How to use the FLAC to ALAC converter
- Choose your FLAC file or drop it on the box.
- No quality setting needed: ALAC is lossless.
- Click "Convert to ALAC". A progress meter shows how far along it is.
- Download your ALAC and listen to it right on the page.
Why convert FLAC to ALAC?
FLAC does not import into iTunes or Apple Music. ALAC is Apple's lossless format, so FLAC to ALAC keeps perfect quality and works on every Apple device.
- FLAC: much larger than MP3.
- ALAC: lossless quality.
- ALAC: native on every Apple device.
Both formats are lossless, so the sound is identical. ALAC files are usually a little larger than FLAC.
FLAC vs ALAC
| FLAC | ALAC | |
|---|---|---|
| Full name | Free Lossless Audio Codec | Apple Lossless Audio Codec |
| Type | Audio | Audio |
| Created by | Josh Coalson and the Xiph.Org Foundation (2001) | Apple (2004) |
| Compression | Lossless | Lossless |
| Codec | FLAC | ALAC |
| Best for | CD rips, hi-res music and archiving | Lossless music in iTunes, Apple Music and on iPhone |
| Plays on | Android, Windows 10 and later, recent iPhones (Files app), VLC and hi-fi streamers; older iTunes and some car stereos do not | iPhone, iPad, Mac, iTunes and VLC |
Does converting FLAC to ALAC lose quality?
Both FLAC and ALAC are lossless (or uncompressed), so the audio is identical after conversion, sample for sample.
How long does it take?
A few seconds for a song, and under a minute for an hour-long recording on most computers.
What is a FLAC file?
FLAC compresses audio without throwing anything away: decode it and you get exactly the original. Files are about half the size of WAV. It is the favourite format for CD rips and hi-res music downloads.
What is an ALAC file?
ALAC is Apple's lossless codec, the Apple equivalent of FLAC. It is saved in .m4a files and is the format Apple Music uses for lossless streaming. Open-sourced in 2011.
Frequently asked questions
How much does the FLAC to ALAC converter cost?
Nothing. It is free with no registration, no watermark and no limit on how many files you convert.
Are my files safe?
Yes. Files are converted locally in your browser and are never uploaded. When you close the page, nothing is left behind.
Will the ALAC sound as good as the FLAC?
Both FLAC and ALAC are lossless (or uncompressed), so the audio is identical after conversion, sample for sample.
Can I convert ALAC back to FLAC?
Yes, use the FLAC Converter and choose FLAC as the output.
FLAC files will not import into iTunes or Apple Music. What should I do?
Convert FLAC to ALAC (lossless) or MP3.
Does it work on iPhone and Android?
Yes, in Safari, Chrome and other modern mobile browsers. Short files work best on phones; for long or high-resolution videos a computer is faster.