ALAC vs FLAC: What's the Difference?

It’s time to put an end to the everlasting fight between the two biggest lossless formats out there!

Let’s face it, guys. High-resolution music is more accessible today than ever before. But what happens if you are new to this audio ocean? Should you choose FLAC or ALAC? — It’s time to find it out!

The History Behind FLAC vs ALAC Lossless Music

What is an FLAC File?

FLAC (Free Lossless Audio Codec) was initially released in 2001 and is today's most popular lossless audio codec. Launched as an open-source high-resolution music format, it is currently supported by the majority of audio devices on the market. FLAC files offer the same audio quality as the original source while providing better compression than uncompressed formats.

What is an ALAC File?

ALAC stands for Apple Lossless Audio Codec. ALAC files are designed to provide the original audio data with bit-for-bit accuracy while reducing the file size compared to uncompressed audio formats like WAV. Many users have trouble transferring music from their Apple devices to their computers, but it is still a very favorable audio format.

Apple Inc. developed ALAC files in 2004 for lossless data compression of digital music. Originally, it was proprietary, but seven years later, in 2011, Apple made it open source since hackers were already reverse engineering it. Naturally, ALAC files are primarily used in Apple devices and software, including iTunes and iOS devices.

ALAC vs. FLAC: Comparison Table

How much do they compress?

FLAC and ALAC compress equally well. They can usually squeeze up to 40%—60% of the original music file size, with ALAC having slightly better results overall. Keep in mind that this is lossless compression, which means that the quality is preserved, resulting in crystal-clear sound and no missing details.

This can be useful if you need to transfer files over networks with restricted bandwidth or if your storage capacity is constrained. Generally speaking, though, the two formats have little to no difference in file sizes.

Which one plays better?

Don’t expect me to write that one is better in highs while the other wins in lows. It’s not the case. If recorded at the same sampling rate, there is no difference in sound quality between FLACs and ALACs. They are both great.

Both have a good 'Bit' support

ALAC and FLAC support several bit levels, including 16-bit and 24-bit. The source content and the capability of your playback device will determine which bit depth you should use. Greater bit depths can catch tiny variances in the audio and offer a wider dynamic range.

Same with the Sampling Rate

Yet again, both ALAC and FLAC support a wide range of sampling rates, including popular rates like 44.1 kHz (CD quality), 48 kHz, and 96 kHz and higher. The sample rate you choose will depend on your device's capabilities and the particular requirements of your audio material. Higher sampling rates can capture more details and provide a more precise recreation of the source audio.

Should you stick with FLAC or ALAC?

Ultimately, it all depends on your preferences and the type of audio devices you own. The only real difference is the number of apps and devices supporting each format. If you are an Apple fan, then you should definitely choose ALAC to keep your ecosystem consistent.

If you have a wide range of non-Apple music devices, I would definitely recommend giving FLAC a shot since it is the most widely used lossless format out there. The choice is yours.