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6 Best Free Audio Converter Software Programs

Converters for MP3, WAV, OGG, WMA, M4A, FLAC, and more

By Tim Fisher Tim Fisher Senior Vice President & Group General Manager, Tech & Sustainability Emporia State University Tim Fisher has more than 30 years' of professional technology experience. He's been writing about tech for more than two decades and serves as the VP and General Manager of Lifewire. lifewire's editorial guidelines Updated on October 4, 2022 Reviewed by Christine Baker Reviewed by Christine Baker Christine Baker is a marketing consultant with experience working for a variety of clients. Her expertise includes social media, web development, and graphic design. lifewire's editorial guidelines Tweet Share Email Tweet Share Email Apps Best Apps Payment Services An audio file converter is one kind of file converter that (surprise!) is used to convert one type of audio file (like an MP3, WAV, WMA, etc.) into another type of audio file. If you're unable to play or edit a certain audio file the way you want because the format isn't supported by the software you're using, one of these programs or online tools can help. These tools are also helpful if your favorite music app on your phone or tablet doesn't support the format that a new song you downloaded is in. A converter can change that obscure format into one that your app supports. Lifewire / Maritsa Patrinos Below is a ranked list of the best free audio converter software programs and online converter services available: Everything in this list is freeware. We haven't listed any shareware or trialware. 01 of 06

Freemake Audio Converter

​ What We Like Supports common audio file formats. Convert more than one audio file consecutively. Multiple audio files can be joined into one and then converted to a new format (or the same). Adjust the quality of the converted file. What We Don't Like Won't convert audio longer than three minutes. Might try to install another program during setup. Freemake Audio Converter supports several common audio formats and is extremely easy to use. However, it only supports audio files that are shorter than three minutes. In addition to converting single audio files into other formats in bulk, you can join multiple files into one larger file. It also lets you adjust the output quality before converting. The biggest drawback to this program is that you have to buy the Infinite Pack to convert audio files that are longer than three minutes. Input Formats: AAC, AMR, AC3, FLAC, M4A, M4R, MP3, OGG, WAV, WMA, and others Output Formats: AAC, FLAC, M4A, MP3, OGG, WAV, and WMA This software officially runs on Windows 11, 10, 8, 7, and Vista. Download Freemake Audio Converter 02 of 06

Zamzar

What We Like Works on any OS through your web browser. Can convert local and online audio files. Lots of audio file formats are supported. Lists every compatible format you can convert the audio file to (so there's no confusion). Download now or wait for an email. What We Don't Like Conversions are sometimes slower than other online converters. Limits conversions to two for any single session as well as every 24 hours. Really large files aren't supported for free users (over 50 MB). Our Review of Zamzar Zamzar is an online audio converter service that supports most common music and audio formats. Upload the file from your computer or enter a URL to an online file that you need to be converted. Input Formats: 3GA, AAC, AC3, AIFC, AIFF, AMR, APE, CAF, FLAC, M4A, M4B, M4R, MIDI, MP3, OGA, OGG, RA, RAM, WAV, and WMAOutput Formats: AAC, AC3, FLAC, M4A, M4R, MP3, MP4, OGG, WAV, and WMA Zamzar's conversion time is sometimes slow compared to other online audio converter services. However, fortunately, you don't have to wait for an email to get the download link. Unless you choose to get an email, you can wait on the download page for the button to appear so that you can download the converted file right away. It can be used with pretty much any modern web browser on any OS, such as Windows, macOS, and Linux. You can also convert files by email with Zamzar by attaching the file (1 MB max for free users) to a message and sending it to a special email address. Visit Zamzar 03 of 06

FileZigZag

What We Like Works online, so no software download is necessary. Supports a wide variety of file formats. Automatically shows all the compatible formats you can convert the file to. Convert more than one file at once. Files can be as large as 150 MB. What We Don't Like Must upload the file to the website before the conversion can take place. Caps out at 10 conversions per day. Unreliable website; sometimes down. Our Review of FileZigZag FileZigZag is an online audio converter service that will convert most common audio formats, so long as they don't exceed 150 MB. All you do is upload the original audio file(s), choose the desired output format, and then wait for the download button to appear. Input Formats: 3GA, AAC, AC3, AIF, AIFF, AMR, AU, CAF, FLAC, M4A, M4R, M4P, MMF, MP2, MP3, MPGA, OGA, OGG, OMA, OPUS, QCP, RA, RAM, WAV, WEBM, and WMAOutput Formats: AAC, AC3, AIF, AIFC, AIFF, AMR, AU, FLAC, M4A, M4R, MP3, MMF, OPUS, OGG, RA, and WAV The worst things about this converter are the time it takes to wait for the conversion to finish and the limit of 10 conversions per day. However, most audio files, even long music tracks, come in a pretty small size, so the time restriction isn't usually a problem. It should work with all operating systems that support a web browser, like macOS, Windows, and Linux. Visit FileZigZag 04 of 06

