The best audio converter for Mac
By Himanshu Ranjan · Updated 8 November 2026
XLD is the best free audio converter for Mac if you work with lossless files like FLAC, Apple Lossless or APE. FileDial converts to MP3, M4A, WAV, FLAC, Opus and more from Finder in batches. Apple's Music app converts library songs for free, fre:ac is a free cross-platform converter and CD ripper, and Permute is a paid all-rounder.
How we chose: FileDial is our product, so read this list with that in mind. We chose picks for audio conversion from each vendor's own published information (product pages, pricing pages, support docs and privacy statements), checked on 2026-11-09, plus FileDial's own documented behavior. We did not lab-test every tool or run size or speed benchmarks on the others, so we quote no numbers for them. Order reflects fit for this search, not who made the app. Checked 2026-11-09.
1. XLD (X Lossless Decoder)
XLD decodes, converts and plays lossless audio including FLAC, Monkey's Audio, WavPack, TTA and Apple Lossless, and splits files into tracks with a cue sheet. It outputs WAV, AIFF, FLAC, Apple Lossless, AAC, MP3 (via LAME), Ogg Vorbis, Opus and WavPack. It is a Universal Binary for Apple silicon and Intel Macs; the latest release listed is dated 2 March 2025.
- Free
- Excellent lossless format support
- Cue sheet splitting
- Dated interface
- Mac only
2. FileDial
FileDial is our app. Its Convert category turns audio into MP3, M4A, WAV, OGG Vorbis, Opus, FLAC, AIFF, Apple Lossless, WMA or CAF, saving a new copy beside each original. The same dial has Compress › Compress to 128 kbps, Edit › Normalize loudness, Edit › Loudness for podcasts (−16 LUFS) and Clean › Clean up voice.
- Many output formats from one menu
- Batch conversion
- Loudness and voice cleanup in the same app
- No CD ripping
- Not free after the 1-day trial
- Needs macOS 14 or later on an Apple silicon Mac (M1 or newer)
3. Apple Music app (built into macOS)
In Music, open Settings > Files > Import Settings, choose a format such as MP3, AAC, AIFF or WAV, then select songs and choose File > Convert > Create [format] Version. Both versions stay in your library. Apple notes iTunes Store purchases convert only if they are iTunes Plus songs.
- Already installed
- Converts straight from your library
- Keeps tags with the library
- Songs must be imported into the library
- Few formats
4. fre:ac
fre:ac is a free audio converter and CD ripper for Windows, macOS, Linux, FreeBSD and Haiku, supporting MP3, M4A/AAC, FLAC, Opus, Ogg Vorbis, WAV and more, with CD track lookup. The latest version listed on its site is 1.1.7, released on 5 March 2023.
- Free and open source
- Rips CDs
- Same app on several platforms
- Latest release dates from 2023
- Interface is utilitarian
5. Permute
Permute converts video, audio, images and PDFs with presets, and applies edits to files individually or in bulk. Permute 4 requires macOS 26 and Apple silicon; Permute 3 covers macOS 11 to 15 and Intel Macs.
- Friendly interface
- Covers video and images too
- One-time price
- Current version needs macOS 26
- Fewer lossless options than XLD
How we ranked these audio converters
Audio conversion splits into two groups of users. Music collectors care about lossless formats, exact rips and tags. Everyone else wants to turn a voice memo, a WAV from a recorder or a podcast file into something smaller or more compatible, often several files at a time.
XLD ranks first because it is free and unmatched for lossless formats and cue sheets. FileDial is second for the everyday group: it converts batches to ten audio formats from Finder and adds loudness and cleanup tools that converters usually lack. The Music app is the free built-in choice for library songs, fre:ac adds CD ripping on several platforms, and Permute is a paid all-rounder.
Choosing an output format
MP3 plays almost everywhere. M4A (AAC) is the native choice for Apple devices and usually sounds better than MP3 at the same bitrate. Opus is very efficient for voice and streaming. For archiving, use a lossless format: FLAC is widely supported, Apple Lossless suits the Apple ecosystem, and WAV or AIFF are uncompressed and large.
Converting from one lossy format to another (MP3 to AAC, say) loses a little more quality each time. Convert from the original or a lossless copy whenever you can.
Beyond format: loudness and cleanup
Many audio jobs are not really about format. A podcast episode may need to meet a loudness target; a recorded interview may have rumble and background noise. FileDial includes Edit › Loudness for podcasts (−16 LUFS), Loudness for streaming (−14 LUFS) and Clean › Clean up voice, which cuts rumble, reduces noise and compresses gently. Dedicated audio editors offer more control; these tools cover the common cases in one step.
Keeping audio files private
Recordings of meetings, interviews and voice notes can be sensitive. Every converter on this list runs on the Mac, so there is no need to upload audio to a web converter. The FBI's Denver field office warned in March 2025 that free online converters are increasingly used to spread malware.
Questions
What is the best free audio converter for Mac?
XLD is the best free choice for lossless formats such as FLAC, Apple Lossless and APE, and it outputs MP3, AAC, Opus and more. fre:ac is a free alternative that also rips CDs. For songs already in your library, the built-in Music app can create MP3, AAC, AIFF or WAV versions.
How do I convert WAV to MP3 on a Mac?
In the Music app, set Import Settings to MP3 Encoder, select the songs and choose File > Convert > Create MP3 Version. In FileDial, select the WAV files in Finder and choose Convert › Convert to MP3. XLD and fre:ac can also output MP3.
Can the Music app convert FLAC?
Apple's guide does not list FLAC among the formats Music converts, and we could not confirm FLAC support there. For FLAC files, use XLD, fre:ac or FileDial, which all list FLAC among their supported formats.