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A program for installing Android games on your computer. Choosing the best Android OS emulator. New game controls

Android OS emulator programs for computers with support for the Russian language are very popular software products not only for those who like to play mobile games, but also for a wide range of developers involved in testing written applications. Considering that now every modern person actively uses Android-based mobile devices in their lives, emulators will allow you not only to run gaming applications, but also to fully use the installed software with further synchronization with the main devices.

After installing the Android emulator for PC on Windows, you will even be able to use the necessary applications from Google Play. During the installation process, the emulator will equip your operating system with the necessary drivers and files that will ensure its correct operation. After installation is complete, the program will provide you with the opportunity to make additional settings for further work according to your requirements. For example, you can choose the quality of the image that will be broadcast to you, determine the amount of your computer resources that will be allocated, and so on. As a result, once you have completed installing and configuring the software, you can move on to fully using Android applications on your computer.

What is it needed for ? The first thing that comes to mind is that developers need such programs. But often ordinary users also use emulators. This is due to the fact that there are a number of ecosystems, games and applications that were developed only for the Android platform and are not available for Windows. In order to be able to run your favorite programs on your PC, you need to install a suitable emulator. Let’s talk about the latter in more detail, which ones exist and which one to choose depending on the user’s needs.

I would like to draw your attention to the situation with some games. For example, to play pubg mobile on a computer, it is recommended to use the official emulator, which is already fully configured for easy control and easy installation of the game on your PC. For using a third-party Android emulator, there is a possibility of sanctions being imposed on your account.

Gaming BlueStacks 3

The emulator that comes to mind first when talking about such programs. Some users sincerely believe that this is the only program capable of simulating Android on Windows. It is worth noting that the developers are constantly improving the application. Over time, the product began to be positioned as a program capable of high-quality support for mobile platform games.

The emulator has an extensive software library, and all applications and games in the catalog are specially optimized. Therefore, there are guarantees that they will function correctly on the computer. Some programs are built into the emulator interface. It is important to understand that installing applications from third-party resources cannot guarantee full functionality.

All necessary functions are implemented:

change screen orientation;
imitation shaking;
screenshots;
GPS;
simplified work with files.

The disadvantages of this application include a cumbersome interface and low performance. In addition, this emulator requires appropriate characteristics from the PC itself, and on weaker devices it may not support most applications.

Download BlueStacks 3 from the official website

It has wide functionality, but an overloaded interface. An excellent program for creating a full-fledged Android device based on Windows. Perfectly compatible with almost all applications available on Google Play. The internal memory, which is emulated by the device, is quite capacious, which allows you not to worry about its shortage. It features high performance, Multi-Touch support and the ability to control from a smartphone.

The application is suitable for both ordinary users and mobile program developers. The former will appreciate the ability to run the most demanding games, while the latter will be able to qualitatively test their own development.

The internal interface also completely replicates the Android device. For correct operationAndroid emulator on PCrequires at least 2 GB of RAM and a processor that supports visualization.

You can download Droid4X on the developers' website.

Genymotion is a developer's dream

Fast and recognized as one of the bestAndroid emulators on PC. The best program for testing new mobile applications, and therefore is very popular among developers. But this does not mean that the program is not suitable for users who are not involved in creating and testing new applications.

The emulator is compatible not only with Windows, but also with Mac OS or Linux. For Genymotion to work as correctly as possible, you need pre-installed VirtualBox. The program is freely available, but has functionality available for a fee. The second version of the program has much more extensive capabilities and is suitable for large development companies.

The disadvantages include the lack of a Russified version and the inability to emulate a voice call. The program has a lot of advantages, it is important that this is the fastest emulator of all available, it emulates WiFi, GPRS, 3G, LTE, rear and front cameras, flashes, changes IMEI and much more.

In general, the application differs little from its analogues; it does not have a Russian-language interface, but has open ROOT rights. PossibilitiesAndroid emulator on PC, the following:

setting up a mouse and keyboard to simulate a sensor;
change screen orientation;
imitation of geodata;
recording video content in avi format;
ability to take a screenshot;
video screen capture;
using a virtual camera;
changing screen resolution;
installing applications from the Market;
installation of third-party programs.

