Best Free Android Emulators For PC

Android Emulators

An Android Emulator is a virtual device that mimics various Android operating systems. It is mostly used for:

Running Android applications on other platforms (Windows, Mac, Linux)
Testing of Android apps
Gaming

With an Android emulator, you can enjoy the experience of an Android device without having to own one. Are you a fan of android gaming or perhaps want to enjoy using your favorite Android applications on a Windows PC or Mac?

Furthermore. Wouldn’t it be great to interact with your android games on a larger screen? If you have been wondering which Android Emulator is best for you, then this is the exact place you need to be. We will be highlighting some of the best Android emulators and their availability on Windows and Mac. We will also be looking at their similar features and possibly identify some of the drawbacks.

Here is a list of the five best Android emulators that we would recommend for you:

NOX

If you are looking for seamless performance despite your system’s specs, then the Nox app player is for you. This Android Emulator rarely freezes when running. The Android emulator has a simple interface therefore easy to use. Nox app player supports up to Android 5.1 lollipop. With all the cool features and seamless performance, one would mistake Nox as a paid program. But the thing is, the Nox app player is completely free. The emulator can be installed in both Windows and Mac systems. You can download the Nox app player for windows from here. If you are on a Mac platform, download the installer from here.

Some major features include:

Supports android 5.1 and below
Screenshot tool, video recording
Stable and reliable
Mouse, keyboard and gamepad mapping
Support for multiple device controls
Change theme
Multi-instance
366MB for Mac (Offline installer)
323MB for Windows (Offline installer)

If you are confused about which emulator to choose, this should be the number one Android Emulator to try.

MEMUPLAY

Coming in at number two on our list is Memuplay. Memuplay has not disappointed since its introduction. This Android Emulator supports multiple instances, which means you can run various apps and work on different tasks simultaneously. All the standard options are on the right of the emulator. Memuplay is free to use and has been improving over the years. The Android Emulator supports software installation of up to Android 7.1 nougat. Memuplay is only available for Windows users. To install Memuplay for the Windows platform, head over here and download the online or offline installer.

Some major features include:

Support multiple instances (Multi-memu feature)
Supports up to Android 7.1 nougat
Mouse, keyboard and gamepad mapping
Change graphics options (DirectX and OpenGL)
Ability to switch between Android versions
Screenshot tool and video recording
290MB (Offline installer)

The advantage of Memuplay that you will love is that there are no bugging ads. Also, apps will run smoothly even on performance-limited systems. Check our Amazon Prime Video review.

LDPLAYER

LDPlayer delivers solid performance for anyone looking for a reliable Android emulator. LDPlayer’s primary focus is gaming, as it allows you to record and upload your gameplay. LDPlayer is available for both Windows and Mac platforms, and the best thing is that it is entirely free. Since the LDPlayer kernel is on an x86 architecture, this Android emulator has outstanding performance and stability. In LDPlayer, all the standard options are on the left. LDPlayer comes with Google Play pre-installed, where you can download, install and run an app. To install the LDPlayer Android emulator is pretty straightforward. If you are on a Windows operating system, you can download the installer from here. For Mac users, you can download the driver from here.

Some major features of LDPlayer include:

File import
Based on Android KitKat
Access to Google play store
Tab interface (Apps open in a new tab)
Mouse, keyboard and gamepad mapping
Video and audio recording
Simple interface
Improved display on larger screens
Can take screenshots
Ability to select performance mode
620MB for Windows (Offline installer)
7MB for Mac (Online driver)

LDPlayer is a great emulator, although one will have to deal with the occasional ads. Also, the apps icons on the home screen cannot be moved.

You can Download LDPlayer for Windows 10 for free.

BLUESTACKS

Bluestacks is one of the most popularly know Android Emulators in use today. This Android emulator delivers high performance; hence its main focus is to target gamers. Bluestacks was recently updated to Android 7 nougat. Bluestacks has two app stores to download, install and run apps (Google play store and App center). If you are using a powerful PC, bluestacks will, in turn, deliver high performance and smooth running of your apps and games. Bluestacks Android emulator is available for both Windows and Mac users. Suppose you want to install bluestacks on a Windows platform, head over here and download the installer. If you are on a Mac operating system, you can download the driver from here. You can download Bluestacks for Windows 10 PC anytime.

Some key features include:

Adjust display
Bluestacks multi-instance
Change graphics (DirectX and OpenGL)
Supports android1 nougat
Tab interface (Apps open in a new tab)
Reward system (Pika world)
Simple user interface
Screenshots, video recording
Help center
Mouse, Keyboard and gamepad mapping
460MB for Windows (Offline installer)
250MB for Mac (Offline installer)

The drawback with bluestacks is that it has lagging performance when using a slow or old PC. But you can always change your performance preference on the Settings/Engine section. If you are using a low-end PC, use low settings. Also, there are constant ads that you can remove by submitting a fee.

DROID4X

Trailing in at number five in our list is Droid4x. This android emulator has a straightforward interface. Droid4x delivers relatively superior performance. Since it is not in active development, it has its fair share of bugs. Droid4x is ideal for pure casual gaming and simple applications. The Android emulator is available for both Mac and Windows platforms. It is free—download Droid4x for Windows from here. If you are on Mac, download the installer from here.

Some features include:

Quick gamepad configuration
Adaptable to touchscreens
Multiple instances
Record emulator screen
Create and customize controls
7MB for Windows (Online installer)
0MB for Mac (Online driver)

If a particular Android Emulator does not work for you, always try out a different one that matches your system performance.

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