FLAC vs WAV: Which One Is Better?

Taking full advantage of audio formats is helpful both to casual listeners and professional producers. Knowing and understanding any audio file format is very important, as not all of them serve the same function.

Although both FLAC and WAV formats are known for producing sound of high quality, other differences are noticed in compression techniques, file size, compatibility, and intended use range.

In this article, we will cover FLAC vs WAV and the one you should use whether you want better quality or a smaller file size.

What is FLAC?

Free Lossless Audio Codec is what FLAC stands for. It uses a compression that is capable of lowering the size of an audio file without changing the sound quality. Unlike MP3 formats that lower quality to save space, FLAC preserves the original sound quality.

Key Features of FLAC

1. Lossless Compression: A type of compression that results in a smaller file size but retains the original sound quality. When using this file format, the sound quality output is always the same as the original recording, only the file’s size is reduced.
2. Open Source: FLAC has no restrictions on access, allowing users to conveniently access it without any kind of licensing payment.
3. Metadata Support: Album art along with names of tracks are included in FLAC files which aids in maintaining organized digital music collections.

What is WAV?

WAV is an acronym for Waveform Audio File Format. As one of the oldest and most popular audio formats, WAV was developed by Microsoft and IBM. It has become a standard in the industry alongside AIFF. WAV files preserve the audio information in the same format it was recorded in as they are not compressed.

Key Features of WAV

• Unmixed Audio: The information contained in WAV files is not mixed, which makes these files ideal for professional recording and editing purposes.
• Best Sound Quality: WAV files, unlike other types, have no compression and therefore provide the best sound quality. This makes the files suitable for studio and mastering use.
• Broad Device Support: Almost all audio playback devices and programs support WAV files. These files work best on Windows operating systems.

Comparing FLAC and WAV

Compression

• FLAC: Uses lossless compression which reduces files by 30-60% without harming the audio quality.
• WAV: Uncompressed files, therefore much larger.

File Size

• FLAC: Because of the space FLAC files take up, they are the best option when trying to store large music collections.
• WAV: These files take up more space for personal use but are extremely helpful for professional editing.

Sound Quality

• FLAC: The audio quality is untouched from the original recording due to FLAC’s lossless qualities.
• WAV: Files are unprocessed and remain the same as the original recording.

Compatibility

• FLAC: Many new devices and modern software support FLAC, although it is not fully supported across all platforms.
• WAV: Does not have full support, especially with Windows-based systems.

FLAC files offer the best output without losing quality. While ideal for professional editing and raw audio work, WAV files are great for soundless recordings.

Audio Quality: FLAC vs WAV

FLAC: High Quality with Less Storage

FLAC uses lossless compression to store audio at CD quality while taking up less storage space. It is visually indistinguishable to most listeners and is popular among audiophiles. Most consumers won’t be able to tell the difference between FLAC files and the original recording.

WAV: Pure, Uncompressed Sound

WAV files capture sound exactly as it is recorded. Because of this, it is the preferred format for audio engineers and producers, as it gives them the most control over the recording. There is no difference between WAV playback and the recording itself, so the audio is guaranteed to be perfect.

Key Differences in Everyday Use

• FLAC: Considering the immense amount of audio files an average person has, listening through FLAC is more suitable due to the space it saves.
• WAV: Remains the ideal format for recording, where spending money is not an issue.

Considerations When Storing Files

How FLAC Saves on Storage

FLAC achieves its most important benefit through efficient storage utilization, which is lossless compression. This enables FLAC files to have their size reduced by 30-60% compared to their WAV counterparts.

The FLAC format has the capability of maintaining complete audio fidelity even when being compressed, which means that users with limited storage will be satisfied by the quality of sound. A standard CD-quality album needs 600MB in WAV format but only needs 300-400MB when stored as FLAC.

This makes FLAC perfect for:

• Storing large music collections without sacrificing quality.
• Transferring top-grade audio files online without large data burdens.
• Efficient music library archiving when storage expenses matter.

WAV Files: Large File Sizes and Storage Requirements

Unlike FLAC, WAV files are left uncompressed so all audio data is preserved. The pristine audio quality achieved through this approach comes at a cost, which in this case is the massive file sizes produced. One minute of stereo audio sampled at 44.1kHz with 16-bit depth uses around 10MB. An album of one hour will need around 600MB of storage space.

Considering how big WAV files are, they are best suited for:

• Creating music at a high level and needing high audio quality.
• Audio mastering where editing of the file needs to be done at the raw un-compressed level.
• Keeping master recordings when available space for storage is not a problem.

What Format is Easier to Store?

For those who need to save space, FLAC—with its equivalent audio quality to WAV—is the obvious choice as it takes up almost half the storage space. In working environments with set precision, a WAV file is easier to justify though all the uncompressed formats take more space.

Compatibility and Device Support

FLAC Support Across Devices and Software

Although FLAC is supported by a wide variety of modern devices, it does not have the universal compatibility of the WAV format.

The following supports FLAC:

• Most Android devices.
• Digital Audio Players.
• Media players such as VLC and Foobar2000.

Unlike the rest of the world though, Apple’s iOS and iTunes only have partial support through third-party applications.

Best suited for:

Audiophiles with high-resolution audio players, users who appreciate open source royalty-free file types, and premium audio quality music streaming services such as Tidal.

WAV Support Across Operating Systems and Programs

Almost every device and operating system in existence today supports WAV files. Being the default audio format for Windows offers it native support through macOS and Linux. Professional audio editing applications such as ProTools, Logic Pro, and Ableton Live make their integration seamless, making these files essential in the studio.

The benefits of WAV for professionals and other users include:

• Professional sound engineers using different systems.
• Any user who wants to play audio instantly without extra codecs or plugins.
• Storing and archiving projects with globally recognized formats.

Which Format Has Wider Compatibility?

WAV remains unmatched by any other format, including FLAC, for broad usage. It is the go-to choice for many professionals who need basic plug-and-play without any configurations done.

Related Article: How to convert WAV to MP3

Final Thoughts

For those who need high-quality audio output without worrying about the purpose, the choice between FLAC and WAV will depend on their individual needs. Both formats are lossless, ensuring they preserve the quality, unlike their compressed counterparts.

WAV takes up more storage space since it is an uncompressed format, while FLAC is a lossless compressed format, producing files that are 30-60% smaller.