Android game emulator for windows. How to run Android applications on PC? ARChon is an emulator-add-on for Google Chrome. Free

An Android emulator on a PC is a program that is designed to create an Android device on your personal computer with any other operating system. The principle of its operation is to read the structural features of devices and translate game codes for smartphones into codes for computers. The code list includes both audio and graphic formats. The emulation process itself extends to memory, processor, and input and output devices. Please note that the same type of processor does not play any role in the operation of the emulator.

Top 10: Android Emulators on PC

Bluestacks

Bluestacks emulator

So, the first emulator in our rating will be the Bluestacks Android emulator. This program is absolutely free, and has high performance indicators. An emulator is a program that allows you to synchronize your smartphone with your computer, as a result of which you can play mobile games on your PC. In addition, you will be able to make calls and send messages from certain applications that have this function. That is, the computer reads data from your phone and will also use your mobile number.

The Bluestacks emulator has basic system requirements and works on all versions of Windows and MacOSX. In the program settings you can configure the language, including Russian. You can also download games and applications and run them in full screen mode. The latter is ideal for those who have always wanted to play Android games and applications on their personal computer with a different operating system. In general, if you decide to download an emulator and don’t know which one to choose, then Bluestacks is the best option for you, it’s free and quite easy to use.

Droid4X

Droid4X Emulator

This emulator will display for you a full-fledged Android device that will allow you to run games and applications on your personal computer. This idea is ideal for people who are running out of memory on their smartphones, or simply do not support the new desired game. Here you can download as many applications as you want, and you will be sure that the emulator can easily count them. If you have a PC or laptop with a touch screen, this will make your task much easier. Otherwise, in the settings of each game you have to select control buttons.

The Android emulator Droid4X is created based on Android version 4.2.2, thanks to which you will be able to download any games and applications to your PC, even the newest ones and those with high specifications. With this emulator you will get an Android device with 16GB of internal memory and 32GB of external memory (SD). This app is also great for app developers. There is an application testing system and an excellent base for ordinary users. The technical characteristics that the application will require for full operation and high performance are not high, which any standard computer can satisfy.

Andy

Emulator Andy

One of the newest emulators that is capable of emulating on your personal computer a full-fledged device with the Android operating system, version 4.2 Jelly Bean. Since the Andy emulator was released quite recently, it is designed for use on Windows 7 or Windows 8, this is its disadvantage. But the developers promise to soon launch a version on Mac OS. Among other things, the creators of the application are actively releasing regular updates and working to constantly improve their service.

For those who plan to use the emulator both on a computer and on a smartphone, the application has a useful function with which you can control all processes from your mobile device. Often, this function is needed in games and applications that require the use of a touch screen or accelerometer. You can download the emulator application to your smartphone for free. The characteristics of the Andy emulator allow you to install it on any standard computer and synchronize it with another device.

Genymotion


Genymotion emulator

An emulator that is considered one of the highest quality and fastest in its field. This application has been increasingly aimed at testing applications, and it is perfect for game and application developers. By and large, the Genymotion emulator is a continuation of the project - AndroidVM. Despite the fact that the main focus of the emulator is testing, it is also perfect for playing Android mobile applications on a personal computer with a different operating system. Genymotion download emulator will be installed without any problems on operating systems such as Windows, Linux and Mac OS. To prevent errors, the developers suggest installing VirtualBox before downloading the emulator itself.

Unlike other emulators, you can download Genymotion in both paid and free versions. Of course, the first will have more extensive functionality than the second. One of the attractive features of the paid version was Multi-touch, but it is increasingly aimed at use by large companies that are engaged in serious development. The free version has all the necessary features to fully use the emulator on your PC for basic needs. Please note that if you first create an Android image, the download will be much faster.

LeapDroid

Leapdroid emulator on PC

Android emulator, which has become one of the latest developments in its field. A new product, which, however, like other emulators, works on the basis of VirtualBox. That is, without installing the last mentioned program on your PC, you will not be able to use the emulator normally. After all the manipulations done, you will receive a full-fledged Android version 4.4.4. on your PC. One of the main features of the application is high performance, which has a good effect on the speed of work and downloads. Also, the LeapDroid emulator actively supports OpenGL and adb, you can use it at any time.

This emulator has a function for synchronizing folders with your computer. Run multiple instances simultaneously without worrying about losing speed. Copy and paste text using familiar combinations. Work with a microphone to record videos of your screen. Also, the LeapDroid emulator has a high level of compatibility, which allows you to download almost any Android games and applications. The minimum requirements that the program requests are available on every ordinary computer, so you can rest assured of the quality of its work.

