With an Android emulator (also known as simulator), you get the chance to run apps and games that are intended for the mobile platform, on a computer running Windows. This can be very useful for developers, but can also be convenient for users who want to enjoy the Android games and apps that they love, in a larger screen or when they don’t have their mobile device handy. In order to get the most out of the Android experience on your computer, it is important to choose a good emulator that doesn’t affect the performance of your system. In this list, you will find Android emulators that work with Windows 7, 8, 8.1 and 10 and that offer great features to support mobile games and apps on your computer.
Bluestacks
Bluestacks is highly popular and it is one of the most effective solutions when it comes to running Android apps on your computer. It is easy to install and it doesn’t require VirtualBox. Bluestacks allow you to install third-party apks or Android apps without complications, thanks to the search manager included. You can also get push notifications of the Android apps directly into Windows, which allows you to stay up to date with the apps. The configuration process is simple since Bluestacks connects automatically and allows you to access Android apps easily and to enjoy consistently good performance.
Genymotion
One of the most interesting things about Genymotion is that it allows you to choose the type of Android device that you want, as well as the version of the operating system that you prefer. It also gives you the possibility of setting the amount of system resources that you want to assign to your virtual Android device. This is perfect for users who have limited hardware resources and need to manage them effectively. Genymotion supports a variety of features such as accelerometer, Gyroscope, Light and OpenGL hardware acceleration, which gives you the possibility of using your Android device in full screen. If you want to get the experience of running a specific Android version and device on your Windows computer, Genymotion is the right choice. To start using Genymotion, go to the website and set up an account.
Nox App Player
Nox is a reliable emulator that provides excellent performance and support for multiple platforms, including Windows. It is perfect for playing Android games on your computer since it delivers fantastic speeds. The selection of features is extensive and will allow you to enjoy flexibility when running Android apps on your computer. You can define the CPU processor and RAM size to keep an eye on the amount of resources used when running an app. You can disable or enable root with a single click and Nox also offers keyboard mapping to support touch input. This means that you can select the areas where touch should be simulated when you press a keyboard key, which is very convenient for gamers. It also comes with GPS controller setting that allows you to play games like Pokemon Go.
KOPlayer
KOPLayer focuses on offering the best possible performance for avid players so that they can enjoy all the action of their favorite Android games on their Windows computers. With KOPlayer, you will be able to run not only games, but also many popular apps on Windows environments. This emulator is built on x86 architecture and it provides incredibly fast performance, as well as reliability and high compatibility. KOPLayer also offers advanced features such as OpenGL & hardware acceleration, keyboard to touch mapping. It integrates Google Play store and supports multiple accounts, as well as video recording. The only thing to keep in mind is that since it is an option focused on gaming, a high amount of RAM is required to run this emulator.
Andy
Andy is another good solution to run Android apps on your Windows computer, but it is important to keep in mind that you should have Virtual Box installed in order to use it. The good thing is that you won’t need a dedicated Graphics card and the emulator offers great performance even on Intel HD graphics. It has built-in support for Google Play and you will be able to use your phone as a remote control while playing games, which is a feature that you won’t find with many emulators. Andy also supports a multi-touch feature, Open GL & hardware acceleration, as well as microphone and camera features. You can install apps directly into the emulator.
Droid4X
Droid4X is a powerful emulator that is perfect for gaming. The emulator comes pre-rooted and it has built-in support for Google Play. Its fast performance helps you to avoid lag and you can use your keyboard as a controller, which is also very practical for gaming. Droid4X also stands out for offering high compatibility and it allows you to enjoy Android games and apps on Windows with amazing quality. With Droid4X, you can also select the virtual individualized Android handset with the configuration that you prefer.
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