Top 10 Android Emulators for PC and How to Test Them
With so many different Android emulators available, knowing which one is right for you can be a challenge. Of course, you want to ensure that your app is compatible and functional across a wide range of Android versions, so you need to know which emulator is best for you. In this article, we will help you choose the best Android emulator for you from among the 10 best Android emulators of this year.
What are Android emulators?
Android emulators are programs that replicate the Android operating system on other operating systems such as Windows, macOS, or Linux. They create a virtual environment, simulating Android devices such as smartphones and tablets on a computer. These emulators allow users and developers to install, run, and interact with Android applications as if they were using a real Android device.
The benefits and uses of Android emulators include enabling developers to efficiently test and debug their Android applications and hardware specifications across different Android versions without the need for physical hardware. These emulators are cost-effective, as they reduce the need for multiple testing devices.
For users, emulators provide a way to run Android apps on their PC. This accessibility increases their convenience while using it and also provides a safe environment to test new apps or app updates before deploying them to real devices.
Best Android Emulator for PC
Below is a breakdown of the top 10 Android emulators for PC. We have included the best use case for each platform, and pricing information to make it easier for you to choose the right emulator for you.
1- Nox Player
Nox Player -or as it is sometimes called Nox App Player- is one of the best Android emulators and is specifically targeted at Android gamers. Although the emulator works well with other Android apps, it is better suited for playing massive games like PUBG or Justice League. The best thing about Nox Emulator is that it is completely free and has no marketing ads.
Nox Player allows you to map keyboard, mouse and gamepad keys, you can even map keyboard keys to gestures, for example, you can set a shortcut for right swipe, you can also specify CPU and RAM usage in the settings option to get the best gaming results.
The only problem with Nox is that it puts a huge load on the system, hence, you cannot use many other applications, another drawback is that it is based on Android 5 Lollipop.
Why use Nox Player?
- Multiple windows on one device
- Assign shortcuts to controllers
- It can be used for Android O or Android Nougat.
- Android emulator with clean and easy to use user interface.
- Free to use
2- BlissOS
Bliss OS is a bit different from other Android emulators in that it emulates Android on your Windows PC, but Bliss OS is Android itself and needs to be installed as a separate operating system.
Why use Bliss OS?
- Open source support
- Does not contain ads
- Free to use
- Beta version works on Android 9 Pie
3- LDPlayer
LDPlayer is the second most popular Android emulator in the world, and it is the best and fastest Android emulator in the Southeast Asian gaming market. LDPlayer allows players to run their mobile games and apps on PC for free, and it has a built-in store called LDStore that contains many Android apps and games.
One of the most important features of this emulator is its flexibility even for low-powered devices, and it does not take up much storage space. The LDPlayer emulator is also suitable for heavy games, and it comes with adjustable settings regardless of the type of computer the player uses.
Additional features in the emulator - such as keyboard mapping and keyboard macros - make the controls easier, and there are other features that help players improve their games. One of the most important features of LDPlayer is that this emulator supports multiple languages and simplified user instructions.
Why use LDPlayer?
- Fast and lightweight emulator with multi-language support.
- Adjustable settings and more advanced settings for any device being used.
- Emulators can be created for the same device for the same game.
- Free Android Emulator.
4- Remix OS Player
Remix OS Player is one of the best Android emulators for gamers. It is an Android emulator that allows users to test apps and play games on Windows devices. It is also one of the few Android emulators that is compatible with almost all Google Play Store games and apps.
The platform provides a desktop version of Android designed to work like a regular operating system. It also features many of the desktop elements familiar to Windows users, including the start menu and taskbar, making the emulator very intuitive and smooth to use. Users can also run multiple applications in different resizable windows, allowing for easy switching between programs. Windows users can download Remix OS Player for free.
Why use Remix OS Player?
- Compatible with almost all Android apps and games,
- Assign custom keys
- Easy installation and simple user interface.
5- ARChon
ARChon is not a big Android emulator, it is a free Android emulator for small, non-gaming projects, it is not very popular, it is a fix for running Android apps on Chrome OS.
