Quickly transform your audio files effortlessly with the best cutting-edge audio converter software. Explore the top online audio converter tools along with their features, pros and cons:
Let’s say you have an audio file not working on your device or your system’s media player. Fortunately, this isn’t a big deal today, as many software solutions can transform this file into an output compatible with your device or media player. Audio converter software serves as an easy solution to this problem.
These software are compatible with many popular audio file formats like MP3, WAV, FLAC, etc. The online market is full of thousands of such tools that promise the best audio conversion. However, there is a significant issue here. With the sheer number of options, settling on one tool that best serves your needs can be overwhelming.
Table of Contents:
Top Audio Converter Software Programs – Market Trends
In this article, I want to make this choice simpler by recommending audio converters that are easy to use, super-fast, and offer a wide range of advanced features.
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Who is this article for?
An audio converter can serve a wide range of people. It could prove useful for casual users with an audio file that isn’t compatible with their hardware or software. Professional creators, podcasters, editors, musicians, and voice-over artists could also find such tools immensely beneficial. These tools could also be useful for marketing professionals creating promotional material.
How did I choose the audio converters mentioned on this list?
I carefully curated this list to include only tools based on my experience with them and their overall reception among general users.
Here are all the factors I considered when making my decision:
- User-Friendliness: An audio converter has no business being complicated to use. Choose software with a simple interface that gets the job done quickly.
- High-Speed Conversion: You want software that works at lightning-fast speed. Go for tools that promise to deliver high-speed conversion no matter the size of the file uploaded.
- Batch Conversion: Batch conversion is a prominent feature found in the best audio converter software. Make sure your software can convert multiple files at the same time.
- Supported Formats: People opt for converters because they have a file that isn’t compatible with whatever software or hardware they are using. So make sure you pick a tool that lets you convert a file into a plethora of popular audio file formats.
- Custom Capabilities: Many of the best converters out there will allow you to change your file, which will reflect in the final result. Look for tools that offer options to modify a file’s bit rate, volume, channel, and more.
- Compatibility: I made sure that the software I went with worked in the system I was using. Opt for a tool that is compatible with your system. If you are using a Mac system, opt for a tool that is compatible with a Mac OS.
- Cost: There are many paid and free audio converter software out there. I mentioned both in this article. You should go with one that you feel comfortable with.
List of the Best Audio Converter Software
You have a variety of popular options to choose from:
- Audio-Convert.com
- Movavi Video Converter
- Fre:ac
- Freemake Audio Converter
- Any Audio Converter
- MediaHuman Audio Converter
- Zamzar Audio Converter
- VideoProc Converter AI
- Audacity
- Pazera Free Audio Extractor
- Switch Audio File Converter
- Convertio
- VLC
- Hamster Free Audio Converter
Comparing the Top Tools for Audio Conversion
Name | Best for | Compatibility | Price | Rating |
---|---|---|---|---|
Audio Convert | Free conversion of unlimited file sizes | Web-based | Free | |
Movavi Video Converter | Free conversion and compression | Mac and Windows | Free to use, License costs $29.97 | |
Fre:ac | CD Ripper | Mac and Windows | Free to use | |
Freemake Audio Converter | Superfast conversion and file merging | Windows | Free to use | |
Hamster Free Audio Converter | Simplicity and Customizable Configurations | Windows | Free |
Detailed Review:
#1) Audio Convert
Best for free conversion of unlimited file sizes.
With Audio Convert, you get a user-friendly online audio converter that can convert audio files into a wide range of formats. The software is compatible with many prominent audio formats like MP3, M4A, WAV, OCG, WMA, AAC, M4R, FLAC, etc. Audio Convert stood out to me for its user-friendly conversion interface.
The software lets you wither drag-and-drop a file, upload it or even copy-paste a link from an online source. The conversion is extremely quick and the audio quality remains intact. There is also no limit to the size of files you can convert for free using this online software.
The online site is also quite customizable. You can easily adjust the quality and sampling rate of the audio before you hit the convert button. Batch conversion is another great aspect of this online site. You can upload multiple audio files simultaneously without hassle and download the results together in a single ZIP archive.
