The 5 Best Android Emulators for Mac in 2023

Play Android games on your Apple computer

By
Joana Simoes
Joana Simoes
Joana Simoes
Writer
Joana Simoes is a freelance technology writer who specializes in Microsoft Office, iOS, Windows, and Mac technologies.
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Updated on January 7, 2023

If you're using a Mac computer, you can still get access to Android apps. All you have to do is use an Android emulator. Not all emulators are the same, so we've compiled a list of the best Android emulators for Macs.

01
of 05

Best Overall: Nox Player

Nox loading screen
What We Like

  • Easy to install.

  • Able to connect a controller.

  • Free to use.

What We Don't Like

  • Sometimes lagged on startup.

One stand-out feature of Nox Player is that if you're able to connect a controller to your Mac then you can also use it with Nox Player, making playing video games much easier. It is really easy to install so even if you're a rookie to emulators you should be able to get Nox Player up and running with no problem. Nox Player is not supported on Apple's own M-line of processors.

02
of 05

Most Popular: Bluestacks 3

Bluestacks 3 download site
What We Like

  • Easy to use.

  • Stable and reliable.

What We Don't Like

  • Not great for developers.

With Bluestacks 3 you are getting an emulator that's been around long enough to get any issues ironed out, but it also means there are a lot more people using it. Unfortunately, more users mean there could be more lag happening while you're playing. Bluestacks 3 is one of the emulators that can handle most games with heavy graphics.

03
of 05

More Than Just Games: KO Player

KO Player Download Page
What We Like

  • Can use it with all Android apps.

  • Completely free.

  • Supports OpenGL & hardware acceleration.

What We Don't Like

  • Focus isn't strictly on gaming.

If you want an emulator for more than just gaming purposes then KO Player is the emulator for you. It is going to allow you to use basically any Android App on your Mac. KO Player is also another emulator that's completely free. Even so, this may not be the right emulator for you if you're strictly looking for an Android emulator for Mac just for gaming purposes because while you can use KO Player for gaming, it's not optimized strictly for that purpose.

04
of 05

No Installation Required: AR Chon

AR Chon download screen
What We Like

  • Easy to use.

  • No installation required.

What We Don't Like

  • Not as stable as the others.

This might be the black sheep of the bunch because unlike all the other emulators on this list it doesn't require any kind of installation. AR Chon is actually a Google Chrome extension so you don't have to install any extra software onto your Mac. Because it's Google chrome extension and not an actual software installation, it doesn't run as smoothly as the other emulators for Mac.

05
of 05

Best for Developers: Android Studio

Android Studio download page
What We Like

  • Extremely clean and stable.

  • Great for developers.

What We Don't Like

  • Too complicated for beginners.

This is emulator by Google is available to everyone. It doesn't have as many bells and whistles as the other mass-marketed emulators, but it's definitely more stable. This is a more complicated software to use and more directed towards developers as it has all the things needed to create and design your own apps. But beware: this emulator isn't for a rookie emulator for Mac users.

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