It started when Google introduced support for two or three Android apps on the Google Chrome web browser, and then, a GitHub developer released ARChon to run all Android apps on Chrome.
Why use ARChons?
- Compatible with OS X, Linux, and Windows operating systems
- Built into Chrome
- Free to use
6- KoPlayer
KoPlayer is an Android emulator that runs on new kernel technology. Like other Android game emulators, KoPlayer focuses on providing a fast gaming experience using lightweight software.
Although KoPlayer is free, you may see a few ads while running it. The app player is easy to install and navigate through the apps, and it supports keyboard mapping and gamepad emulation. One of the drawbacks of this emulator is that it sometimes freezes, and the player has some bugs which makes it difficult for the user to uninstall the Android O emulator.
Why use KoPlayer?
- Compatible with Windows and Mac
- Simple user interface
- Any Android device can be set up.
- Free to use
7- BlueStacks
BlueStacks is one of the popular Android emulators with low RAM usage. BlueStacks is the oldest and most popular Android emulator in the mobile gaming market. It offers ease of installing and running games. BlueStacks comes with a library of over 2 million Android games and apps, fastest boot times, and additional features such as key mapping, game controls, and fast response. Additionally, the emulator keeps getting frequent updates to address any issues players are facing.
BlueStacks 5 is the fastest and lightest app player yet, consuming 50% less RAM. The release has introduced some new features like performance optimization and memory reduction to help further reduce memory usage. It currently supports Android 9 (Pie).
Why use BlueStacks?
- Easy to set up with no technical knowledge required.
- Support multiple accounts
- Latest Android Version
- It can be used for Android O or Android Nougat.
- Free to use
- Additional features starting at $24/month
8- Android Studio
Android Studio is an integrated development environment (IDE) from Google itself that caters specifically to the needs of developers. It basically comes with a set of tools and plugins to help developers build and test their apps.
Android Studio has a built-in emulator but it has fewer features compared to tools like Genymotion. The emulator is definitely not for general use and playing heavy games. Android Studio setup is complex but at the same time it is preferred by many developers.
Key features include a visual layout editor with easy drag-and-drop; an APK analyzer to check app sizes; access to ARCore, Google's platform for building AR experiences; and a smart code editor with autocomplete to complete code for Kotlin, Java, and C/C++.
Why use Android Studio?
- Compatible with Windows, Mac, Linux, and Chrome operating systems.
- Official Google Emulator
- Regular updates
9- Genymotion
Genymotion is not a traditional Android emulator, it is aimed at developers only. The Android emulator allows you to test apps on a variety of virtual devices with different versions of Android. The emulator is also compatible with Android SDK and Android Studio. It even works on macOS and Linux. Since Genymotion is designed specifically for developers, it comes with a lot of features that are suitable for them, so it is not the best choice for people looking for an Android gaming experience.
Genymotion is compatible with all ADB-based testing frameworks: Appium, Espresso, Robotium, and also the most popular continuous integration solutions: CircleCI, Bitrise, Terraform.
Why use Genymotion?
- Works on PC, Mac OS, and Linux
- Supports Android Studio
- Runs versions from Android 4.1 to 8.0
- His subscription is $136 per year.
10-MEmu
MEmu is an Android emulator with high-quality graphics via DirectX 3D rendering and OpenGL. MEmu or as it is called MEmu Player is a relatively new app player compared to other emulators. MeMu Play was launched in 2015 and it focuses on gaming. If we talk about the speed of this emulator, it gives results similar to Nox and BlueStacks.
One of the most important features of the MeMu Android emulator is that it supports both AMD and Nvidia chipsets , and it supports different Android versions such as Android Jelly Bean, Kit Kat, and Lollipop. While MeMu supports high-performance games, the graphics performance is relatively poor. MEmu is currently based on Android Lollipop and works at its best with productivity apps. If you are looking to play games like Ingress or Pokémon Go, this should be your choice.
Why use Memu?
- Main mapping
- You set your virtual location on Google Maps.
