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Shifting from Windows or macOS to a Chromebook brings its own advantages, such as a lightweight operating system, snappy performance, and impressive battery life. However, there are instances when you may miss your familiar applications and desire to run them on Chrome OS. While Windows and macOS offer numerous virtualization software options for this purpose, the support for emulation on Chromebooks is more limited. Now, if you’d like to discuss the best emulators for Chromebook to address this challenge, we can delve into that topic further.
Nonetheless, we have curated a list of the top 10 emulators for Chromebook that enable you to utilize Windows programs, Android apps, and classic arcade games from older consoles. These emulators for Chromebook provide the flexibility to run various software environments of your choice. Without further ado, let’s delve into the list and explore the finest Chromebook emulators available.
Benefits of Emulators for Chromebook
Emulators for Chromebooks have a number of advantages that improve the user experience and add to the device’s capabilities. Some of the most important perks are:
- Access to a Wide Range of Applications: Emulators let Chromebook users run software and apps that are usually made for other operating systems, like Windows or Android. This lets a huge number of apps and programs run on Chrome OS that couldn’t before.
- Improved Productivity: Chromebook users can use productivity tools and apps that are usually used on other platforms with the help of emulators. This includes office suites, design programs, development environments, and more, all of which help users be more busy and efficient.
- Compatibility with Old Software: Emulators let users run old programs or software that Chrome OS no longer supports. This is especially helpful for people who need certain apps for work or personal use that aren’t built into Chromebooks.
Factors to Consider When Choosing Emulators for Chromebook
There are a few things to think about when picking Chromebook emulators to make sure you make the right choice. Among these things are:
- Compatibility: Check to see if the emulator works with your type of Chromebook and version of Chrome OS. There may be hardware or software needs for emulators, so it’s important to make sure they’re compatible before installing.
- Emulated Systems: Find out which systems or devices the emulator is compatible with. Think about whether you need an emulator for gaming consoles, operating systems like Windows or macOS, or special software environments.
- Performance: Figure out how well the simulation works on Chromebook. Look for reviews or user comments about how fast, stable, and well the emulator works. The user experience will be better if the emulator works smoothly and quickly.
Best Emulators for Chromebook Comparison Table
Emulators make it possible for Chromebooks to run games from different devices and platforms. This includes choices for “retro gaming,” where users can play classic games from older consoles. This gives the device more ways to play games.
Emulator | Platform | Features |
---|---|---|
QEMU | Multiple platforms | Cross-platform support, virtualization capabilities |
Parallels Desktop | macOS | Seamless integration with macOS, support for Windows VMs |
NES.EMU | Chrome OS | NES emulation, gamepad support, save states |
DRASTIC DS EMULATOR | Android | Nintendo DS emulation, enhanced graphics and controls |
Eclipse | Multiple platforms | Integrated development environment (IDE) for various languages |
List of the Best Emulators for Chromebook
We’ve put together this list of the best Chromebook mimics for a wide range of uses. We have tried out different ways to run Windows programs and Android apps and to play old games by simulating software settings for other operating systems. So, expand the table below and move to any area you want.
Best Overall: QEMU #Top3

Feature | Description |
---|---|
Hardware Emulation | QEMU can emulate various hardware architectures, including x86, ARM, PowerPC, and more. |
Virtualization Support | It supports full virtualization using KVM and Xen, as well as paravirtualization with VirtIO. |
Snapshotting and Live Migration | QEMU allows you to take snapshots of virtual machines and perform live migration between hosts. |
Device Emulation | It can emulate a wide range of devices, such as network cards, sound cards, USB devices, and more. |
If you want to run desktop operating systems like Windows, Linux, and Android on your Chromebook, you can use QEMU, which is the best emulator for Chromebook. It’s a powerful, free, open-source emulator that can run almost any operating system you throw at it. I’ve already tried using QEMU to run Windows 10 on my Chromebook, and it worked pretty well, just like VMware and VirtualBox. The performance is even better if your Chromebook uses KVM (Kernel-based Virtual Machine).
Since Android apps don’t work on Chrome OS Flex, you can use QEMU to run Android-x86 on your Chromebook. Also, keep in mind that your Chromebook needs to be able to run Linux for QEMU to work. Google adds Linux support to all Chromebooks, even the ones used in schools, so it’s easy to run an emulator on a Chromebook. To sum up, QEMU is the best emulator for running anything you want on your Chromebook.
The Good
- Broad hardware architecture support
- Versatile virtualization options
- Snapshot and live migration capabilities
The Bad
- Configuration and setup can be complex for beginners
- Performance can vary depending on the host system
Parallels Desktop #Top3