Nox APP Player

A completely new product from Chinese programmers that deserves high marks. Today the program works with Android version 4.4.2, which allows you to download and use all new games and applications from Google Play. The Nox APP Player emulator can easily be called one of the most stable and high-performance of all that exists today. It is so powerful that it can support any processor, even AMD. Another undeniable advantage of this application is that it is completely free and available for download for all users.

Having visited the official website of the developer, we found a comparison table, which shows that the Nox APP Player emulator wins in many respects in relation to other emulators. Its only drawback is the lack of a version for Mac OS, but it is only a matter of time; the developers will soon correct this error. In terms of external design, you can find similarities with the Genymotion emulator, as evidenced by the right side panel with a number of tools, and the control keyboard setup is similar to the keyboard in the Droid4X emulator, but in addition to this, here you will also find gyroscope settings. All in all. The developers have collected all the best from other emulators, improved it a little, added new features and released Nox APP Player.

AMIDuOS


One of the few emulators developed by the American company American Megatrends. The hypervisor function is what distinguishes AMIDuOS from other emulators. With this emulator you will install an Android device on your computer that will work seamlessly with Windows OS. Unfortunately, for now the program is available for download only on Windows 7/8/8.1. Thanks to the full screen mode, you can run downloaded games and applications in full screen. This emulator reads all the codes so well that you will not see any differences in the gameplay between a PC and a smartphone.

The Android emulator AMIDuOS defines shared folders for various files (documents, videos, audio, etc.). In addition to the fact that the program copes well with its direct responsibilities, it will help you perform other additional settings. These include obtaining and setting up root rights (administrator rights), setting the screen resolution, dividing the RAM allocated for work, and installing Google applications on the computer.

YouWave


A simple emulator of Android 4.0 ICS version. The product is quite effective and works as standard in its field. What makes YouWave different is that it copies your Android device as accurately as possible, from the interface to the touch keyboard. In addition to its main task, it also performs other functions, for example, it emulates SD cards on which it saves games and applications or multiplayer modules. The menu is displayed here in a fairly classic way, in the form of standard icons.

But this emulator also has a feature that distinguishes it from other emulators: it supports active rotation of the device. This feature makes the gaming experience more convenient. You can download games and applications both from Google Play and from archived files. The latter option is more practical, easy to use and convenient to run. If you nevertheless chose the first download option, the application will ask for a personal Google ID. And only after that you will be able to use the YouWave emulator for its intended purpose.

Windroy


Not a bad achievement by Chinese developers. An emulator that performs all the basic tasks and is perfect for those who do not require a wide range of functions. This program will qualitatively and accurately simulate the Android OS, version 4.4.2. Technical characteristics will allow you to use your PC like a real smartphone. With it you can play all kinds of Google products. If you want to bypass the Play Market, you can always install programs from archived files, it will be both faster and of better quality.

The application has fairly high performance and speed, and also supports all versions of Windows without conflicts. If you are the owner of a touch screen computer, laptop or tablet, then this program is a real find for you. It will transfer all the codes so efficiently that you won’t even notice the difference.

MEmu App Player

Quite recently a new and very nice Android emulator MEmu has appeared. And its first advantage was free installation for all users. This product was created by Chinese developers who promise high performance and speed when downloading Android games and applications on PC. OS version 4.2.2 is used, and in the program you automatically gain administrator rights (root). In this emulator you will be provided with a stylish desktop and a number of settings that you can play with for several hours.

To make you feel more comfortable during the gameplay, the developers have provided keyboard and joystick mapping. Perform quick installation of archive files using APK drag and drop. Here you can create, delete or copy any Android system in a matter of seconds or run several at once. MEmu App Player is an excellent choice, by making which you will find a high-quality emulator that does its job perfectly.

We launched all ten emulators and this is what happened

Reading time: 6 minutes. Views 14 Published 12/14/2017

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 spacious, 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 in it, 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 gamepad support 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.

Of course, many have thought about opening applications (Windows OS). After all, everyone has favorites games and programs on your handheld device, which can be played on a larger display.

Description

An emulator will help you with this BlueStacks, which is made specifically for Windows. This program is available on the Internet only in alpha version, so it is difficult to say that it is full-fledged. Most likely, we can say that this is a utility that, inside the operating system of your PC, creates a certain atmosphere that allows open apk files that are intended for Android.

Installing games on Android

Although the program does not have the capabilities of such powerful modifications as the Android SDK, where it is very difficult for a beginner to understand this matter, but BlueStacks has a very easy interface and easy to use. That is, in order to simply open applications, this utility will be enough for you.

This emulator Android for Windows, you can absolutely free download on our website without making any costs or additional registrations. To date, the application has been developed only for Windows 7 for all types of existing versions. In the near future, it is also planned to develop for XP, Vista and, of course, OS X. Install BlueStacks Every person can do it, and there are also a lot of instructional videos on the Internet, which is very acceptable for inexperienced users.

