Audio Format Comparison

APE vs WAV — Monkey's Audio vs Uncompressed PCM

APE (Monkey's Audio) and WAV both store the same audio samples bit-for-bit — one compresses them, the other doesn't. APE is 30–50% smaller than the equivalent WAV. WAV plays everywhere instantly with no decoding overhead. The right choice depends on whether you're prioritising storage or compatibility.

APEvsWAV

Quick Verdict

Use APE when…

Use APE for long-term lossless archiving on Windows where storage efficiency matters and you have compatible playback software (foobar2000, VLC).

Use WAV when…

Use WAV for audio editing (DAWs read WAV with zero overhead), broadcast delivery (WAV is the universal exchange format), and any context where universal compatibility matters more than file size.

APE vs WAV: Feature Comparison

Feature	APE	WAV
Compression	Lossless, ~50% of WAV size	Uncompressed PCM
File size (1 hr stereo 16-bit)	~170 MB	~320 MB
Decoding overhead	High (CPU-intensive decode)	None (raw PCM)
DAW compatibility	Poor — most DAWs don't support APE	Universal
Streaming/mobile support	None	Limited (iOS/Android via apps)
Metadata support	APEv2 tags	INFO chunks (limited)

When APE wins

✓Compression: Lossless, ~50% of WAV size
✓File size (1 hr stereo 16-bit): ~170 MB
✓Decoding overhead: High (CPU-intensive decode)

When WAV wins

✓Compression: Uncompressed PCM
✓File size (1 hr stereo 16-bit): ~320 MB
✓Decoding overhead: None (raw PCM)

Frequently asked questions

Is APE truly lossless compared to WAV?

Yes — APE and WAV contain identical audio samples. APE just compresses them. Decoding APE produces bit-perfect PCM identical to a WAV created from the same master.

Can I edit APE files in a DAW?

Not directly. Most DAWs (Logic, Pro Tools, Ableton, Reaper) do not support APE. Convert to WAV or AIFF first, edit in your DAW, then re-archive to APE or FLAC if storage matters.