MP3 VS ALAC
The ultimate comparison guide. Understanding the technical differences between MPEG-1 Audio Layer III and Apple Lossless Audio Codec.
MP3
mp3Standard technology for audio compression, universal support.
Pros
- Universal support
- Small file size
- Adjustable bitrate
Cons
- Lossy compression
- Not gapless playback
ALAC
alacApple’s proprietary lossless codec designed for iTunes and Apple Music ecosystems.
Pros
- Lossless quality
- Native to Apple devices
- Supports metadata and artwork
Cons
- Bigger files than AAC
- Limited support outside Apple
- Encodes slower than lossy codecs
When MP3 wins
Stay with MP3 when you need music players or web audio. Its strengths center on universal support and a feature set native to Fraunhofer Society.
When ALAC wins
Choose ALAC when your workflow prioritizes apple music libraries or audiophile playback. It delivers lossless quality plus modern compression perks.
Technical Specifications
| Feature | MP3 | ALAC |
|---|---|---|
| MIME Type | audio/mpeg | audio/alac |
| Developer | Fraunhofer Society | Apple |
| Release Year | 1993 | 2004 |
| Best For | Music players, Web audio, Podcasts | Apple Music libraries, Audiophile playback, Mastering archives |
Need to switch?
Where MP3 still wins
Keep MP3 when you need universal support and workflows depend on music players / web audio. Link those teams directly to the converter above so they can ship ALAC deliverables without leaving their browser.
- • Reference the .mp3 glossary from this page.
- • Embed the conversion CTA in docs, wikis, and onboarding runbooks.
- • Use ALAC for apple music libraries while archiving originals as MP3.
Keep crawlers in the conversion hub
Link this comparison to the relevant tool, glossary, and documentation pages so every crawl discovers a monetizable route.