UPDATE 12/14/2015 We have a popular application on our website.

It's no secret that all programs have their drawbacks. This utility also has them, but to be honest, they are not very significant. The most basic problem is that there is no way to install random applications. It is worth mentioning that on low-power computers that provide poor performance, work will be somewhat difficult.

Despite the fact that now there is only a test version, the utility works well. At the same time, it has high stability, the program freezes very rarely, and there are no malfunctions. That is, as you understand, BlueStacks should be ideal for you and your PC.

Greetings, dear tablet computer lovers. In today's article I have made a selection of the best, in my opinion, emulators of the Android operating system for Windows OS. Also, based on all the material received, I will try to highlight the best Android emulator.


The Android application store contains several hundred thousand different software products, both paid and free. Such an abundance of applications makes this operating system, along with iOS, one of the most popular and in-demand mobile operating systems in the world.

It is absolutely logical that with such, I’m not afraid to say, enormous popularity, various emulators appear on PCs, allowing you to open applications developed for Android on a regular platform. Below you can find a list of the most prominent and high-quality representatives of emulators for Android.

Genymotion

This emulator is perfect for testing your applications created for the Android operating system, all this is available thanks to the built-in OpenGL hardware acceleration. In the past, this project (emulator) was called Android VM, gradually it grew into a full-fledged one, and in my opinion, one of the highest quality products of its kind available.

Genymotoin software tool is a multi-platform emulator, which means that it is available for most operating systems such as: Windows, MacOS, Linux.

Of the large number of advantages and capabilities of this software tool, I would like to note the following:

  • Quite an impressive base of supported devices for emulation. At the same time, the database is constantly updated, which, of course, is good news;
  • Allows you to emulate a connection via a Wi-Fi network;
  • Emulation of rear and front video cameras on the device;
  • Ability to create screen casts.

This, of course, is not a complete list of all the advantages of this tool. I deliberately did not touch upon some possibilities because... they are unlikely to be understandable to the average PC user.

Despite all the capabilities and advantages of this emulator, of course there are also disadvantages, where would we be without them?.

  • Applications created using Adobe Air Mobile are not supported by this emulator.

If you don’t know which tool to choose, I recommend starting your search with this emulator.

Windroy

Emulator website - socketeq.com


The emulator is the creation of Chinese developers. Of course, this program does not reach the level of the previous one, but it can still be used as an alternative tool. No special capabilities or advantages were noticed.

I would like to note the speed of this emulator; it is indeed somewhat higher than the speed of other tools. But, coupled with the number of “brakes” and “glitches”, this seemingly tangible plus fades. Perhaps by the time you read this article, the developers have eliminated the most obvious shortcomings and bugs. Suitable for Windows XP, 7, 8.

BlueStacks


Not quite an emulator, in the usual sense of the word. This product is rather an environment for running Android games on a personal computer running the Windows operating system. If you're looking for an emulator just to run games, you won't find a better tool than this one.

Among the advantages that this emulator has, I would like to note the fairly good speed of the application.

YouWave for Android


A small, simple program for emulating the Android operating system. If you compare it with other representatives of XP, 7,8) from this list, then YouWave is one of the most used tools. Still, simplicity and an intuitive interface are the two most important qualities of a good emulator.

It would seem, why emulate the Android mobile operating system on a computer if you are not a developer? There are plenty of reasons for this, and one of them is the huge ecosystem of applications and games that are created specifically for Android, but are not present on Windows, Linux or OS X. What to do if you want to continue playing Clash of Clans on your computer or upload a high-quality photo to Instagram from PC? Of course, you should resort to the help of emulators. The best of them are presented in this article.

Bluestacks - all in one

is one of the most popular and fast-growing Android emulators for Windows and OS X. With update 2.0, the emulator literally changed - a fresh, but sometimes overloaded interface appeared, the developers began to position Bluestacks more as an opportunity to play Android games and for this they added several useful functions.

Most programs and games are compatible with Bluestacks - as the developers themselves say, and in general the software library for the emulator is quite extensive. It is worth noting that all games and applications in the Bluestacks internal catalog are specially optimized, that is, they will definitely work on the computer. If you install a third-party APK file, then its correct operation, of course, is not guaranteed. Some programs are completely built into the emulator and work almost out of the box, for example Instagram. All the functions characteristic of an emulator are present: changing the screen orientation, simulating shaking, creating screenshots, GPS emulation, convenient work with files - dragging and dropping from Windows Explorer or Finder OS X into the program, copying / pasting, as well as sound control.

You can easily switch between open applications and games using tabs, just like in a browser. Among other things, games now support gamepads. If Bluestacks has any shortcomings, then they probably include only low performance and sometimes an overly cumbersome interface. You can download Bluestacks for Windows and OS X on Trashbox or on the official website of the emulator.

