OGG vs MP3: Which Format Should You Use?
The Short Answer
OGG Vorbis is free of patents and sounds a little better than MP3 at the same size, which is why games and open-source software use it. MP3 is supported by far more devices, Apple's in particular.
OGG vs MP3 Side by Side
| OGG | MP3 | |
|---|---|---|
| Full name | OGG: Ogg Vorbis | MP3: MPEG-1 Audio Layer III |
| File extension | OGG: .ogg, .oga | MP3: .mp3 |
| How it stores data | OGG: Lossy compression (Vorbis) | MP3: Lossy compression |
| File size | OGG: small (lossy) | MP3: small (lossy) |
| Created by | OGG: Xiph.Org Foundation, 2000 | MP3: Fraunhofer Society / MPEG, 1993 |
| Best for | OGG: game audio, open-source projects, web audio | MP3: music and podcasts that must play on any device |
| Watch out | OGG: Apple devices and many car stereos do not play it | MP3: some detail is lost for good, most noticeably below 128 kbps |
| Opens with | OGG: VLC, Firefox, Chrome, foobar2000, most Android players | MP3: every phone, computer, car stereo and media player |
Choose OGG When
- Game audio and web apps
- Open-source projects that need a free format
Choose MP3 When
- Phones, cars, speakers and anything from Apple
- Files meant for other people
Convert Between OGG and MP3
More About Each Format
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is better, OGG or MP3?
OGG Vorbis is free of patents and sounds a little better than MP3 at the same size, which is why games and open-source software use it. MP3 is supported by far more devices, Apple's in particular.
When should I use OGG?
Game audio and web apps. Open-source projects that need a free format.
When should I use MP3?
Phones, cars, speakers and anything from Apple. Files meant for other people.
What is OGG?
OGG is a free, patent-free audio format that sounds better than MP3 at the same bitrate. Games, Linux software and web apps use it widely.
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 OGG and MP3?
Yes — free, in batches and without an account. Convert OGG to MP3, or Convert MP3 to OGG with the converter linked on this page.