How Audio Convert works:
#1) Open the Audio Convert website.
#2) Upload or drag and drop the file onto the website.
#3) Choose the format you wish to convert the file into.
#4) Hit the “Convert” button to start the conversion.
Features:
- Wide Format Compatibility: A major USP of this online service is the sheer number of audio file formats it supports. The software supports M4R, WMA, MP3, OPUS, MMF, FLAC, and more. Whatever file format you prefer, you can expect no loss in quality after the conversion is done.
- Unlimited File Size: Like many of its free counterparts, an Audio Convert remains free of cost while offering users the privilege of converting files of all sizes. There is no limit to the size of files you can convert. The conversion will be efficient, regardless of how huge your file is.
- Batch Conversion: Like the best converters out there, the software can convert multiple files at the same time. There is no limit to how many files you can upload at the same time. You can later download all the files together in a single ZIP file.
- Customizable Settings: The software is quite flexible in its settings. You can make a few notable adjustments before you hit the convert button. From adjusting the file quality to configuring the encoder and sample rate, an Audio Convert is adequately customizable.
- Video to Audio Converter: The software can also perform video-to-audio conversions. The software supports various popular video formats, like MP4, MOV, MKV, and AVI. The quality of the extracted remains intact once the conversion is over.
Why do I like it?
Audio Convert is easy to use and lets you convert files without any restriction on their size. The conversion itself is lossless, and the speed is quite impressive.
Pros:
- Free to use
- Unlimited file size
- User-friendly
- Fast conversion
Cons:
- The ads on the site can hinder your user experience.
Our Review: As an online audio converter, the software is easy to use and supports a wide range of audio formats. It is considerably quick in its conversion capabilities and there is no loss in quality with the result. This is one of the finest free audio converter software today.
Price: Free to use
Website: https://audio-convert.com/
#2) Movavi Audio Converter
Best for free conversion and compression.
Movavi has been a major player in the video and audio processing software industry for quite some time now. Movavi excels at delivering an audio converter that is both easy to use and comes loaded with a bunch of advanced features. Currently, the software supports over 40 popular audio formats. It supports formats like MP3, FLAC, AAC, OCG, and many others.
Like the best audio converters out there, you can use Movavi to convert multiple audio files at the same time. The conversion itself is brisk and there is little to no quality loss. There is also no limit to the size of files you can upload and process with the software. You also get the privilege of adjusting the quality and other configurations associated with your converted audio file.
This also makes the software great for compression. You can take a large audio file and compress its size without a noticeable change in its quality. Another area where Movavi shines is in its editing capabilities. It arms you with a ton of editing tools and allows you to cut or trim an audio file or add effects to enhance its quality.
How Movavi Audio Converter works:
#1) Download Movavi to your Mac or Windows system for free.
#2) Drag and drop the file or upload it to Movavi’s interface.
#3) Pick the format.
#4) Hit the “Convert” button to start the conversion.
Features:
- Format Compatibility: Movavi supports a wide range of audio formats. You can count on the software to convert a file into over 40 popular formats. These include formats like MP3, FLAC, AAC, OCG, etc.
- Configurable Settings: Movavi is highly configurable. You are provided with the option to tweak the quality of an audio file before converting it. You can adjust its quality and sample rate, or switch the channels for a better result.
- Batch Conversion: Movavi facilitates batch conversion. You can easily upload multiple files at the same time and hit the conversion button to convert them all at the same time. The speed does get affected though when performing a batch conversion.
- Editing: Movavi allows you to perform some basic edits to your audio file with its free version. The premium version lends you some advanced privileges. You can trim, merge, or add effects to your audio file before downloading it.
- Video-to-Audio Conversion: Besides audio-to-audio conversion, Movavi also facilitates video-to-audio conversion. It can expertly extract the audio from a video file. It does so without compromising the audio quality.
Why do I like it?
Movavi is one of the most popular vendors I’ve mentioned on this list and enjoys a solid track record among its users. You can use the software for free and experience just how advanced it is in its ability to process both video and audio files.
