The best Android emulators for PC and Mac of 2024

By
Aanchal Rao
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Running Android apps on a computer is now very simple. As Android apps become more popular, it is no wonder that lots of people want to find the best Android emulators for gaming, work, or making apps. We have put together a list of the top Android emulators for PCs and Macs that you can use right now.

This list used to be longer. However, many leading Android emulators have shut down and there are not many new ones. Microsoft’s built-in support for Android apps was great while it was available, but it will stop in 2025. This means you will have to look for a different solution soon.

The best Android emulators for PC and Mac

  • Windows 11
  • PrimeOS
  • NoxPlayer
  • MuMu Player
  • MeMU Play
  • LDPlayer 9
  • GameLoop
  • Bliss OS
  • Android Studio
  • BlueStacks

BlueStacks

BlueStacks by now.gg is a popular Android app player for computers. It works on both Windows and Mac. This emulator has many features to make gaming better. Some of its top features include the Keymapping Tool (for custom controls), the Instance Manager (to run multiple games at once), and Eco Mode (which saves resources when playing demanding games). BlueStacks is also very safe, with GDPR compliance to protect your data.

The latest version, BlueStacks 5, is the lightest and fastest yet. It is great for gaming even on less powerful devices. Some people did not like the older version because it felt too bloated, especially on slower computers.

Recently, BlueStacks has become a cloud gaming platform. You can try mobile games on your PC instantly without installing them. If you love a game, you can keep playing in the cloud or choose to install it. Give it a try and see why over 500 million gamers use BlueStacks.

Android Studio

Android Studio is a top choice for app developers who need an Android emulator. It is actually an IDE, which means it is a complete environment for coding and testing apps. It includes an emulator through a feature called Android Virtual Device. This lets you simulate almost any kind of device to check how your app works on it. Also, it is compatible with Windows, MacOS, Linux, and ChromeOS.

Anyone can use Android Studio as an emulator. Once set up, it works quite well for playing games and running apps. However, it lacks some advanced features like macros and running multiple instances, which are available in emulators designed for gaming.

The initial setup might be tricky, and it could take a couple of weeks to get used to all the features. But once you are past that, it is a reliable tool. Many app developers prefer it for creating the apps we use daily. It is also capable of running the newest Android versions and includes the Play Store, though you need to set up an AVD with the Play Store icon to access it.

While Android Studio leads in this area, there are other options like Xamarin and Genymotion. These are also IDEs with emulators for testing apps. Xamarin is versatile, working with both Android and iOS, and Genymotion is known for its ability to handle multiple tests at once. Android Studio stands out as the best, but depending on your needs, you might consider other tools for app development.

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Bliss OS

Bliss OS has improved a lot and is now one of the top Android emulators. You can use it in three ways. First, you can start it from a USB drive.

Second, you can install it on your computer and start your computer with Bliss OS.

Third, you can set it up using a virtual machine, and there are more ways to install it listed on their website. The USB drive or installing it on your computer are the best methods for most people.

Right now, there are two versions of Bliss OS: one with Android 11 and another with Android 12L. These are newer than what most emulators offer. This means you should be able to use almost all the latest games and apps.

If you manage to install it, Bliss OS is quite flexible. It might have some glitches sometimes, but generally, it works well. It does not have some gaming features that other emulators like Bluestacks or Nox have, so there might be better choices for gamers.

Bliss OS includes Google apps and is free and open-source, which is great. However, installing it on a Mac is harder than on Windows.

GameLoop

GameLoop is a good choice for playing Android games on a PC. It was previously known as Tencent Gaming Buddy, named after Tencent, the company that made famous games like PUBG: Mobile. Setting it up is easy and quick. After installing, you can enjoy many games and apps.

We tried out TikTok, PUBG: Mobile, Call of Duty: Mobile, among others, and they all worked well. GameLoop does not have Google Play by default, but it can get the necessary parts if you want to get an app from there.

We did face some minor issues during our tests. Some downloads needed more than one try, and we encountered a few errors. However, GameLoop does not require VT (Virtualization Technology) like many others do, and it offers some special features for games it officially supports, like Call of Duty: Mobile and PUBG: Mobile.

GameLoop does not specify which Android version it uses, but it seems to be a bit outdated. This is not a problem for playing games, but it could be for other purposes.

One major downside is that GameLoop is not compatible with MacOS, and as of now, it only works on Windows computers.

LDPlayer 9

LDPlayer is mainly for playing games on your computer, but you can use other apps too. Installing it is as easy as GameLoop. Just download, install, open, and you are ready to go. It is user-friendly and runs well on computers with AMD processors and wide monitors. It is mostly bug-free, but not always perfect.

LDPlayer stands out because of its cool features. There is a toolbar that lets you quickly take screenshots, record videos, customize your keyboard controls, and more. It is also great for serious gamers because you can run several games at once. We tested some games, and most worked well, though a few needed a second try to start.

LDPlayer is free and runs smoothly. It has useful extra features, making it a solid option. LDPlayer 9 uses Android 9, which is recent enough for most things. It gets updates often, unlike many emulators, but it does not work on Mac computers yet.

MeMU Play

MeMU Play is a well-known Android emulator that has been around for a long time. It is still popular because it keeps getting updates. The newest version uses Android 9, but you can also start with Android 7.1 or Android 5 right away. Installing MeMU Play is fast and easy.

