Best Android Emulators for PC

From classic emulators to full Android-based operating systems

June 20, 2024, 13:56 ET

Yúbal Fernández

Writer

Tech journalist with over eight years of experience. I specialize in mobile devices, PCs and consumer tech, as well as software and apps. Head of Xataka Basics, where everyone can find complex tech topics explained in an easy and accessible manner. LinkedIn

Here is a list of the best Android emulators for PC, with the idea of offering you distinct types. We have everything from classic emulators to full Android-based operating systems, developer applications, and even an alternative from one of the world's biggest gaming companies.

As is typical with these types of articles, the items are based on the personal criteria and experience of the writer. Some worth-mentioning emulators may have been left out of this list, so if you know one that should be included, please let us know in the comments.

It is also necessary to mention that although these emulators are safe, some installers may contain adware or unwanted applications. Therefore, it is vital to use extreme caution when installing any of them.

Table of Contents (8)

Android Studio

Android Studio is an integrated development environment that allows developers to create and test their Android applications. It is vital to test what you are doing, so it has an emulator that lets you try different versions of Google's operating system.

The positive part is that it's an official tool and you don't have to worry about adware or dozens of pre-installed apps. However, the negative aspect is that it is quite complicated to use for beginners, so you will have to take your time to learn the necessary steps to be able to use it.

BlueStacks

BlueStacks is one of the most veteran and well-known applications to emulate Android on PC, and one of the most complete with keyboard and mouse mapping for games. Its mission is to try to simplify your experience as much as possible, although this popularity has led them to make choices that some will not like, like putting too many preinstalled applications or making a paid version if you want to have all the options.

The application has an interface adapted to the PC desktop, so it does not look like Android, but it works for its games. It has a multiview with different instances to use multiple apps or play various games simultaneously, a rewards system, and Android 7 as a base.

Genymotion

In addition to its desktop version, this popular emulator offers a cloud version to run Android in the cloud, consuming much less computer resources. The downside is that it is mainly aimed at developers and might be a bit more complicated for beginners.

On the plus side, if you are a creator, it offers more than 3,000 virtual device configurations, so you can use everything from older phones like a Nexus 6 to more modern ones. Another negative side is that it is a paid emulator, so despite having a free version, you have to pay to use its best features.

NOX

Another emulator focused on gaming, which also has the typical options to map the keyboard and mouse buttons, use controllers, or configure on-screen gestures in these controls. It has versions for Windows and MacOS, is based on Android 4.4.2 —a weak point due to the previous version and is compatible with X86/AMD.

Despite this outdated version of Android, the application works quite well, and the emulator is compatible with all games, which you can play in full screen as if they were native to your computer.

GameLoop

Tencent is a true Chinese giant and the most important video game company on the planet. That’s why we can’t miss their approach to the world of emulation, with an emulator created with a proprietary graphics engine to launch games like ‘PUBG Mobile’, ‘Arena of Valor’, or others like ‘Call of Duty Mobile’.

The emulator has a unique anti-cheat system and allows you to intelligently map keyboard keys to get the most out of your games. Many of the titles can be played online and it has become a viable alternative. Here is a link to their game store to see what games you can use.

LDPlayer

Another emulator dedicated to games, although you can use it to run any application. In this case, the interface looks a bit more like Android’s, but with a side menu with many options. In fact, this native toolbar is one of its main attractions.

In the app you can take screenshots, record the screen, configure the keyboard mapping, and much more. It is a free emulator and is based on Android 9, which is not the latest version, but it is compatible with almost everything. It is currently only available for Windows and is up to date.

MEmu Play

This is one of the veteran emulators for Android, and one of the ones that customizes its interface and focuses on games. Its latest version is based on Android 9, although it has others based on older versions of Android. It has interesting options such as the ability to launch multiple instances natively.

It also allows you to map your keyboard and mouse to play certain games better, or one of its best options, the ability to exchange files between MEmu and Windows through a shared folder.

Official website: memuplay.com

BlissOS

This is an open-source operating system based on Android that you can use on your PC. So, the idea is not so much that it is a program you can run, but rather an operating system you can install on a computer or a partition of your PC and run as an alternative to Windows.

Its developers promise that it’s compatible with any Chromebook, PC, or tablet released in the last 10 years, and they maintain several versions based on Android 11, 12, and 13 for versatility. If you’re looking for a fully native experience, this isa viable alternative.

Related | The 21 Best Free Offline Games for Your Android or iPhone

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