Pros:
- User-friendly
- 30-day money-back guarantee
- Windows and Mac compatibility
- Free download.
Cons:
- Limited in its capabilities as a free tool.
Our Review: Movavi stays true to its reputation and delivers exceptional audio converter software. This software supports more than 40 popular audio formats, lets you compress an audio file, and arms you with some advanced editing features.
Price: As is the case with the best audio converter, free download is offered by Movavi. The premium version will cost you $29.76.
Website: https://www.movavi.com/free-audio-converter.html
#3) Fre:ac
Best for free conversion and CD ripper.
With Fre:ac, you get an audio converter and CD ripper in one free package. Like the best audio converters out there, this software supports a wide range of formats and encoders. The formats supported include M4A, MP3, WMA, FLAC, and other prominent audio files. The software features multi-core optimized encoders. This essentially makes the conversion a lot faster.
One of Fre:ac’s biggest USPs is the constant updates it has gotten over the years. These updates have only made the software more powerful in its capabilities. One of its newest features allows you to split the end output into multiple files. This split is done based on metadata, number of files, or duration.
Another thing that sets Fre:ac apart from its competitors is the integrated CD ripper. The software allows you to rip audio CDs to multiple audio formats like MP3. This can help you play the audio with multiple hardware players. You can also rely on the software to convert an entire music library while keeping the folder and filename structure intact.
Features:
- Output Splitting: Fre:ac comes with a new feature that allows you to split an audio output. Splitting the output into multiple files is easy and can be done using different parameters. These include duration, number of files, and metadata.
- Dithering: Dithering is the process by which you can add random noise to an audio file to reduce some distortion within it. This is a new feature that Fre:ac also comes with. The dithering comes in handy when reducing sample resolution.
- Matrix Surround Decoder: Matrix decoding is yet another feature just added to Fre:ac. Matric encoding or decoding can help you play an audio file on different systems without hassle.
- Volume Adjustment: The software helps you adjust the volume of an audio output before you hit the convert button. The adjusted volume will reflect on the processed output. The process of adjusting is very efficient.
- Audio Format Support: Fre:ac supports a wide range of popular formats and encoders. You can use the tool to freely convert audio files into multiple formats like MP3, M4A, FLAC, etc.
Why do I Like It?
Fre:ac is an open-source, free-to-use tool that is quite exceptional in its editing capabilities. It receives regular updates and features a multi-lingual user interface, making it a tool that I can recommend to users all across the globe.
Pros:
- Easy to use
- Open source
- Multi-lingual user-interface
- Supports all OS
Cons:
- The user experience seems less polished.
Our Review: With Fre:ac, you get software that is open-source and free to use. The software especially stands out for the integrated CD ripper, which helps you rip your audio CDs into other formats so you can play audio on multiple devices and software without worrying about compatibility issues.
Price: Free to use
Website: https://www.freac.org/
#4) Freemake Audio Converter
Best for superfast conversion and file merging.
Freemake Audio Converter makes it to my list for the speed and user-friendliness it promises. Right off the bat, you get software that supports over 40 formats. You can count on the software to convert most protected audio formats like MP3, WMA, OCG, M4R, and MP2, etc. You can use the software to transcode multiple files simultaneously without hassle.
The software supports all modern codecs. The software also works with almost all gadgets. It can elevate the sound quality of any audio file or even compress it down to size if you wish to save some storage space on your system.
The conversion itself is lossless on Freemake. You’ll notice little to no quality loss with the processed output. Another great aspect of this tool is its ability to merge multiple files. Without any trouble, you can merge audio files of different formats seamlessly.
You have the added advantage of storing your outputs in the cloud. Once your audio file is converted, you can upload the file to your Dropbox or Google Drive directly from Freemake’s interface.
Features:
- Audio to Video Conversion: Freemake supports a wide range of popular video file formats. This means that you can use the software to extract audio from these files. The formats supported include MP4, AVI, MKV, etc.
- Batch Conversion: The software lets you convert multiple files at the same time at an exceptional speed. You can configure the tool to convert files into a single media file or opt to have them converted separately.
