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AAC vs. MP3
Discover which music format is better for your iOS device
By Sam Costello Sam Costello Writer Ithaca College Sam Costello has been writing about tech since 2000. His writing has appeared in publications such as CNN.com, PC World, InfoWord, and many others. lifewire's editorial guidelines Updated on January 17, 2020 Tweet Share Email Tweet Share Email In This Article
Expand Jump to a Section Overall Findings File Size Compatibility Audio Quality Proprietary Format Final Verdict Not all digital music files are MP3s, many other formats exist, including AAC. Usually, you choose the file format in which you want to save songs, which is useful when ripping CDs in iTunes or converting high-quality, lossless files to other formats. The MP3 and AAC music file formats have strengths and weaknesses, such as file size and sound quality. We reviewed both to help you choose which is better for your iPhone. For a deep-dive look, find out what makes an MP3 different from an AAC. Overall Findings
AAC Small file size. Better sound quality than MP3. Not a proprietary format. May not be compatible with every device. MP3 Small file size. Compatible with most mobile audio devices. Not a proprietary file format. Lower sound quality than ACC. An older file format. AAC and MP3 are the most common file types used with the iPhone and iTunes. They're similar, but they differ in four important ways. File Size AAC for the Win
Both AAC and MP3 are compressed file formats. That means that they make files small by removing some hard-to-hear parts of the song while keeping the sound quality good. AAC is generally the slightly smaller file type. AAC files are generally higher quality and slightly smaller than MP3 files of the same song. The reasons are technical, but the simplest explanation is that AAC was created after MP3 and offers a more efficient compression scheme so that less audio quality is lost. Compatibility MP3 Works Just About Everywhere
MP3 is the most common digital music format, so you can count on virtually any device being able to play it. AAC isn't as common, but most devices can play it, including all Apple products. Besides AAC and MP3, Apple devices support formats like Apple Lossless Encoding, AIFF, and WAV—high-quality, uncompressed file types used to create CDs. Avoid using them unless you know what they are and why you want them. AAC was not created by Apple and it's not a proprietary Apple format. AAC can be used with a variety of non-Apple devices, although it is the natural file format for the iTunes Store and Apple Music. Audio Quality The Sweet Sounds of AAC
How good the music sounds in each file format is key. It can be tough to distinguish between AAC and MP3 files on most devices, but AAC sometimes sounds slightly better. What Is the Best Format For Your Music: AAC or MP3? Proprietary Format It' s a Toss-Up
Digital Rights Management (DRM) refers to restrictions on how you use and share your music. There's no DRM restriction on files you create, but if you buy music from a store or download music from a streaming service like Apple Music, it's worth finding out if DRM is used. Final Verdict AAC
If you plan to stick with the iPhone, iTunes, and Apple for a long time, use AAC for your digital music. You can always use iTunes to convert AAC files to MP3 format if you decide to switch to a device that doesn't support AAC (though there aren't many such devices). In the meantime, using AAC means that your music will sound good and you’ll be able to store a lot of it. Create AAC files from high-quality sources like CDs. If you convert an MP3 to an AAC, you'll lose some audio quality. Was this page helpful? Thanks for letting us know! Get the Latest Tech News Delivered Every Day Subscribe Tell us why! Other Not enough details Hard to understand Submit More from Lifewire How to Convert iTunes Songs to MP3 in 5 Easy Steps 6 Best Free Audio Converter Software Programs How to Rip Music From CDs Using Windows Media Player 11 M4A File (What It Is and How to Open One) M4P File (What It Is & How to Open One) ALAC Audio Format: Is It Better to Use Than AAC? How Audio File Formats Differ and What This Means for Listeners AAC File (What It Is & How to Open One) What Are MP3 CDs? What Is the Best Audio Format for My Portable Device? M4V File (What It Is and How to Open One) iPhone Audio File Format Compatibility FLAC File (What It Is & How to Open One) MP3 File (What It Is & How to Open One) You Have Options for Lossless Audio Ripping Complete Guide to Using iTunes and the iTunes Store Newsletter Sign Up Newsletter Sign Up Newsletter Sign Up Newsletter Sign Up Newsletter Sign Up By clicking “Accept All Cookies”, you agree to the storing of cookies on your device to enhance site navigation, analyze site usage, and assist in our marketing efforts. Cookies Settings Accept All Cookies