What you get with each Pandora subscription tier
Pandora offers three subscription tiers: Pandora Free, Pandora Plus, and Pandora Premium. Each one changes how many ads you hear, whether you can skip songs, and what features are available on your account.
Pandora Free is supported by ads and limits how many skips you get per hour. You cannot rewind to hear a song again, and you cannot choose exactly which song plays next — you can only create stations based on artists, songs, or genres. Pandora Plus removes ads and gives you unlimited skips, the ability to rewind songs, and the option to save your favorite stations offline. Pandora Premium includes everything in Plus, plus the ability to play any song on demand (rather than only station-based listening), create custom playlists, and read songs to listen without an internet connection.
Key Takeaways
- Pandora Free includes ads and limited skips; Pandora Plus removes ads and adds offline listening; Pandora Premium adds on-demand song selection and full playlist control.
- Pandora Plus costs $7.99 per month and Pandora Premium costs $11.99 per month, though both offer discounted annual plans if you pay upfront.
- You can pause or resume your subscription at any time through your account settings without losing your saved stations and preferences.
- Family plans are available for both Plus and Premium tiers, allowing up to six accounts under one subscription at a discounted rate.
- Pandora Premium and Plus both offer a free trial period before you are charged, though the length varies by promotion.
Monthly and annual pricing for Pandora Plus and Premium
Pandora Plus costs $7.99 per month on a monthly plan or $79.99 per year if you pay annually. Pandora Premium costs $11.99 per month on a monthly plan or $119.99 per year if you pay annually. Both plans renew automatically unless you cancel before the renewal date.
Pandora also offers family plans for both tiers. A family plan covers up to six separate accounts and costs $14.99 per month for Plus or $18.99 per month for Premium. Family plans do not have a discounted annual option; you pay monthly. Each family member has their own account, stations, and listening history, and you can manage the family plan from the primary account holder's settings.
How to switch between subscription tiers
You can upgrade, downgrade, or cancel your subscription through your Pandora account settings on the web or in the mobile app. Go to your account menu, select "Subscription," and choose the plan you want. If you upgrade mid-billing cycle, Pandora charges you a prorated amount for the remainder of your current period, then bills you the full price for the next month.
If you downgrade from Premium to Plus or from Plus to Free, the change takes effect when ready, and you lose access to the features of the higher tier right away. You will not receive a refund for the unused portion of your current billing period. If you cancel entirely, your account remains active through the end of your current billing cycle, after which you revert to Pandora Free.
Free trial periods and how they work
Pandora offers free trial periods for both Plus and Premium subscriptions, though the length of the trial changes based on current promotions. A typical trial lasts 30 days, but some promotions offer shorter or longer trials. The trial period is full access to all features of the tier you choose — no ads, no feature limits, no payment required during the trial.
Your payment method is required to start a trial, and Pandora will charge you automatically when the trial ends unless you cancel before the trial expiration date. You can cancel at any time during the trial without being charged. Check your account settings or your confirmation email to see the exact date your trial ends.
What happens to your account when you cancel
When you cancel a paid subscription, your account downgrades to Pandora Free at the end of your current billing period. All your saved stations, thumbs up and down ratings, and listening history remain on your account. You can log back in and use Pandora Free whenever you want, and you can upgrade again at any time.
If you pause your subscription instead of canceling, you keep your paid tier active but do not get charged. Pausing is useful if you know you will not use Pandora for a few months but want to keep your subscription active. You can resume a paused subscription from your account settings, and you will be charged again starting with your next billing cycle.
Comparing Pandora to other music streaming services
Pandora's main difference from services like Spotify or Apple Music is that Pandora's free tier and Plus tier are station-based rather than on-demand. This means you cannot pick exactly which song plays next unless you upgrade to Premium. Spotify and Apple Music let you choose individual songs on their free tiers (though with ads and other limits), which appeals to listeners who want more control from the start.
Pandora Premium's price ($11.99 per month) matches Spotify Premium and Apple Music, but Pandora's Plus tier ($7.99 per month) is cheaper than either service's paid option. If you like radio-style listening and want to remove ads without paying for full on-demand control, Pandora Plus may cost less than alternatives. However, if you want the ability to play any song on demand from a free or low-cost tier, Spotify or Apple Music might suit you better.
Student and family discounts
Pandora does not currently offer a student discount on individual subscriptions. However, if you are a student, you may be able to get Pandora Premium through a bundle with other services — for example, some wireless carriers or internet providers offer Pandora as part of a package deal. Check with your provider to see if Pandora is included.
The family plan is Pandora's main discount option for multiple users. At $14.99 per month for Plus or $18.99 per month for Premium, a family plan costs less per person than buying individual subscriptions, especially if you have three or more people in your household. Each family member gets their own account and does not see the listening history or stations of others.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use Pandora on multiple devices at the same time?
With Pandora Plus or Premium, you can stream on one device at a time. If you start playing on a second device, playback stops on the first. A family plan lets each of the six accounts stream simultaneously on their own devices, so multiple family members can listen at the same time.
What payment methods does Pandora accept?
Pandora accepts credit cards, debit cards, and PayPal. You can also pay through some third-party platforms if you signed up through them — for example, if you started your subscription through an app store, you may be billed through that store instead of directly by Pandora. Check your account settings to see which payment method is on file.
Can I get a refund if I cancel mid-month?
Pandora does not issue refunds for unused portions of your billing cycle. If you cancel on the 15th of a month and your billing cycle runs through the 30th, you lose access to the paid features on the 30th but do not receive a refund for those 15 days. Your account downgrades to Free at the end of the cycle.
How do I read songs for offline listening?
Offline downloads are available only on Pandora Premium and only in the mobile app, not on the web player. Open a song, album, or playlist in the app and tap the read icon. Downloaded content stays on your device for 30 days; after that, you must be online to listen. If your Premium subscription ends, downloaded songs become unplayable.
What is the difference between Pandora Plus and Pandora Premium?
Pandora Plus removes ads and adds unlimited skips and offline listening, but you still listen to stations rather than choosing individual songs. Pandora Premium adds the ability to play any song on demand, create custom playlists, and read songs. If you want full control over what you listen to, Premium is necessary; if you are happy with station-based radio, Plus is cheaper.