FLAC vs WAV
Comparing Free Lossless Audio Codec and Waveform Audio File Format — which format should you use?
| FLAC | WAV | |
|---|---|---|
| Full Name | Free Lossless Audio Codec | Waveform Audio File Format |
| Extension | .flac | .wav |
| MIME Type | audio/flac | audio/wav |
| Category | audio | audio |
FLAC Pros
- +Lossless — zero quality degradation
- +50-70% compression vs uncompressed
- +Free and open source
- +Wide device and software support
- +Supports metadata and album art
FLAC Cons
- -Larger than lossy formats (MP3, AAC, OGG)
- -Not supported by all portable devices
- -No DRM support
- -Streaming can be bandwidth-intensive
WAV Pros
- +Perfect audio quality (uncompressed)
- +Universal support on all platforms
- +No encoding/decoding artifacts
- +Industry standard for audio production
WAV Cons
- -Very large files (10 MB per minute at CD quality)
- -No metadata/tag support in basic format
- -Impractical for streaming or mobile use
- -No compression
Use FLAC when...
- -Music archival and preservation
- -Audiophile listening
- -Music production masters
- -CD ripping for highest quality
Use WAV when...
- -Audio recording and production
- -Sound effects libraries
- -Master recordings
- -Professional audio editing