- File Merging: The ability to combine files is Freemake’s strongest feature. You’ll be able to combine files of the same or different formats without hassle. This is an excellent feature if you wish to enjoy endless playback of your favorite songs in a single file.
- Customizable Settings: You can make a set of changes to your audio file before you hit the convert button. You can edit its bitrate and sample rate or adjust the channels with ease. Customize the settings as per your preference for a more professional result.
- Cloud Storage: The software is compatible with cloud software like Google Drive and Dropbox. This allows you to safely save your processed output on Google Drive and Dropbox. Once processed, you can automatically upload the file to these storage drives by setting them as your default location.
Why do I like it?
Freemake’s amazing user interface and lossless audio conversion capabilities make it a one-of-a-kind free tool. It is highly customizable, supports almost all popular audio formats, and lets you convert multiple files simultaneously at an exceptional speed.
Pros:
- Free to use
- Lossless audio conversion
- Works with all modern Windows OS.
- Very fast in its processing capabilities
Cons:
- The support leaves a lot to desire.
Our Review: Freemake Audio Converter earns a spot on this list because of its advanced features, universal format compatibility, and lossless audio conversion. You get unparalleled quality despite the tool being free to use.
Price: Free to use
Website: https://www.freemake.com/free_audio_converter/
#5) Any Audio Converter
Best for ripping audio from CDs and editing features.
Like Fre:ac, Any Audio Converter can be used as a converter and a CD ripper. As a converter, the software can convert files in a plethora of formats. The conversion itself is efficient, brisk, and without any errors. As a CD ripper, it can rip audio tracks from any CD and save them to your computer.
When converting an audio file, Any Audio Converter keeps the file’s tag information completely intact. Where the tool shines, however, is in the editing it facilitates. You can easily clip or trim an audio file with just a few clicks. You can also edit ID3-tag information easily that’s attached to any audio file.
Features:
- Lossless Conversion: There is no limit to how many files or how many file formats you convert using this software. This software can support nearly all popular audio and video files. You can use the software to perform audio-to-audio and video-to-audio conversions quite easily.
- CUE Splitter: The software is excellent as a CUE splitter. You can split CUE associated with various formats like APE, MP3, etc., and have them compiled into separate audio tracks.
- CD Ripper: Any Audio Converter comes with an integrated CD ripper. This will allow you to extract audio from any CD. The extracted audio track will retain its tag information.
- Video Downloader: You can use the software to download files from a variety of sources online. You can extract audio from these downloaded videos later using the software’s conversion capabilities. You’ll be able to download videos from YouTube, Vimeo, Facebook, etc.
- Editing Tools: Editing is also very simple with Any Video Converter. You get to trim a file or even edit the ID3 tag information attached to an audio file. Customizing the output settings is also simple.
Why do I Like It?
I like how great and feature-rich Any Audio Converter is despite being free to use. It arms you with advanced editing tools and also stands out for its ability to download videos from multiple sources online for free.
Pros:
- Money-back guarantee
- Free updates
- Automatically saves tag information
- Universal file compatibility
Cons:
- The processing speed can be a bit slow compared to other software I’ve used.
Our Review: Although not as fast as some of the top tools on this list, Any Video Converter still managed to impress me with its features and an integrated CD ripper. It is easy to use, updates regularly, and makes it convenient to edit an audio file.
Price: Free to use. The premium version will cost you $29.95.
Website: https://www.any-audio-converter.com/any-audio-converter.php
#6) MediaHuman Audio Converter
Best for lossless format conversion.
MediaHuman is another great audio converter that helps you perform conversions across a wide range of audio formats free of charge. It stands out for its intuitive UI, which is free to use and considerably customizable. Let’s say you want a UI that looks sleek and takes care of your eyes. You can choose dark mode.
As a converter, the tool stands out for its lossless conversion capabilities. You can count on the software to directly convert one lossless format to another without hassle. For instance, you can take a FLAC audio file and convert it to a lossless format that is supported by most Apple devices. You can also edit a file’s ID3-tag information using this software.
