The 9 Best Android Emulators for Windows 10 and Windows 11

Try out Android apps on your computer with these emulators

By
Tim Fisher
Photo of Tim Fisher, Lifewire GM and Writer
Tim Fisher
Senior Vice President & Group General Manager, Tech & Sustainability
  • Emporia State University

Tim Fisher has more than 30 years' of professional technology experience. He's been writing about tech for more than two decades and serves as the SVP and General Manager of Lifewire.

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Updated on June 1, 2023

You can run Android apps in Windows 11 or Windows 10 with an Android emulator. These emulators can be helpful if your favorite app only runs on your phone, but you’d like to use it from your computer, too.

01
of 09

BlueStacks

BlueStacks Game center
What We Like

  • Includes a built-in app store.


  • Installing and opening apps is really easy.


  • Lets you install other APK files that aren’t in the store.


  • Advanced RAM and CPU allocation settings.


  • Earn BlueStacks Points to trade in for gift cards or a paid subscription.


What We Don't Like

  • Includes ads.

Unlike a whole-OS emulator, BlueStacks emulates just Android apps on Windows. It’s really easy to use, so you don’t need to know anything about emulators or even Android to get your apps up and running.

Google Play is built-in, so just install the apps you want through the app store, and then open their shortcuts like you would on a mobile device.

If you're looking for an emulator that lets you quickly install an Android app on your PC, you can't go wrong with this one.

It's free, but you can upgrade to BlueStacks Premium for no ads, daily wallpapers, app recommendations, premium support, and more.

02
of 09

Amazon Appstore

Adventure Escape Mysteries open in Amazon Appstore
What We Like

  • Really easy to use.

  • Use multiple apps at the same time.

  • Supports parental controls.

  • Supports in-app purchases.

What We Don't Like

  • Requires Windows 11.

  • Limited to the apps in the store (can't install APK files).

  • Sources Amazon Appstore, not Google Play Store.

Amazon Appstore is a free app available through the Windows 11 Microsoft Store. It has a huge catalog of Android apps, and installing and opening them is intuitive enough for anyone.

Some apps work in full-screen mode, you can buy in-app things much like you can from a mobile device, apps for kids are separated into their own tab, and the search tool makes it super easy to find apps in seconds.

03
of 09

NoxPlayer

NoxPlayer Android emulator for Windows
What We Like

  • A great emulator for gamers.


  • Nearly everything is accessible with a keyboard shortcut.


  • Lots of customizable options, like one to root Android in one click.


  • Built-in Google Play, but also supports APK installs.


What We Don't Like

  • Tries to install other programs during setup.

  • Large initial download.

The NoxPlayer Android emulator is made with gaming in mind. Google Play is built-in for easy access to games and other apps, and you get the whole Android experience, including the home screen, folders, notification center, etc.

Nearly every option in this emulator makes playing games easier. For example, you can record macros, define keys for things like multiple strikes and weapon fires, adjust FPS settings, record the screen, and take screenshots, among other things.

04
of 09

MEmu

Memu android emulator in Windows 11
What We Like

  • Super customizable.

  • Easily share files between Android and Windows.

  • Frequent updates to the emulator.

  • Install apps via APK files.

  • Make desktop shortcuts for easy access to games.

What We Don't Like

  • Feels buggy at times.

  • Must have a premium account for some things.

  • Menu tooltips run off the screen.

MEmu is an impressive program that deserves a list on any Android emulator list. It calls itself "the most powerful Android emulator," and we agree. It's ideal for inexperienced and adept emulator users alike.

You get the whole operating system as if you were running a tablet right there on the screen. There's direct access to the Play Store, so after logging in to your Google account, it'll feel much like you're on an Android tablet: just choose which apps to install, and you'll have them open in no time.

This is quite a beast of a program if you're interested in customizations. You can adjust performance (great if you have limited system resources), change the render mode, define custom keyboard shortcuts, set keymapping, fake your GPS location, install Android apps manually (without using the app store), shake the screen, automate mouse and keyboard actions, record the screen, and lots more.

There are also one-click toggles to easily enable root mode, GPU memory optimization, ASTC cache, 120 fps mode, and lots more.

Only paying users can remove ads, change the theme, and customize the dock.

05
of 09

GameLoop

GameLoop Android emulator in Windows
What We Like

  • Responsive program.

