* Encoding speed, Decoding speed and Compression ratio are based on each encoder's default settings.
* Flexibility refers to the amount of encoding choices offered to the users (Fast/low compression, Slow/high compression and everything inbetween)
These are the most popular lossless codecs around here, in alphabetical order:
ALAC - Apple Lossless Audio Codec
ALAC is a codec developed by Apple for usage in iPod and AirPort Express.
PROS
- Very fast decoding
- Hardware support (iPod, AirPort Express)
- Streaming support
- Tagging support (QT tags)
CONS
- Closed source
- Few software support (iTunes)
- Compression efficiency not on par with other lossless codecs
- No hybrid/lossy mode
Other features
- Fits in the MP4 container
- Can be used with the AirPort Express gadget
FLAC - Free Lossless Audio Codec
FLAC is a lossless codec developed by Josh Coalson. It's part of the Xiph multimedia portfolio, along with Vorbis and Theora.
PROS
- Open source
- Very fast decoding
- Hardware support (Karma, Phatbox, etc.)
- Very good software support
- Error robustness
- Streaming support
- Supports multichannel audio and high resolutions
- Tagging support (FLAC tags)
CONS
- Compression efficiency not on par with other lossless codecs
- No hybrid/lossy mode
Other features
- Supports embedded CUE sheets (with limitations)
- Includes MD5 hashes for quick integrity checking
- Fits the OGG and Matroska containers
- ReplayGain compatible
LosslessAudio - LA
LA is a lossless codec developed by Michael Bevin.
PROS
- Very high compression
- Tagging support (?)
CONS
- Closed source
- Very slow encoding and decoding
- No hardware support
- No hybrid/lossy mode
- Bad software support
Monkey's Audio
Monkey's Audio is a very efficient lossless compressor developed my Matt Ashland.
PROS
- Open source
- High efficiency
- Good software support
- Error robustness
- Java version (multiplatform)
- Tagging support (ID3v1, APE)
CONS
- No multichannel or high resolution audio support
- No hybrid/lossy mode
- No hardware support
Other features
- Supports embedded APL sheets (similar to CUE sheets)
OptimFROG
OptimFROG is a lossless format developed by Florin Ghido to become the champion in audio compression.
PROS
- Very high compression
- Good software support
- Error robustness
- Streaming support
- Supports high resolutions
- Hybrid/lossy mode
- Tagging support (ID3, APE)
CONS
- Closed source
- No multichannel audio support
- No hardware support
- Quite slow decoding
Other features
- Supports 32bit float streams
- Includes MD5 hashes for quick integrity checking
- ReplayGain compatible
RealAudio Lossless
RealAudio lossless is the lossless codec developed by Real Networks for their multimedia portfolio
PROS
- Very fast decoding
- Streaming support
CONS
- Closed source
- Few software support (Real Player)
- No hardware support
- Compression efficiency not on par with other lossless codecs
- No hybrid/lossy mode
Shorten
Shorten is a very old and featureless lossless scodec developed by Tony Robinson at SoftSound.
PROS
- Open source
- Fast decoding
- Very good software support
CONS
- Quite inefficient
- No multichannel or high resolution audio support
- No hybrid/lossy mode
- No error robustness
- Not streamable
- No hardware support
- No native tagging
WavPack
WavPack is a fast and featureful lossless codec developed by David Bryant.
PROS
- Open source
- Very fast decoding
- Good efficiency (not as good as Monkey's or OptimFrog, but not as bad as SHN or ALAC)
- Error robustness
- Streaming support
- Supports multichannel audio and high resolutions
- Hybrid/lossy mode
- Tagging support (ID3v1, APE)
CONS
- No hardware support
- Relatively bad software support (Winamp plugin, Foobar, dbPowerAMP, Nero)
Other features
- Supports embedded CUE sheets
- Includes MD5 hashes for quick integrity checking
- Can encode in both symmetrical and assymmetrical modes.
- Fits the Matroska container
- ReplayGain compatible
Windows Media Audio Lossless
WMA Lossless is the lossless codec developed by Microsoft to be featured in their Windows Media codec portfolio.
PROS
- Streaming support
- Very good software support
- Supports multichannel audio and high resolutions.
- Tagging support (proprietary)
CONS
- Closed source
- Inefficient
- No hybrid/lossy mode
- No hardware support (but it's likely to appear sooner or later)
Other features
- Fits the ASF container
Formats I need help from forum members about pros and cons: TTA, LPAC.
Some links to lossless format compression comparisions:
Hans Heijden's
Speek's
Guruboolez's - comparing only classical music.
(с) rjamorim