14 Best Bluestak Alternatives for Windows & Mac: While there are endless Android phones available in the market at many competitive prices these days, running Android apps on your desktop or laptop has a different charm altogether. The emulators allow you to download and run Android apps on your desktops or laptops. Different Android emulators have been around for quite some time now and one of the most prominent names among them is Bluestacks.
Here we listed Best Bluestacks Alternatives for Windows 10 & Mac. This software will provide you with similar features and maybe even better experience. There are many emulators that let you play games and apps on your Windows PC and even Mac operating systems. And one of the best amongst them is Nox Player emulator. This player is the finest of Bluestacks alternative too but not better than LeapDroid these days which is working fine with latest Pokemon Go update. If you are looking for an Android emulator for Windows PC or Mac but do not want to use Bluestacks, here are 7 best Bluestacks alternatives (free and paid). Bluestacks Alternative: Top Free Alternatives to BlueStacks. Android emulators with its alternatives that are absolutely free to use.
Bluestacks was the first Android emulator app and is still quite popular. However, it has now started consuming a lot of your space and is known to slow down your system. Therefore, if you are looking for the best Bluestack alternatives, you can read the list we prepared just for you.
Top Bluestack Alternatives for Windows 10
Android Studio
Android Studio is a great alternative to Bluestacks which is an app development environment by Google, Android Studio is the original Android app we know. So, if you especially want to design and test Android apps, this lifetime free app could well be a great choice.
Features:
- It allows to installation and runs of Android apps much faster compared to a regular device.
- It also helps you to simulate various functions and configurations.
- Comes with a Visual Editor that lets you create elaborate designs and then preview your designs.
- Helps you to write better quality codes with the smart code editor.
- Provides live statistics like the CPU, memory, or network consumption of the app using integrated profiling tools.
Interesting Fact:
The Android Studio app also enables you to minimize the size of your Android app, even if it’s developed using another app.
Price: Free
Remix OS Player
Those looking for a BlueStack Alternative can find a good replacement in the Remix OS Player. It’s free Android software that comes with some fundamental Android features along with some additional functions.
Features:
- Comes with an interface for Windows, support for mouse and keyboard, file manager, and a system bar.
- Loaded with 3rd party apps.
- Compatible with the majority of the popular PC brands.
- Comes with a menu bar that’s a lot similar to the Windows taskbar.
- Shows icons for all your files, folders, and apps.
- Offers the option to right-click and access the context menu along with some keyboard shortcuts.
Interesting Fact:
Remix OS Player is also equipped with a Jide logo control (on the start menu) that opens an app launcher when pressed.
Price: Free
LDPlayer
This LDPlayer emulator is a better alternative to Bluestack as this is perfect for gamers. Intel or AMD, LDPlayer is compatible with all processors and helps improves your Android gaming experience.
Features:
- Provide you more control over the keyboard and mouse.
- Helps you to launch multiple games at the same time.
- Offers multi-instance sync that helps speed up rerolls.
- Comes with Macros/Scripts that help you to manage your game automatically.
- Loaded with high FPS/Graphics that sets your gameplay in motion.
- Runs on Android Nougat offering improved performance and compatibility.
Interesting Fact:
LDPlayer also comes with a dedicated app store for games and Virtualization Technology.
Price: Free
MEmu Play
If you are looking for a trusted name in the Android emulator category that replaces the BlueStacks app, MEmu Play can be a great choice for them. Apart from offering the ultimate mobile gaming experience, it also boasts some additional features. On
Features:
- Offers the fastest gameplay and maximum frame rates.
- Provides you with improved OpenGL and DirectX 3D rendering effects with some beautiful images for larger screens.
- Offers smooth mouse and key controls along with integrated key mappings.
- Easy to use and equally easy to run multiple accounts for one game.
- Also allows you to play multiple games on different instances, at the same time.
Interesting Fact:
Along with a new UI design for enhanced user experience, it also features additional functions like auto-start, volume up/down shortcuts, the option to enable/disable tabs, and more.
Price: Free
NoxPlayer
Nox Player is perfect for those who are more into mobile gaming. This Android emulator is fully optimized and works great for both games and apps. As you play the games on your mobile phone, you realize that the experience is the same as on a PC and game consoles.
Features:
- Provides support for keyboards and gamepads. Also offers a script recording function and multiple instances.
- Gets regular updates that help fix the bugs.
- Offers a stable experience and does not crash like other emulators.
- Supports all major Android apps and games on your PC.
- Provides different control options that include joysticks and more.
- Compatible with both Windows and Mac OS.
Interesting Fact:
It gets naturally aligned to the keyboard, thus, offering you an incredible Android experience.
Price: Free
Gameloop
One of the most downloaded emulators in the category, Gameloop is a perfect alternative to the BlueStacks. It offers an amazing Android gaming experience on your desktop computers.
Features:
- Highly optimized, helps to install games, offers smooth control, and superior quality graphics.
- Comes with a smart keyboard that can be customized, offers smart key mapping, and also helps you to change, upgrade and shift the hotkeys.
- Allows you to easily set up the software configuration and install any game smoothly.
- Plays Tencent games smoothly while offering a superior gaming experience.
- Supports many configurations and languages.
- Let’s you change the languages easily.
Interesting Fact:
Gameloopkeeps you protected from fraud while allowing you to play a fair game and have a great experience.
Price: Free
Genymotion
Genymotion is designed to keep the game developers in mind, and so, if you are looking for a BlueStacks alternative as a developer, this app is certainly one of the best.
Features:
- Works with both desktop and cloud via a web browser and hence, can be run on all major platforms including, Windows, Linux, and Mac OS.
