator on the list that works with Android Marshmallow instead of Android Lollipop or Kit Kat. The installation process is simple, as is working with the emulator afterwards. It's designed for gaming, and there are quite a few settings options on the sidebar. The emulator is new, so sometimes there are bugs. Even so, it works better than most and is free. The only major disadvantage is the lack of support for AMD processors.

Windroy

Windroy is a classic and is one of the oldest Android emulators on PC. For this reason, it is difficult to recommend it to all users. There is an opinion that this emulator works best on not the most modern Windows versions. It is intended mainly for work, not for games; there will be no problems with running office applications. The emulator is free and easy to install.

Xamarin

Xamarin is an integrated development environment similar to Android Studio. The difference is that it can be connected to products like Microsoft Visual Studio. Like Android Studio, it has a built-in emulator for developers. This is a product for developers, unless you are willing to set up the entire development environment yourself. The Xamarin emulator isn't as powerful as options like Genymotion, but it gets the job done. The program is free for personal use; companies and large development groups must negotiate a paid plan.

YouWave

YouWave is one of the oldest Android emulators on PC, last updated in mid-2016. Free version offers Android Ice Cream Sandwich, for $29.99 you can get access to Android Lollipop. The emulator works quite well, the installation process is simple. There are no distinctive functions for games here, and yet it handles games just fine. We can recommend this program to those who are encountering emulators for the first time.

Own emulator

You can even create your own emulator if you wish. You need to download VirtualBox and the system image from the Android-x86.org website. Next you need to find instructions on the Internet and follow them. This is the most difficult option to get an Android emulator; without a certain level of technical skills, it is better not to try. There will be bugs and without programming skills it will be difficult to fix them.

There are many reasons why you might need Android emulators on your PC. Application developers test their products on emulators before releasing them on Google Play. Gamers use emulators to play Android games using a mouse and keyboard. In addition, in emulators you can select the simulated device and specify settings such as Android version, number of CPU cores, RAM, presence of an SD card, etc.

In any case, it’s not so important why you need an Android emulator, you need to know that, firstly, such programs exist and there are many of them, secondly, emulators are largely similar to each other in their filling and, thirdly , the installation and configuration process is not so simple and requires minimal technical literacy, so be patient. Below are the 15 best Android emulators on PC with comments. Choose the one that suits you.

Table of comparative characteristics of the main Android emulators for PC

Bluestacks 3 Andy NoxPlayer Genymotion AMIDuOS Memu Droid4X
PriceFree / $2 per monthFreeFreeFree / $132-$412 per year15$ / 10$ (one time)FreeFree
WindowsYesYesYesYesYesYesYes
MacYesYesYesYesNoNoYes
LinuxNoYesNoYesNoNoNo
Applications and gamesYesYesYesYesYesYesYes
StreamingYesYesNoYesNoNoNo
Changing screen sizesYesYesYesYesNoYesYes
Customization and configurationYesYesYesYesYesYesYes
File sharingYesYesYesYesYesYesYes
SynchronizationYesYesNoYesYesYesNo
Connecting external devicesYesYesYesYesYesYesYes
Virtual sensorsYesYesYesYesYesYesYes
MultitaskingYesNoYesYesNoYesYes
Running applications as rootYesYesYesYesYesYesYes

Android Studio Emulator is an emulator for developers.
Free

Download Android Studio Emulator

Android Studio is an IDE (integrated development environment) for Android recommended by Google. This environment has a large set of development tools specifically for Android. And, of course, the program has a built-in emulator so that you can test the developed application or game.

We can say for sure that this program is unlikely to be suitable for those who want to play games or who need an ordinary “consumer” emulator. However, for developers this is a real godsend, a powerful and at the same time free environment with the ability to test on the fly.

Installing this emulator is quite a headache, but once you install and configure it, and then understand all the features, you most likely will not need anything else.

Bluestacks 3 is the most popular emulator.
There are free and paid ($2/month) versions

Download Bluestacks 3

Bluestacks is the most popular Android emulation program on your computer. According to the developer, Android applications are launched more than a billion times a month on Bluestacks! And there are several reasons for this. To begin with, we can mention that there are versions for Windows and for Mac. They were the first to make a multi-platform emulator that worked well. Mainly BlueStacks aimed at gamers. Early versions were a bit bloated and complex. Latest version(#3) was released in 2017 and differs from previous ones in that it is noticeably simpler and faster. At the same time, it allows, for example, to work in multitasking mode and run several applications. You can even run multiple versions of the same game at the same time. In addition, the application supports assigning hotkeys in games. Agree, for many games this can be a very good bonus. Although Bluestacks 3 is noticeably faster previous versions, it still remained too bloated and overloaded when compared with the same Andy or Remix.

