fre:ac
Free, open-source audio converter and CD ripper for Windows, macOS, Linux and more.
Updated · AppBreakup editorial · Windows, macOS, Linux
Is fre:ac free?
Yes, free and open source
- License:
- GPL-2.0
Checked on fre:ac's site Nov 1, 2026
Switch from fre:ac to
All 5
HandBrakeOpen source
foobar2000Free
- FoFormat Factory
Free
- Verified facts
- 5 of 5
- Alternatives ranked
- 5
- Approved reviews
- 0
- Visits sent from here
- 0
About fre:ac
fre:ac is a long-running open-source tool for converting audio files between formats and ripping audio CDs. It handles MP3, M4A/AAC, FLAC, Opus, Ogg Vorbis, WMA, WAV, Monkey's Audio, WavPack and others, and can batch-convert a whole music library while keeping its folder and file-name layout. The built-in CD ripper looks up album and track names in the GNUdb (formerly CDDB) database and writes them into tags, so you don't have to type them in. Its encoders use several CPU cores to speed up big jobs, and a portable mode lets you run it from a USB stick with settings stored alongside. It's completely free with no ads, funded by donations, and released under the GPL. Builds exist for Windows (including the Microsoft Store), macOS, Linux (AppImage, Flatpak, Snap), FreeBSD and Haiku. The interface is plain and functional rather than modern, and its secure-ripping features are not as deep as dedicated rippers like Exact Audio Copy.
Best for: People who want a free, no-nonsense way to batch-convert music or rip CDs on any desktop OS..
fre:ac pricing (checked Nov 8, 2026)
Each line is quoted from fre:ac's own site, with the page it came from.
| Plan or term | What it says | Checked | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | Free, donation-funded | Nov 8, 2026 | freac.org |
Pros and cons
What works
- Converts between all common lossy and lossless audio formats
- Built-in CD ripper with GNUdb track-name lookup
- Portable mode and multi-core encoders
- Free, GPL licensed and available on almost every desktop OS
Why people leave
- Dated, utilitarian interface
- Audio only; no video conversion
- Fewer accurate-rip and error-checking options than Exact Audio Copy or XLD
fre:ac vs HandBrake, foobar2000 and Format Factory
From each app's listing and the prices verified on its own site. A dash means we haven't verified it yet.
| Attribute | fre:ac | HandBrake | foobar2000 | Format Factory |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pricing | Open source | Open source | Free | Free |
| Verified price | — | — | — | — |
| Free plan | Free app | Free app | Free app | Free app |
| Open source | Yes | Yes | No | No |
| Self-hostable | No | No | No | No |
| Platforms | Windows, macOS, Linux | Windows, macOS, Linux | Windows, macOS, Android, iOS | Windows |
Top fre:ac alternatives
See all 5- 1HandBrake68.9
Free open-source converter to reach for when the files you need to convert are video, not just audio.
- 2foobar200067.6
A music player with a capable built-in converter, if you'd rather convert from your library app.
- 3FoFormat Factory54.5
Free Windows converter for audio, video and images that can also rip audio CDs.
- 4
MusicBee50.0Free Windows music player that also rips CDs and converts files between formats, with full library management.
- 5
Audacity49.0Free, open-source editor that can batch-convert audio with macros and lets you trim or clean tracks first.
Why people left fre:ac
In reviewers' own words, from reviews of the apps they moved to. These are their opinions, not ours.
No switching stories yet. If you moved away from fre:ac, review the app you switched to and tell us why.
Reviews
No approved reviews yet. How we verify reviewers
Write a review of fre:ac
fre:ac: common questions
What is fre:ac?
fre:ac: Free, open-source audio converter and CD ripper for Windows, macOS, Linux and more. Best for people who want a free, no-nonsense way to batch-convert music or rip CDs on any desktop OS. Available for Windows, macOS and Linux.
Is fre:ac free?
Yes. fre:ac is free, open-source software.
How much does fre:ac cost?
fre:ac is free and open source. Price: Free, donation-funded. Checked on fre:ac's own site, November 2026.
Is fre:ac open source?
Yes. The source code is on GitHub at enzo1982/freac.
What platforms does fre:ac run on?
fre:ac is available for Windows, macOS and Linux.
What are the best alternatives to fre:ac?
The highest-ranked fre:ac alternatives right now are HandBrake, foobar2000 and Format Factory. See the full ranked list for pricing, platforms and verified facts.
fre:ac vs HandBrake: what's the difference?
Both fre:ac and HandBrake are free and open source. Both run on Windows, macOS and Linux.