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SPECIFICTION
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fre:ac

freac.org

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Spec score 7.6 #5 of 29 in Audio CD Ripping Software

What it is

fre:ac is a free audio converter and CD ripper for Linux, macOS, and Windows. It converts among formats including MP3, M4A/AAC, FLAC, WMA, Opus, Ogg Vorbis, Speex, Monkey’s Audio, WavPack, and WAV. Its CD ripper saves discs in supported formats and can query CDDB/GNUdb-compatible databases for artist and title details, then write those details to ID3v2 or other tags. It can convert whole music libraries while retaining folder and filename structure. The application supports Unicode tags and filenames, including Japanese, Cyrillic, Arabic, and Indian scripts. Its MP3, M4A/AAC, Opus, and Speex encoders use multicore CPUs. fre:ac can also run from a USB stick or external drive with its configuration files stored there. The maker lists Windows, macOS, Linux, FreeBSD, and Haiku as supported systems and says the interface is available in 43 languages. Gracenote CDDB support is unavailable because of licensing issues. The software does not collect personal information, though querying or submitting CD metadata can transfer data to a configurable online database. The maker offers Windows, macOS, and Linux packages.

Spec sheet

Privacy
The privacy policy says the software does not collect personal information and describes data transfers for querying or submitting CD metadata to a configurable online database.Read 29 Sep 2026 · freac.org
Support
The maker directs users to its GitHub Discussions area for questions and ideas, and lists issue reporting by GitHub issue tracker or email.Read 29 Sep 2026 · freac.org
Audio conversion
fre:ac converts between MP3, M4A/AAC, FLAC, WMA, Opus, Ogg Vorbis, Speex, Monkey’s Audio, WavPack, WAV and other formats.Read 29 Sep 2026 · freac.org
CD database limit
fre:ac supports freedb-compatible databases; its FAQ says Gracenote CDDB support is unavailable due to licensing issues.Read 29 Sep 2026 · freac.org
CD ripping
Its integrated CD ripper converts audio CDs to files in the formats supported for regular audio conversion.Read 29 Sep 2026 · freac.org
Distribution
The maker offers Windows installers and ZIP packages, macOS disk images, and Linux Snap, Flatpak and AppImage packages.Read 29 Sep 2026 · freac.org
Languages
The user interface is available in 43 languages, and the maker says it can be translated using the included smooth Translator utility.Read 29 Sep 2026 · freac.org
Library conversion
fre:ac can convert whole music libraries while retaining their folder and filename structure.Read 29 Sep 2026 · freac.org
Metadata lookup
The CD ripper can query the CDDB/GNUdb online database for artist and title information and write it to ID3v2 or other title tags.Read 29 Sep 2026 · freac.org
Multicore encoding
The integrated MP3, M4A/AAC, Opus and Speex encoders use multicore CPUs.Read 29 Sep 2026 · freac.org
Portable use
The application can be installed on a USB stick or external drive and store its configuration files there.Read 29 Sep 2026 · freac.org
Supported systems
The maker lists Windows, macOS, Linux, FreeBSD and Haiku as supported operating systems.Read 29 Sep 2026 · freac.org
Unicode
fre:ac supports Unicode tags and filenames, including scripts such as Japanese, Cyrillic, Arabic and Indian scripts.Read 29 Sep 2026 · freac.org

Plans and prices

fre:ac Free Free and open source · no adware Read 29 Sep 2026 · freac.org

Every fre:ac plan and price →

Strong points and limits

Strong points

  • Converts many audio formats and rips CDs.
  • Batch conversion preserves folder and filename structure.
  • Can run from USB or external storage.
  • Interface is available in 43 languages.

Limits

  • Gracenote CDDB support is unavailable.
  • CD metadata queries can transfer data online.

Who it suits

fre:ac suits people who want desktop audio conversion, CD ripping, or batch conversion of music libraries. Its portable use and Unicode support may be useful for varied files and filenames.

Verdict

fre:ac combines format conversion, CD ripping, and library-level processing in a free, open-source application with no adware. Users needing Gracenote CDDB should note that it is not supported.

Where Specifiction places it

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