2 Useful Ways to Convert FLAC to ALAC [High Quality & Super Fast]

The sound quality of FLAC and ALAC should be identical, as least for audio files with the same sample rate and bit depth. Most people won't recognize the difference after conversion. The root reason to convert FLAC to Apple Lossless is compatibility. You can't open FLAC files on Apple systems, except on iOS 11+ devices, which support FLAC playback natively via the File app.

Convert FLAC to ALAC Audio with Software – Batch, High Quality

Cisdem Video Converter is a an all-in-one media file converter that is able to convert FLAC to ALAC on Mac and Windows, packing with simple interface and powerful functions. Besides converting FLAC to ALAC, it can also convert FLAC to MP3, WAV, AIFF, OGG, WMA, AC3, etc. Anyway, the app will help you play audio on iPod classic, iPod touch, Zune, iTunes, Android/iOS phones, and all kinds of other MP3 players.

More standout features:

• Convert among 300+ media file formats
• Rip audio and video files from DVDs, Blu-rays and CDs, copy-protected ones included
• Extract FLAC, ALAC, etc. audio from video
• Edit, enhance and customize your added files
• Download high-quality music from YouTube, SoundCloud, HearThis.at, Mixcloud, Bandcamp, and so on
• Also download videos from over 1000 sites by pasting links
• Merge all FLAC files and convert them to one large ALAC

Free Download macOS 10.13 or later Free Download Windows 10 or later

How to convert FLAC to ALAC on Mac (or Windows) in bulk with Cisdem:

Step 1. Load your FLAC files

Open up Cisdem FLAC to Apple Lossless converter on Mac.

Drag-n-drop FLAC files to the converting interface.

Step 2. Pick M4A as the export format

Select an output for a single file: Click the “format” icon to drop down a list with a wealth of output formats. Choose "Audio > M4A > High Quality".

For all added FLAC files: Go to bottom left corner and select an output from "Convert all tasks to" menu.

Step 3. Change the audio codec to ALAC

The default M4A encoder of Cisdem Video Converter is AAC. You need to change it.

Next to the quality option, there is a gear icon. Click it to call up the “Settings” window, in which you can have control of output parameters.

Move your mouse cursor to audio encoder, hit the down arrow, and choose "ALAC". Then click Save. You can also save it as your new custom preset.

Step 4. Mass convert FLAC to ALAC on Mac (or Windows)

Simply press the “Start” button at the bottom right side of the interface, and let the FLAC to Apple Lossless conversion take place on your device.

Notes:

To select the storage location, move to the bottom of the interface and click the “save to” box to choose a storage folder.

If you prefer, you can use the default destination path. For quick access to the resulting ALAC audio, click the blue check mark icon once the conversion is complete.

To trim the audio, add fade in and out effects or adjust volume, etc., simply click the Edit () button.

Alternative FLAC to ALAC Converter Apps:

Cisdem Video Converter is a multi-purpose software to handle audio, video and discs, and you may find it exceeds your needs. Here are some alternative software you may be interested.

#1 MediaHuman Audio Converter (Mac & Windows)

This is a dedicated audio file converter highly praised by audiophiles. It can convert FLAC to ALAC and preserve music metadata and ID3 tags such as title, artist, album name, cover, etc. Its highlight features includes:

• Import audio files from an entire folder or iTunes/Apple Music in one go
• Split a large FLAC into tracks into individual tracks with .cue
• Retain the original music structure and layout
• Support approximately 11 audio output formats

Note that while the audio conversion is free, certain advanced features like Normalization (loudness/peak), Fade in/Fade out, Trim the silence, file naming by tags, and more come with a premium price.

It's very easy to use like Cisdem, just add your files, choose ALAC output format, and hit the convert button.

#2 foobar2000 (Windows)

Foobar2000 is a lightweight cross-platform audio player and converter, but it only allow conversion on Windows. It’s able to convert FLAC to ALAC, AAC, AIFF, Musepark, Wave64, WavPack, AU/SND, etc. for free. Although it can directly convert one audio format to another, to convert to ALAC, you need to first install a plugin called Foobar2000 Free Encoder Pack.

