What Pandora Plus Gives You
Pandora Plus is Pandora's mid-tier subscription that removes ads from the free version and adds a few features the free tier doesn't have. You still listen to the same stations and thumbs-up songs the same way, but without interruption from advertisements.
The main difference between Pandora Plus and the free version is ad removal. On free Pandora, you hear ads between songs. On Plus, those ads disappear. You also get the ability to skip songs more often — free Pandora limits you to six skips per station per hour, while Plus gives you unlimited skips. You can also replay songs you've already heard, which free Pandora doesn't allow.
Pandora Plus does not include offline listening. If you want to read songs to listen without an internet connection, you need Pandora Premium, which is Pandora's highest tier. Plus also doesn't give you access to on-demand music — you still listen to stations Pandora creates based on your preferences, rather than choosing individual songs to play whenever you want.
Key Takeaways
- Pandora Plus removes ads and gives you unlimited skips within stations, unlike the free version which limits you to six skips per hour.
- You can replay songs on Plus, a feature not available on the free tier.
- Pandora Plus does not include offline downloads or on-demand song selection — those features are only in Pandora Premium.
- The monthly cost varies by region and changes periodically, so check Pandora's website for your current price.
How to Start a Pandora Plus Subscription
To upgrade from free Pandora to Plus, open the Pandora app or website and look for the upgrade option, usually shown as a button or banner on the home screen. On the mobile app, this is often at the top of the screen. On the web player, it's typically in the upper right area. Click or tap the upgrade button.
Pandora will show you the current price for your region and ask you to choose a payment method. You can pay with a credit card, debit card, or through a third-party payment service like PayPal or Google Play (on Android). Enter your payment information and confirm the purchase. Your subscription begins when ready, and ads disappear from your account right away.
Most new subscribers get a trial period before they're charged — typically seven days, though this varies. During the trial, you have full Plus features at no cost. After the trial ends, Pandora charges your payment method on the same day each month going forward.
What Happens to Your Stations and Saved Songs
When you upgrade to Plus, nothing changes about the stations you've already created or the songs you've thumbed up. All your preferences stay exactly the same. The upgrade straightforward removes ads and unlocks the skip and replay features on the stations you already use.
If you ever downgrade back to free Pandora, your stations and thumbs-up history remain saved to your account. You won't lose any of your listening history or custom stations — they just go back to the free tier's limitations (ads return, skips are limited again).
Canceling Your Subscription
You can cancel Pandora Plus at any time through your account settings. On the mobile app, go to your profile or settings menu and look for "Subscription" or "Manage Subscription." On the web, log in and find the account or settings area, then select your subscription. Look for a "Cancel" or "Downgrade" button.
When you cancel, your subscription ends at the end of your current billing cycle — Pandora doesn't charge you again, but you keep Plus features until that date arrives. After the cycle ends, your account reverts to free Pandora with ads and limited skips.
If you cancel during a trial period before being charged, your account when ready switches back to free. You won't be charged at all if you cancel before the trial ends.
Comparing Pandora Plus to Premium
Pandora offers three tiers: free, Plus, and Premium. The main differences are what you can listen to and whether you can read songs.
| Feature | Free | Plus | Premium |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ads | Yes | No | No |
| Unlimited skips | No (6 per hour) | Yes | Yes |
| Replay songs | No | Yes | Yes |
| On-demand listening | No | No | Yes |
| Offline downloads | No | No | Yes |
Plus sits between free and Premium. If you mainly want to remove ads and skip more freely, Plus is usually enough. If you want to choose specific songs to play on demand or read music to listen offline, you need Premium.
Payment Methods and Billing
Pandora accepts most major credit and debit cards for Plus subscriptions. You can also pay through PayPal, Google Play (on Android devices), or the Apple App Store (on iPhones and iPads). The payment method you choose depends on where you're signing up — if you upgrade through the Pandora app on your phone, you may see different payment options than if you upgrade on the website.
Your subscription renews on the same date each month. If you signed up on the 15th, you'll be charged again on the 15th of the next month, and every month after that. You can change your payment method or billing date through your account settings at any time.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use Pandora Plus on multiple devices?
Yes. Your Pandora Plus subscription works on any device where you log into your account — phone, tablet, computer, or smart speaker. You can listen on multiple devices, but only one stream can play at a time on your account. If someone else tries to play music on a different device while you're already listening, their stream will stop.
What if I don't want to pay monthly?
Pandora Plus is billed monthly. There is no annual payment option for Plus. If you want to save money on a Pandora subscription, Premium sometimes offers annual billing, though this varies by region and changes over time. Check Pandora's website to see what payment options are currently available in your area.
Do I get a refund if I cancel mid-month?
No. Pandora does not refund partial months. When you cancel, your subscription ends at the end of your current billing cycle, and you keep Plus features until that date. You won't be charged again, but you also won't receive money back for the days remaining in your cycle.
Can I share my Pandora Plus account with family members?
Technically yes — anyone who logs into your account can use Plus features. However, only one person can listen at a time. If you want multiple family members to listen simultaneously, Pandora Premium includes a family plan option that allows separate accounts and multiple streams. Check Pandora's website for current family plan details.
What happens to my account if I don't use Pandora for a long time?
Pandora will continue to charge your subscription fee each month even if you don't listen. Your account stays active and your stations remain saved. If you want to stop being charged, you need to cancel your subscription through your account settings.