- Support both AMD and NVidia
- It can be used for Android O or Android Nougat.
- Free to use
How to Choose the Best Android Emulators for PC
There are a lot of mobile app testing tools out there so it can be difficult to choose the most suitable emulator among them, but there are several criteria that will help you answer the question How do I choose the best Android emulators?
1- Emulator features
Here are the basic features that all or most of them should be available when choosing the best Android emulators for Android testing:
- Low RAM Usage: Look for tools that don't completely drain your computer's resources.
- Access to Google Play Store: Easy access to the Google Play Store and all the apps inside it.
- Emulates different Android operating systems: Can the tool emulate the latest Android O and popular older versions, such as Android Nougat or Android Marshmellow?
- Access to games and apps: The library of Android apps and games available should be robust.
- Android Game Development: Access to tools for Android developers looking to test their products.
- Adjust Android Phone Screen: Screen compatibility to convert from phone-sized screens to PC screens
2- Ease of use
Smooth user interface and ease of navigation are important factors to consider with every testing tool. The best Android emulators are the easiest to use, so in this article we have listed the top 10 easy-to-use and uncomplicated Android emulators to choose from.
3- Scope
Is the platform open source? Is it customizable? Can you run multi-instance simulations? Does it create a simulation of an application or gaming experience? Depending on your needs, you may be looking for something more comprehensive or more specific.
Why use Android Emulator for PC?
Running Android apps on your PC gives you access to the Android experience on a bigger screen. It is a powerful Android testing tool that allows you to set up a virtual machine on your Mac OS or Windows laptop. This not only helps you browse more clearly, but also helps you test on the same device you are developing on.
What is the best way to test Android apps?
Android application software testing is a crucial process to ensure the quality and reliability of the application before releasing it to users. There are several steps involved in conducting this testing effectively.
- The testing team should conduct a comprehensive review of the application requirements and specifications to gain a clear understanding of its functionality and features. With this knowledge, they can then create a detailed test plan that specifies the test scope, objectives, test cases, and required resources. After the test plan is in place, it is time to start testing.
- Throughout the testing phase, defects and issues are logged, and bug reports are generated for the development team to address. Regular communication between testers and developers is essential to efficiently resolve any identified issues.
- Once the testing team has verified the stability and performance of the application, the application is ready to be deployed to users.
Can you automate parts of the Android testing process?
QA professionals automate the process of testing their mobile applications or parts of them. Many testing tools have automation features that help streamline the workflow. There are many software programs that can help automate the testing process. These include QA automation tools and mobile test automation tools. Some of the most popular test management software comes with easy-to-use automation capabilities.
What types of tests can be performed on an Android app or game?
The process of testing Android emulators involves different techniques such as functional testing, usability testing, performance testing, security testing, and compatibility testing. These tests are:
- Functional testing involves verifying that all of the application's features and functions are working properly.
- Usability testing evaluates the ease of use of an app and the overall user experience.
- Performance testing focuses on an application's responsiveness, speed, and resource consumption under different conditions.
- Security testing aims to identify vulnerabilities and ensure that the application is protected from potential threats.
- Compatibility testing ensures that the app runs smoothly across different Android devices with different screen sizes, resolutions, and OS versions.
What is Google Play Test?
With so many apps on the Google Play Store, competition among developers is increasing, and to ensure the success of their apps, Google Play testing is essential to discover and resolve technical and user experience issues.
Google Play Testing allows developers to test their games and new releases before releasing them to users, and offers three testing paths:
- Internal testing
- Open test
- Closed Test
Open testing involves a large number of testers, providing feedback that helps identify and fix issues, ensuring the quality of the app before it is officially released. To become a Google Play tester, users need a Google account and can join access or beta testing programs to try out new Android apps or features before they are officially released.
In the end, these are the best Android emulators that you can run on Windows 10, but before installing any of the emulators discussed in the article; it is important to note that these emulators are not completely bug-free and may have errors from time to time and we have mentioned the disadvantages of each emulator separately, and the performance of the app players will depend on the specifications of your particular device.