• Support several audio formats
• Play (playback queue available), crop, cut, tag, convert, etc. audio files
• Show audio metadata, details, replaygain, and artwork
• Select output bit depth and dither
• Open component architecture

Steps:

1. Install foobar2000 and Free Encoder Pack: encoder binaries for the Converter component to your computer.
2. Launch the FLAC converter for Windows, and drag and drop FLAC files into the software.
3. Hold down the Ctrl key on the keyboard and choose all files you want to convert.
4. Right-click the audio, then navigate to “Convert” > “Quick convert” to open the panel.
5. Choose the output format – Apple Lossless.
6. Click “Convert” to start encoding FLAC file to ALAC on Windows.

#3 XLD (Mac)

X Lossless Decoder (XLD) is an open source converter for Mac that can convert/decode/play various lossless audio files including Apple Lossles, FLAC, APE, AIFF, etc. It's lightweight and can work in backend like a plug-in.

• Support various lossless audio formats
• Can rip CDs
• Set file naming pattern for output audio tracks split with cue sheet

Steps:

1. Install XLD and launch it on your Mac.
2. Click XLD on the top menu bar and select "Preferences".
3. Click the "Output format" drop down menu and select Apple Lossless.
4. Click the "Option" button to adjust the sample rate and bit depth.
5. Click "Specify" and Set to select the destination folder.
6. Click File > Open... in the menu bar to select your FLAC audio files. XLD will start the conversion process immediately.

Convert FLAC to ALAC Online with No Software – Free, Size Limit

FreeConvert.com is a multi-purpose file conversion service. It allows you to convert audio tracks, videos, images, documents and eBooks. This online FLAC to Apple Lossless converter offers 10 file conversions per day. Once exceeded, your conversion will be rejected. Meanwhile, it’s incapable of converting over 5 files at the same time, and fails to upload videos more than 500MB.

Steps to Convert FLAC to ALAC online with FreeConvert.com:

1. Visit https://www.freeconvert.com/flac-to-alac/ website.
2. Drop FLAC audio into the workspace. Else click on the “Choose Files” button to browser and select the FLAC from your devices.
3. (Optional) Hit the “gearwheel” icon to open the “Audio Options” window, and adjust audio parameters.
4. Click “Convert”.
5. Waiting for uploading and converting, then download file in M4A format.

   Or, put the mouse on the drop-down icon next to "Download", choose to scan the QR code with your mobile phone to save the ALAC-encoded M4A to iPhone or Android.

Alternative Online FLAC to ALAC Converters:

• OnlineConverter.com - another free FLAC to ALAC converter website that has been around since 2015. It's very similar to freeconvert.com owing to its multipurpose nature. This online converter supports an array of formats but can't convert in batches. Plus, the maximum file size of OnlineConverter.com is merely 200MB, which is not friendly to videos.
• Online-convert.com - this online converter offers ALAC codec option in audio to M4A conversion interface. It can batch process up to 3 files at a time, and the maximum file size, and tasks can be done within 24 hours are also limited for free users.

FAQs

Are desktop FLAC to ALAC converters better than online ones?

Yes! FLAC file to ALAC converter software is more secure and the conversion effect is also better. But online tools are limited in terms of upload size, conversion credits per day, and number of simultaneous conversions.

Can VLC convert FLAC to ALAC on Mac and Windows?

No! The audio codecs supported by VLC includes MPEG audio, MP3, AAC, A52/AC-3, Vorbis, FLAC, Speex, WAV, and WMA2. You can’t find ALAC audio to choose from.

How to convert FLAC to Apple Lossless via command line?

You can use the FFmpeg command-line tool to convert FLAC file to ALAC with this command line: ffmpeg -i input.flac -c:v copy -c:a alac output.m4a 

This method is not recommended for starters since the process of installing and using FFmpeg is a bit complicated. You may not able to quickly set it up unless you have experience in scripting.

Conclusive Thoughts

Mentioned earlier, not all FLAC to M4A converter enables you to convert FLAC to ALAC. Before using the app or online tool, make sure whether it supports ALAC output format. In addition, the FLAC to ALAC converter software is more superior, as it gives you higher quality and efficiency.