There could be so many reasons why you might want to run Android emulators on the computer. You could be trying out your Application before you ship it out, or you might want to use a mouse and keyboard on your games.
Be it anything, you just need to know that Android emulation on PC is not just possible but a lot easier today.
Here in this article, we have for you 15 of the best Android emulators for PC and Mac in 2022.
The best Android emulators for PC and Mac
- BlueStacks
- LDPlayer
- Android Studio
- ARChon
- Bliss OS
- GameLoop
- Genymotion
- MeMU
- MuMu
- Nox
- Phoenix OS
- PrimeOS
- Remix OS Player
- Xamarin
- Make your own
Advantages of Android emulators.
Emulators have three major advantages:
- The most common advantage or use of emulators is for Gaming. The games can become a lot easier on computers and hence the emulator.
- The second most common advantage or use of emulators would be for development. The developers would like as many devices as possible to test the apps and games that they have developed.
- The third most common advantage or use of emulators would be for productivity. As Chromebooks are a lot cheaper and better, this is not the top advantage of using emulators.
Top 15 Emulators:
1. BlueStacks
Price: Free
It is arguably the most comprehensive Android app player available in the market. You get the emulator packed with a lot of features that improve the gamer's experience, adding to the feature that it runs on both Windows and Mac.
Core Features:
- You can create customized control schemes using the Keymapping tool.
- Instance Manager to create multiple instances of the emulator and run many games at a time.
- Quality of life features like Eco Mode.
- Certified GDPR, thus one of the safest emulators out there.
2. LD Player
Price: Free
The emulator focuses on gaming performance and is lightweight in nature.
Core Features:
- Runs of Android Nougat 7.1.
- Consists of all the gamer-oriented features including the multi-instance, keyboard mapping controls, high FPS.
- Gets active updates to improve compatibility.
- Can be used for gaming and other social media sites like TikTok, Instagram, and other popular apps.
3. Android Studio emulator
Price: Free
This emulator is the default development console, for Android. You get this with a bunch of tools that help developers design games and apps specifically for Android.
Core Features:
- The fastest and the most feature-rich option on the list.
- You can run vanilla Android.
- You can download apps from the Google play store.
- Custom launchers and keyboards can be added.
4. ARChon
Price: Free
It is one of the traditional emulators that can be installed as a Google Chrome extension.
Core Features:
- Getting it running is not very easy.
- Making this work involves a lot of steps.
- Works with any operating system running an instance of Chrome.
5. Bliss OS
Price: Free / Optional donations
It is a little different as it works as an Android emulator for PC via a virtual machine and you can even run it on a computer using a USB stick.
Core Features:
- A tedious process, especially if you have never made your own virtual machine before.
- Very complicated USB installation method.
6. GameLoop
Price: Free
It was known before as the Tencent Gaming Buddy. Today Tencent calls it the official emulator for its games which includes PUBG Mobile, Call of Duty: Mobile, etc.
Core Features:
- You get good keyboard controls and performance.
- It is a fairly decent gaming emulator
- You get a good number of new titles.
It is not particularly good with productivity or developmental testing.
7. Genymotion
Price: Free with paid options
Mostly Genymotion is used by developers, as it lets them test their apps on a variety of devices without having to own them.
Core Features:
- It can be configured for a number of devices with various versions of Android.
- Switching between virtual devices is very easy.
- It is available both on your desktop computer and in the cloud.
It is not the best option for consumer use.
8. MeMU emulator
Price: Free / $2.99 per month / $29.98 per year
It is another emulator that is well versed in the gaming community.
Core Features:
- Supports both AMD and Intel chipsets.
- Android Jelly Bean, Kit Kat and Lollipop are supported.
- Also used as a productivity tool.
- It gets frequent updates.
9. MuMu
Price: Free
It is a decent gaming emulator with most of the same features as its competitors.
Core Features:
- It runs Android 6.0
- Decent boot time.
In the terms of features and regular updates, Bluestacks and GameLoop kind of surpassed it.
10. Nox
Price: Free
It is another Android emulator for the gaming community.
Core Features:
- Keymapping with your keyboard.
- Key-map gesture controls.
- Actual controller support.
11. Phoenix OS
Price: Free
It is one of the more new emulators for PC.
Core Features:
- Boasts gamer experience.
- It works quite well for productivity too.
- It has Google Play Services, thus all the apps and games in the Google store.
- It runs Android 7.1 as well.
12. PrimeOS
Price: Free
In the Android emulator space, PrimeOS is a kind of standout. It is installed as a partition on your computer and it boots up running the native Android.
Core Features:
- More gamer-focused Android experience.
- Can also be used for Productivity.
- Includes a gaming centre and access to most of the games and apps on Android.
- Supports mouse and keyboard.
13. Remix OS Player
Price: Free
It is one of the more recent Android emulators by Jide.
Core Features:
- It runs Android Marshmallow.
- Pretty simple and straightforward installation process.
- Mostly caters to gamers.
- Runs multiple games at a time.
- You can use it as a productivity tool also.
14. Xamarin
Price: Free / Enterprise options
It is quite similar to Android Studio but the main difference is that you can plug it into things like Microsoft Visual Studio and get a larger development environment.
Core Features:
- Has a built-in emulator for app or game testing.
- Mostly development friendly.
Essentially, the setup would seem too tedious for regular consumer use.
15. Make your own
Price: Free (usually)
This is building your own emulator.
To get started with this, you have to first download VirtualBox and then an image from Android-x86.org. After that, you can just find one of the many online guides to Make your own emulator.
It is one of the more difficult methods but if you get it right, it can also be the most satisfying one.
Conclusion
After thorough research and analysis, we have compiled a list of the 15 best Android emulators for PC and Mac in 2022. From popular options like BlueStacks and NoxPlayer to newer entrants like LDPlayer and Gameloop, these emulators offer a range of features and performance capabilities. Whether you're a gamer or a developer, these emulators can help you run Android apps and games seamlessly on your desktop or laptop. Try them out and see which one works best for you!.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. What are the best Android emulators for PC in 2022?
Some of the best Android emulators for PC in 2022 include BlueStacks, NoxPlayer, LDPlayer, Gameloop, MEmu Play, and Genymotion.
2. What are the best Android emulators for Mac in 2022?
Some of the best Android emulators for Mac in 2022 include BlueStacks, NoxPlayer, LDPlayer, and Genymotion.
3. Can I use an Android emulator for gaming?
Yes, Android emulators can be used for gaming, and some emulators even offer advanced features like key mapping and macro recording to enhance the gaming experience.
4. Are Android emulators free to use?
Many Android emulators are free to use, but some may require a paid subscription or offer in-app purchases for premium features.
