Free online ALAC to WMA converter

Source format: alac

ALAC stands for Apple Lossless Audio Codec. It is a lossless audio format, which means it preserves the original audio quality while compressing the file to save space. ALAC is commonly used by Apple devices and software, including iTunes, Music, iPhone, iPad, and macOS audio libraries. It is often chosen for archiving music, storing ripped CDs, and keeping high-quality audio in a smaller file size than uncompressed formats.

Target format: wma

WMA stands for Windows Media Audio. It is an audio format developed by Microsoft and widely supported in Windows-based software and devices. WMA can be used in both lossy and lossless variants, though the common WMA format is typically lossy and designed for efficient compression. Its advantages include relatively small file sizes and compatibility with older Windows media players and devices. It is often used for music playback, media libraries, and legacy Windows audio workflows.

How to perform the conversion

The best method depends on whether you want a simple one-file conversion or batch processing. Since ALAC is already a compressed audio format, converting it to WMA usually means re-encoding the audio into the WMA codec.

Option 1: Use desktop audio software

1. Open an audio converter or media manager that supports both ALAC and WMA, such as Foobar2000, FFmpeg, or VLC with conversion support.
2. Import the .m4a or .alac file.
3. Choose WMA as the output format.
4. Select the desired quality or bitrate. For general use, a bitrate such as 192 kbps or 256 kbps is a common balance between size and quality.
5. Start the conversion and save the new file with a .wma extension.

Option 2: Convert with FFmpeg

FFmpeg is one of the most reliable tools for audio format conversion. If your ALAC file is stored in an .m4a container, you can convert it directly with a command like:

ffmpeg -i input.m4a -c:a wmav2 -b:a 192k output.wma

If the source file already uses ALAC in another container, the same approach still applies as long as FFmpeg can read the file. In this command, wmav2 is the common WMA audio encoder, and -b:a 192k sets the audio bitrate.

Option 3: Use the 101convert.com built-in converter

You can also convert the file on 101convert.com for free, without installing any software. Upload the ALAC file, choose WMA as the output format, and download the converted file when it is ready.

Notes on quality, compatibility, or limitations

Converting ALAC to WMA is usually a lossy conversion if you choose standard WMA output, because ALAC is lossless while most WMA files are compressed with quality reduction. That means some audio detail may be lost during conversion, even though the source file itself is high quality.

Compatibility is another important factor. WMA support is strongest on Windows and older Microsoft ecosystems, while support on Apple devices and some modern players may be limited. If you need broad compatibility across phones, tablets, and web players, another format such as MP3 or AAC may be more universally supported.

For best results, keep the original ALAC file as your archive copy and use the WMA version only for playback or compatibility needs. If the goal is to preserve quality, avoid repeated conversions between lossy formats.