Skip to content
SPECIFICTION
Get listed

OpenAL

openal.org

WindowsmacOSLinux
Visit openal.org
Spec score 7.1 #24 of 24 in Game Audio Middleware

Spec sheet

Product
OpenAL is a cross-platform 3D audio API for gaming and other audio applications.Read 8 Oct 2026 · openal.org
Platforms
The platforms page lists implementations for BSD, IRIX, Solaris, Linux, Macintosh OS 8/9, Mac OS X, Windows, Xbox, and Xbox 360.Read 8 Oct 2026 · openal.org
Security
The maker pages opened provide no security or compliance claims.Read 8 Oct 2026 · openal.org
Support
The maker site links developers to documentation and an OpenAL mailing list for platform questions.Read 8 Oct 2026 · openal.org
Audio formats
Listed extensions include MP3, Ogg Vorbis, WAVE, and multi-channel format support.Read 4 Oct 2026 · openal.org
Company information
The maker pages opened do not state a company headquarters or founding date.Read 8 Oct 2026 · openal.org
Design
The site describes OpenAL as efficient, simple to use, and vendor neutral.Read 8 Oct 2026 · openal.org
Device extensions
Listed multi-platform extensions include device enumeration and audio capture.Read 4 Oct 2026 · openal.org
Documentation
The documentation page links to the OpenAL 1.1 specification and OpenAL Programmers Guide as PDFs.Read 8 Oct 2026 · openal.org
Downloads
The downloads page offers the OpenAL 1.1 Core SDK and a Windows Installer from Creative Labs.Read 8 Oct 2026 · openal.org
Efficiency
The site says OpenAL renders 3D sound quickly.Read 4 Oct 2026 · openal.org
Extensions
The documentation lists extensions for device enumeration, audio capture, MP3 support, and platform-specific audio features.Read 8 Oct 2026 · openal.org
Familiarity
The site says developers familiar with OpenGL code already know how to work with OpenAL.Read 4 Oct 2026 · openal.org
Licensing
The platforms page identifies some implementations as open source under LGPL, while others are associated with Apple or Creative Labs.Read 8 Oct 2026 · openal.org
Linux extensions
The documentation lists Linux/standard extensions for playback position, volume settings, and audio formats including WAVE and Ogg Vorbis.Read 4 Oct 2026 · openal.org
macOS features
Listed macOS extensions include Apple Spatial Audio and static buffer support.Read 4 Oct 2026 · openal.org
Spatial audio
The API models audio sources moving in 3D space and heard from the position of a listener.Read 8 Oct 2026 · openal.org
Vendor neutrality
The site describes OpenAL as vendor neutral.Read 4 Oct 2026 · openal.org
Windows features
Listed Windows extensions include EAX 2.0 through 5.0 and an effects extension.Read 4 Oct 2026 · openal.org

Where Specifiction places it

Alternatives to OpenALAll alternatives →