A browser is installed by default in the emulator, which simplifies the search for programs and applications; in addition, there is a directory with free optimized applications. KoPlayer allows the user to independently set the necessary parameters of the Android device, for example, the amount of RAM. The application is worthy of praise for being able to work correctly even on low-power PCs.

A product of Chinese developers that appeared not so long ago, but has already gained popularity among active users of such programs. According to the manufacturer, the emulator is one of the most stable and powerful offerings among existing competitors. Supported by all processors, even AMD. At the same time, it is freely available and completely free.

The Nox APP Player interface resembles the functional Genymotion. Moreover, some points are borrowed from Droid4X, this is clearly seen in the keyboard customization options, but gyroscope adjustments are added. The application also allows you to set the desired parameters of the Android device that you want to imitate.

To install the emulator you need:

XP/Vista/7/8/10;
processor with visualization support;
RAM from 512 MB;
with OpenGL 2.0 and higher;
gigabytes of free disk space.

Based on its characteristics, Nox APP Player can be an excellent alternative to emulators suitable for developing and testing applications. However, it has one huge advantage - it is free.

Download Nox APP Player from the official website.

Andy - simple and clear

A simple and convenient emulator designed to run simple programs. It is far from gaming applications, because it simply cannot handle the heavy games of modern gadgets. Otherwise, the emulator is quite good. There are no special bells and whistles, everything is extremely simple and no frills.

All simple applications can be launched without problems through this emulator. Available functions:

GPS simulation;
access to microphone and webcam;
full screen mode.

The downside of the application is the presence of intrusive advertising. This is the only emulator with this feature.

MEMU - gaming

Development is focused on mobile games. A special feature of the emulator is support for a gamepad and a keyboard layout tailored to game features (you can bind keys to on-screen buttons). It is worth noting that such capabilities are clearly lacking in the leading gaming application that simulates an Android device.

It handles heavy games well, but the graphics quality in full-screen mode leaves much to be desired. There is root access and a good catalog of optimized games.

This is not a complete list and whatbetter depends on the situation and purpose of its use. In any case, all the developments presented above are worthy of the user’s attention and will find application depending on the need for installation.

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 in their filling to each other 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
Price	Free / $2 per month	Free	Free	Free / $132-$412 per year	15$ / 10$ (one time)	Free	Free
Windows	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes
Mac	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	No	No	Yes
Linux	No	Yes	No	Yes	No	No	No
Applications and games	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes
Streaming	Yes	Yes	No	Yes	No	No	No
Changing screen sizes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	No	Yes	Yes
Customization and configuration	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes
File sharing	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes
Synchronization	Yes	Yes	No	Yes	Yes	Yes	No
Connecting external devices	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes
Virtual sensors	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes
Multitasking	Yes	No	Yes	Yes	No	Yes	Yes
Running applications as root	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes

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. The latest version (#3) was released in 2017 and differs from the 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 than previous versions, it still remains too bloated and overloaded when compared to 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 be a 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 at the moment that works 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.

Weak spots: 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 many different devices without owning 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 a Nexus One with Android 4.2 installed or a 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 user-friendly 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 supports not only Intel processors, but also AMD ones. 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 contains 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 the last 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 this doesn’t work, then you need to “smoke” specialized forums and search the Internet for 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 pricing plans.

Windroy Windroy is a classic. This is one of the oldest emulators in history. Due to this, 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 online. 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.

We will tell you how to choose an Android emulator for your computer. Bluestacks, droid4x, Genymotion, MEmu and Remix OS Player. Download the Android emulator on PC here!

Why install an Android emulator on your computer? Who needs emulation of a mobile OS on a desktop, who will benefit from this? We answer. First of all, mobile developers are interested in Android emulators. In addition, emulators are also used by gamers who from time to time need a keyboard or, at least, are interested in playing their favorite Android mobile games on the computer.

We must immediately make a reservation that the process of installing and mastering emulators is not so simple. This is due to the rather complex design of Android emulators. Therefore, it makes sense to install an emulator only if you have minimal technical skills.

Bluestacks is a great Android emulator on PC for gamers

Price: Free / $2 per month

Bluestacks is considered one of the most famous Android emulators on PC. True, until recently this emulator began to lose ground. Realizing this, the Bluestacks developers decided to significantly improve the functionality of the emulator, as a result of which the updated Bluestacks 4 was born. In general, this emulator began to work faster, more stable and went far ahead compared to its predecessor.

