If you need to develop & test iOS apps on your PC and looking for the Best iOS emulator for Windows PC, then you should bookmark this post as here we will be listing the top 5 iOS emulators that are FREE to download, easy to install, and use.
The iOS emulator for Windows PC is a good option in case you are developing an iOS app for your client or for yourself and have to test it but don’t have an iOS device.
The iOS apps require an iOS device to let you test the app and if you don’t have it, you may feel disappointed.
But as I said, there is an alternative that will serve the purpose.
Download any of these iOS emulators, it will let you run the iOS app on your Windows computer. For those, who don’t know what is an Emulator, let’s get to know it.
What is an Emulator
An emulator is a kind of software that can be installed on your computer and make it behave like the other one called “Guest Computer” It lets you run all those apps and software that the Guest computer is meant for.
If you are a developer, you must be knowing that creating apps requires lots of testing.
You need to test the app a hundred times while developing an app and if you could find a means to test it on your computer itself, it will be more convenient.
Also see: How to take a screenshot on a Mac
The Emulator provides the environment required to run the software and applications of the guest computer on your computer with ease.
For example, if you have a Windows PC or Mac and want to build Android apps and test them, you should have an android device to test the application.
If you don’t have an android device, you can download Android Emulator for PC and test the android application.
The emulator lets you see the app exactly like you are running it on an Android device.
What is an iOS Emulator?
So now you know an Emulator. It is a program that lets you run applications and software on your computer that the guest’s computer is supposed to run.
The iOS emulator is a savior for Windows PC users who are developing iOS apps and don’t have a device to test them.
You can download an iOS emulator for Windows PC and start testing the app while you go through the development stages.
The iOS emulators we are going to discuss in this post are free and hence give you a better alternative to test your iOS apps.
Advantages of iOS Emulator for Windows PC
By now you would have understood what an iOS emulator can be used for and how it can save you money that you would probably have spent on buying an iOS device to test the application. Here are some of the advantages of iOS emulators:
- Test iOS apps without actually having an iOS device.
- Test iOS apps right on your Windows PC which is more convenient.
- Free to download.
- Save cost – The amount you would have to spend on the purchase of iOS devices
Best iOS Emulator for PC:
There is a number of iOS emulators available on the internet but I’ve compiled a list of top 5 emulators that are easy to install and use and come at no cost.
You can download any of these iOS Emulators for PC as all of them are equally good.
Smartface
Smartface is one of the best iOS emulators that allow you to develop and test your iOS apps on your Windows PC.
This free iOS emulator is very easy to install and use with lots of in-built features for making coding and testing apps super easy.
Its built-in debugging tool allows you to debug your iOS app with ease. It lets you check the code in real-time which is pretty amazing.
You need to install iTunes on a Windows computer so that you could sync both, the emulator and the iTunes.
There are very few iOS emulators that could give you as many features as Smartface. It is a great alternative if you have to develop and test the iOS app.
MobiOne Studio
MobiOne Studio is yet another great choice for developing iOS apps and testing them. This easy download & install and use iOS emulator comes with lots of interesting features.
The emulator has been downloaded by several million designers and developers across the world and many new downloads are reported every single day.
One of the unique features of MobiOne studio is that this is not just an iOS emulator, it’s an Android emulator as well. So if you download it, it will serve two purposes at the same time.
For example, if you are an iOS app developer and need an iOS emulator and your friend is an Android app developer, both of them can use the same emulator.
The MobiOne studio has a built-in iPhone, and iPad emulator that allows you to test the app for both devices. It is a free iOS emulator with unique features and an easy interface.
AIR iPhone
If you are looking for a light-weighted iOS emulator for Windows PC for developing and testing iOS apps, download the AIR iPhone without thinking too much. It is one of the best iOS emulators with an amazing user interface.
It works with the AIR framework and needs it installed before you install AIR iPhone on your Windows PC.
Some of the developers have reported that there could be a difference between the app that you are testing on it and the actual app. It is because of the fact that AIR iPhone is not fully functional.
iPadian
I find iPadian one of the best choices as the iOS emulator. It is very easy to use and install.
But with iPadian, you wouldn’t be able to see how the app will look on the iPhone as it let you see how the app will look like on the iPad (iOS device).
This iOS emulator comes without its own app store and hence it wouldn’t be possible to see/ download apps from iTunes, which could be a disadvantage.
The iPadian works with the Adobe AIR platform, therefore if you want to install an iPadian on your Windows PC, you must have to install Adobe AIR on the computer.
There are two versions of the iPadian iOS emulator- Free & Premium. While the free version gives you limited access, the premium versions have lots of interesting features that will ease app development and testing. For the premium version, you just need to pay $ 10!
Appetize .io
This cloud-based iOS emulator allows you to develop, customize, and test iOS apps comfortably from your Windows PC browser.
You need not download the iOS emulator on your Windows PC. The cloud-based emulator is quite easy to use and navigate. You just need to upload the app and test it online.
Over to you!
Download /use online any of these iOS emulators for Windows PC and if you don’t have iOS devices for iOS app development and testing. All these iOS emulators are free to download/use online.