The best Android emulators for PC in 2024

Tired of playing your favourite mobile games on a small screen? Want to be able to run several mobile games at once? Dreaming of getting your favourite mouse and keyboard back? Well, the good news for all mobile games fans is that you can simulate your Android mobile directly on your computer. To do this, you need to know which are the best Android emulators for PC in 2024, so you can choose the one that best suits your needs!

In this article, we take a look at our comparison of the best Android phone emulators for mobile games, as well as the top Android simulators for developers.

Comparison of the best Android emulators on PC for mobile games

Still wondering how to play mobile games on your PC? In this comparison, you'll find the information we've used to rank the Android emulators on PC for mobile games in order of relevance. We've based our rankings on the performance of each emulator, but above all on the built-in features they offer, to help you make sense of this jungle!

BlueStacks: the best Android emulator for the PC

Granted, it's a bit of a spoiler, but the result of our analysis is clear: BlueStacks is definitely one of the best Android emulators for the PC in 2024.

Quite simply, in this comparison of Android emulators on PC, it has everything you'd expect from such a tool: performance, ease of use, security, a host of built-in features and not too much power!

We could even go so far as to say that BlueStacks is the benchmark Android emulator today. Of course, it's 100% free to download, and its interface is very pleasant and intuitive.

BlueStacks now runs on Android Nougat. Easy to install, you can enjoy all the apps in the Google Play Store by logging in to your Google account. 95% of the applications in the Play Store are compatible with BlueStacks, giving you access to thousands of mobile games and apps of all kinds.

BlueStacks is easy to learn and use, and its many features make it a must-have emulator for Windows and Ios. Everything is designed to optimise the gaming experience and make it more comfortable and efficient:

• customisable game controls on keyboard, mouse and joystick, depending on the style of game (MOBA, FPS, RPG, strategy, etc.) ;
• multi-instance: you can play several games at the same time, or play the same game with several accounts simultaneously;
• multi-instance sync: faster reroll in gacha games and maximise your resources in strategy games;
• creation of macros to automate repetitive tasks;
• High, adjustable FPS: no more lag! You'll finally be able to save your life in intense combat;
• real-time translation so you can play all mobile games in any language;
• Full HD and QHD graphics for exceptional quality;
• definition of a virtual GPS location;
• all in French.

LDPlayer: excellent Android emulator for PC gaming

If you're looking for a high-performance emulator for PC gaming, LDPlayer will meet all your expectations. It offers advanced features designed with gamers in mind. These include advanced control settings, multi-instance mode, macros to manage games automatically and high FPS, ideal for FPS fans.

More than 2 million daily active users have chosen LDPlayer, one of the best Android emulators on PC. What's more, it is regularly updated to improve its performance and further optimise the resources it uses. Its interface is very pleasant, fluid and easy to use.

One important piece of information to note about LDPlayer is that, unlike other Android emulators on PC in our comparison, such as Bluestacks and NoxPlayer, it is not compatible with MacOS.

NoxPlayer: a high-performance Android emulator

NoxPlayer is the emulator that makes it into the top 3 of this ranking of the best Android emulators on PC in 2024. Like its rivals BlueStacks and LDPlayer, it works with the Android Nougat version and performs particularly well on virtually all the mobile games in the Play Store.

Extremely comprehensive, it offers interesting features similar to the best Android emulators on PC. Like BlueStacks, it can be optimised (RAM, resolution, etc.) to run on moderately powerful configurations. If you're already used to using Android, you won't be lost thanks to its intuitive interface.

Nox offers features that are essential for any self-respecting emulator, including

• controls: adjust the mouse and change the keyboard mapping at will ;
• multi-instances: launch several instances at the same time to play different games or use several accounts for the same game;
• macro: record macros for complex operations and execute the script with a single click;
• Precise settings to suit your configuration, so you can run demanding games;
• easy to make screenshots and video recordings;
• French-language emulator.

MEmu: a stable, efficient Android emulator

MEmu is an Android emulator that features in our selection because it has a number of interesting characteristics. First of all, it's very easy to get to grips with, and if your configuration is powerful enough, it's still a great performer. You can run several games simultaneously without experiencing too many slowdowns (there are some). There's no need to go too far with the settings, as its functions are concentrated on the essentials.

We noticed that, unlike BlueStacks and the best Android PC emulators, not all games are supported. This is a major constraint for us, who like to be able to test games without asking ourselves any questions.

MEmu's interface is clean and well designed. All the controls are in the right-hand sidebar.

Of course, this mobile games emulator has its own virtual keyboard, so you can even take screenshots. Finally, we like the fact that it's compatible with Windows 10 and Linux.

MuMu Player, the Android emulator for PC from Netease

Mobile games publisher Netease is behind Mumu Player, another Android emulator for the PC. There is also MuMu Nebula, a lighter emulator for less powerful computers.

Similar in its interface to LDPlayer and MeMU, the Netease tool is free, particularly easy to use and performs just as well as its rivals.

With MuMu Player, you can install APKs, take screenshots, map your keyboard or controller and record videos.

However, MuMu Player is not only available in English.

Gameloop, Tencent's emulator

Formerly known as Tencent Gaming Buddy, Gameloop is definitely one of the best Android emulators on PC. As you may have noticed, this tool was created by Tencent, publisher of ultra-popular mobile games such as PUBG: Mobile and Arena of Valor.