Let us note the main features of the Android emulator. Bluestacks supports multitasking, plus it has unique emulation features such as screen shaking and location detection (remember that these functions were previously not available in the earlier version of the emulator).

Be that as it may, the Bluestacks emulator will mainly be of interest to gamers, but now it will serve those who need high performance.

The updated version of the emulator, Bluestacks 4, is sold at the same price - a symbolic $2 for a subscription to the services. Of course, most of the functions of this Android emulator will be of little use to the majority of the audience, however, gamers will clearly like this emulator. We would advise them to install this Android emulator on their computer.

Genymotion is a universal Android emulator with excellent device support

Cost: free, with paid options

Genymotion is an Android emulator aimed at mobile developers who want to test their apps or games on various devices without physically having to interact with real devices. In general, you can configure the Genymotion emulator for various devices with most current versions of the Android OS, and this more than meets most requests not only from developers, but also from ordinary users.

Let's say, using Genymotion you can run Nexus One on Android 5 or Nexus 6 with Android 6.0 overboard. The ultimate choice is yours, and you can easily switch between “devices” on the fly at your discretion. In fact, working with applications is not so popular on emulators in itself, but Genymotion does offer its services for free for personal use, so it is a great option for a free Android emulator for PC.

System requirements for installing Genymotion:

Windows 7 and above (Linux and Mac OS also supported)
Video card supporting OpenGL 2.0
64-bit processor supporting VT-x or AMD-V technologies
2 GB RAM
100 MB hard disk space

MEmu is a fast Android emulator with a functional sidebar toolbar

Cost: free

MEMU is a pretty good Android emulator application for PC. It is fully compatible with Intel and AMD chipsets; this feature was implemented for Android Lollipop 5. This emulator comes with full root access, and there is also a mega-functional sidebar, hung with various useful features and tools to increase productivity.

The MEMU distribution is not as bloated as some others in its category. Thus, the MEMU emulator performs well in various tests. The package's home page shows a comparative graph of the performance of ANdroid emulators, according to which MEmu runs 2 times faster than Bluestacks.

The system requirements for installing MEMU are quite humane: there is support for Intel and AMD, OS - Windows 7 and higher.

This is a good alternative to many Android emulators for PC, especially if you intend to use emulation for both gaming and productivity. The MEMU community continues to actively grow, and you can get qualified help on thematic forums, check releases and find useful technical information on the official MEMU blog. Therefore, it can be argued that MEmu is, if not the best Android emulator, then at least a community-supported and developing project, and this is important.

Nox is a free Android emulator for PC with gesture support

Cost: free

Next on the list is Nox, an Android emulator for Windows. Similar to Bluestacks, Nox is designed to please gamers. The emulator includes utilities and add-ons that will help players control the gameplay using a keyboard and mouse. Nox's toolkit includes features such as the ability to assign a "swipe right" to an arrow button, simulating real-life gesture movements directly on a keyboard or joystick.

NOX - mobile phone emulator

The Nox emulator is available for free download from the link below.

Remix OS Player - android emulator with flexible settings

Cost: free

Remix OS Player from the developers of Jide is one of the relatively new Android emulators for PC. Positions itself as one of the most functional (the most advanced). It remains the only computer emulator running on Android Marshmallow instead of Android Android Lollipop or Kit Kat.

The second point is that the Remix emulator will be useful to developers, since it has absorbed the capabilities of the Android Studio development environment. This way, game developers can test their products on PC, measuring performance.

The installation process of Remix OS Player is quite simple and its use will also not cause difficulties for a beginner (installation and launch are done in one click). It is intended primarily for games, so you will have various options in the sidebar to customize the emulation to your taste and color. Since the emulator is undergoing some "break-in", they still work with some bugs. However, it is still one of the best than most Android emulators. It is important to note that it works for free indefinitely .

The only caveat is that Remix OS Player, unfortunately, does not support AMD processors, while other PC emulators do not.

Here are the system requirements to run Remix OS Player:

Windows 7 (64-bit) and later
Intel Core i3 processor (preferably Core i5 / Core i7
4GB RAM
8GB on disk (preferably 16GB)
Virtualization Technology option enabled in BIOS

The best Android OS emulator – Genymotion

To install, you need to go to Genymotion.com and download the Android emulator to your computer. The ability to download the distribution will only appear after registering on the Genymotion application website. On the download page you can select the emulator version Genymotion for your operating system, then create an account on the site and activate using the link.

