The 9 Best Android Emulators for Windows 10 and Windows 11

BlueStacks

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.

Amazon Appstore

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.

Here are some noteworthy features I found while using this emulator: 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.

You might notice there are loads of poor reviews for this program on the Microsoft Store. I didn't run into any performance issues other than a couple strange UI glitches, but they didn't prevent me from finishing the games I played.

GameLoop

Originally called Tencent Gaming Buddy, this emulator launched in 2018 and currently has tens of millions of monthly active users. As the name suggests, it was designed with gaming in mind.

While you can install apps manually from their APK files, GameLoop 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.

MEmu

MEmu is an impressive program that deserves a list on any Android emulator list. It calls itself "the most powerful Android emulator," and I 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 a beast of a program if you're like me, and 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.

NoxPlayer

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.

While using this program, it was clear early on that nearly everything about it makes playing games easier. 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.

Android Studio

I'd call Android Studio 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. But you might like this one if you plan to develop your own apps and you want an easy way to test them throughout the creation process.

Andy

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.

Something I like about this one is that it lets you change your GPS location. It's much easier than trying to do so on your phone.

Remix OS Player

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 I was able to also use Remix OS Player for other apps, like Snapchat, Facebook, etc.; everything is available through the Play Store.