M4A vs MP4 | Difference Between M4A and MP4 | Which Format Is Better for You?

Two types of Audio files are M4A and MP4. M4A is usually audio only, whereas MP4 contains audio and video Streams. It is not enough to know what the acronyms mean and what they stand for; you also need to know what they do and how they work, let's look at the difference between M4A and MP4.

Learn more about AAC Vs M4A

What is the M4A Format?

Audio files with the M4A suffix are commonly used to store songs bought from the iTunes store. M4A files are easily compatible with Windows, Android, and Apple devices. The majority of media players on all platforms can play M4A files. As a result, they are the format of choice for storing music on mobile devices. M4A and MP4 files are not the same, despite their similarities. M4A files can only include audio data, even though they both employ the MPEG4 codec. Additionally, M4A files use the AAC lossy compression techniques to lower their file size in comparison to MP4 files.

Some Key Facts about M4A:

  • Songs purchased from iTunes store often use the .m4a extension.
  • Uses AAC lossy compression, meaning it reduces file size while maintaning good quality.
  • Apple, android, compression, meaning it reduces file size while maintaining good quality. 
  • M4A is ideal for music storage and streaming because of its effciency and clarity. 

Learn more about M4A Vs MP3

What is the MP4 Format?

MP4 is an acronym for MPEG-4, a format that may store graphics and subtitles in addition to audio and video. MP4 is one of the most versatile video file types. MP4 files can be uploaded to YouTube, Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, TikTok, and other social media sites. MP4 files can be played by nearly all media players, including Windows Media Player, VLC, Quicktime, iPhone, iPad, and Android. MP4 files are easy to share and can be seen practically anywhere. Even with high-quality video, their file sizes are still manageable. 

Some Key facts about MP4:

  • Can store both video and audio streams.
  • It works on almost all media players like VLC, Quicktime, windows media player, android, iPhone, and more. 
  • Commonly used for social media uploads like youtube, tiktok, instagram and facebook. 
  • Provide high-quality video with manageable file size.

Learn more about M4A Vs FLAC

M4A Vs MP4 | Difference between M4A and MP4

  • Because MPEG-4 technology is used, M4A is a highly compressed format, while MP3 employs less compression. M4A files sound better than MP3 files, even at lower bitrates.
  • The Fraunhofer Society develops MP4, whereas ISO develops M4A.
  • M4A uses the lossy AAC codec to encode the files. Because of this, the format can achieve tighter compression than MP3 while maintaining the same bitrate. As a result, you can use fewer files to play high-quality sounds.
  • M4A files have the extension. m4a, but MP4 files have the extension. mp4.
  • Because M4A is a more contemporary format, it is less compatible with MP3 files. You can quickly access MP3 music on a number of devices, and finding it is not too difficult. There is support for both HLS and MPEG-DASH streaming protocols.
  • While MP4 is an extension of MP2, M4A is an extension of a QuickTime file format.
  • While MP4 is utilized for current audio file standards, Apple mostly uses it for iTunes songs.
Conclusion:

Although they both use MPEG-4 technology, M4A and MP4 are powerful formats with different uses.
  • M4A stands for Audio Only.
  • MP4 is an audio and video container.

Your media quality and storage efficiency can both be enhanced by knowing when to use each format. I appreciate you taking the time to read this. Nevertheless, please use the comment section below to ask us any questions you may have about the M4A vs. MP4.


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