How do AAC and AIFFcompare? Here's everything you need to know to choose the right format — and how to convert between them.
Advanced Audio Coding
AAC is the successor to MP3, offering better sound quality at lower bitrates. It's the default audio format for Apple Music, YouTube, and most streaming platforms.
Audio Interchange File Format
AIFF is Apple's uncompressed audio format, the macOS equivalent of WAV. It stores full-quality audio data and is commonly used in professional audio production on Apple systems.
| Specification | AAC | AIFF |
|---|---|---|
| Full name | Advanced Audio Coding | Audio Interchange File Format |
| Extension | .aac | .aiff |
| MIME type | audio/aac | audio/aiff |
| Category | Audio | Audio |
| Developer | ISO / Fraunhofer / Dolby / Sony / Nokia | Apple |
| Year introduced | 1997 | 1988 |
| Compression | Lossy | Lossless |
AAC is practical for everyday listening with good compression. AIFF is essential for professional audio work where every detail matters.
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