Feature | Description |
---|---|
Windows Integration | Parallels Desktop provides seamless integration between macOS and Windows, allowing you to run Windows applications directly on your Mac. |
Coherence Mode | It enables running Windows applications in a mode that integrates them with the macOS environment, giving a unified desktop experience. |
Performance Optimization | Parallels Desktop utilizes optimization techniques to deliver high performance for running Windows applications on Mac hardware. |
Easy Migration | You can easily migrate your existing Windows PC or virtual machine to Parallels Desktop on your Mac. |
If you want to run desktop operating systems like Windows, Linux, and Android on your Chromebook, you can use QEMU, which is the best emulator for Chromebook. It’s a powerful, free, open-source emulator that can run almost any operating system you throw at it. I’ve already tried using QEMU to run Windows 10 on my Chromebook, and it worked pretty well, just like VMware and VirtualBox.
The performance is even better if your Chromebook uses KVM (Kernel-based Virtual Machine). Since Android apps don’t work on Chrome OS Flex, you can use QEMU to run Android-x86 on your Chromebook. Also, keep in mind that your Chromebook needs to be able to run Linux for QEMU to work. Google adds Linux support to all Chromebooks, even the ones used in schools, so it’s easy to run an emulator on a Chromebook. To sum up, QEMU is the best emulator for running anything you want on your Chromebook.
The Good
- Smooth integration between macOS and Windows
- Coherence Mode for a unified desktop experience
- Performance optimizations for running Windows applications
The Bad
- Requires a licensed copy of Windows
- Resource-intensive, may require a powerful Mac for optimal performance
NES.EMU #Top3

Feature | Description |
---|---|
NES Emulation | NES.EMU allows you to emulate and play NES (Nintendo Entertainment System) games on your device. |
Gamepad Support | It supports various gamepad controllers, giving you a more authentic gaming experience. |
Save States | You can save and load game progress at any point, allowing you to continue playing from where you left off. |
Cheat Codes | NES.EMU supports cheat codes for games, providing additional gameplay options. |
After installation, NES.Emu may give the impression of being a pretty basic application. However, this is an issue that exists with a significant number of the top emulators. In contrast to the majority of the other choices on our list, this one will cost you some money, but the return on your investment will be more than satisfactory. In addition to enabling emulation of the NES, NES.Emu also allows emulation of the Famicom, which is something that isn’t supported by too many other emulators.
You have the ability to customize the on-screen touch controls if you possess a ChromeOS tablet such as the Lenovo Duet 3 or the HP Chromebook x11. However, there is also support for a large number of the most effective controllers for Chromebooks. These controllers include alternatives that connect via Bluetooth or USB, such as the 8Bitdo SN30 Pro and others.
The Good
- Ability to play NES games on your device
- Gamepad support for enhanced gaming experience
- Save states and cheat code support
The Bad
- Limited to NES emulation only
- User interface may not be as user-friendly as some other emulators
Best Emulators for Chromebook For Gaming
There are a few versions that stand out as the best ways to play games on your Chromebook. These apps make it easy to play games on your Chromebook and let you play a wide variety of games. Here are the best emulators for gaming on a Chromebook, along with a short description of why they are so popular:
DRASTIC DS EMULATOR