Gameloop installs very quickly, and once it's installed on your PC, you can download most games from the Google Play Store. However, the Play Store library is not included in the emulator, but by downloading an application from there, Gameloop will be able to import the necessary components.

Windows 11: launch Android apps on PC with Amazon Appstore

Like the other Android emulators for PC we've just mentioned, Windows 11 uses virtualisation to allow users to emulate an Android environment. But here, all the necessary tools are available in the OS settings.

To take advantage of emulation with Windows 11, you first need to check that you have version 22h2 or later. Then you'll need to download Amazon Appstore and restart your PC. You should be aware, however, that the online retail giant's Appstore is clearly not on a par with the Google Play Store in terms of application diversity.

Google Play Games

Google Play Games offers Android users the chance to play the majority of games available on the Play Store on PC, in better quality versions. For the moment, this service is in beta version and to take advantage of it, you'll need to register directly on the Google Play Games site.

The beta version of Google Play Games is only available in around a hundred countries and only on Windows 10 . Thanks to this service, you'll be able to synchronise your different Android devices!

Why is BlueStacks the best Android PC emulator?

Performance tests have been carried out on the Android emulators on PC such as LDPlayer, MEMu and Nox Player.

Following BlueStacks' internal benchmark, it appears that version 5 of the emulator performs better than Memu, Nox or LDPlayer in almost all areas: CPU consumption, start-up time, RAM consumption (single and multiple instances) and Geekbench score.

What's more, with Bluestack you can be sure of the confidentiality of your personal information. As a US-based company, BlueStacks follows strict US data security laws (which is not always the case with other emulators).

Proprietary Android emulators on PC: FunPlus, Lilith Games and Plarium

Some mobile games creators have developed their own emulators to enable their fans to play on PCs. This is the case of FunPlus, Lilith Games and Plarium, the well-known developers of MMO, RPG and strategy mobile games. We can't really rank them among the best Android emulators on PC in 2024, as they are reserved for a very specific use.

FunPlus offers a PC Android emulator for its mobile games

Globally successful mobile games publisher FunPlus is offering gamers access to several of its titles on the PC, thanks to its emulator. These include State of Survival, Sea of Conquest, King of Avalon, Guns of Glory and Stormshot.

As before, you can still use Bluestacks to play State of Survival on PC, as well as Sea of Conquest and Stormshot.

Play some Lilith Games games with the official Android emulator

Would you like to be able to play AFK Journey on your computer, or other Lilith Games games such as Call of Dragons, Farlight 84 or Warpath? You can, by logging on to the Lilith Games website to download a dedicated emulator for each title. Just like FunPlus or X-Legend, the famous publisher is making an official emulator available to players.

If, however, you prefer to turn to Bluestacks to emulate your favourite games, take a look at our guide to playing AFK Journey on PC. JeuMobi.com also has tips on how to play Call of Dragons multi-instance.

Plarium Play: the emulator for playing Raid: Shadow Legends

Plarium Play is an emulator developed by Plarium, the creators of the highly acclaimed mobile game RAID: Shadow Legends.

Incidentally, we've written a full tutorial to explain how to install Plarium Play and play RAID: Shadow Legends on your PC (we're fans, so we're sharing our tips)!

Please note: Plarium Play is a platform on which you can also play other free-to-play MMO and strategy games offered by the company:

• Vikings: War of Clans
• Throne: Kingdom at War
• Stormfall: Rise of Balur
• Pirates: Tides of Fortune
• Sparta: War of Empires, etc.

Steam, an alternative to Android emulators on PC for your mobile games

Did you know? More and more mobile games are available on Steam, Valve's distribution platform. These include Summoners War, Brawlhalla, Monument Valley, Marvel Snap and many more!

Of course, the selection of titles is much more limited than on other Android emulators on PC. Nevertheless, if you already have a Steam account, this is a practical solution that you might want to consider!

The best Android emulators on PC from developers

The Android emulators on PC for developers below offer a range of features to enable you to simulate the Android environment on a PC and test your applications easily.

Genymotion

Genymotion is an emulator developed by a French company aimed primarily at developers. This software makes it very easy to emulate any smartphone. In fact, many brands of mobile phones and tablets are configured so that you can test your Android application on several devices.

This programme is not free, but it is very useful for anyone wanting to learn how to develop in Android. Tests are quick and there are many mobile functions to choose from (simulating SMS messages, a mobile network, GPS, etc.).

Android Studio

Android Studio is well known to Android developers, as it is the IDE (integrated development environment) designed by Google. Available free of charge on all operating systems, Android Studio is not an emulator in the strict sense of the word.

It includes all the tools you need to create applications and games for mobiles and tablets. It does offer an emulator so that developers can directly test the behaviour of their game or app on the chosen version of Android (the latest versions are available and you can easily switch from one to the other).

The big drawback is that the client is heavy to install (several gigabytes), consumes a lot of resources and is a bit complex to set up. You quickly realise the limitations of the software as a mobile games emulator: not everything is as well thought out as with its competitors specialising in Android device emulation. Sometimes it's much easier to use an online emulator!

Conclusion: which is the best Android emulator for PCs?

You now have a wealth of information about the best Android emulators on PC 2024 on the market. If you use MacOS, don't panic, we've also selected the best Android emulators for Mac!

Whether it's for business, gaming or both, there's an emulator to suit everyone's needs. As you can see, if we had to choose the best emulator for the widest possible audience, we'd definitely recommend BlueStacks!