ALAC to M4A Converter
Convert ALAC files to M4A in seconds, right in your browser. Drop in one file or a whole folder, pick your quality settings and download - nothing is uploaded to a server.
Drop ALAC files here
MP3, WAV, FLAC, M4A, OGG, OPUS, AAC, AIFF, WMA, AMR, MP4, MOV & more · Processed on your device - nothing is uploaded
How to convert ALAC to M4A
- Click "Choose files" or drag your ALAC files onto the page.
- Make sure "M4A" is selected as the output format (192 kbps is a good default).
- Optionally click Edit to trim, adjust volume or add effects.
- Click Convert, then Download your M4A files.
Why convert ALAC to M4A?
M4A files are typically 5-10x smaller than ALAC, making them ideal for phones, sharing and streaming.
M4A is best for iPhone, iTunes/Apple Music, YouTube uploads and efficient music storage. Excellent on Apple devices, Android, Windows, browsers and most modern players.
Will I lose quality?
M4A is a lossy format, so some inaudible detail is removed to save space. At 192 kbps or higher most listeners cannot tell the difference from the original ALAC.
ALAC vs M4A
| ALAC | M4A | |
|---|---|---|
| Full name | Apple Lossless Audio Codec | MPEG-4 Audio (AAC) |
| Type | lossless | lossy |
| Best for | lossless music on iPhone, iPad, Mac and Apple Music | iPhone, iTunes/Apple Music, YouTube uploads and efficient music storage |
| Typical size | ~5-6 MB at 16-bit / 44.1 kHz per minute | ~1.4 MB at 192 kbps per minute |
| Compatibility | All Apple devices, iTunes, VLC, foobar2000 and most modern players. | Excellent on Apple devices, Android, Windows, browsers and most modern players. |
| Developed by | Apple (2004) | MPEG / Apple (2001) |
ALAC to M4A: questions
How do I convert ALAC to M4A?
Open this page, add your ALAC file, make sure M4A is selected as the output format and click Convert. Your M4A file is ready to download in seconds.
Will converting ALAC to M4A lose quality?
M4A is a lossy format, so some inaudible detail is removed to save space. At 192 kbps or higher most listeners cannot tell the difference from the original ALAC.
Is this ALAC to M4A converter free and safe?
Yes. It's free with no watermark or sign-up. Files are processed locally in your browser, so your audio is never uploaded or stored on our servers.
Can I convert many ALAC files to M4A at once?
Yes - add up to 5 files at a time on the free plan (unlimited with Pro), convert them all with one click and download them as a ZIP.
What is the difference between ALAC and M4A?
ALAC (Apple Lossless Audio Codec) is a lossless format, apple's lossless format. Same perfect quality as FLAC but plays natively in Apple Music and on every iPhone. M4A (MPEG-4 Audio (AAC)) is a compressed (lossy) format: aAC audio in an MPEG-4 container. Better quality than MP3 at the same bitrate and the native format of Apple Music and iTunes.
Does it work on Mac, Windows, iPhone and Android?
Yes. The ALAC to M4A converter runs in any modern browser - Chrome, Safari, Edge or Firefox - on desktop and mobile. No software to install.