What Pandora Premium costs and what it includes
Pandora Premium is a paid tier of the Pandora music streaming service that removes ads, lets you skip songs without limits, and plays music on demand instead of in radio-station format. The monthly cost varies depending on whether you pay month-to-month or commit to a longer plan, and whether you bundle it with other services.
As of now, Pandora Premium costs around $11.99 per month on a month-to-month plan, though this price can change. If you sign up for an annual plan paid upfront, the per-month cost is lower. Pandora also offers a family plan that covers up to six household members for a higher monthly fee. The exact prices depend on your location and current promotions, so checking Pandora's website directly gives you the current rates.
The core difference between Premium and Pandora's free tier is control: free users listen to stations curated by Pandora's algorithm, see ads, and can skip only a limited number of songs per hour. Premium subscribers choose exactly which songs to play, skip as many as they want, and hear no ads.
Key Takeaways
- Pandora Premium removes ads and lets you play any song on demand instead of listening to algorithm-curated stations.
- Monthly cost is typically around $11.99 for month-to-month plans, with lower per-month rates if you pay annually upfront.
- A family plan covers up to six people in your household for a single monthly fee, though the cost is higher than an individual subscription.
- You can cancel anytime on a month-to-month plan, but annual plans usually charge a cancellation fee if you stop early.
- Pandora Premium works on phones, tablets, computers, and some smart speakers and car systems.
How to start a Pandora Premium subscription
To begin, go to Pandora.com or open the Pandora app on your phone or tablet. If you do not already have a Pandora account, you will create one using an email address and password. If you already listen to free Pandora, you are logged in and can upgrade from there.
Once logged in, look for the option to upgrade to Premium. On the website, this is usually a button labeled "Go Premium" or "Upgrade." In the app, it appears in the menu or settings area. Pandora will show you the available plans — month-to-month, annual, or family — and the current price for each.
Select the plan you want, then enter a payment method. Pandora accepts major credit cards, debit cards, and sometimes PayPal or other digital payment services depending on your region. After you confirm the payment, your Premium subscription begins when ready, and ads disappear from your account.
Month-to-month versus annual plans
A month-to-month plan charges you the full monthly rate each billing cycle and lets you cancel without penalty. This is useful if you want to try Premium for a short time or if your budget is tight. The trade-off is that you pay more per month than you would on an annual plan.
An annual plan asks you to pay for twelve months upfront, usually at a discount compared to paying month-to-month. For example, if the monthly rate is $11.99, an annual plan might cost around $120 upfront — less than twelve months of month-to-month payments. The benefit is lower cost; the drawback is that canceling early often triggers a refund penalty or cancellation fee. Read Pandora's terms before committing to an annual plan.
The family plan works similarly: you choose month-to-month or annual billing, but the cost covers up to six household members. Each person gets their own account and personalized recommendations. Family plans cost more than a single Premium subscription but less per person than if each member paid individually.
What devices work with Pandora Premium
Pandora Premium works on iPhones, iPads, Android phones and tablets, Mac and Windows computers, and the web browser on any device. You can also use Premium on some smart speakers — including Amazon Echo devices and Google Home — and in certain car systems that have Pandora built in, such as some models from Ford, BMW, and other manufacturers.
The experience varies slightly by device. On phones and tablets, you read the Pandora app from the Apple App Store or Google Play Store. On a computer, you can use the website or read the Pandora desktop app. On smart speakers and in cars, you typically say a voice command or tap a button to start Pandora, and it plays through that device's speakers.
If you have a family plan, each household member logs in with their own account on their own device. Pandora keeps track of each person's listening history and recommendations separately, even though the subscription covers everyone.
How to cancel Pandora Premium
To cancel, log into your Pandora account on the website or in the app and go to your account settings or subscription management page. Look for an option labeled "Manage Subscription," "Billing," or "Account." From there, you should see a button or link to cancel.
Click to cancel, and Pandora will ask you to confirm. On a month-to-month plan, cancellation takes effect at the end of your current billing cycle — you keep Premium until then, and you are not charged again. On an annual plan, cancellation may trigger a refund penalty depending on how much of the year remains and Pandora's current policy, so review the terms before you confirm.
After cancellation, your account reverts to the free tier. You keep your account, your playlists, and your listening history, but you lose the ability to skip unlimited songs, play on demand, and listen without ads.
Comparing Pandora Premium to other music services
Pandora Premium competes with Spotify, Apple Music, Amazon Music Unlimited, and YouTube Music. All of these services offer ad-free, on-demand music for roughly similar monthly prices. The main differences are in music catalog size (though all four are very large), sound quality, integration with other services you already use, and the quality of recommendations.
Pandora's strength is its recommendation engine — the algorithm that suggests songs based on what you listen to — which many users find more accurate than competitors. Spotify is known for large collaborative playlists and social features. Apple Music integrates tightly with iPhones and other Apple devices. Amazon Music Unlimited is often cheaper if you are already an Amazon Prime member. YouTube Music includes access to music videos and integrates with YouTube.
If you already use one of these services and are happy with it, switching may not be worth the effort. If you are starting fresh or unhappy with your current service, trying Pandora Premium's free trial (if available) or a month-to-month plan lets you test it before committing to a longer plan.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does Pandora Premium include a free trial?
Pandora sometimes offers a free trial period for new Premium subscribers, though the length and availability vary. Check the Pandora website or app when you go to upgrade — if a trial is available, it will be shown before you enter payment information. After the trial ends, your subscription converts to paid unless you cancel.
Can I use Pandora Premium on multiple devices at the same time?
Yes, you can play Pandora Premium on multiple devices, but the rules depend on your plan. Individual Premium subscriptions typically allow one stream at a time — if you start playing on your phone, it stops on your tablet. Family plans usually allow multiple simultaneous streams so different household members can listen at once. Check Pandora's current terms for the exact number of simultaneous streams included.
What happens if I downgrade from Premium to free?
Your account when ready reverts to the free tier. You keep all your playlists, saved songs, and listening history, but you lose ad-free listening, unlimited skips, and on-demand playback. You will see ads again and can only skip a limited number of songs per hour.
Can I change my payment method on an existing subscription?
Yes. Log into your account, go to subscription or billing settings, and look for an option to update your payment method. You can change your credit card, debit card, or other payment source without interrupting your subscription.
Is Pandora Premium available outside the United States?
Pandora Premium is available in the United States, Australia, and New Zealand. In other countries, Pandora's service may be limited or unavailable. If you travel internationally, check whether Pandora works in that location before relying on it.