Feature | Description |
---|---|
Nintendo DS Emulation | DRASTIC DS EMULATOR enables you to emulate and play Nintendo DS games on your device. |
Enhanced Graphics and Controls | It provides options for enhancing graphics and adjusting controls to optimize gameplay experience. |
Save States and Cheats | You can save and load game progress, as well as use cheat codes for additional features. |
Synchronization with Google Drive | DRASTIC allows you to sync game saves and settings with Google Drive for easy backup and access. |
There are certain emulators that have been around for a number of years, and DraStic DS is one of such emulators. Because it was so good when it was first published, it has continued to be used. This continues to be the case, and as a result of Google’s Play Store, you now have the ability to install DraStic directly on your Chromebook. It’s possible that you’ll need to play about with the various layout and configuration options before you can get things to look how you want them to. However, after you have done so, you will be able to boot up your preferred DS ROMs and begin playing.
The capability to store your progress is yet another handy feature offered by DraStic, in addition to a good number of the other finest emulators. Simply said, you have the ability to establish a “Save State” that will allow you to exit the game and pick up where you left off when you have more time. There is also support for a variety of USB and Bluetooth controllers, and there is an option that enables you to enhance the graphics of the game so that it appears more favourably on your Chromebook. All of this functionality is included in DraStic.
The Good
- Full Nintendo DS emulation on your device
- Customizable graphics and controls
- Save states, cheats, and Google Drive synchronization
The Bad
- Requires a powerful device for optimal performance
- Paid emulator, not available for free
Eclipse

Feature | Description |
---|---|
Integrated Development Environment | Eclipse is a powerful IDE for Java, C/C++, and other programming languages. |
Extensibility and Plugins | It supports a wide range of plugins and extensions, allowing you to customize and enhance the IDE’s functionality. |
Code Editing and Debugging | Eclipse provides advanced code editing features, including syntax highlighting, code completion, and integrated debugging tools. |
Project Management | It offers robust project management capabilities, enabling you to organize and navigate your codebase effectively. |
Because so many individuals would rather not deal with installing applications, Eclipse is the preferred emulator for the vast majority of our users. Because it is executed directly within a user’s browser, it is compatible with any device, including a PC running Chrome OS. Simply boot up Chrome, navigate to the Eclipseemu.me website, and load your ROM file before you begin gaming.
It is also an emulator that is fairly complete in its functionality. This one is capable of emulating a wide range of video game consoles, including the Game Boy, Game Boy Colour, Game Boy Advance, NES, Super Nintendo, Sega Master System, and Sega Game Gear. In addition to that, it offers control via both the touch screen and the keyboard. Although the controls for gamepads aren’t actually inherent to the game, you can manually map keyboard buttons to gamepad controls, so you can certainly utilize controllers.
The Good
- Versatile IDE for multiple programming languages
- Extensible with numerous plugins and extensions
- Comprehensive code editing and debugging features
The Bad
- Steep learning curve for beginners
- Can be resource-intensive on lower-end systems
Tips for Optimizing Emulator Performance on Chromebook
Consider the following tips to improve the speed of emulators on your Chromebook:
- Update Chrome OS: Make sure the running system on your Chromebook is always up to date. Chrome OS updates often include bug fixes and speed improvements that can make emulators run better overall.
- Close Background Apps: To free up system resources, close any apps or tabs that are going in the background that you don’t need. Emulators need a lot of processing power, and stopping apps that aren’t being used can help the emulator get more resources and run better.
- Change the emulator’s settings: Play around with the emulator’s settings to get the best results. Depending on what your Chromebook can do, adjust the settings for images, frame rate, and sound. Try out different configurations to find the best mix between speed and good looks.
Questions and Answers
A: A Chromebook emulator is a piece of software that lets you run programs or games made for other operating systems or devices on your Chromebook. They basically make a virtual environment that copies the hardware and software of a different device. This lets you run apps or games that Chrome OS might not be able to run on its own.
A: Emulators are allowed on their own, but the use of certain software or ROMs (read-only memory files) may not be. It’s important to make sure you’re using emulators and software in line with your country’s copyright and licensing rules. Most of the time, it’s best to use emulators with software or games that you bought properly.
A: You might not be able to run Windows apps on a Chromebook with just an emulator. But you can look into choices like CrossOver or Wine, which are compatibility layers that let some Windows apps run on Chrome OS. Keep in mind that Windows apps can behave and work in different ways.