Nox App Player - convenient and functional


is a more minimalistic, convenient and functional solution. Compared to the same Bluestacks, Nox does not have any cumbersome menus with recommendations, various synchronizations with your own account, and other functionality that will be superfluous for most users. When you launch Nox App Player, the user will see the familiar Android desktop with a sidebar where there are quick function buttons, as well as the familiar “Home”, “Back” and “Recents”. The developers decided to remove the bottom bar with control buttons to save space.


One distinctive feature is immediately noticeable - when running applications that only work in portrait orientation, the emulator screen and window are adjusted. That is, there will be no situations like in Bluestacks, where portrait programs take up ¼ of the screen and the rest is empty space. By the way, in the settings you can adjust the window size and orientation, as well as performance, allocating processor cores and memory.


Geeks in Nox App Player will be pleased with the function of receiving by switching one toggle switch in the settings. You can also set custom keyboard shortcuts here. Even without rooting, Nox App Player can record screen videos. This might not even be mentioned if the emulator used a fresh version of Android (video recording is available from 5.0), but, unfortunately, the Nox developers are stuck with 4.4.2 KitKat for now.


Nox App Player is not the best for games - many display graphics incorrectly. The emulator is more tailored for applications and working with them. For example, to create videos and beautiful screenshots without upper and lower bars. The emulator is also integrated with the Windows 10 notification system. You can download the Nox App Player emulator for Windows on Trashbox and the project’s official website.

Genymotion - for developers


Genymotion is an emulator designed specifically for Android game and application developers, but it can also be used by ordinary people. Unlike the two previous emulators, Genymotion is present on all three popular desktop platforms - Windows, OS X and Linux.


Since Genymotion is an alternative to the emulator built into the Android SDK, templates for a wide variety of Android devices are available in it - from smartphones and tablets of the Nexus line to some little-known budget devices. The emulator of each device has a set of relevant characteristics: screen size and resolution, processor and video chip, battery, GPS and support for cellular networks, as well as some others. When you launch an application or game in the emulator, you can call up a special panel to control all these device parameters. For example, you can find out how the program behaves when GPS or the Internet is turned off. Also, device parameters can be freely edited.


For ordinary users who would like to play and use mobile applications on a computer, Genymotion is not very suitable, but for geeks it is quite suitable. You can download the Genymotion emulator for Windows, Linux and OS X on the official website of the project.

MEMU - for games


is another emulator focused mainly on mobile games. There is a special keyboard layout for them and even gamepad emulation. For example, you can bind keyboard keys to on-screen buttons. Such features are often missing from Bluestacks, which is also positioned as a mobile gaming platform for PC. Otherwise, MEmu is a standard emulator with a good set of features.


At the time of writing this article, MEmu does not use the latest version of Android - 4.4.2 KitKat, but Lollipop or even Marshmallow are not particularly needed in emulators, because most software is optimized specifically for KitKat. Among the interesting additional features of MEmu are: sending applications from a computer to a smartphone or tablet for quick installation, convenient change of screen orientation, as well as a full-screen mode for games. The picture quality in the latter often leaves much to be desired, but still. Surprisingly, most of the “heavy” games in MEmu are emulated well - there are no problems with graphics.


MEmu also has built-in root access, and also has its own catalog of games from the creators. It is better not to use it, since everything in it is in Chinese, and the “purity” of the distributed content is very questionable - it is better to download games from Google Play or Trashbox. Overall, MEmu is a neat and convenient emulator without unnecessary and intrusive features. You can download the MEmu emulator for Windows on the project’s official website and on Trashbox.

Andy - standard set


Andy is a good emulator, no different from MEmu. In “Andy” you will also find not the latest version of Android - 4.4.2 with a standard interface without any bells and whistles, which is more of an advantage than a disadvantage. Andy is not the best for games - many titles are simply not compatible with this emulator on Google Play. Of course, you can always install via APK, but then there will still be problems with graphics. And sometimes Andy simply crashes when launching a game with powerful 3D graphics.


The emulator works stably with most simple applications. There are standard functions: changing screen orientation, GPS emulation, using a microphone and webcam connected to a computer, full-screen mode. Otherwise, Andy doesn’t stand out in any way, except for the function of manually setting the keyboard layout for use in games (in racing, by default, you can conveniently control the car using the arrow buttons). There is also gamepad support.


In addition, Andy is one of the few emulators that has advertising. In application folders, you are always offered to download some game. It's not very intrusive, but it may turn off many users. In any case, advertising icons are marked with the “Ad” sign. You can download the Andy emulator for Windows and OS X on the official website
What emulator are you using? And do you use them at all?