Features:
- Batch Conversion: The software lets you convert multiple files at the same time. There is no limit to the number of files you can add to convert simultaneously. Add all the files you want converted, pick the output format, and hit the “Start” button.
- Auto CUE Splitting: Like Fre:ac, this software also facilitates CUE splitting. The software will automatically locate CUE files in a folder. Once located, it’ll suggest splitting the image into individual tracks.
- ID3 Tag Retrieval: The software’s ability to retrieve ID3 tag information is a testament to just how intuitive this tool is. If you have an audio file with missing information related to artists, release date, etc. MediaHuman will scour the internet to get these tags.
- Advanced File Naming: MediaHuman also allows you to name an audio file using its ID3 tag information. You can also create a folder to store your converted audio file.
- Editing Tools: From normalizing volume to silence trimming, the software is quite advanced in its editing capabilities. You can add effects to your audio file as well. For instance, you can make the audio fade in and fade out.
Pros:
- Completely free to use
- Works with Mac and Windows
- Simple UI
- Support for iTunes and Music.app.
Cons:
- The conversion speed can be a tad bit slow
Our Review: MediaHuman might not be the fastest audio converter on this list but it is intelligent and advanced. It is completely free to use and comes loaded with some advanced features like the one that you could use to generate a filename for your converted audio using ID3 tags.
Price: Free to use
Website: https://www.mediahuman.com/audio-converter/
#7) Zamzar
Best for secure online storage.
Zamzar is a popular online file-converting website. The platform supports almost all types of file formats, including all audio files. The conversion here is a simple three-step process. You upload the file, choose the format, and hit the convert button. Zamzar can be used for free. However, to really use it at its maximum potential, I suggest subscribing to its premium plan.
The premium promises high conversion speed that can easily surpass even the most advanced audio converters out there. There is also no limit to the file size you can convert or how many files you can convert with Zamzar’s premium plans.
Features:
- Online Interface: Zamzar’s biggest strength is its online UI, which is simple and intuitive. You can upload the file directly from your system or drag and drop it onto the interface. The conversion is a three-step process, thanks to this UI.
- Wide Format Compatibility: Zamzar is known for being an online file converter. Besides supporting almost all audio file formats, Zamzar also supports all image and video file formats as well.
- Concurrent Conversions: Like the best audio converters out there, Zamzar too lets you convert multiple files at the same time. However, you’ll need to subscribe to its premium plans to enjoy this privilege. The number of files you’ll be able to concurrently convert will depend on the plan you chose.
- Online Storage: Zamzar also lets you store your converted files securely online. This is also a privilege restricted to the premium plan. The basic plan will let you store files up to 5 GB in size, whereas the business plan will let you store files up to 100 GB in size.
- Personal Inbox: Zamzar arms you with a personal inbox, which can manage all your converted files. From this inbox, you have the option to share these files on different social media platforms or convert them to alternative formats. From this inbox, you have the option to share these files on different social media platforms or convert them to alternative formats.
Pros:
- Secure
- Super-fast conversion speed
- Unlimited online conversion
- User-friendly UI.
Cons:
- Some of its most enticing benefits are locked behind subscription plans.
Our Review: Zamzar is a great audio converter if you don’t mind subscribing to any of its monthly subscription plans. While it is decent as a free online converter, you get to enjoy a plethora of enticing benefits like unlimited conversion and online storage by opting for any one of its subscription plans.
Price: Free to use to convert 2 files per day. Its subscription plans are:
- Basic: $18/month
- Pro: $30/month
- Business: $49/month
Website: https://www.zamzar.com/converters/audio/
#8) VideoProc Converter AI
Best for advanced AI-based video enhancement.
VideoProc easily earns a spot on my list because of its use of advanced AI. This AI grants VideoProc the ability to upscale, enhance, stabilize, and convert a media file considerably more efficiently than usual. The software also stands out for being one of the fastest converters out there, thanks to its in-built hardware acceleration technology.
VideoProc supports over 370 input formats and 420 output formats. This includes almost all popular audio file formats. VideoPro’c ability to extract audio from a video without compromising its quality also makes the tool video-to-audio converter software out there. The software is also great at downloading media files from multiple online sources.
