Best android emulator

B

BlindMelonChitlin

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What do forumites use for Android emulation? The main things I'm looking for are:

1) one click installer that's easy for non tech folk to use - I want to have non tech colleagues install it for occasional user testing - I'm guessing this rules out installing the developers kit.
2) mustn't consume resources when not being used
3) needn't be zippy graphics wise - it's being used to test data apps
4) needs to be able to install stuff from .apk
5) less an issue - ability to specify different android versions and screen sizes.

Bluestacks used to chow resources when sitting idle in the task tray - and it started when you boot your PC... hated that. Not sure if it's changed in the latest version.

I'm considering:
Latest Bluestacks
Droid4x
Genymotion (liked the ease of install here but had to jump through hoops getting it set up for online comms)
Nox
Windroy

Any tips would b helpful!
 
Last edited:
This computer does not support the Visual Studio Emulator for Android, which requires a 64-bit Windows 8/8.1/10 Pro/Enterprise edition or Window Server 2012 or above and a computer that supports Hyper-V. For more information, see System Requirements for Visual Studio Emulator for Android (https://msdn.microsoft.com/en-us/library/mt228280.aspx).
This computer does not support the Windows Phone emulator, which requires the 64-bit edition of Windows 8.1 Pro and a computer that supports Hyper-V. For more information, see System requirements for Windows Phone Emulator (http://go.microsoft.com/fwlink/?LinkId=394063).
Please close Visual Studio now to reduce the chance that a computer restart will be required later.
Click to expand...

Meh, time to upgrade my work machine
 
On a Mac, tried all except the Windows only stuff. My favourite is Genymotion re speed, simplicity, stability and best of all multiple device profiles.
Ps. networking isn't difficult if you're accustomed to how Virtualbox works.
 
Genymotion is the best in my opinion. Just drag an .apk file on to the simulator screen and it will automatically begin installing.
 
Travis CI also has a beta for Android: https://docs.travis-ci.com/user/languages/android/

Haven't tried the Android side yet; but have used the OSX and iOS support for a little over 2 years, it's excellent.
There also btw device integeration testing via https://saucelabs.com (Sauce Labs provides a Selenium cloud with access to more than 170 different device/OS/browser combinations)
Note: Open source projects are free.
 
I use the AVD, and actual devices. Have used Genymotion before, and I highly recommend it.

PS I will try some of the non-Windows emulators mentioned in above comments. It's good to know what's out there.
 
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