Genymotion vs BlueStacks

Genymotion takes advantage of OpenGL capable graphics cards allowing it to be one of the fastest Android emulators. The only comparable option is HAXM enabled Android SDK emulator.

Genymotion has plugins for Eclipse and Android Studio allowing you to launch Genymotion right from within those IDEs.

Genymotion is available on Windows, OS X and Linux

Genymotion allows using a webcam connected to a computer as a camera for the emulated device. It can also enable a dummy webcam that will display a genymotion logo in motion.

To use a webcam or set up a dummy, access camera settings panel by pressing ctrl+3 (or ⌘+3), enable the functionality and choose a front-facing and a back-facing camera.

Genymotion has a selection of over 20 virtual devices, including various Google, HTC, LG, Motorola, Samsung and Sony phones and tablets. If a device that's needed is not found in the library, a custom phone or tablet device can be created with RAM, screen size and density adjusted from the wrench menu.

Genymotion offers three ways of deploying an app:

• By dragging and dropping an .apk file on a device (ADB must be installed)
• By running adb install <appname>.apk
• By using a web link from within the emulated device

GPS information, including position, accuracy and bearing, can be used and modified in real time. Ctrl+2 (or ⌘+2) to access GPS settings panel.

Installation is standard and after installing and launching Genymotion you'll have to log in. Once signed in, you can create your virtualized Android device.

Genymotion runs on Oracle Virtual Box, that is bundled with the installation.

In order to enable the functionality:

1. Go to your VirtualBox VM setting / Shared folder tab
2. Add a shared folder with the folder you want to shared, and check the "auto mount" option
3. Start your VM as usual from the Genymotion software
4. Your shared folder is available in the /mnt/shared directory (multiple shared folders are supported)

Genymotion supports Android 2.3, 4.1, 4.2, 4.3 and 4.4 emulation.

A free version is offered to use it with general functionality non-commercially.

Genymotion is a true enterprise grade Android Emulator and a very close competitor to Bluestacks in terms of features and apps compatibility. One of the key differences between Bluestacks and Genymotion is the target users. Genymotion majorly targets app developers while Bluestacks primarily targets app users and gamers.

A custom or random Android ID & Device ID / IMEI / MEID can be set up from the Identifiers pane that can be accessed by clicking ctrl+6 (or ⌘+6). Since IMEI and MEID are often used as device IDs, Genymotion generates number compliant with the GSM 02.16 standard.

A virtual device can be cloned and reset to factory settings quickly.

Multitouch commands can be issued via mouse and keyboard.

Remote control widget allows taking control of an emulated device via a physical one. It forwards multitouch gesture and accelerometer information to the virtual device.

To capture a video or a screenshot, access capture widget by clicking ctrl+4 (or ⌘+4) and clicking either screenshot or screencast. This is especially useful for older device images (before 4.4) where there's no native way of recording.

Each pixel can be set to display using exactly one pixel of your monitor. To enable this functionality click ctrl+r (or ⌘+r).

Genymotion offers multiple network profiles - Wifi, edge, 3G, 4G. Network quality (various delays and packet loss) can be controlled via UI (accessed by clicking ctrl+7 or ⌘+7), Java API or command line.

For end users who are not developers, Bluestacks is perfect for the simple reason that it is just one click install, one just need to download the package and install it on windows or Mac to start accessing games and apps. It is just simple!

A folder on the desktop with shortcuts to apps will be created. Opening a shortcut will start up BlueStacks and run the selected app.

Only a Google account is needed, which is the same as setting up an Android phone.

Installing apps from APK files is important for developing purposes.

Now, running multiple instances of BlueStacks is possible even with different Google Accounts.

There are shared folders for this purpose.

You can not only transfer from Windows to Android storage (from BlueStack tweaker), but you can also delete or rename a file from it and also access themes and other options.