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. Below is a ranked list of the best free audio converter software programs and online converter services available: 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. 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.
Input Formats: AAC, AMR, AC3, FLAC, M4A, M4R, MP3, OGG, WAV, WMA, and others Output Formats: AAC, FLAC, M4A, MP3, OGG, WAV, and WMA
This software officially runs on Windows 11, 10, 8, 7, and Vista. Upload the file from your computer or enter a URL to an online file that you need to be converted.
Input Formats: 3GA, AAC, AC3, AIFC, AIFF, AMR, APE, CAF, FLAC, M4A, M4B, M4R, MIDI, MP3, OGA, OGG, RA, RAM, WAV, and WMAOutput 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. 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 WMAOutput 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. 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 11, 10, 8, and 7 are supported, as well as macOS 12 through 10.12.
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, quickly save back to the same folder as the original file, and pick a device instead of a format for the output option if you’re not sure which format to pick. It’s said to be installable on Windows and macOS.
Input Formats: AAC, AC3, AIFF, AMR, FLAC, MP2, MP3, OGG, RM, VOC, WAV, and WMAOutput 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 Sony, Apple, Nokia, Philips, Microsoft, HTC, and others. It’s said to work with Windows 7, Vista, XP, and 2000, but you might have luck using it in newer Windows versions, too, like Windows 11 and Windows 10.
