Comparisons
Comparisons
Digital audio has no single "best" format and no single "right" way to listen to music. Lossy formats save space, lossless formats preserve the original signal in full, and uncompressed audio takes up the most space. The same goes for ways of listening: a subscription is convenient, a purchased file stays with you, a disc is something you can hold. In this section we compare the options by their strengths and weaknesses, to make it easier to choose the right one for your needs.
Choose the format for the job: lossless for the archive, lossy for on the go — but never re-encoded over and over.
How this section works: we compare formats and approaches, not products and services. Assessments are given in general terms, without percentages, listening tests or rankings. Information on formats is based on the standards and their developers' documentation.
Formats
| Format | Compression type | Best suited for |
|---|---|---|
| MP3 | Lossy; standard ISO/IEC 11172-3 (1993), maximum bitrate 320 kbit/s | The widest compatibility: plays on almost any device, suitable for portable copies |
| AAC | Lossy; standardised in 1997 (MPEG-2 Part 7), later included in MPEG-4 | Portable devices and streaming, where saving space and bandwidth matters |
| Opus | Lossy; open format | Voice calls and streaming, compressed copies where storage is limited; not supported by all older devices |
| FLAC | Lossless; open Xiph.Org project, first released in 2001 | Collection archive and source for later conversion; files are larger than lossy formats |
| ALAC | Lossless | Collection archive in ecosystems and programs where this format is better supported than FLAC |
| WAV | Usually uncompressed | Editing and audio processing, intermediate files; inconvenient for storage because of file size and limited tag support |
Ways to listen to music
| Method | Pros | Cons |
|---|---|---|
| Streaming | Huge choice, nothing to store, convenient across devices, legal with a subscription or the service's free tier | Needs an internet connection or tracks saved in the app in advance; the catalogue can change, and the music is not yours to keep once you cancel |
| Buying files | The file stays with you; you can move it between your own devices and keep it in your library | You have to look after storage and backups yourself; terms of use depend on the store |
| Physical media | The CD or record is in your hands, and you can make a copy of a CD for personal use | They take up space, media wear out, you need a player or drive |
| Free legal sources | Music in the public domain and under Creative Commons licences is available legally and free of charge | Limited choice; you need to read the licence terms, as some forbid commercial use or modifications |
Related sections
- Glossary
A glossary of terms: formats and codecs, sound quality, rights and sources of music.
- Guides
Step-by-step guides: choosing an archive format, converting without needless loss, metadata, backups, checking files. Also home to the article catalogue.
- Tools
Types of audio software: player, converter, tag editor, CD ripper, audio editor, library manager — no brands.
Sources
- ISO/IEC 11172-3
- Fraunhofer IIS — the story of MP3
- Xiph.Org — FLAC
- Creative Commons
Information on formats and standards is based on official sources as of the preparation date. Software, services and laws change, so check the current documentation, the services' help pages and the laws in force.