And yet, those who choose an emulator for games should take a closer look at Bluestacks 3.
If you want something simpler and faster, choose something else. Even though Bluestacks is number 1, there is still a choice.

AMIDuOS is a relatively new emulator.
There is a free trial version and two paid versions ($10 and $15)

Download AMIDuOS

AMIDuOS is a relatively new emulator for Windows (Win 7, 8 and 10 are supported). Android version can be: Lollipop and Jelly Bean. Just the version of the program with Jelly Bean costs $10, and the version with Lollipop costs $15. And it seems like this is the only difference. The good news is that these are one-time payments and not monthly payments.

AMIDuOS is tailored to fulfill various needs (not just games). Its main feature is high performance. Therefore, this emulator will good choice for office or home needs. For example, for Instagram, Telegram... The emulator does not have any special features for games, but games run relatively well on it. Developers can use AMIDuOS for some simple tests, but it is unlikely to be suitable for more complex use. In general, on the whole, AMIDuOS is a good program and deserves attention.

Do a trial to see if it suits you or not.

Andy is one of the best emulators for games.
Free

Download Andy

Next on our list is a completely free emulator called Andy. It appeared quite a long time ago and at the time of its appearance it was full of bugs and various surprises. However, a lot of time has passed since then, and the developers did not waste it: today there are practically no bugs, and the program itself is an excellent lightweight alternative to such monstrous emulators as Bluestacks. On Andy you can run the entire gamut of Android applications. And although Andy is more focused on non-gaming use, you can play on it just fine. Whatever one may say, the emulator is free and works well.

In addition, Andy has a significant advantage: applications can be launched as root.

Available for Windows and Mac. Below is a video comparing Bluestacks and Andy (in English).

Remix OS Player is a fresh update for gamers.
Free

Download

Remix OS Player (developed by Jide) is one of the newest PC emulators on the list. And this is the only emulator on at the moment, which runs on the Android version of Marshmallow instead of Lollipop or Kit Kat. The installation process is very simple. The program is also quite easy to use. Mostly Remix aimed at gamers. Inside the program there is a convenient sidebar where you can change the emulation settings.

Due to the fact that the program is relatively new and free, the developers continue to catch some bugs. That said, Remix is ​​better than many on our list and performs relatively well. And besides, it's free.

Weaknesses: Remix OS Player only works on Windows 64-bit (7 and above) and does not support AMD processors.


ARChon is an emulator add-on for Google Chrome.
Free

Download ARChon
ARChon ARChon is not an ordinary emulator. Simply because it is not a program at all. This is an add-on for Google Chrome. You install this extension in Chrome and after that you can launch Android applications directly in the browser. Sounds cool, right? In theory, yes, but in practice, installing the extension can turn into a real pain. Here are the installation instructions. Perhaps she can help. If you don't have minimal technical skills, then it might not be worth trying.

You need to install this extension (in developer mode). And then you need to convert the APK of the required application using their utility into a format that will work in Chrome with the ARChon extension enabled. Sounds complicated? Then don't try it. If you want to dig in, it might not be that difficult.

The extension works on Windows, Mac and even Linux. This is perhaps the most difficult emulator to install and configure. But also the most unique of its kind.


Genymotion is a fast emulator for developers.
Free for personal use (with paid options)

Download Genymotion

This option is more suitable for developers. It allows you to test your application on multiple various devices without having them. You can select in the Genymotion parameters the device and version of Android on which you want to launch. For example, you can choose Nexus One with installed Android 4.2 or Nexus 6 with Android 6.0 installed. And at the same time, you can switch between devices on the fly.

Genymotion is not the most convenient program for consumer needs. But this is a bomb emulator for developers. In addition, the program is shareware for personal use. And only for those who really need it, paid options arise.

Droid4X is a simple emulator for games.
Free

Download Droid4X

Droid4X has its pros and cons. And for many people and their needs, it is not an ideal emulator.


However, it suits most people due to its ease of installation and simple, uncluttered design. In addition, Droid4X was originally created for gamers. Therefore, the program is focused mainly on emulating games that are not graphically complex. In principle, you can try to run something more heavyweight on it.