MediaHuman Audio Converter

What We Like Easy-to-use user interface. Convert to and from a wide variety of popular and not-so-popular formats. Can convert songs from an iTunes playlists. Optionally auto-import the song into iTunes after the conversion. What We Don't Like Missing the advanced options you might find in other, more robust audio file converters. If you're looking for a simple program that works without the advanced options and confusing interfaces that some of these audio converter tools have, you'll definitely like MediaHuman Audio Converter. Just drag and drop the audio files you need to be converted directly into the program, choose an output format, and then start the conversion. Input Formats: AAC, AC3, AIF, AIFF, ALAW, AMR, APE, AU, AWB, CAF, DSF, DTS, FLAC, M4A, M4B, M4R, MP2, MP3, MPC, OGG, OPUS, RA, SHN, SPX, TTA, WAV, WMA, WV, and others (including video formats like MP4)Output Formats: AAC, AC3, AIFF, ALAC, FLAC, M4R, MP3, OGG, OPUS, WAV, and WMA If you want more advanced options, this program lets you customize things like the default output folder, whether you want to automatically add the converted songs to iTunes, and if you want to search online for cover art, among other options. Fortunately, these settings are hidden away and are completely unobtrusive unless you want to use them. Windows 11, 10, 8, and 7 are supported, as well as macOS 12 through 10.12. Download MediaHuman Audio Converter 05 of 06

Movavi Video Converter

What We Like Intuitive and easy to use. Pick a device to save the file to, or choose the format manually. The File Explorer context menu option lets you pull up the program directly from the file. What We Don't Like Every file in the queue must be saved to the same output format. Despite its name, Movavi's converter works with audio files, too, in addition to videos and images. The program is free from ads and just makes sense when you're using it. Input Formats: AAC, AC3, AIF, AIFF, AIFC, APE, AU, F4A, FLAC, M4A, M4B, M4R, MKA, MP3, OGG, OPUS, WAV, and WMA Output Formats: AAC, AC3, AIFF, AU, F4A, FLAC, M4A, M4B, M4R, MKA, MP3, OGG, WAV, and WMA (see all the supported formats here) Bulk importing is supported, so you can convert all your audio files at one time. You can also rename the file before the conversion starts, quickly save back to the same folder as the original file, and pick a device instead of a format for the output option if you're not sure which format to pick. It's said to be installable on Windows and macOS.
Download Movavi Video Converter 06 of 06

Hamster Free Audio Converter

What We Like Super easy to use. Convert in bulk. Shows you file formats based on device type to make choosing a compatible format easier. Lets you merge multiple audio files into one bigger file. What We Don't Like Officially supports up to only Windows 7. Doesn't let you save a default location for converted files; you're asked each time you convert something. Hasn't been updated in many years. Hamster is a free audio converter that installs quickly, has a minimal interface, and isn't hard to use. Not only can it convert multiple audio files in bulk, but it can merge the files into one, much like Freemake Audio Converter. Input Formats: AAC, AC3, AIFF, AMR, FLAC, MP2, MP3, OGG, RM, VOC, WAV, and WMAOutput Formats: AAC, AC3, AIFF, AMR, FLAC, MP3, MP2, OGG, RM, WAV, and WMA After importing files to convert, this program lets you choose any of the output formats from above or pick from a device if you're not sure what format the file needs to be in. For example, instead of choosing OGG or WAV, you can pick the actual device, like Sony, Apple, Nokia, Philips, Microsoft, HTC, and others. It's said to work with Windows 7, Vista, XP, and 2000, but you might have luck using it in newer Windows versions, too, like Windows 11 and Windows 10. Download Hamster Free Audio Converter 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 26 Best Free Video Converter Tools Freemake Video Converter Review 4 Best Free Document Converter Software Programs 5 Best Free File Converters for Occasionally Used Formats 9 Best Free Image Converter Software Programs AC3 File (What It Is & How to Open One) WMA File (What It Is and How to Open One) FLAC File (What It Is & How to Open One) OGG File (What It Is and How to Open One) M4P File (What It Is & How to Open One) M4R File (What It Is & How to Open One) AAC File (What It Is & How to Open One) 16 Best Free Audio Book Websites (October 2022) The 7 Best Music Editors of 2022 The 7 Best Free DVD Ripper Programs of 2022 M4V File (What It Is and How to Open One) 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