Nox APP Player

Pros

• Nox is completely free!
• Easy installation and setup.
• Fullscreen support.
• Custom screen resolutions and easy switching between tablet and phone modes.
• Superior stability over some other Android emulators.
• High degree of compatibility due to a fairly recent Android OS version (4.4.2 KitKat).
• Easy to use side bar and controls.
• Supports controlling games with keyboards, mouse, and joystick.
• Supports setting custom keyboard combos.
• Allows you to set a custom geolocation.
• Allows for screen recording.
• Allows custom allocation of CPU and RAM resources.
• Drag and drop file transfer support.

Cons

• Nox is targeted towards gamers, so this is not the best emulator for developers.
• Does not let you specify the build of Android OS or hardware architecture.
• Does not allow for the linking of an actual Android phone for use as gyro controller.

Nox app simulator is a free Android device simulator for Windows desktop PCs. Have you ever wished that you could have a virtual Android phone or tablet right on your PC desktop? Do you want to have the edge on your Android games by using a mouse, keyboard, or joystick? Nox allows you to do just that by installing Android 4.4.2 KitKat in a virtual machine which allows you to boot up with a single click. The Android environment comes preinstalled and configured, so using the app doesn't require a lot of technical expertise--just download, install, and run.

Easy to Use

Users with an Android phone or tablet will have no trouble adjusting to the emulated environment; it looks just like it does on your phone! Seamless integration of the computer webcam and microphone (if present) enables users to run video conferencing, Snapchat, and other similar applications directly through the Android emulator. Users can access the Google Play store and download any app they wish through the integrated internet connection, browse the internet in the mobile browser, and even play Massively Multiplayer Online Games (MMOs).

Gaming

Nox is actually designed and optimized especially for gaming performance. While the app comes with preconfigured settings, advanced users can adjust the RAM and CPU resource allocation to provide as much computing power as they need or their host computer can provide. A fairly recent version of the Android operating system guarantees maximum compatibility for various apps and games, while the keyboard, mouse, and joystick integration enables PC players to get an edge on their competition as well. Users can even specify custom keyboard combinations to trigger touch screen events. For example, a user can specify that the right arrow on the keyboard simulate the swipe right to unlock gesture, while a single number key can trigger a lethal combo move in your game. Games can also be run fullscreen and with custom screen resolutions, and screen recording allows you to share your gaming conquests with friends. These powerful features make Nox one of the most popular emulators among Android gamers.

Productivity Apps

Nox doesn't fall behind the competition in running productivity apps, either. Users can switch between fullscreen, tablet, and phone mode, while an easy-to-use sidebar lets you control different features of the emulated environment, such as the camera, microphone, and even setting a custom geolocation. The ability to set a custom geolocation allows users to experiment with geofencing technology or to catch the latest Pokemon Go all from the comfort of their bedroom. Drag and drop file transfer makes putting files on your virtual Android easier than ever. Just drag them from your desktop into the open Android window--there is no longer any need to upload files to the cloud and download them again on your Android phone. A button in the sidebar emulates shaking the phone, as this may be required for certain productivity apps.

Development

Software developers will find that Nox provides a very stable environment for testing Android version 4.4.2, but will be disappointed that they cannot specify the hardware architecture or Android OS version themselves. The ability to specify multiple processing cores will assist in the development of multithreaded apps, however. Each adjustment of hardware resources will require a reboot of the emulated machine, but Nox is able to run on and take full advantage of numerous PC architectures seamlessly, including the Intel and AMD chipsets in both 32 and 64-bit architectures.

A Well-Established Android Emulator

Compared to other Android emulators, Nox ranks as one of the highest in terms of ease of use and stability. Emulation is also very well-implemented, running your games at near-native speeds with hardly any noticeable lag (depending on the power of your PC). Nox lacks a few bells and whistles present in other Android emulators, including the ability to link your actual Android phone up for use as a gyro controller, but some users with technical expertise may be able to map their controllers using third party software. As one of the better-known and widely-used Android emulators, users will be happy to find that there are a plethora of tutorials and YouTube videos available online, guiding you through the steps of not only installation and configuration of the Nox software, but also showing you how to run specific games within Nox.

This assortment of powerful features, superior stability and compatibility, and ease of use makes Nox an attractive Android emulator to users of various backgrounds and needs.

Pros

• Nox is completely free!
• Easy installation and setup.
• Fullscreen support.
• Custom screen resolutions and easy switching between tablet and phone modes.
• Superior stability over some other Android emulators.
• High degree of compatibility due to a fairly recent Android OS version (4.4.2 KitKat).
• Easy to use side bar and controls.
• Supports controlling games with keyboards, mouse, and joystick.
• Supports setting custom keyboard combos.
• Allows you to set a custom geolocation.
• Allows for screen recording.
• Allows custom allocation of CPU and RAM resources.
• Drag and drop file transfer support.

Cons

• Nox is targeted towards gamers, so this is not the best emulator for developers.
• Does not let you specify the build of Android OS or hardware architecture.
• Does not allow for the linking of an actual Android phone for use as gyro controller.