Features:
- Batch Conversion: You can rely on VideoProc to convert multiple files at the same time briskly. Upload multiple files to the software, choose the format, and hit the convert button. It is that simple.
- GPU Acceleration: An advanced level-3 hardware acceleration technology powers the software. This makes the software at least 47 times faster than your average converter out there.
- Editing Tools: The software comes loaded with over 29 quick edit tools. You can trim, merge, or add effects to your audio file with just a few clicks. You can also perform other crucial tasks like adjusting audio volume, forcing A/V sync, etc.
- Download Media: VideoProc allows you to download media files from over 1000 popular sites online. You can use the software to download video, audio, subtitles, and entire playlists from multiple prominent sources online.
- Audio Recorder: Besides being a solid converter, you can rely on VideoProc to record audio and video. You get to choose between 4 recording modes. The software supports picture-in-picture recording as well.
Pros:
- The Advanced AI
- 420+ output formats supported
- Very fast
- Multi-lingual support
Cons:
- Not ideal if you are only looking for an audio converter.
Our Review: VideoProc is a decent audio converter. However, it is even better as an all-in-one media processing software with advanced AI-driven capabilities. From downloading media from online sources to editing video files and recording audio or video, you can rely on the software to do a lot more than convert audio files.
Price: VideoProc offers the following subscription plans:
- Premium 365: $25.95/year.
- Lifetime License for 1PC: $45.95
- Family Lifetime License for 3-5 PCs: $57.95
Website: https://www.videoproc.com/video-converting-software/
#9) Audacity
Best for audio recording and editing.
Audacity is an audio recording and editing software that professional creators can use for free. The software is ideal for folks who wish to create podcasts and music. As an audio editor, this tool also features a great converter. It supports almost all popular audio file formats. This means you can practically take any audio file and convert it to an output you desire.
A defining aspect of this tool is the fact that it is an open source. The software’s source code is open to view and can be modified by anyone. Audacity also supports a wide range of third-party plug-ins, the use of which only further enhances the software’s core functionality.
Features:
- Wide Format Compatibility: The software helps professional creators record and edit their audio. As such, you can expect the software to support almost all popular audio file formats out there.
- Audio Recording: Audacity can record crisp audio from multiple sources. You can have your spoken audio recorded and polish it for use on podcasts and voice-overs, etc.
- Audio Analysis: The software is quite deep in its analytical abilities. The software allows you to visualize frequencies using a Spectrogram view. You can also make discoveries using scientific vamp analyzers.
- Plugin Support: The software facilitates support for a variety of third-party plugins. You get a vast selection of plugins to choose from. This includes popular solutions like Nyquist and VST3.
Pros:
- Runs on all major OS
- Free and open-source
- Deep audio analysis
Cons:
- Only recommended if you are a professional creator.
Our Review: With Audacity, you get an open-source audio editor and recorder that caters to the needs of independent creators online. As a converter, it supports almost all audio file formats. The software is ideal if you want to save money creating quality podcasts and voice-over work.
Price: Free
Website: https://www.audacityteam.org/
#10) Pazera
Best for audio extraction.
Pazera is a free software notable for its ability to extract audio files from videos you feed it. It supports nearly 70 or so video and audio file formats. As such, you could use the software to perform video-to-audio and audio-to-audio conversions with ease. The software’s UI is dated. However, it makes up for it in the speed and simplicity department.
Features:
- Wide Format Compatibility: Pazera can convert a plethora of popular video and audio file formats. It currently supports more than 70 audio and video file formats.
- Lossless Audio Extraction: You can use the software to extract audio from its original video source. For instance, you can take an MP4 file and have it converted to MP3 audio in no time. There is no loss in quality during extraction.
- LAME Encoder: Pazera relies on the latest version of LAME Encoder for its conversion capabilities. It supports encoding with an average bit rate, constant bit rate, and variable bit rate.
- Customizable Settings: Pazera lets you customize converted audio through a series of setting configurations. You’ll be able to adjust the bit rate, audio channels, volume, and sample frequency with ease before hitting the convert button.
