FLAC vs AIFF: Which Lossless Format Should You Use?
FLAC and AIFF are both lossless and sound identical. FLAC is compressed (smaller, tagged); AIFF is uncompressed — Apple's equivalent of WAV. Here's which to use.
Converting between them? FLAC → AIFF for Apple editing, or AIFF → FLAC to save space — both free and lossless.
Convert FLAC to AIFF →The Short Answer
FLAC and AIFF are both lossless — they sound identical. The difference is packaging: FLAC is compressed (about half the size, with great tags), while AIFF is uncompressed (bigger, and Apple's equivalent of WAV). For storage and libraries, choose FLAC. For audio editing on a Mac or maximum raw-file compatibility, AIFF has a niche. For quality, it's a tie.
Side by Side
| FLAC | AIFF | |
|---|---|---|
| Type | Lossless, compressed | Lossless, uncompressed (PCM) |
| Origin | Xiph.Org (open) | Apple |
| Quality | Perfect | Perfect — identical to FLAC |
| Size (3-min song) | ~20 MB | ~30 MB |
| Metadata & artwork | Full | Good (better than WAV) |
| CPU to play | Tiny decode step | None (raw) |
| Best for | Storage, libraries, archiving | Editing on Apple, raw-file workflows |
Quality: Identical
Both are lossless, so the audio is the same — bit-for-bit after decoding. There is no quality difference between FLAC and AIFF; converting between them changes only the container and file size, never the sound.
The Real Difference: Compressed vs Uncompressed
- AIFF is uncompressed — it stores raw PCM (like WAV), so files are large (~10 MB/min) but need no decoding. That makes AIFF handy inside audio editors, especially on macOS where it's the native uncompressed format.
- FLAC is compressed — same audio, ~40–60% smaller, with a trivial decode step on playback. That makes FLAC the better choice for storing and moving a lossless library.
Think of it as WAV vs FLAC but on the Apple side: AIFF ≈ Apple's WAV, FLAC ≈ the space-saving lossless option.
Which Should You Choose?
- Storing or archiving a lossless library? → FLAC. Half the size, full tags, identical quality.
- Editing audio on a Mac (Logic, GarageBand) or need uncompressed PCM? → AIFF (or WAV).
- Want the most universal lossless format? → FLAC (open, widely supported, small).
- On Apple and want lossless with proper library management? → consider ALAC too. See FLAC vs ALAC.
Converting Between Them (Lossless)
- FLAC → AIFF to feed an Apple editor or a workflow that wants uncompressed PCM. FLAC to AIFF →
- AIFF → FLAC to shrink big uncompressed files for storage without losing quality. AIFF to FLAC →
Both are lossless, so the conversion is exact and reversible — no quality change either way. For the WAV-side equivalent, see WAV vs AIFF.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is FLAC better than AIFF?
In quality, they're equal (both lossless). FLAC is smaller and better for storage; AIFF is uncompressed and handy for editing on Apple. Pick by use case.
Do FLAC and AIFF sound different?
No — both are lossless and contain identical audio. Any difference is placebo.
What's the main difference between FLAC and AIFF?
Compression: FLAC is compressed (smaller); AIFF is uncompressed PCM (larger), essentially Apple's version of WAV.
Can I convert AIFF to FLAC without losing quality?
Yes — both are lossless, so the conversion is exact and reversible.
Which is smaller, FLAC or AIFF?
FLAC — it's compressed, roughly half the size of an uncompressed AIFF at identical quality.
Should I use FLAC or AIFF for editing?
AIFF (or WAV) is convenient for uncompressed editing, especially on Apple software; FLAC is better for storage and delivery.