Converters for MP3, WAV, OGG, WMA, M4A, FLAC, and more
Source: https://www.lifewire.com/free-audio-converter-software-programs-2622863
An audio file converter is one kind of file converter that (surprise!) is used to convert one type of audio file (like an MP3, WAV, WMA, etc.) into another type of audio file.
If you're unable to play or edit a certain audio file the way you want because the format isn't supported by the software you're using, one of these programs or online tools can help.
These tools are also helpful if your favorite music app on your phone or tablet doesn't support the format that a new song you downloaded is in. A converter can change that obscure format into one that your app supports.
Lifewire / Maritsa Patrinos
Below is my ranked list of the best free audio converter software programs and online converter services available:
I routinely refresh this list as I come across new options, and I always only include freeware.
Audio-Convert.com
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Works in your browser.
Supports bulk conversions to the same or different formats.
Clean website design; easy to use.
No file size limit.
Dropbox uploading is supported, but you can't save back to it.
Large banner ads.
This is my first choice for three reason: it works directly from their website, there's no file size restriction, and it supports batch conversions.
Other than those things, Audio-Convert.com is similar to the other web-based converters below—add one or more files from your computer, Dropbox, or URL, and convert them online to a number of formats.
- Input Formats: M4A, M4B, M4P, M4R, M4V, MP3, MP4, OGG, WAV, WAVE, and others
- Output Formats: AAC, AIFF, FLAC, M4A, M4R, MMF, MIDI, MP3, OGG, OPUS, WAV, and WMA
You can convert more than one file at a time, and each one can have its own conversion settings or the same settings. This applies to not only the format, but also the encoder, quality, sampling rate, and channel.
After the conversion process is finished, save the file(s) back to your computer individually or, if there are several, as a ZIP archive.
Zamzar
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Works on any OS through your web browser.
Can convert local and online audio files.
Lots of audio file formats are supported.
Lists every compatible format you can convert the audio file to (so there's no confusion).
Download now or wait for an email.
Conversions are sometimes slower than other online converters.
Limits conversions to two for any single session as well as every 24 hours.
Really large files aren't supported for free users (over 50 MB).
Zamzar has always been a favorite of mine. I like that it's way more than just an audio converter, but even in this context, I appreciate that it works through my browser and that I can easily import files from my favorite cloud storage services.
Like any online file converter, it's super easy to use. To get started, just upload the files you want to convert. Here's what's supported:
- Input Formats: 3GA, AAC, AC3, AIFC, AIFF, AMR, APE, CAF, FLAC, M4A, M4B, M4R, MIDI, MP3, OGA, OGG, RA, RAM, WAV, and WMA
- Output Formats: AAC, AC3, FLAC, M4A, M4R, MP3, MP4, OGG, WAV, and WMA
Zamzar's conversion time is sometimes slow compared to other online audio converter services. However, fortunately, you don't have to wait for an email to get the download link. Unless you choose to get an email, you can wait on the download page for the button to appear so that you can download the converted file right away.
It can be used with pretty much any modern web browser on any OS, such as Windows, macOS, and Linux. You can also convert files by email with Zamzar by attaching the file (1 MB max for free users) to a message and sending it to a special email address.
FileZigZag
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Works online, so no software download is necessary.
Supports a wide variety of file formats.
Automatically shows all the compatible formats you can convert the file to.
Convert more than one file at once.
Files can be as large as 150 MB.
Caps out at 10 conversions per day.
Unreliable website; sometimes down.
FileZigZag is another online option. This free audio converter service will convert most common audio formats, so long as they don't exceed 150 MB.
All you do is upload the original audio file(s), choose the desired output format, and then wait for the download button to appear.
- Input Formats: 3GA, AAC, AC3, AIF, AIFF, AMR, AU, CAF, FLAC, M4A, M4R, M4P, MMF, MP2, MP3, MPGA, OGA, OGG, OMA, OPUS, QCP, RA, RAM, WAV, WEBM, and WMA
- Output Formats: AAC, AC3, AIF, AIFC, AIFF, AMR, AU, FLAC, M4A, M4R, MP3, MMF, OPUS, OGG, RA, and WAV
The worst things about this converter are the time it takes to wait for the conversion to finish and the limit of 10 conversions per day. However, most audio files, even long music tracks, come in a pretty small size, so the time restriction isn't usually a problem.
It should work with all operating systems that support a web browser, like macOS, Windows, and Linux.
MediaHuman Audio Converter
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Simple user interface.
Convert to and from a wide variety of popular and not-so-popular formats.
Can convert songs from an iTunes playlists.
Optionally auto-import the song into iTunes after the conversion.
Missing the advanced options you might find in other, more robust audio file converters.
If you're looking for a simple program that works without the advanced options and confusing interfaces that some of these audio converter tools have, you'll definitely like MediaHuman Audio Converter.
Unlike the options I described above, this one is a regular program, so it installs to your computer. Just drag and drop the audio files you need to be converted directly into the program, choose an output format, and then start the conversion.
