Audio Converter

Convert AAC to Lossless ALAC, Free and Online

Upload your AAC file and get back an Apple Lossless ALAC file. Ready to download in seconds.

Convert Now
Convert AAC to Lossless ALAC, Free and Online
Free Tool

Audio Format Converter

Upload any audio file, choose an output format, and download the converted result. Supports MP3, WAV, FLAC, AAC, OGG, ALAC, WMA, Opus and M4A.

Drop your audio file here

or click to browse

Choose File

Image coming soon

01

Native on Every Apple Device

Convert Now

Image coming soon

02

Lossless for Logic Pro and GarageBand

Try It Free

Image coming soon

03

Clean Output, Every Time

See It in Action
How It Works

Three steps to Apple Lossless

1

Upload your AAC file

Drop your AAC file onto the tool or click to browse. The format is validated before conversion starts.

2

Verify and convert

Complete a quick human verification, then click Convert. Our server processes the file using FFmpeg and encodes it as ALAC in an M4A container.

3

Download your ALAC file

When conversion is complete, preview the output in the browser player, then download your ALAC file.

Try It Now

Deep Dive

AAC vs ALAC: What Changes When You Convert

Both formats are native to Apple devices, but they serve different purposes.

Apple audio ecosystem devices
01

AAC: Compressed but Excellent Quality

AAC (Advanced Audio Coding) is a lossy compression format. It achieves small file sizes by permanently removing audio data the ear is least likely to notice. It is the default format for iTunes Store purchases and Apple Music streaming.

TypeLossy compression
Typical bitrate128 to 256 kbps
Container.m4a or .aac

Converting AAC to ALAC does not restore lost audio data. It wraps the decoded PCM in a lossless container to prevent further degradation.

02

ALAC: Lossless with Full Waveform Preserved

ALAC (Apple Lossless Audio Codec) compresses audio without discarding any data. Every sample is preserved exactly. Bit-for-bit identical to the uncompressed source after decoding.

TypeLossless compression
File sizeRoughly 40 to 60% of uncompressed WAV
Container.m4a
03

When to Use ALAC Over AAC

ALAC is the right choice for archiving masters, feeding high-end DACs, working in Logic Pro or GarageBand, or any scenario where you need to re-export without generational loss.

Best forLogic Pro, GarageBand, Apple Music library, audiophile playback
CompatibilityAll Apple devices, VLC, foobar2000, most modern players
04

Why File Size Grows After Conversion

A lossless file stores every sample of the decoded audio. Even though ALAC uses compression, the resulting file is noticeably larger than the original AAC because no data is thrown away.

Typical size increase3 to 8x vs the source AAC at 256 kbps

This is expected and correct. Lossless always means larger than lossy.

ALAC was made open source by Apple in 2011 and is now part of the FFmpeg project.

Benefits

Why Use This Converter

🍎

Native Apple Ecosystem

ALAC plays natively on every iPhone, iPad, Mac, and Apple TV. No third-party codec needed.

⚡

Fast Conversion

Most AAC files convert to ALAC in under 30 seconds on our dedicated processing servers.

🆓

Fast and Simple

Upload your file, click convert, download the result. No extra steps.

Who Uses It

Who Converts AAC to ALAC

From audiophiles to professional producers, here are the most common workflows.

Audiophiles and music producers using AAC to ALAC conversion
01

Audiophiles and Hi-Fi Listeners

High-end DACs and amplifiers benefit from lossless source files. ALAC ensures the converted file feeds your hardware without any compression artifacts downstream.

02

Logic Pro and GarageBand Users

Apple DAWs import ALAC natively. If your sample library is in AAC, converting to ALAC prevents quality loss when re-exporting projects across multiple sessions.

WorkflowImport ALAC into Logic Pro sample library or GarageBand loop browser
03

Music Archivists

Preserving a music collection in a lossless format means it can be re-converted to any future format without further degradation. ALAC in an M4A container is compact and widely supported.

04

Apple Music Offline Library Managers

Some users prefer to manage their Apple Music library with lossless local copies alongside streaming. ALAC integrates without any third-party codec installation on macOS or iOS.

05

Podcast and Voiceover Producers

Recording guides and studio sessions are often delivered as AAC. Converting to ALAC before editing in Logic Pro or Audition prevents artifact buildup across multiple export rounds.

Converts using FFmpeg on dedicated servers.

Convert Your File Now

Related Tools

Frequently Asked Questions

Does converting AAC to ALAC improve audio quality?

No. AAC is a lossy format and any audio data discarded during original encoding cannot be recovered. What ALAC gives you is a lossless container that prevents further quality loss in subsequent edits or re-exports.

What file extension does the converted ALAC file use?

ALAC is stored inside an M4A container, so the output file has a .m4a extension. This is correct and expected. All Apple devices and most modern media players recognize it.

Why is the converted file larger than the original AAC?

ALAC stores every audio sample without discarding data, so lossless files are always larger than lossy compressed files at the same quality level. A typical 256 kbps AAC file can be 3 to 8 times larger after conversion to ALAC.

Which devices and apps play ALAC files?

All Apple devices (iPhone, iPad, Mac, Apple TV, HomePod) support ALAC natively. Other compatible players include VLC, foobar2000, Winamp, and most modern Android media players.

Get Started Free

Ready to Convert Your AAC File?

Upload your file above and get Apple Lossless ALAC in seconds.