AAC vs MP3: Which Format Should You Use?
The Short Answer
AAC sounds better than MP3 at the same bitrate, most clearly at 128 kbps and below, and is what YouTube, Apple Music and streaming video use. MP3 remains the format every device ever made can play.
AAC vs MP3 Side by Side
| AAC | MP3 | |
|---|---|---|
| Full name | AAC: Advanced Audio Coding | MP3: MPEG-1 Audio Layer III |
| File extension | AAC: .aac | MP3: .mp3 |
| How it stores data | AAC: Lossy compression | MP3: Lossy compression |
| File size | AAC: small (lossy) | MP3: small (lossy) |
| Created by | AAC: MPEG (Fraunhofer, Dolby, Sony, AT&T), 1997 | MP3: Fraunhofer Society / MPEG, 1993 |
| Best for | AAC: streaming, mobile audio, soundtracks of MP4 video | MP3: music and podcasts that must play on any device |
| Watch out | AAC: a raw .aac file carries no tags or chapters — M4A is the friendlier container | MP3: some detail is lost for good, most noticeably below 128 kbps |
| Opens with | AAC: VLC, Apple Music, Windows Media Player, Android, every browser | MP3: every phone, computer, car stereo and media player |
Choose AAC When
- Apple devices and streaming
- Small files at low bitrates
- Audio tracks of MP4 video
Choose MP3 When
- Old players, car stereos and anything of unknown age
- Maximum compatibility
Convert Between AAC and MP3
More About Each Format
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is better, AAC or MP3?
AAC sounds better than MP3 at the same bitrate, most clearly at 128 kbps and below, and is what YouTube, Apple Music and streaming video use. MP3 remains the format every device ever made can play.
When should I use AAC?
Apple devices and streaming. Small files at low bitrates. Audio tracks of MP4 video.
When should I use MP3?
Old players, car stereos and anything of unknown age. Maximum compatibility.
What is AAC?
AAC is the successor to MP3 and the audio codec of YouTube, Apple Music and most streaming video. At the same bitrate it keeps more detail than MP3.
What is MP3?
MP3 is the most widely supported audio format there is: it cuts a recording to roughly a tenth of its CD size by removing sound most people cannot hear. If a device plays audio at all, it plays MP3.
Can I convert between AAC and MP3?
Yes — free, in batches and without an account. Convert AAC to MP3, or Convert MP3 to AAC with the converter linked on this page.