- Input Formats: AAC, AC3, AIF, AIFF, ALAW, AMR, APE, AU, AWB, CAF, DSF, DTS, FLAC, M4A, M4B, M4R, MP2, MP3, MPC, OGG, OPUS, RA, SHN, SPX, TTA, WAV, WMA, WV, and others (including video formats like MP4)
- Output Formats: AAC, AC3, AIFF, ALAC, FLAC, M4R, MP3, OGG, OPUS, WAV, and WMA
If you want more advanced options, this program lets you customize things like the default output folder, whether you want to automatically add the converted songs to iTunes, and if you want to search online for cover art, among other options.
Fortunately, these settings are hidden away and are completely unobtrusive unless you want to use them.
Windows and macOS are supported.
Movavi Video Converter
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Intuitive and easy to use.
Pick a device to save the file to, or choose the format manually.
The File Explorer context menu option lets you pull up the program directly from the file.
Every file in the queue must be saved to the same output format.
Despite its name, Movavi's converter works with audio files, too, in addition to videos and images. The program is free from ads and just made sense while I was using it.
My favorite feature is that it lets me pick a device instead of a format for the output option. Sometimes I'm not sure which formats are suitable for which devices, so this removes the uncertainty that can come with choosing a file format.
- Input Formats: AAC, AC3, AIF, AIFF, AIFC, APE, AU, F4A, FLAC, M4A, M4B, M4R, MKA, MP3, OGG, OPUS, WAV, and WMA
- Output Formats: AAC, AC3, AIFF, AU, F4A, FLAC, M4A, M4B, M4R, MKA, MP3, OGG, WAV, and WMA (see all the supported formats here)
Bulk importing is supported, so you can convert all your audio files at one time. You can also rename the file before the conversion starts and quickly save back to the same folder as the original file.
The website says it's compatible with Windows 10, 8, and 7, as well as macOS. I tested it in Windows 11 and found that it worked just as expected. The same company also has an online converter, but it's way more limited.
Hamster Free Audio Converter
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Super easy to use.
Convert in bulk.
Shows you file formats based on device type to make choosing a compatible format easier.
Lets you merge multiple audio files into one bigger file.
Doesn't let you save a default location for converted files; you're asked each time you convert something.
Hasn't been updated in many years.
I like the Hamster audio converter because it installs in seconds and has a minimal, step-by-step style interface that makes it easy to use. Not only can it convert multiple audio files in bulk, but it can also merge the files into one.
- Input Formats: AAC, AC3, AIFF, AMR, FLAC, MP2, MP3, OGG, RM, VOC, WAV, and WMA
- Output Formats: AAC, AC3, AIFF, AMR, FLAC, MP3, MP2, OGG, RM, WAV, and WMA
After importing files to convert, this program lets you choose any of the output formats from above or pick from a device if you're not sure what format the file needs to be in. For example, instead of choosing OGG or WAV, you can pick the actual device, like Apple, Microsoft, HTC, and others.
It's said to work with Windows 7, Vista, XP, and 2000, but I used it without any issues on Windows 11.
fre:ac
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Tons of options.
Also supports merging audio files.
Includes a built-in media player.
Zero ads or upselling.
Complicated to use.
Bare-bones user interface.
Unhelpful support documents.
fre:ac is a desktop audio converter program that packs quite a few features, but this also makes it a bit difficult to use. However, you'll love it if you're interested in advanced options.
- Input Formats: 3GP, 3GPP, AAC, AIF, AIFF, AIFC, AMR, AEA, AT3, AVI, CUE, DSF, DFF, DSS, DTS, EAC3, FLAC, FLV, F4V, HTK, IFF, MAC, MKA, MLP, M4A, M4B, M4R, MP1, MP2, MP3, MP4, OGA, OGG, PAF, PVF, RF64, SF, SND, SPX, SVX, AU, VOC, W64, WAV, WMA, WVE, and others
- Output Formats: (same as input formats)
As you can see from that list, fre:ac also supports video formats, meaning you can use it to extract audio from your videos.
Some of the advanced features I found noteworthy while using this program include the following: import files by pattern, edit metadata, configure signal processing, rip CDs, edit every encoder's settings, enable input and/or output verification, and auto-delete original files after encoding.
This tool works in Windows, macOS, and Linux.
Freemake Audio Converter
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Supports common audio file formats.
Convert more than one audio file consecutively.
Multiple audio files can be joined into one and then converted to a new format (or the same).
Adjust the quality of the converted file.
Won't convert audio longer than three minutes.
Might try to install another program during setup.
Freemake Audio Converter supports several common audio formats and is extremely easy to use. It's ranked last in my list because it only supports files that are shorter than three minutes.
In addition to converting single audio files into other formats in bulk, you can join multiple files into one larger file. It also lets you adjust the output quality before converting.
- Input Formats: AAC, AMR, AC3, FLAC, M4A, M4R, MP3, OGG, WAV, WMA, and others
- Output Formats: AAC, FLAC, M4A, MP3, OGG, WAV, and WMA
The biggest drawback to this program is that you have to buy the Infinite Pack to convert audio files that are longer than three minutes.
This software officially runs on Windows 11, 10, 8, 7, and Vista.