Our Review: Pazera is one of the finest video-to-audio converter software out there. Although dated in its look, the software impressed me with its speed, simplicity, and some advanced features.
Price: Free to use.
Website: https://www.pazera-software.com/products/audio-extractor/
#11) Switch Audio File Converter
Best for automation and fast conversion.
Switch Audio File Converter distinguishes itself from its contemporaries by offering a tool that is adequately automated. For instance, you can rely on the software to automatically normalize your converted audio file. As a converter alone, it supports all popular formats. Its speed is also impressive. You’ll be able to convert multiple files at the same time quickly.
Features:
- Metadata: As I mentioned before, Switch features some impressive automation capabilities. It can automatically apply metadata to a converted file.
- Add Effects: Switch offers a plethora of effects, which can be used to enhance the appeal of your audio. You can equalize audio, amplify the volume, reduce noise, and do a lot more.
- Preview: You can preview the file before you convert it. You’ll be able to preview the file with a single click. Previews come in handy when checking the settings and effects of an audio.
- Video to Audio Conversion: Switch supports a plethora of video input file formats. You can feed the software any video file and have its audio extracted without loss in quality.
Our Review: Switch Audio File Converter makes it to my list because of its automation, high conversion speed, and batch conversion capabilities. Like the best converters out there, this software supports all popular audio and video file formats. It is also easy and free to use for limited conversions.
Price: Free to use. Its commercial license starts at $29.99.
Website: https://www.nch.com.au/switch/index.html
#12) Convertio
Best for quick online file conversion.
Convertio is a powerful and super-fast online file converter. It will let you convert a file up to 100 MB in size for free. You’ll have to pay an affordable monthly fee to use the software to its fullest potential. Depending on the plan you choose, you can convert anywhere from 25 to a limitless number of files at the same time.
Features:
- Batch Conversions: Batch conversions are possible through Convertio’s premium plans only. The basic plan allows you to upload and convert 25 files at the same time. The Unlimited plan puts no such restrictions.
- Browser–Based UI: The software is completely web-based. This means no downloading or installing software. Simple 3 steps are all you’ll need to take to convert your file.
- Extensive Format Support: There isn’t an audio file format that Convertio doesn’t support. You can count on the software to convert up to 3416 audio file formats with ease.
- Strong Security: Besides being completely online, the software follows strict security protocols. All input files are automatically deleted after editing. All output files are deleted after 24 hours.
Our Review: Convertio is yet another audio converter that I would recommend to those who value simplicity and speed. The free plan is decent if you have a smaller file size to process. To use the software to its maximum potential, I suggest opting for one of its premium plans. They are affordable.
Price: Free to use to convert 100 MB file. Its subscription plans are as follows:
- Light: $9.99/month
- Basic: $14.99/month
- Unlimited: $25.99/month
Website: https://convertio.co/audio-converter/
#13) VLC
Best for cross-compatible and open-source software.
VLC is perhaps best known for being a multi-media player. However, it can also be used for some basic audio and video conversions. VLC is one of those rare multi-media players that supports a plethora of input files. It plays most codecs and no codec packs are necessary. It runs on almost all platforms and you’ll don’t have to pay a dime to use it.
- Codec Support: VLC can play most codecs. It supports MPEG-2, MPEG-4, MKV, and WMV, etc. All codecs are supported without any codec packs necessary.
- Customizable UI: VLC features an intuitive UI that can be customized as per your wishes. You can add skins, create custom ones, and install extensions to completely transform the look of your VLC.
- Hardware Decoding: VLC facilitates hardware coding on most platforms. It can fall back on software whenever necessary and support 0 copies on the GPU.
- Advanced Controls: VLC comes with some amazing features that let you control the quality of the file being played. From synchronizing subtitles to applying audio filters, it can do it all.
Our Review: VLC is a free and open-source multimedia player that I would recommend for basic audio and video conversions. If you like watching videos or playing audio on your OS-controlled devices, then I would suggest having this software installed in your system.
Price: Free to use
Website: https://www.videolan.org/vlc/
#14) Hamster Free Audio Converter
Best for simplicity and customizable configurations.