But remember that the program is a little outdated. So far, the emulator download page is live, but apparently, the developers stopped updating the program a long time ago.

In general, download at your own risk: the emulator may be buggy. Yes, there seems to be a version for Mac somewhere in nature, but it seems impossible to find it.

KoPlayer is for gamers.
Free

Download KoPlayer

KoPlayer is one of the new products. Perhaps that is why it has not yet enjoyed the popularity it deserves. This emulator is aimed mainly at gamers. The program supports assigning hotkeys in games. In addition, KoPlayer supports a feature such as gameplay recording. So, streamers and game bloggers, take it into account. The installation process is quite simple and the emulator itself seems to work without errors. Although there are bug reports on the forums. But this is again a tribute to novelty.

Overall, KoPlayer is a good choice. And not only for games, but also for everyday use (for example, for Instagram, WhatsApp, Telegram, etc.). But for now there are bugs in it. There will probably be fewer of them in future versions, unless the developers abandon their creation.

MEmu – supports Intel and AMD.
Free

Download MEmu


MEmu is another newcomer in the list of emulators that has just entered the scene. But it has already won the hearts of users. The main feature of MEmu is that it not only supports Intel processors, but also AMD. If you think that this is not that rare, then it is not. So if you have AMD, feel free to download MEmu.

MEmu emulates several versions of Android: Jelly Bean, Kit Kat and Lollipop. Additionally, multitasking is supported and you can run multiple applications at the same time. In fact, there aren't many emulators that offer Lollipop multitasking.

MEmu supports most games and applications. However, I recommend using it not for gaming.


NoxPlayer (bignox) – a bomb emulator for gamers (in Russian).
Free

Download NoxPlayer

NoxPlayer is an emulator created specifically for gamers. It has utilities and settings to improve your experience with the game. For example, in addition to the keyboard, the use of gamepads is supported. And it supports various native gestures (such as “swipe right”), which can be assigned to buttons on the keyboard or joystick. In general, this is cool and, apparently, it works like a charm.

The program is free. There is a version for Windows and for Mac. Supports gaming at 60 fps.
If you are looking for a powerful Android emulator for games, download Nox, you won’t regret it!

YouWave is a dinosaur.
There are free and paid ($29.99) versions

Download YouWave
YouWave YouWave is one of the oldest Android emulators for PC. He is already many years old, really. And although latest update was in 2016, it is still slightly outdated. The free version of the emulator uses Ice Cream Sandwich. If you pay $29.99 for the paid version of the program, you will get a Lollipop emulator.

Overall, the emulator works well and without any glitches. Installation is also easy.

And although YouWave does not have any special options for gamers (for example, assigning hot keys or native gestures), you can still play on it. Perhaps this emulator will appeal to developers, especially beginners.

There is a version of YouWave for Mac.


VirtualBox Party Generally speaking, this is not just an Android emulator, it is an emulator of any operating systems. Like all DIY on this list, installation and setup requires technical skills. Therefore, if they are not there, then look at emulators “out of the box”.

Ok, that's how it works. You need to download the VirtualBox file for your OS (Windows, Mac, Linux, Solaris) from the link above. Then you need to download the Android image from the Android-x86.org website. And then you need to install the Android OS image into the virtual machine. Get ready for the fact that the likelihood that it will work out right away is not so great. If it doesn’t work out, then you need to “smoke” specialized forums and search on the Internet step by step guides. Write in the comments if such a guide should be made. If we have to, we'll do it.

To summarize, this emulation option is suitable for geeks and old-school programmers.
What advantages does it have then, you ask? In fact, there are a lot, and the main one is that you can install absolutely any version of Android and configure absolutely everything. Full customization.

Download Xamarin

Xamarin is an IDE (integrated development environment) that is similar to Android Studio in many ways. The difference is that Xamarin can connect to a monstrous development environment like Microsoft Visual Studio.

Just like Android Studio, Xamarin has a built-in emulator for developers.

Xamarin is a tool for developers. Although theoretically it may be suitable for you for personal use if you want to customize the entire Android infrastructure for yourself. Xamarin is not as powerful as Genymotion, but it can handle all applications at once.

Xamarin runs on Windows. It is free for personal use.
Development teams and companies can choose different tariff plans.

Windroy Windroy is a classic. This is one of the oldest emulators in history. In this regard, it is difficult to recommend it to anyone.

Use it only if you have completely lost hope and newfangled programs cannot solve your problems.

