Convert AIFF files to ALAC format online for free. Fast, secure, and easy-to-use AIFF to ALAC converter with no software installation required.
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Max file size: 50 MBMax duration: 30 min
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Drag and drop your AIFF file, or click to browse for it.
Choose ALAC as the output and click Convert. The conversion runs on our servers, so your device does none of the work.
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Your file is used only to make your conversion. It is never published or shared, and the download link expires after one hour.
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How the two formats differ on the things that change your result.
| Specification | AIFF (source) | ALAC (result) |
|---|---|---|
| Container | IFF / AIFF | MPEG-4 (.m4a) |
| Developed by | Apple | Apple |
| Introduced | 1988 | 2004 |
| Audio codecs | PCM | ALAC |
| Compression | Uncompressed | Lossless (compressed) |
| Max sample rate | 192 kHz | 192 kHz |
| Max bit depth | 32 bit | 32 bit |
| Max channels | 8 | 8 |
| Gapless playback | Yes | Yes |
| Metadata / tags | ID3 chunk (limited) | MPEG-4 iTunes-style atoms |
| Approx. file size | 10–32 MB per minute | 5–7 MB per minute |
| Licensing | Royalty-free | Royalty-free |
| Plays natively on | Native: macOS, iOS · Needs a player: Windows, Android, Web browsers | Native: macOS, iOS · Needs a player: Windows, Android, Web browsers, Smart TVs |
| Best for | studio editing, the Apple ecosystem, mastering | long-term archiving, the Apple ecosystem, audiophile listening |
Nothing is lost here. AIFF and ALAC are both lossless, so the audio that comes out decodes to exactly the samples that went in, at around 6 MB per minute instead of 21.
This conversion moves the file toward a different purpose: AIFF suits studio editing, the Apple ecosystem, mastering, whereas ALAC is chosen for long-term archiving, the Apple ecosystem, audiophile listening.
Tags do not transfer verbatim. AIFF stores them as ID3 chunk (limited) while ALAC uses MPEG-4 iTunes-style atoms, so titles and artwork are remapped and unusual custom fields may not survive.
Converting AIFF to ALAC means moving audio out of the IFF / AIFF container, introduced in 1988, and into MPEG-4 (.m4a), which arrived in 2004. The two were designed with different priorities, and that is what determines whether this conversion costs you quality, storage, or compatibility.
Developed by Apple in 1988, AIFF carries uncompressed audio (PCM). That sets the upper bound on what any conversion can preserve.
ALAC was introduced by Apple in 2004. It holds losslessly compressed audio (ALAC) and plays natively on macOS and iOS.
After converting your file, you can use Scriptivox transcription services to convert your audio to text. Perfect for meetings, interviews, podcasts, and more.
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