For those with the least knowledge about emulators or specifically android emulator, here’s a little background.
Pro Tip: Android Emulator tool should have good integration with Android devices. It should be fast and should give a smooth gaming experience for high definition games. It should have a customization option for configurations and support external devices like keyboard, IPad, mouse or joystick for the improved user gaming experience. Best Android Emulators For PC Windows 7, 8 & 10MAC Bluestacks – Fastest Android Emulator for PC & Mac. This is the most popular of all emulators as it is compatible with both Windows and Mac. It was also one of the first that worked really well and gets regular updates. When I launch one of my Android emulators using the Android Virtual Devices (AVD) Manager, I get the following message: Your emulator is out of date, please update by launching Android Studio. According to the steps, it seems that one could update the emulator even without Android Studio just by using the Android SDK Manager.
- Pro Tip: Android Emulator tool should have good integration with Android devices. It should be fast and should give a smooth gaming experience for high definition games. It should have a customization option for configurations and support external devices like keyboard, IPad, mouse or joystick for the improved user gaming experience.
- Play apk on PC with best Android Emulator - free NoxPlayer. Be compatible with Windows, and faster and more stable than Bluestacks.
What is an Android Emulator?
Emulator stands for a tool/applications that visualizes the Android platform on your windows PC. It is simply availing the Android platform on your PC that allows you to install android apps, games and overall use a complete android OS on your PC.
Following is a list of some of the best android emulator for PC we have right now.
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UPDATE : May 07, 2015
A very good news to all the users who always wanted a easy, convenient and faster way to use android apps on PC. Now, its a lot easier and basically, is just installing the android app as you install it on your phone and use it on your PC/MAC.
Google recently announced an google chrome app that is promised to be really helpful for the app developers. The project is named ARC and with the use of this app, a developer can test his/her app straight on their PC and also see at all the logs that can help the developers to fix those issues and make the app much more use worthy and efficient.
So, how to use android apps on your PC without getting an Emulator, You can either go to official google’s webpage or follow my step by step guide to install App Runtime for Chrome and run android apps on PC/Mac using my tutorial guide.
5 Best Android Emulator For PC
- 1. Bluestacks:
Well, no doubt Bluestacks is the best when it comes to running Android apps on PC. Bluestacks has already gone through thousands of downloads and still counting. Its compatibility with major OS like windows 7, 8 and even Mac OS makes it more preferable over other Emulators.
Bluestacks offers a normal and easy to use layout, with menus, proper categorization of Apps and hassle free way to install apps from either the app store or directly using a.APK installer file. The only area that this app might not be the emulator you’re looking for, is its layout/UI itself. For a user wanting for a stock android look and feel with the similar kind of home screen, menus and buttons as on the android OS, bluestacks does not offer that. Other than that, using android apps on PC, playing games and everything a normal user would want, Bluestacks fulfills it all.
To install it you need to download a thin installer which will further download the required installation files and completes the installation.
Download it from HERE.
Our Take:
- Easy to download and install.
- Clean and neat UI, My apps, menus etc.
- Easy to install new apps via the app store or using an .apk file.
- Might not run on a low end PC as its minimum requirements are a bit high.
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- Youwave
On the contrary to what bluestacks has to offer, Youwave is a different player in the game. With the stock android feel, or the exact android UI Youwave also has a fine user base and popularity. For those looking for a regular android look and feel find youwave better than bluestacks.
First time users will have to struggle even to get into the app store, installing apps and games needs not to be mentioned. Unlike bluestacks, to install a app using .apk file, you’ll have to locate the file and move it into another directory and later on from youwave install it. Isn’t that irritating? If no, cool, but most of us might find it time consuming. Still, easy to install and provide great usability.
You can download Youwave with specific android version loaded with each installer. So, get to choose which android version do you want your emulator to run.
Our Take:
- You’ll be able to use a trial version for 10 days.
- Ability to choose specific android version to choose from.
- Gives you pure android look and feel.
- You might need some time to get familiar with the UI, like finding the app store, installing apps and all.
- Easy to install.
3. Jar Of Beans
Finally an application that supports, Jelly Bean apps, games. Most of us have been struggling to install our favorite games on Android emulator for PC because of the compatibility issues. But no more, with a jar of beans you can easily install Jelly Bean games and apps on your PC. This emulator best and added features over other emulators such as :
Download It From HERE:
- Compatibility For Jelly Bean Apps, Games.
- Gain root access.
- Use FAT32 as an SD card.
- 100 % free.
- Customizable Screen resolutions.
Unlike other android SDK that provided similar facilities, Jar of Beans is easier to install and much easier to use.
Our Take:
- A Must have android emulator for PC.
- Provides new features over other emulators, compatibility with jelly bean makes it much irresistible 😉 .
- Since it’s completely free you can always switch to other applications because our preferences change with time.
Android Emulator For MAC
Some of the best available android emulator for MAC OS :
- Virtual Box with a Android Image
At A Glance,
These Android Emulator For PC And Mac OS are available to use for free (except: Youwave only avails 10 days of free trial).
What’s your take on these Applications? Which applications do you use to install and use android apps on PC?
Do share with us !
Dolphin
Dolphin is a Wii and Gamecube emulator. It has been ported to libretro and an alpha version of the core is available now for Windows and Linux! Version for macOS will be released at a later date.
For more information on Dolphin, visit the author's website here.
See also our in-depth article here.
Citra
Citra is a 'work in progress' Nintendo 3DS emulator.
Core available now for Windows and Linux. Version for macOS will be released at a later date.
For more information on Citra, visit the author's website here.
See also our in-depth article here.
OpenLara
OpenLara is an early Tomb Raider game engine recreation.
Core available now for Windows/Linux.
For more information, read our article on this release here.
Android Emulator Online
It uses the original data files in order to work. What is nice about this one is that it has some very fancy graphics effects that it adds on top of the old game engine without it resulting in any stylistic clashes.
melonDS
melonDS is a 'work in progress' Nintendo DS emulator.
Core available now for Windows, macOS, Linux, Android and iOS.
For more information on melonDS, visit the author's website here.
See also our in-depth article here.
SameBoy
SameBoy is a highly accurate Game Boy/Game Boy Color emulator.
Mac Update Android Emulator Download
Core available now for Windows, macOS, Linux, Android and iOS.
For more information on SameBoy, visit the author's website here.
Download Android Emulator For Pc
PX68K
PX-68K is a Sharp X68000 emulator. This is a Japanese home computer from the late '80s/early '90s that was used by Capcom as devkits for their arcade games. It played host to many popular games from the likes of Namco, Konami and Capcom.
Core available now for Windows, macOS, Linux, Android and iOS.
For more information, read our article on this release here.