There is an opinion that Windroy works better on older versions of Windows (for example, XP).

Windroy is more about non-game applications, such as office ones. Games on it can only be played by those as ancient as itself. And that's a stretch.

On the other hand, the emulator is free. And it installs quite easily.

If you (suddenly) have Win XP, install Windroy.

As a conclusion

Above are all the best Android emulators for PC currently available on the web. By and large, they are all good in their own way and it is up to you to decide on the choice. Compare the stated features and choose the one that best suits your needs. You need to understand that there is no one program that is ideal for everyone. One is good for a developer, the other is good for a gamer, and the third is good for a Telegram channel admin. But I can definitely recommend not to rush into buying paid versions of programs. Install the trial, play with the settings and only then switch to the premium version.

Android is one of the most popular mobile platforms, powering millions of smartphones and tablets around the world. It is not surprising that hundreds of thousands of applications have been developed for such a widespread system, both paid and free.

All these applications can be easily run on a regular computer. All you need is the application installation file and an Android emulator. Come in handy launch mobile applications maybe in different situations - to check their work during the development process or just to look before downloading to a phone or tablet.

There are different ways to launch an Android application on a PC, but using an emulator is the easiest and 100% working method. You just need to decide which emulator you should use - after all, there are a huge number of such programs today. They all have their advantages and disadvantages, which we will try to understand.

Consider eight free emulators, for each program there is a link to the official website of the developer:

Important: In order for emulators to work, Intel VT-x or AMD-v virtualization may be required, which runs in the BIOS. It is usually launched by default, but if the programs do not work, it is worth checking this point.

Nox App Player

This emulator, according to many users, is the best option of all.

The program is compatible with all common versions of Windows - 7, 8.1 and 10. In addition, the emulator is very undemanding of computer resources and can work without any brakes even on not particularly powerful computers. powerful laptops under modern management operating system.

Once launched, the program will take a couple of minutes to fully load. Then the user will see standard screen Android – system version 4.4.2 is emulated on a device with 30 GB of internal memory.

The system interface is no different from that on any mobile device - there are all the usual control keys; Among the preinstalled programs you can find standard browser and file manager.

Initially the program was English, but in the settings you can enable the Russian version of the interface.

In the emulator settings you can adjust the display mode and performance. By default, the program has a screen resolution of 1280x720, but if this workspace size does not suit you, you can choose one of three other options, including Full HD mode.

You can also switch the screen orientation between tablet and phone. Depending on the computer resources, the performance mode is selected; a low level allows you to run the emulator on weak PCs. If necessary, you can manually allocate this or that amount of RAM and processor power to the program.

Controlling the system is no different from that on any device - a physical computer keyboard is initially connected, but you can also use its standard on-screen version. Sound and webcam also connect automatically, without additional configuration. Fully functional Play Market - after logging into your Google account You can freely download and install any application.

The functionality of the emulator expands the capabilities of the Android system. On the right side of the program window you can see a number of icons with which you can perform the following actions:

  • launching third party .apk files from hard drive computer;
  • simulation of any location that will be perceived by the system as GPS coordination;
  • upload any files to internal memory emulated device;
  • taking screenshots;
  • launching several emulations simultaneously.

In general, the emulator allows you to run almost any Android application on Windows without any problems - simple games, Instagram and others. The emulator is optimized almost perfectly, and nothing should hang. However, resource-intensive 3D games may not start if the machine's resources are insufficient.

Important: if the emulator does not work, check that the path to it is in English - there should not be Cyrillic in the names of files and folders.

You can download the best Android emulator Nox App Player from the official website: bignox.com.

BlueStacks is a Russian-language emulator that does not completely recreate the Android shell, but simply allows you to run applications designed for this platform. The program is aimed at games, and in them it shows better performance than its counterparts.

After launching the program, you will need to log in to your Google account or create one. The emulator will then list the most popular games, available for download.

The functionality is not limited to this - you can also launch third-party applications, either through a button in the emulator menu, or simply by dragging a file onto the program window.

If you have a mobile device with Android control, you can install the BlueStacks Cloud Connect program on it, which allows you to synchronize games between a smartphone or tablet and an emulator on Windows.

You can download BlueStacks from the official website: bluestacks.com/ru/

Koplayer is a free and very simple emulator that has only the most basic functions that allow you to run Android games on a Windows computer.

Settings, interface and performance are practically no different from other emulators; You can also use .apk files that were not downloaded from the official store, and manual allocation of memory to applications is available.