To download the Genymotion emulator for free, you need to register

A virtual machine is installed on a personal computer - this is Genymotion, that is, an Android emulator on a PC. After installing the Genymotion emulator for Android, you will need to restart your computer and install the VirtualBox virtual machine. When you launch it for the first time, a window will appear with a list of devices for which you can create emulation. The user also has the opportunity to choose the Android version to work with the emulator; Android versions are available from 2.3.7 to 4.4.2. Sorting occurs both by smartphone models and operating systems. This Android emulator on a PC allows you to run applications and games for testing and full operation.

Genymotion emulator start screen

Advantages of the emulator Genymotion :

The Genymotion Android emulator has the advantage of being able to choose which device you want to display on your computer.
Easy navigation; the control panel hides, freeing up space for work.

Minusesandroid emulator Genymotion :

This emulator does not support Google Play services, that is, it cannot be downloaded from the Google store, paid or free. At the same time, there is a large list of applications on the Black Market that you can download and test.
Fast operation of the emulator for Android requires free RAM on your mobile device, smartphone or tablet.

The Android emulator for PC, Genymotion, allows you to test applications that have already been downloaded to your computer; their extension must be “APK”. When launched, the application will create a folder for work on the virtual device, which does not need to be deleted while it is running. After launching the application, the screen is placed in a horizontal tablet orientation. Thanks to the choice of versions of mobile operating systems, Genymotion is the best Android emulator on the market.

Android emulator

Download emulator Android You can visit the developer's website andyroid.net. On a personal computer, it becomes possible to use a full-fledged Android, connect a webcam, microphone directly used on your smartphone or tablet.

Start screen of the Android emulator

When you start working with the Andyroid emulator, user parameters are set, and if the Andyroid settings indicate an old version of the system, Android can be updated to the most current version of the OS.

Disadvantages of the emulator Android:

The program version is initially available only in English; Russian must be selected every time you start the Android emulator.
There is no choice of operating systems; you can only change from outdated to the latest when updating, and only the emulator versions are updated.

Advantages of the application Android :

In emulation mode, any applications and apk packages are launched.
This emulator for Android works faster than its analogues, games launch reliably the first time in most cases.

Working with this Android emulator on a PC is easy, as is starting to work in emulation mode. When you first start, you will need to enter your Google account login and password and make the usual settings, similar to the settings of your existing Android phone.

droid4x - emulator with many interesting additions

Cost: free

The next emulator is called droid4x and it is an interesting choice for those who need an Android emulator on PC. It works in the same way as Andy or AMIDuOS, and it should be noted that performance is roughly comparable on both emulators.

It must be said that in one or two years there have been improvements in the functionality of the droid4x application. What makes the emulator interesting are the add-ons. One of them is an application installed on a smartphone. Through it you can control games on your computer. For example, you'll be able to use the accelerometer to turn your car into Asphalt 8. It's definitely better than Andy or AMIDuOS for gaming, although we think both could be a little better in terms of stability and speed.

Andy

The program runs on all current versions of Windows, but for it to work you will need at least 8 gigabytes of free space on your hard drive, since Android is fully installed on your PC. The distinctive features and capabilities of the application include the following:

the ability to install any convenient version of Android;

full control - you get the system in its pure form, without any additional programs or interface settings;

also, due to the “purity” of the system, such an Android will be able to literally do everything that the original OS can do;

Since Android x86 is already adapted for computers, you don’t have to worry that it will be inconvenient for you to operate the interface without a touchscreen.

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 version of Android is installed on the PC. 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.
You have access to the computer command line.
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 sign up for a paid subscription, which costs about two dollars a month - it instantly eliminates this drawback.

In theory 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 launch 3D games, work in full screen mode, install an unlimited number of 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 and a half.

Advantages:

Ability to run heavy games.
There are pre-installed applications.
Stable work.
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.
The best option for gaming.
Ability to run two identical games simultaneously.
The interface and setup are straightforward.

Flaws:

Old version of Android.

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 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 mobile games such as 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 Play services.
Distributed free of charge.
Great for running games.
Clear interface.
Customizable controls.

Flaws:

Not suitable for testing Android applications.
Limited settings.

Summarizing

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.

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