Convert ALAC files to AAC format online for free. Fast, secure, and easy-to-use ALAC to AAC converter with no software installation required.
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Max file size: 50 MBMax duration: 30 min
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Choose AAC as the output and click Convert. The conversion runs on our servers, so your device does none of the work.
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How the two formats differ on the things that change your result.
| Specification | ALAC (source) | AAC (result) |
|---|---|---|
| Container | MPEG-4 (.m4a) | ADTS / raw AAC |
| Developed by | Apple | MPEG / Fraunhofer IIS |
| Introduced | 2004 | 1997 |
| Audio codecs | ALAC | AAC-LC, HE-AAC |
| Compression | Lossless (compressed) | Lossy |
| Max sample rate | 192 kHz | 96 kHz |
| Max channels | 8 | 8 |
| Gapless playback | Yes | Partial |
| Metadata / tags | MPEG-4 iTunes-style atoms | ID3v2 (limited in ADTS) |
| Approx. file size | 5–7 MB per minute | 0.72–1.92 MB per minute |
| Licensing | Royalty-free | Patent-licensed |
| Plays natively on | Native: macOS, iOS · Needs a player: Windows, Android, Web browsers, Smart TVs | Native: Web browsers, Windows, macOS, iOS, Android, Smart TVs |
| Best for | long-term archiving, the Apple ecosystem, audiophile listening | streaming services, mobile playback, broadcast |
This is the step where quality is actually decided. ALAC holds the full signal; AAC throws away part of it to shrink the file, so pick the bitrate deliberately. Between 96 and 256 kbps covers most listening, and the file drops from around 6 MB per minute to roughly 1.3 MB per minute.
If your source runs above 96 kHz, it will be resampled: AAC cannot store the 192 kHz that ALAC allows.
Compatibility is the main win here: AAC plays natively on web browsers, Windows, Android, and smart TVs, where ALAC needs a separate player, so the result works without asking anyone to install anything.
The two formats are aimed at different jobs. ALAC is typically used for long-term archiving, the Apple ecosystem, audiophile listening, while AAC is the usual pick for streaming services, mobile playback, broadcast. That difference in intent is what most of the specification gaps above come from.
Expect metadata to be rewritten rather than copied: MPEG-4 iTunes-style atoms in the source becomes ID3v2 (limited in ADTS) in the result. Standard fields map cleanly; niche custom tags often do not.
This page converts ALAC files, stored in the MPEG-4 (.m4a) container since 2004, into AAC, which uses ADTS / raw AAC and dates from 1997. The differences between the two containers decide what changes in the result.
ALAC comes from Apple and dates to 2004. It holds losslessly compressed audio (ALAC), and that sets the ceiling for anything converted out of it.
AAC comes from MPEG / Fraunhofer IIS and dates to 1997. It carries lossy-compressed audio (AAC-LC or HE-AAC), and without installing anything it plays on web browsers, Windows, macOS, iOS, Android, and smart TVs.
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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