Since FLAC is supported by so many different programs, it can be a daunting task for the new user to choose a suitable program. This page will walk you through the steps. First, choose your operating system:

• Windows
• Mac OS X
• Linux, *BSD, and other Unixes

Using iTunes? Sorry, due to iTunes' design we can't add FLAC support; ask Apple to support FLAC!

If you want to play FLAC files, here is how with some popular players:

• Windows Media Player (WMP) - Microsoft does not make it easy, but it is possible if you follow this guide: How to add FLAC support to Windows Media Player
• Winamp - Winamp plays FLAC out of the box since version 5.31 if you download the Full version (not Lite).
• dbPowerAMP Audio Player - Install the FLAC plugin.
• Media Center/Media Jukebox - Install the in_FLAC plugin.
• MediaMonkey - Plays FLAC out of the box.
• (more)

If you want to rip CDs to FLAC, here is a short list of the most popular programs. Experts generally prefer EAC for the most accurate ripping. dbPowerAMP also does a fine job and is easier to set up.

• Windows Media Player (WMP) - Sorry, Microsoft has made it impossible to rip to FLAC in WMP; hopefully this will change eventually.
• Winamp - Winamp can rip to FLAC out of the box since version 5.31 if you download the Full version (not Lite).
• dbPowerAMP Music Converter - Install the FLAC plugin.
• Media Center/Media Jukebox - Install the Enc_FLAC plugin.
• Exact Audio Copy (EAC) - First install the official FLAC tools, then follow this guide. EAC is notoriously complex so here are some other guides: guide guide guide guide. EAC can also be set up with AutoFLAC, Omni Encoder, or MAREO to rip to FLAC or multiple formats at once.
• CDex - First install the official FLAC tools, then follow this guide.
• (more)

If you want to burn FLAC files to CD, here is a short list of the most popular programs:

• Windows Media Player (WMP) - Sorry, Microsoft has made it impossible to burn FLAC to CD in WMP; hopefully this will change eventually.
• dbPowerAMP CD Writer - Install the FLAC plugin.
• Burrrn - Supports burning from FLAC out of the box.
• (more)

If you want to convert audio files to/from FLAC, there are quite a few programs:

• Winamp - Winamp can convert to/from FLAC out of the box since version 5.31 if you download the Full version (not Lite).
• dbPowerAMP Music Converter - Install the FLAC plugin.
• FLAC Frontend - A simple GUI that comes in our FLAC Installer for Windows. Also includes our command-line programs for converting FLAC files and editing metadata.
• foobar2000 - A swiss army knife that supports FLAC out of the box.
• MediaMonkey
• (more)

Using iTunes? Sorry, due to iTunes' design we can't add FLAC support; ask Apple to support FLAC!

If you want to play FLAC files, here is how with some popular players:

• Cog
• MacAmp Lite X
• Songbird
• VLC
• (more)

If you want to rip CDs to FLAC, there are a few options:

• Roxio's Toast 7 Titanium.
• Max.

If you want to burn FLAC files to CD:

• Roxio's Toast 7 Titanium.

If you want to convert audio files to/from FLAC:

• Roxio's Toast 7 Titanium.
• MacFLAC. Also includes our command-line programs for converting FLAC files and editing metadata.
• MediaRage can edit FLAC tags.

In the Unix world, FLAC support is quite widespread and it's usually only a matter of installing packages, so here are a few pointers. See the software links section for many more.

To play FLAC files:

• AlsaPlayer
• GiantDisc: Linux jukebox + Palm remote
• MPlayer
• Muine: a music player for GNOME
• Musik: an open-source, cross-platform multimedia player and library
• VideoLAN client
• Xine multimedia player
• xmcd: X CD player
• XMMS: X MultiMedia System
• (more)

To rip CDs to FLAC:

• Grip is a great ripping and encoding front end and can be easily configured to use flac. See this message on how to configure Grip for FLAC.
• xmcd is a CD ripper with CDDB support as well as a player.
• (more)

To burn FLAC files to CD, here is a short list of the most popular programs:

• Arson: KDE ripper/burner
• K3B: CD/DVD creator for Linux
• (more)

To convert audio files to/from FLAC, there are quite a few programs:

• Official FLAC tools have the command-line programs.
• (more)