  • Includes lists for Popular, Top, and Hot lists.

  • Genres let you browse similar apps.

  • Can install local APK files.

What We Don't Like

  • Far fewer options than similar emulators.

This emulator, originally called Tencent Gaming Buddy, launched in 2018 and currently has over 50 million monthly active users.

While you can install apps manually from their APK files, it also includes over 1,000 mobile games and is the official Android emulator for PUBG Mobile, Call of Duty Mobile, and Arena of Valor.

The settings include options for changing the screen rendering mode, turning on Root Authority, and adjusting anti-aliasing, resolution, and memory/processor settings. Screenshots and recordings can be saved to any custom folder of your choosing.

Nimo TV is built-in, so when you're not playing, you can switch over to this live-streaming platform to watch other players who are broadcasting their gameplay.

06
of 09

Remix OS Player

Remix OS Player Android emulator for Windows
What We Like

  • Installing and using apps is really simple.

  • You can run multiple apps at once.


  • Can manually set GPS, phone coverage, and battery level settings.


  • The orientation of the emulator can be rotated.


What We Don't Like

  • Setup file is over 700 MB.


  • Unable to install downloaded APK files.


  • Last update was in 2016.

Remix OS is an operating system based on Android 6.0 Marshmallow, so it looks like your normal OS with a desktop area, start menu, taskbar, and trash bin.

However, instead of installing the whole Remix OS, you can use the Remix OS Player emulator to run Android apps on your computer.

This software is described as a game emulator for your computer because it lets you customize some shortcuts normally used for navigating games, but you can use Remix OS Player for other apps, too, like Snapchat, Facebook, etc.; everything is available through the Play Store.

07
of 09

Andy

Andy Android emulator for Windows
What We Like

  • Supports both landscape and portrait mode.


  • Lets you spoof your GPS location.


  • Can remap keyboard keys.


  • Supports full screen mode.


What We Don't Like

  • Huge setup file, over 850 MB.

  • Can’t install apps by their APK file.

  • Last updated in 2018.

The Andy emulator for Windows puts Android Nougat on your computer. You can run games and other apps by installing them through the Google Play Store.

Since this is a full Android emulator, you can also reposition the apps on the home screen and install widgets, just like you can on a real Android device.

08
of 09

Android Studio

Android Virtual Device Manager emulator for Windows
What We Like

  • Emulates the entire Android OS, not just one app.

  • Always supports the newest Android operating system.


  • You can emulate old Android OSs, too.


  • Lets you build Android apps.


What We Don't Like

  • No built-in app store.

  • Setup can get confusing.


Android Studio might be what you’d call the “official” Android emulator since it’s from Google. However, the core of the program is meant for app development, so while there is an emulator built-in, it's not super easy to use.

This program doesn’t have an easy-to-use interface like the other emulators in this list, so it isn’t the greatest if you just want to run some Android apps on your computer. However, if you plan to create your own apps, and you want an easy way to test them throughout the creation process, then this might be all you need.

09
of 09

Genymotion

Genymotion Android emulator for Windows
What We Like

  • Supports lots of Android versions.


  • Easier to use than Android Studio.


  • Emulates the whole OS.


  • Lets you set custom hardware configurations.


What We Don't Like

  • Play Store isn't included.


  • Lengthy setup procedure.

  • GPS is unavailable for free users.

Another free Android emulator for Windows is Genymotion. It's a lot like Android Studio's emulator in that it emulates the entire OS, except that this one doesn't install all the other developer tools.

This emulator can run modern versions of Android (5.0 through 12.1), not just old ones like some of the competition. You install virtual devices by selecting the Android version and device model you want.

For example, you might select Android 10 and Google Pixel to emulate that phone and OS on your computer. You can also make a custom phone or tablet by specifying the screen resolution. The processor, memory size, and network mode are customizable as well.

You can use this emulator for free only if it's for personal use (otherwise, check out the Genymotion Android as a Service page).

FAQ
  • How do I install Android apps on Windows 11?

    Download the APK file for the app and open it in an emulator, or use the Phone Link app to run Android apps on Windows. This method actually runs the app from your phone and displays it on Windows rather than emulating Android on Windows.

  • Is emulating Android legal?

    Yes. Emulators and APK files are 100% legal to use. That said, APK files may contain illegal or malicious content, so only download from trusted sources.

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