When comparing ARC Welder vs Console OS, the Slant community recommends ARC Welder for most people. In the question“What are the best ways to run/emulate Android on a PC?” ARC Welder is ranked 5th while Console OS is ranked 18th. The most important reason people chose ARC Welder is:
Even though it's a developer preview, it's likely to evolve quickly as Google is developing it. Since Google is also behind Android, it makes sense to use a more official way of running APK. If they don't work, you may check with the developer so it may eventually work.
Ranked in these QuestionsQuestion Ranking
Pros
Pro Developed by Google
Even though it's a developer preview, it's likely to evolve quickly as Google is developing it. Since Google is also behind Android, it makes sense to use a more official way of running APK. If they don't work, you may check with the developer so it may eventually work.
Pro Cross-platform
Works on Chrome 41+ on Windows, Mac, Chrome OS and Linux.
Pro Allows running apps in a Chrome web browser
It installs as a Chrome App and runs on most operating systems (Windows, Mac, Linux, Chrome OS), even thought x86 support will be put in maintenance mode soon.
Pro Designed as a desktop OS
Console OS is Android modified so it can be a viable replacement for your currently installed operating system.
Cons
Con Discontinued
Discontinued after December 2020.
Con Not all Google Play services are yet supported
ARC Welder supports OAuth2, Google Cloud Messaging , Google+ sign-in, Maps, Location, and Ads APIs from Google Play services.
Con Only supports "arm" apk files
"x86" apk files don't work as of 20150422.
Con Keyboard input is spotty
Con No accelerometer emulation
Con Orientation mode has to be selected before running the app
Con A single app can be loaded at a time
Con Vaporware
Console OS is just other people's source code redistributed under a different name.
Con Limited hardware support
Only a small number of devices are supported, however support for additional devices will be added in the future