Hamster is an underrated software for audio conversion. This free tool can do absolutely everything that you expect from the most popular media processing tools out there. It supports and facilitates the conversion of audio files in multiple formats. Its processing speed is exceptional.
You can rely on the software to convert an audio file for several compatible devices in just 3 simple steps. Despite its dated look, the software’s interface is highly customizable. You can easily pick a format for conversion with just one click and even perform a few adjustments before hitting the convert button.
You can easily adjust the output’s quality using the slider provided to you. With that slider, you can choose whether to minimize the output’s quality or enhance it. The software supports lossless conversion and helps you compress an audio file as well.
How Hamster Works:
#1) Download and launch Hamster on your system.
#2) Add the file you wish to convert
#3) Pick the output format.
#4) Make any adjustments and hit the “Convert” button.
Features:
- Wide Format Support: You can use Hamster to convert a wide range of audio files. It supports AIFF, OGG, AC3, WAV, and ACC files. It can help you get an audio output that’s compatible with a variety of devices.
- Quality Adjustment: The software allows you to make some significant changes to an audio file before you convert it. For instance, you can choose to adjust the quality of the audio file. You can move the slider to switch the output’s quality from low to high.
- Compression: The ability to adjust output quality makes the software ideal for compressing files as well. You can use the software to cut down a file’s size for several reasons. The compression results in negligible quality loss.
- Batch Conversion: The software supports batch conversions. You can upload multiple files at the same time and have them converted simultaneously. You can download them together as well.
- Merge Files: The software allows you to combine multiple files with a single click. You can combine files of the same or different formats with ease.
Pros:
- Simple to use
- Preview audio
- Fast and lossless conversion
- Customizable
Cons:
- A dated UI
While its UI seems dated, do not let it discourage you from trying this intuitive software. The dated UI only makes the software simpler to use. This is one audio converter I would recommend to both beginners and advanced users for conversion.
Price: Free to use
Website: https://hamster-free-audio-converter.en.softonic.com/
Frequently Asked Questions
1. Which is the best audio converter for free?
As I said before, the online realm is littered with audio converters, both paid and free. In my experience, the following would be free audio converters I would recommend you use.
AudioConvert
Freemake
Free:ac
Hamster Audio Converter
2. What do audio converters do?
Audio converters have a simple function. They’ll take an audio file and convert it into an entirely different format of your preference.
Most audio converters get this done in three simple steps. You upload a file, choose a format, and hit the convert button. Depending on the size of your file, you’ll have the results in seconds or minutes.
3. What is the best music converter?
There are a plethora of tools out there that will convert your music files. However, you must ensure there isn’t any loss in quality when doing so. Some of the best music converters are as follows:
Audio Convert
Movavi Video Converter.
Any Audio Converter
Zamzar
Audacity
4. How do I convert audio files?
Converting audio files is a simple process. All you need is a good audio converter software. Once you have it, the process will be as follows:
Add, upload, or drag and drop a file to the software.
Choose your output format
Make your preferred configurations
Hit the “Convert” button.
The converted file will be saved on your system in the path you choose. The process will be more or less similar across different audio converters.
5. Which audio has the best quality?
It is a widely known fact that WAV and AIFF files possess high quality. This is why they are the preferred choice of sound mixers and audio engineers. These files are also very large. They are also not universally compatible.
As such, you might need an audio converter to enjoy the content these files hold.
Conclusion
We explored the best audio converter software in the market. These tools support all known audio file formats. They can do the job with the utmost efficiency and speed. You can use most of these tools for free and they won’t compromise quality. I would suggest trying them all out and picking the one that best suits your needs.
Just so you know, most of these tools are either free or have limited free versions. Use them to test the tool yourself and make an informed decision. As for my recommendation, I would suggest going with Audio Convert or Movavi.
Both of these tools are quite advanced in their conversion capabilities, easy to use, and impeccable with the results delivered.
Research Process:
- I spent 32 hours researching and writing this article so you can have summarized and insightful information on which Audio Converter software will serve you best.
- Total tools researched: 30
- Total Audio Conversion software shortlisted: 14