MeMU Play has some cool features. You can run more than one app at the same time. It has a keymap feature that lets you use your computer’s mouse and keyboard to play mobile games. A great feature is that you can move files between MeMU Play and your Windows computer using a shared folder.

For performance, MeMU Play runs games well. We could also install and use other apps without problems. MeMU Play is similar to LDPlayer, so you might like either one, depending on what you need. But remember, MeMU Play does not work on Mac computers.

MuMu Player

MuMu Player is a game emulator made by NetEase, who created games like Onmyoji and Vikingard. The newest test version uses Android 9, and the older stable version uses Android 6. MuMu Nebula is a simpler version for less powerful PCs. Setting it up is straightforward: just download and install, which takes about 5 to 10 minutes on a Windows computer (it does not work on Mac).

MuMu Player has a toolbar at the bottom, similar to LDPlayer and MeMU Play. You can add apps, take pictures, record videos, and set up your keyboard. It also supports game controllers well. Apart from that, it is like any emulator: sign in to Google Play, get your games, and enjoy.

Our experience with MuMu Player was smooth. Its design and how it works are much like MeMU and LDPlayer, so it is easy to switch to. It played all our test games well and matches other emulators in features.

PrimeOS

PrimeOS is similar to Bliss OS. You install it as a partition on your hard drive and then boot into it. The installation process is a bit more complex, but PrimeOS provides an installer EXE that helps create the partition and install it, making it manageable. Once it is installed, you can choose to boot into PrimeOS.

Once you are in PrimeOS, it feels a lot like Bliss OS. It is a full Android-powered desktop, and you can even access Google Play, so it supports almost all Android apps. Gamers will appreciate the extra features, including keyboard and gamepad support, script recording, and more. During our tests, it worked well for most games, although there were a few issues—possibly due to my older test PC.

The stable version of PrimeOS runs Android 7, but there are also beta versions based on Android 11. Keep in mind that beta versions may have more bugs. PrimeOS is free, and while you will need to learn a bit about partitions, it is a solid choice overall.

Windows 11

Windows 11 has a cool feature: it can run Android apps without any extra software. It uses virtualization, just like other methods on this list. Microsoft includes the necessary tools right in Windows 11’s settings. All you need to do is visit the Microsoft Store, download the Amazon Appstore, and follow the tutorial.

The Amazon Appstore is okay for getting apps, but it is not as good as Google Play. You can find some popular apps there, but Google Play has more. During our tests, everything worked fine, and we expect it to get even better over time. The best part is that you do not need any complicated installations or downloads. Just get the Amazon Appstore, open it, and start using your apps.

If you want Google Play, there is a way to install it, but it is a bit tricky. Right now, it is not very stable, so we recommend waiting. However, Google Play Games support on PC is in open beta and supports hundreds of games already.

Why use an Android emulator?

Using an Android emulator can be beneficial for various reasons:

  • Gaming: Enhance your gaming experience by playing Android games on a larger PC screen with improved control through keyboard and mouse mapping.
  • App Development: Test and develop Android apps efficiently using emulators that provide an integrated development environment (IDE) with a variety of device emulations.
  • Productivity: Access Android-exclusive apps and features on your PC, which can be especially useful for social media management and content creation.

Former entrants on the list and what happened to them:

  • Leapdroid: Google bought Leapdroid, and it is no longer available.
  • AMIDuOS: It closed down officially in 2018, but you can still find it on the official subreddit.
  • Andy: Andy OS used to be good, but it started doing shady things like crypto mining without permission. The official website even has security errors. We hope they improve.
  • Droid4x: It used to be great, but it is not updated anymore.
  • KoPlayer: A good emulator for gamers, but it is not as active as others like BlueStacks or Noxplayer.
  • YouWave: It is gone; the official site is down, and you can only find it on third-party sites.
  • Phoenix OS: Discontinued and not recommended due to quality decline.
  • Remix OS: Also discontinued; Bliss OS is a better alternative.
  • Others: Many old emulators are not updated and do not work well with newer systems. If we missed any, let us know.
  • ARChon: Used to run Android apps in Chrome but no longer works.

People Also Ask

What are Android Emulators? 

Android emulators are software programs that simulate Android OS functionality on your computer. They allow you to install and use Android apps natively on your system, which makes it easier for developers to test apps and enabling users to run Android apps on Windows and Mac PCs.

Why do we need Android Emulators? 

Android emulators are important for different purposes:

  • App Development: Developers use them for testing and debugging apps across different Android versions.
  • Compatibility Testing: Ensure apps work well on various devices and Android versions.
  • Quick Turnaround: Fix bugs and optimize apps before release.
  • Try New OS Versions: Test new Android versions before deploying them.

How do Android Emulators work? 

Android emulators create a virtual Android device on your computer. They imitate the hardware of a smartphone, translate the Application Binary Interface (ABI), and execute Android apps as software on your PC.

Which Android Emulators are recommended? 

Some popular Android emulators include:

  • BlueStacks: Easy to use, includes Google Play, and lets you install other APK files.
  • Amazon Appstore: Simple and intuitive, with a large catalog of Android apps.
  • GameLoop: Designed for gaming, official emulator for PUBG Mobile and other games.

Are online Android emulators secure? 

Online Android emulators vary in security. It is important to choose reputable platforms and avoid downloading from untrusted sources.

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