I got a FLAC file from my friend but it appears I can't play it properly on my MP3 player. Can you recommend any audio converter that can convert FLAC to MP3 without deducting the music quality? I googled around but didn't find such a tool.
FLAC, as an open source audio codec, is for lossless compression of digital audio. Although it has better quality and smaller size, we'll always need to convert FLAC as it's not as popular as other formats such as MP3 that is supported by almost all audio players. Therefore, we need to look for a great FLAC converter to convert FLAC to MP3 or other formats with ease. Below is a ranked list of the top 5 best FLAC audio converter software of 2018 for Mac and Windows, including freeware and shareware, online solutions and desktop apps.
#1. TunesKit DRM Audio Converter (Mac & Windows)
TunesKit DRM Audio Converter (Mac & Windows) TunesKit DRM Audio Converter (DRM Audio. But this online FLAC file converter for Mac only converts FLAC to 9 formats (AU, WAV, WMA, MP3, AMR, etc.) and is unable to deal with multiple FLAC files. Another limitation is. Since iTunes does not support playback of FLAC audio files, you can convert FLAC to mp3 and play these files in iTunes, although the sound quality will be partially lost. On the other hand, you can convert FLAC to lossless audio format compatible with iTunes, for example, Apple Lossless.
TunesKit DRM Audio Converter (DRM Audio Converter for Mac) is one of the best FLAC converters thanks to its strong ability to convert not only FLAC audio to MP3, but also some other special audio files, such as DRM-protected Apple Music, iTunes M4P songs, Audible AA, AAX audiobooks to common MP3, AAC, WAV, etc. It allows you to set audio quality, including codec, audio channel, bit rate, sample rate, and others according to different requirements. Besides, it can keep the ID3 tags of the original files for you, such as title, album, cover, artist, and so forth.
Availability: $39.95 with free trial version provided
Input Formats: FLAC, M4R, MP3, MP2, MPA, WMA, AAC, AC3, MKA, OGG, AIFF, RA, RAM, WAV, APE, DRM-ed AA, AAX, M4P, M4A, M4B
Output Formats: MP3, WAV, AAC, M4A, M4B, FLAC
Supported OS: Mac OSX 10.8 or later & Windows XP or later
- All-in-one audio converter for DRM and non-DRM audios
- Keep 100% original quality and ID3 tags
- Only a few output formats supported
#2. Freemake Audio Converter (Windows)
If you are looking for a free FLAC converter, then you should have a test with Freemake Audio Converter. This freeware offers you with multiple options for converting all popular audios to whatever format you desire. In addition, it enables you to merge multiple files into one larger audio and lets you adjust the output quality before converting the files. What's more, it can also be used to extract audio tracks from video files. However, one of the biggest drawbacks of Freemake Audio Converter is that it only supports audio files that are shorter than three minutes. You are required to buy Infinite Pack if you need to convert audio files that are longer.
Availability: Free
Input Formats: AAC, AMR, AC3, FLAC, M4A, M4R, MP3, OGG, WAV, WMA and more
Output Formats: AAC, FLAC, M4A, MP3, OGG, WAV, and WMA
Supported OS: Windows 10, 8, 8.1, 7, Vista
- Free
- Convert 50+ audio formats
- Support Windows OS only
- Convert audios shorter than three minutes only
#3. Zamzar (Online Converter)
If you prefer online tools more than the desktop apps, Zamzar could be a great option to convert the FLAC audios for you. Best of all, it's free. To convert the audios, you don't need to install the software on your computer. All you have to do is visit the official site and import the FLAC file, select the output format, enter your email address, and convert. You can also enter the link of an online audio file to Zamzar to convert.
Availability: Free to access on Windows, Mac, and Linux
Input Formats: 3GA, AAC, AC3, AIFC, AIFF, AMR, APE, CAF, FLAC, M4A, M4P, M4R, MIDI, MP3, OGA, OGG, RA, RAM, WAV, and WMA
Output Formats: AAC, AC3, FLAC, M4A, M4R, MP3, MP4, OGG, WAV, and WMA
- Free
- No need to install software on computer
- 50MB file limit
- Not as safe as desktop app
#4. MediaHuman Audio Converter (Mac & Windows)
MediaHuman Audio Converter is a freeware app for both Mac OS X and Windows. It helps you to convert your music files absolutely free to WMA, MP3, AAC, WAV, FLAC, OGG, AIFF, Apple Lossless format and bunch of others. Thanks to its simple and easy-to-use interface, all you do is drag and drop the audio files directly into the program, choose an output format, and then start the conversion.
