Sounds great, right?
Unfortunately, FLAC isn’t compatible with iTunes.
Luckily, the choice isn’t quite so dire.
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dBpoweramp (Windows and Mac)
Simple interface.
Available on Windows and Mac.
Also an effective lossless CD ripper.
golden ear copyright Chaoji Li
More expensive than other options.
This tool quickly and easily converts FLAC files to Apple Lossless (ALAC) files.
ALAC files should be equivalent to the original versions and have the added benefit of being compatible with iTunes.
FLAC Player copyright Dan Leehr
dBpoweramp requires Windows XP SP3, Vista, 7, 8 or 10, or Mac OS X 10.8.
There is a free evaluation download.
Purchasing the full version, which includes many features beyond file conversion, costs $39.
Fluke
Visit dBpoweramp
Golden Ear (iOS)
File and folder control within the app.
macOS version is far more limited than the iOS version.
Doesn’t have an equalizer.
A number of apps allow iOS users to listen to FLAC files without converting.
Think of it as a replacement for the built-in Music app devoted exclusively to lossless files.
It includes visual themes for playback and supportsAirPlay.
Download Golden Ear
FLAC Player (iOS)
Has an equalizer.
May be abandoned by developerlast update was over two years ago.
Crash issues and other bugs.
The name says it all: FLAC Player lets you play your FLAC files on iOS devices.
FLAC Player also supports gapless playback, equalizer presets, playlist creation, and more.
This $9.99 app requires a unit running iOS 8.0 or higher.
Download FLAC Player
Fluke (Mac)
Free.
Play unmodified FLAC files in iTunes.
Last update in 2009.
Doesn’t work with latest versions of macOS or iTunes.
It does this by running at the same time as iTunes and working hand in hand with it.
Even better, it’s free.
