Most Android games can be played on PC with the help of an emulator. However, some emulators are often too heavy to run on a weak PC. That's why we've put together a list of 10 options for very lightweight emulators below so you can emulate your games on any machine. Check out!
Smartgaga
One of the best emulator options for weak PCs, SmartGaga uses a highly optimized engine to run Android games even without the need for virtualization. Even with an extremely simple and straightforward interface, the program still has advanced options for you to customize the use of RAM, processor and GPU for the emulator.
- Processor: Dual Core
- Memory RAM: 2GB
- Video Card: DirectX 11 compatible
- Storage: 1GB
Download SmartGaga
XePlayer
Among the lightweight Android emulators, XePlayer is among the most complete. The program offers several interesting options such as the possibility of rooting, compatibility to use the cell phone as a controller, screen duplication to play in several different instances, GPS simulator and much more. Standard options such as control mapping and performance customization are also present.
- Processor: Dual Core
- Memory RAM: 1GB
- Video Card: OpenGL 2.0
- Storage: 2GB
Download XePlayer
Mu Mu Player
Another extremely lightweight option, MuMu Player is a Chinese emulator that offers everything you need to run your Android games. The program offers several simple and advanced graphics customization options for you to make the games the way you want. The big difference here is that MuMu Player easily runs games that are only available in China, without any region conflicts. Before you ask, yes, it is possible to put the emulator language in our language.
- Processor: Dual Core
- Memory RAM: 1GB
- Video Card: OpenGL 2.0
- Storage: 440MB
Download MuMu Player
NOX App Player
With a neat and light interface, the NOX emulator also allows access to some nice details for more advanced users. You can choose how much memory and processing power you want to run, as well as customize the screen size. You can record videos and use other functions. The installation of apps takes place through the Playstore or using APK files. Key mapping is simple and intuitive.
- Processor: Dual Core, Intel or AMD
- Memory RAM: 1.5 GB
- Video Card: Must support OpenGL 2.0
- Storage: 1.5 GB
Download Nox
LDPlayer
Very light, LDPlayer has been optimized to run games using few resources on your machine and, even so, taking full advantage of your processor and video card. You can choose some devices to emulate or customize the screen dimensions, number of cores and RAM it uses. It has optimizations created specifically to play PUBG Mobile, but other tested games, like Free Fire and Mobile Legends, run smooth and without crashing. In addition, LDPlayer has the LDStore, a kind of Play Store dedicated exclusively to games.
- Processor: Dual Core, Intel or AMD
- Memory RAM: 2 GB
- Video Card: Must support OpenGL 2.0
- Storage: 9 GB
Download LDPlayer
MEMU
This emulator has simplified the user's choice as much as possible. You can choose how you want the emulator to run with simple adjustments to performance, definition, screen size and even FPS. A more advanced user can even customize the screen size. It comes with the Play Store already installed or you can use APK files to install games and apps. The predefined keymapping of shooters can be a bit confusing, requiring you to change the crosshairs. MEmu ran several games without crashing, but there are no optimizations for specific games.
- Processor: Intel or AMD, 32 or 64 Bit
- Memory RAM: 2 GB
- Video Card: Must support OpenGL 2.0/DirectX 11
- Storage: Approximately 3GB
Download MEmu
koplayer
Designed for games, Koplayer allows several adjustments to improve performance such as the choice of processing cores, RAM and graphics. All these choices are pre-defined, but the user can customize it to their liking. Despite automatically detecting a gamepad, if you use a keyboard you will need to map your keys. It allows macro recording, works perfectly with the Play Store and can also be installed via APK.
- Processor: Intel or AMD, 32 or 64 Bit
- RAM Memory: 512 MB
- Video Card: OpenGL 2.0 with a minimum resolution of 1024X768
- Storage: Approximately 4GB
Download Koplayer
Andy OS
A very complete emulator, AndyOS runs Android games and apps perfectly, allowing a perfect synchronization between the phone and the emulator. In addition, it is possible to use your phone as a gamepad in some games, taking advantage of the accelerometers. It has pre-defined mapping for some games and automatically detects gamepads, and it is also possible to customize the controls. However, it doesn't allow any graphical or performance changes, detecting everything automatically.
- Processor: Intel or AMD
- Memory RAM: 3 GB
- Video Card: OpenGL 2.1
- Storage: Approximately 10GB
Download AndyOS
Gameloop
GameLoop has become one of the most popular options on the emulator market, despite requiring a little more RAM than its competition. The program has a very nice interface that resembles Steam and allows you to easily browse through a library of games. What's more, the emulator offers all the graphics, controls and performance customization options you can expect.
- Processor: Dual Core
- Memory RAM: 3GB
- Video Board: 256MB
- Storage: 1GB
Download GameLoop
TC Games
Our last option is not an emulator itself. TC Games is actually a tool that mirrors your mobile screen on your computer, also offering all the control options you find in a regular emulator. The practical effect is almost the same: you can play your Android games on PC with keyboard and mouse, or even record your games and stream. The downside, of course, is that the game still runs on your mobile, meaning you won't be able to play games that your mobile isn't capable of running.
- Processor: Dual Core
- Memory RAM: 1GB
- Video Card: OpenGL 2.0
- Storage: 70MB
Download TC Games
Essential Tips
- Enable virtualization on your PC. This will allow these emulators to use all available resources to run smoothly. Enter your BIOS by pressing F2 or DEL, look for the "Settings" menu and under "Virtualization" put "enabled".
- Remember that an emulator is for emulation, that is, you will not have a new PC. There are Android games that may not be compatible with your system, even if you manage to install and run an emulator.
- Mapping your keys, especially with shooting games, is essential. It will always be necessary to make slight adjustments.
See also:
- The best emulators for Android!
- Learn how to install Free Fire in emulator!
- How to play Free Fire on weak PC!
- Best online multiplayer games for Android
