Pandora offers two subscription tiers: a free ad-supported version and Pandora Plus, a paid tier that removes ads and adds offline listening
Pandora is an internet radio service, not a on-demand music streaming platform like Spotify or Apple Music. That distinction matters: you listen to stations Pandora creates based on songs and artists you like, rather than choosing exactly which song plays next. The free version plays music interrupted by ads. Pandora Plus removes those ads and lets you download songs to listen without an internet connection.
Pandora Plus costs a fixed monthly fee with no contract — you can cancel anytime. The service works on phones, tablets, computers, and some smart speakers and car systems. You create a free account to start, then upgrade to Plus if you want the paid features.
Key Takeaways
- Pandora's free tier plays music with ads; Pandora Plus removes ads and adds offline downloads for a monthly fee.
- Pandora is station-based radio, not on-demand — you cannot pick the exact song that plays next, though you can skip a limited number of tracks per hour.
- You can cancel Pandora Plus at any time without penalty, and your subscription ends at the end of your current billing cycle.
- Pandora Plus works on phones, tablets, computers, and some car and smart speaker systems, but not all devices support every feature.
What you get with Pandora Plus
Pandora Plus removes all advertisements from your listening. On the free version, ads play between songs and sometimes during them; Plus eliminates that interruption. You also gain the ability to download up to 100,000 songs per month to your phone or tablet and listen to them without using data or an internet connection — useful on flights, in areas with poor signal, or when you want to save your data plan.
The service also lets you replay any song you have already heard on a station, rather than waiting for Pandora to play it again. You get unlimited skips on stations you create, though the free version limits you to six skips per hour. These features stack on top of the core Pandora experience: you still build custom stations, get recommendations, and access Pandora's full music library.
How much Pandora Plus costs
Pandora Plus has a monthly subscription fee. The exact price varies depending on how you sign up — through Pandora's website, through the mobile app, or through a third-party service like Amazon or Best Buy. Prices can also differ if you are a new subscriber versus an existing one, and Pandora occasionally runs promotional rates for the first few months.
There is no annual plan option for Pandora Plus; you pay month to month. You will not be charged a cancellation fee if you decide to stop — your subscription simply ends at the end of your current billing period. If you signed up through a third-party platform like Amazon, you cancel through that platform, not through Pandora directly.
How to start and manage your subscription
To use Pandora, download the app or visit pandora.com and create a free account with an email address and password. You can listen to the free version immediately. When you are ready to upgrade to Pandora Plus, select the upgrade option in the app or on the website, choose your payment method, and confirm your subscription.
You can manage your subscription in your account settings: update your payment method, view your billing date, or cancel anytime. If you cancel mid-month, you keep access to Pandora Plus until the end of that billing cycle. If you resubscribe later, Pandora does not automatically restore your downloaded songs — you would need to download them again.
Pandora Plus versus other music services
Pandora Plus is cheaper than most on-demand services like Spotify Premium or Apple Music, but it works differently. With Pandora, you listen to stations curated by the service or by you based on artists and songs you like. You cannot search for a specific song and play it immediately the way you can with Spotify or Apple Music. If you want that level of control, an on-demand service is a better fit.
Pandora Plus does include offline downloads, which some on-demand services charge extra for or do not offer at all. If you like the radio-station model and want to avoid ads and use data, Pandora Plus delivers that at a lower price point than most alternatives. The right choice depends on whether you prefer discovering music through stations or choosing exactly what you hear.
Device compatibility and limitations
Pandora works on iPhones, Android phones, iPads, Android tablets, Windows computers, and Mac computers. Some features work on smart speakers (Amazon Alexa, Google Home) and in-car systems, though not all devices support every feature equally. Offline downloads, for example, work on phones and tablets but not on web browsers or some smart speakers.
If you use Pandora on multiple devices, your account syncs across them — your stations, thumbs up and down ratings, and listening history follow you. Downloaded songs stay on the device where you downloaded them; they do not automatically appear on all your devices. Check Pandora's website for the current list of supported devices if you plan to use it on a specific system.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use Pandora Plus on multiple devices at the same time?
Pandora Plus allows you to listen on multiple devices, but only one stream can play at a time per account. If someone else tries to start playing music on a different device while you are listening, their stream will interrupt yours. You cannot have two people listening simultaneously on the same subscription.
What happens to my downloaded songs if I cancel Pandora Plus?
Downloaded songs remain on your device after cancellation, but you cannot play them. Pandora Plus downloads are protected files that require an active subscription to unlock. Once your subscription ends, those files become unplayable, though they stay on your device until you delete them.
Does Pandora Plus include podcasts?
Pandora focuses on music and does not offer podcasts as part of its service. If you want both music and podcasts in one app, you would need a different service or use separate apps for each.
Can I share my Pandora Plus account with family members?
Pandora Plus is designed for individual use, and the terms of service do not permit sharing your login with others. Only one person can listen at a time on a single subscription. If multiple people in your household want Pandora Plus, each person needs their own subscription.
How do I cancel my Pandora Plus subscription?
Go to your account settings in the Pandora app or on pandora.com, find your subscription or billing section, and select the option to cancel. If you signed up through Amazon, Best Buy, or another third-party platform, cancel through that platform instead. Your subscription ends at the end of your current billing cycle, and you keep access to Pandora Plus until then.