Convert Apple Lossless Audio Codec (.alac) to MPEG-4 Audio (.m4a) online for free. Fast, secure audio conversion with no watermarks or registration.
Conversion settings — add a file to adjust
Upload your .m4a file by dragging it into the upload area or clicking to browse.
Choose your output settings. The default settings work great for most files.
Click Convert and download your .m4a file when it's ready.
ALAC files are already stored in M4A containers — the M4A format supports both ALAC (lossless) and AAC (lossy) codecs. Converting ALAC to M4A typically means re-encoding the lossless ALAC audio to lossy AAC while remaining in the same M4A container. This produces dramatically smaller files for portable listening.
This is the standard workflow within the Apple ecosystem for creating compact distribution copies from lossless masters. Since both source and output share the M4A container, all metadata (album art, lyrics, chapters, iTunes tags) transfers perfectly with zero compatibility issues.
ALAC files occupy roughly 5-6 MB per minute at CD quality, while AAC in M4A at 256 kbps requires only about 2 MB per minute. For iPhones with limited storage, Apple Watch music sync, and AirPods streaming, the smaller AAC files are more practical while maintaining virtually transparent quality.
Apple Music's offline downloads can be ALAC or AAC. If you maintain a large ALAC library and need to sync a compact subset to mobile devices, converting to AAC/M4A creates space-efficient copies without leaving the Apple ecosystem.
FFmpeg decodes ALAC to PCM within the M4A container, then encodes to AAC-LC and writes back to M4A. Since the container format is unchanged, the ftyp, moov metadata, and covr (album art) atoms transfer directly. The AAC encoder receives perfect PCM from the lossless decode — the best possible input for lossy encoding. Gapless playback metadata is preserved for seamless album transitions.
At 256 kbps AAC-LC, output from ALAC is indistinguishable from the original for most listeners. Starting from lossless PCM means the AAC encoder has perfect source material, producing optimal lossy output. At 192 kbps, quality remains excellent. At 128 kbps, quality is good for casual listening.
| Device | ALAC | M4A |
|---|---|---|
| Windows PC | Partial | Partial |
| macOS | Native | Native |
| iPhone/iPad | Native | Native |
| Android | Partial | Partial |
| Linux | Partial | Partial |
| Web Browser | No |
Resolution: N/A
Bitrate: 320 kbps
OGG Vorbis preferred
Resolution: N/A
Bitrate: 256 kbps
AAC format required
Resolution: N/A
Bitrate: 128 kbps
Lossless FLAC/WAV for best quality
Resolution: N/A
Bitrate: 128 kbps
MP3 mono for spoken word
ALAC to AAC/M4A is the native Apple workflow for creating compact copies from lossless masters. Perfect metadata transfer and optimal source quality make this the cleanest lossy conversion.
Безпечна передача
Завантаження зашифровані через HTTPS
Конфіденційність передусім
Файли автоматично видаляються після обробки
Без реєстрації
Почніть конвертацію миттєво
Працює всюди
Будь-який браузер, будь-який пристрій
| No |
| Характеристика | ALAC | M4A |
|---|---|---|
| Повна назва | Apple Lossless Audio Codec | MPEG-4 Audio |
| Розширення | .m4a | .m4a |
| Найкраще для | Lossless | Better than MP3 |