Availability: Free
Input Formats: FLAC, AAC, AC3, AIF, AIFF, ALAW, AMR, APE, AU, CAF, DSF, DTS, M4A, M4B, M4R, MP2, MP3, MPC, OGG, OPUS, RA, SHN, TTA, WAV, WMA, and WV
Output Formats: AAC, AC3, AIFF, ALAC, FLAC, M4R, MP3, OGG, WAV, and WMA
Supported OS: Windows 10, 8, 8.1, 7, Vista & Mac 10.13 or lower
- Free and very easy to use
- Not recommended for advanced conversion
#5. FileZigZag (Online Audio Converter)
FileZigZag is another free online audio converter that can help you convert FLAC audio to MP3 and other formats for free. Navigate to the site, upload the audio file or URL, set the output format and then convert. But unlike Zamzar, it can only convert one file each time. Its advantage over Zamzar is it supports more input and output formats and the source file is limited to 180 MB.
Availability: Free to access on Windows, Mac, and Linux
Input Formats: 3GA, AAC, AC3, AIF, AIFC, AIFF, AMR, AU, CAF, FLAC, M4A, M4R, M4P, MID, MIDI, MMF, MP2, MP3, MPGA, OGA, OGG, OMA, OPUS, QCP, RA, RAM, WAV, and WMA
Output Formats: AAC, AC3, AIF, AIFC, AIFF, AU, FLAC, M4A, M4R, MP3, MMF, OPUS, OGG, RA, WAV, and WMA
- Free
- No need to install software on computer
- No batch conversion
- Not as safe as desktop app
Conclusion
As you can see, all the above mentioned FLAC converters are great choices to accomplish your FLAC to MP3 conversion task. It all depends on you to choose the one you like. To sum up, if you don't mind the cost, TunesKit DRM Audio Converter should be the best option as it works with both DRM and DRM-free audios. If you desire free converter software, Freemake and MediaHuman are great tools to go for. But if you don't like to install any software on your computer, the online audio converter like Zamzar or FileZigZag is the best option.
Nick Orin is a review writer, software geek and Mac OS enthusiast. He spends all his free time in searching useful software and gadgets to share with others.
Easy Instruction to Convert FLAC Files to MP3 320kbps on Mac or Windows PC
The Free Lossless Audio Codec “FLAC”, is losslessly compressed digital audio which means file size is compressed without any audio information being lost. Even though digital audio compressed by FLAC’s algorithm can typically be reduced to 50–60% of its original size, comparing to the lossy format MP3, the size of FLAC file is still huge and may fill up your hard drive. As MP3 has more compatiblity than FLAC across system and portable devices, many people just choose to convert FLAC to MP3. Now with the help of Aiseesoft Audio Converter, you can realize converting FLAC to high quality MP3 at 320kbps.
About Aiseesoft Audio Converter
Aiseesoft Audio Converter can batch and fast convert FLAC files to MP3 at 320kbps on Mac or Windows PC. Not only convert FLAC to 320kbps, the professional audio converter can convert among all popular audio formats including AAC, AC3, AIFF, AU, FLAC, MP3, M4A, OGG, WAV, WMA, etc. It can also extract audio from video files including MPEG, MOV, MP4, M4V, RM, WMV, ASF, MKV, TS, MPV, AVI, 3GP, FLV, etc.
Convert Flac In Mp3 For Macbook Pro
Detailed guide to convert FLAC to 320kbps MP3 on Mac or Windows
PrePare: Free download Aiseesoft Audio Converter
Install and launch the the program.
Step 1: Add FLAC files
Drag and drop the audio files that you want to convert FLAC to MP3 320kbps. Or click on “Add Video” button to browse your audio files and click “OK” to add your files.
Step 2: Set MP3 as output format
Click on “Profile” drop-down and choose “MP3 – MPEG Layer-3 Audio (*.mp3)” from “General Audio” category.
Step 3: Customize audio bitrate to 320kbps
Convert Flac To Mp4 Mac
- Click on “Settings” right beside of the “Profile” to open the “Profile Setting” windows.
- In the “Audio Settings”, click on the “Audio Bitrate” drop-down and choose 320 kbps.
- In the “Audio Settings”, you can click on the “Sample Rate” drop-down and set smaple rate as 48000 Hz.
- Click “OK” to save the settings.
Step 4: Start conversion
Convert Flac In Mp3 For Mac Osx
Now, everything is set. Press on the “Convert” button to start conversion.