A distinctive feature of this emulator is the ability to fine-tune the gaming keyboard. You can assign a variety of actions to the keys: pressing the screen and touchscreen gestures, simulating the operation of the accelerometer, and much more.

All settings can be made individually for each individual game.

You can download Koplayer from the official website.

Droid4x is an emulator that stands out from other similar programs with its quality of execution, pleasant interface and high speed. Belongs to a group of emulators that completely imitate the software shell of the Android system.

Droid4x is well optimized and generally tailored for running games - the ability to fine-tune the controls also helps with convenient gameplay. Thus, you can bind individual points of the emulated screen to keys on the physical keyboard of the computer.

The program's arsenal includes a fully functional Play Market and the ability to launch third-party applications from any folder in the Windows file system.

Like Nox App Player, the program can simulate any GPS coordinates. The program has an English interface, but the Android system can be configured to any convenient language.

The emulator's performance in games is tied to computer resources; thanks to good optimization, you can run heavy 3D games (for example, Asphalt) on weak laptops and old desktop computers. Graphics and speed will differ slightly from those when running the application on a modern mobile device.

You can download the Android Droid4x emulator from the developer portal.

One of the main features of the Genymotion emulator (formerly known as Android VM) is that it is multi-platform, meaning it can be run on computers running not only Windows 7, 8.1 and 10, but also Linux with macOS.

In addition, the program has built-in hardware graphics acceleration. The emulator allows you to run a simulation mobile devices on Android platform many versions, up to the latest - 6.0, and the base available devices is constantly expanding.

It is worth noting that the functionality of the emulator is not designed for ordinary users who want to run Android applications and games on a computer, but for software developers for mobile devices. The following advantages of Genymotion will help programmers:

  • simulation of calls, SMS, battery consumption and other functions typical of smartphones and tablets;
    integration with many popular application development environments;
  • Wi-Fi connection emulation;
  • imitation of the operation of both rear and front cameras;
  • ability to create screencasts.

After registering on the official website, you will be offered several links to download the emulator. It is advisable to download the version with a built-in virtual machine so as not to run it separately; In addition, this option will automatically select the necessary settings.

After starting the program, you will need to create a new virtual device. To do this, you need to enter your registration data and select the appropriate device from the list of available ones. In addition to the Android version, you can select the screen resolution, number of cores and highlight RAM manually. Then the emulator will download all the software components for the simulation from the website, after which the desktop will open, which is familiar to the user of mobile devices.

The main functions are available immediately and no additional analysis is required. You can learn more about advanced features for application developers in the emulator help; Please note that some functions are available only in the paid version of the program.

Important: to ensure that the emulator does not generate errors during operation, it should be run as an administrator.

You can download the Genymotion Android emulator from the official website: .

Chinese program available for Windows XP, 7 and 8.1. It differs from its analogues in its significantly higher operating speed, which is achieved due to the fact that Windroy does not emulate Android in the literal sense of the word, but ports the main components of the system to a computer, during which all its resources are used.

Besides accelerated work, this also leads to a large number of bugs; However, the program is under development, so some errors will be corrected over time.

Unlike other emulators, Windroy needs to be installed in the root directory on your computer's hard drive.

You can download Windroy here: .

A very easy to understand and use program, which is one of the most used Android emulators among users.

Nothing special stands out, but it works quickly and has good compatibility with Windows different versions. Suitable if none of the analogues start.

This program is downloaded from the official website for Android application developers and is not an emulator, but a development environment. But applications can be launched - this is important for checking and debugging programs written by the programmer.

Overall, this is the official way to run Android apps on personal computer, which can be difficult to master for an inexperienced user.

If none of the emulators start, you can use other methods to launch Android applications on your computer. For example, install mobile system to the PC hard drive, creating a separate partition for this. It is also possible Android launch from a flash disk or installing the system in a virtual machine. If you are interested, write in the comments, we will tell you how to do it.

If you are unable to do something on your own, then we advise you to contact emergency computer help - pchelp24.com, reasonable prices, experienced specialists, free call and diagnostics.

By default, the Android operating system is designed for use on devices with a processor that has ARM architecture. An x86 computer processor from AMD or Intel simply will not understand the commands coming from the mobile operating system. Therefore, a special Android version. Or an emulator is used, as is the case when running games for very old consoles. But which one should you choose? Our top Android emulators will help answer this question.