- Helps you to emulate different types of virtual device configurations such as the screen size, Android versions, etc.
- Allows you to simulate a wide range of scenarios with the help of GPS, multitouch, and more.
- Offers you the option to install the Google Play Store using the GApps package.
Interesting Fact:
Genymotioncan sync with the Android Studio, thus, allowing you to run your app smoothly, on any of your preferred devices and platform.
Price: 60 minutes free trial for Cloud, Plans for Desktop start at $136/year
Dolphin
Dolphin is a dream come true for the Nintendo game fans. The app can emulate two of the latest Nintendo video game consoles, which include, GameCube and the Wii.
Features:
- Allows you to enjoy the two Nintendo games in full HD.
- Comes with a wide range of enhancements.
- Works with all major PC controllers.
- Offers freeze, turbo speed, networked multiplayer, and so on.
- Comes with an optimized hardware recorded replay function, 3D stereoscopic output, support for full ES_Launch, newly improved Netplay, and audio rewrites.
- Ability to override the CPU clock of games like the GameCube or Wii.
Interesting Fact:
It also boasts features like the ability to correct the video aspect ratio to match how it would be displayed on the console, enhance audio and video dumping, improved line-width and point-size effects, and full-screen support.
Price: Not Available
Andy Android Emulator
Andy Android Emulator is a perfect alternative to BlueStacks if you are an avid gamer.
Features:
- Allows you to run all your chat apps like WhatsApp, Snapchat, etc. from your desktop.
- Facilitates smooth movement of apps from desktop to mobile device without using any wireless connection.
- Helps you to stay off from any worries related to mobile device pr PC hard drive storage.
Interesting Fact:
It is easy to use, this emulator also provides you more control over your phone as a remote control to play games on your PC or desktop.
Price: Free
Android-x86
Android-x86 is based on the Android open-source project that offers a similar experience as the OS.
Features:
- Allows you to run Android-based devices on Intel x86 or AMD processors.
- Offers the option to test the OS using a LiveCD.
- May support Android Runtime (ART) for Android v5.0 Lollipop shortly.
Interesting Fact:
Along with Android support, it also supports Dalvik Virtual Machine.
Price: Free
QEMU
An all-inclusive and open-source virtual emulator, QEMU is a great alternative to BlueStacks.
Features:
- Allows you to run your OS from any device and on any compatible setup.
- Enables you to execute the programs for another Linux or BSD target, on any compatible setup.
- Offers smooth virtualization and works with all major platforms including Windows, Mac, and Linux.
Interesting Fact
Helps you to run KVM and Xen virtual devices with almost similar performance.
Price: Free and open-source
YouWave Android Emulator
YouWave is an Android emulator that’s fit for personal use. Best of all, it allows you to play a wide range of Android games and also emulates the same on larger screens, efficiently.
Features:
- Easy to use and offers a complete Android experience on both Mac and Windows platforms.
- Supports Android versions like 2.3 Gingerbread and 4.0 IceCreamSandwich.
- Enables developers to test their Android apps on their computers.
- Helps you to access a wide range of websites within the emulator.
- Allows you to control the emulator using the mouse, keyboard, and touch screen.
Interesting Fact:
It also allows you to rotate your screen, lets you play multiplayer games (Android) from your desktop or computer, and offers dynamic rotation with a volume control option.
Price: Free version available, plan priced at $29.9
AMIDuOS
Mainly designed for the mobile device, AMIDuOS is an Android emulator that also runs on PCs.
Features:
- Equipped with a wide range of excellent apps.
- Allows you to create an Android layer on your current OS and then launch your preferred Android apps.
- Does not need a special APK to be used and is compatible with all major APKs in the apps market.
Interesting Fact:
It offers the built-in Amazon AppStore along with the option to download and install apps from any Android store.
Price: Free to try (Shareware)
Koplayer
Koplayer is another great complete free alternative to BlueStacks that offers a high-quality Android gaming experience, minus the lags.
Features:
- Allows you to download, install and play all kinds of apps from the Google Play Store.
- Comes with a straightforward, user-friendly, and responsive user interface.
- Let’s you enjoy all the Android apps on larger screens.
- Allows you to record your favorite videos using the integrated video recording option.
- Helps to record and share your gameplay.
- Offers a toolbar with shortcuts for volume control, screen capture, etc.
Interesting fact:
The emulator also enables you to install apps manually or using the drag-and-drop function, since it supports .apk files.
Quick Overview of Top 14 Bluestack Alternatives
Sl. No. | Name | Website |
1 | Android Studio | https://developer.android.com/studio |
2 | Remix OS Player | https://www.fosshub.com/Remix-OS.html |
3 | LDPlayer | https://www.ldplayer.net/ |
4 | MEmu Play | http://www.memuplay.com/ |
5 | NoxPlayer | https://noxofficial.com/ |
6 | Gameloop | https://www.gameloop.com/en |
7 | Genymotion | https://www.genymotion.com/ |
8 | Dolphin | https://dolphin-emu.org/ |
9 | Andy Android Emulator | https://www.andyroid.net/ |
10 | Android-x86 | https://www.android-x86.org/ |
11 | QEMU | https://www.qemu.org/ |
12 | YouWave Android Emulator | https://youwave.com/ |
13 | AMIDuOS | https://www.filehorse.com/download-amiduos-pro-64/ |
15 | Koplayer | https://koplayerpc.com/ |
Final words
Whether you are a game lover or a developer, the above list of alternatives to BlueStacks can help you find the most reliable and powerful tools.