MP3 vs. WMA: which format to choose? Both types of files have differences and similarities. Quality-wise, WMA sounds better, especially on lower bitrates. It is attributable to the codecs they both use: WMA utilizes Windows Media Audio Encoder developed by Microsoft, MP3 is encoded with LAME. Regarding file compression, MP3 enjoys the lower file size as a trade-off of worse sound quality on low bitrates.
Windows Media Audio (WMA) is a more suitable format for those who want to reach the top sound quality at the expense of a bigger file size. Apart from professionals and avid music enjoyers, the WMA format has a more niche use. The reason is, WMA is less commonly supported by portable devices and media players. So, to enjoy the higher quality of music, make sure to choose the right media player that supports the WMA format.