It should be noted that many of the developers’ creations are designed 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, but it contains all the capabilities that an ordinary user needs. The program should also suit the 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 great thing about the program is that it can be controlled remotely using a smartphone. It also recognizes the connected one.

To use the emulator, you need to enable AMD-V or Intel VT-x virtualization technology. 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 stuttering may occur from time to time.

Advantages:

  • Able to work even without enabling virtualization technology.
  • Excellent performance.
  • Clear interface.
  • Remote control support.
  • Ability to use a gamepad.
  • 99% of existing applications and games work.

Flaws:

  • Sometimes there is unstable operation.

We described in more detail about the installation of this program in the article entitled. 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 different displays, but also with different versions of the Android operating system.

You can download this emulator completely free of charge. But if you are going to use it for non-trial purposes, you will have to use one or another subscription, which costs some money. What is important is that the program is intended 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 front cameras, as well as interaction with wireless modules. Commercial builds additionally include a screencast and remote control function.

Advantages:

  • Huge selection of virtual devices.
  • Almost nothing needs to be configured.
  • There are versions for Mac OS X and Linux.
  • The operation of the front and main cameras is emulated.
  • Shared clipboard for virtual machine and PC.
  • There is access to command line computer.
  • After subscribing, screencast and remote control are provided.
  • Even wireless modules are emulated.

Flaws:

  • The need to register an account on the developers' 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 PCs from time to time. If you have a good antivirus, then you should not be afraid of this. And there is no need to worry at all if you are an application developer who wants to design paid subscription, the cost of which is approximately two dollars per month - it instantly eliminates this drawback.

Theoretically can be used on Windows 7. But it shows maximum performance on the “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 unlimited quantity applications and perform other actions. You can even synchronize with your existing Android device. BlueStacks comes with pre-installed applications, the number of which exceeds a dozen.

Advantages:

  • Ability to run heavy games.
  • There are pre-installed applications.
  • Stable job.
  • Synchronization with a real smartphone or tablet.
  • Easy to learn interface.
  • Inexpensive subscription.

Flaws:

  • The free version is prone to downloading viruses.

Nox


If you are considering Android emulators on PC just for the sake of games, then you should stop at Nox. This program supports the largest number of input organs. You can work with this emulator using a 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 multiplayer. Ideal for multiplayer game developers!

The application has a clear interface. Users note that it functions equally stably on all modern versions of the Windows operating system.

Advantages:

  • Stable operation on most computers.
  • Best option for games.
  • Ability to run two identical games simultaneously.
  • The interface and setup are straightforward.

Flaws:

Xamarin Android Player

This is the simplest emulator of the Android operating system, distributed free of charge. In theory, app developers could try it. But such people will note the lack of any serious functionality, after which they will switch to more advanced analogues. Well, for ordinary users of the opportunities Xamarin Android Player will be quite enough.

This program works on all versions of Windows, starting from Windows 7. But to install it you will 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 problems with installation.
  • Compatible with different versions of Windows.
  • Can be downloaded for free.

Flaws:

  • There are no serious functions.
  • No good multitasking.
  • Hard games are played with great difficulty.

Another fairly simple Android emulator for PC. It was created by Chinese developers, so you shouldn’t expect any serious capabilities from it. Moreover, the program regularly exhibits slowdowns, which some people will find annoying. But then 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 operation - in those moments when sudden braking does not occur.

Advantages:

  • Competent emulation of Android and most applications.
  • Simplified installation.
  • Completely free.
  • Works even on older versions of Windows.
  • Good performance.

Flaws:

  • No gamepad support.
  • Sudden brakes during operation.
  • No normal multitasking.

Gameloop


Gameloop is an Android emulator from the Chinese company Tencent. The program is great for running on a PC such mobile games, How Call of Duty: Mobile And PUBG Mobile. If desired, you can install Google Play services on the emulator and use it to work with other Android applications.

First of all, Gameloop is suitable for working with games, since it conveniently configures mouse and keyboard controls. Also in the settings you can specify the desired visualization parameters and change other configurations. However, compared to other emulators, Gameloop's capabilities are limited in this regard.

Advantages:

  • There is access to Google services Play.
  • Distributed free of charge.
  • Great for running games.
  • Clear interface.
  • Customizable controls.
Flaws:
  • Not suitable for testing Android applications.
  • Limited settings.

Summing up

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 reviewed deserve praise. Their creations function perfectly on most computers, while offering quite a wide range of functionality.