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Amazon Music vs Pandora

Amazon Music logo

Amazon Music

Software

Unlimited music for every moment

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite
Pandora logo

Pandora

Software

Personalized music and podcasts

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite

The short version

  • Each has a real cost: Amazon Music amazon Music Unlimited is required for on-demand access to the 100 million song catalogue, ad-free podcasts and Audible audiobooks; Pandora service availability restricted to United States; geoblocked outside US market
  • They diverge on capability: Amazon Music covers Music streaming, Pandora covers Personalized radio.

Where they differ

Only the attributes on which Amazon Music and Pandora actually diverge.

Attributes where Amazon Music and Pandora differ
AttributeAmazon MusicPandora
Pricing modelfreemiumUnknown
PlatformsWeb, Ios, Android, Fire-tv, EchoWeb, iOS, Android, Connected Devices
Founded20072000

Identical on both: starting price (Free), free tier (Yes), user rating (Not yet rated), category (Unknown).

What each one covers

Drawn from each product's published feature list. An absence here means we hold no record of it - not that the product lacks it.

Only in Amazon Music

  • Music streaming
  • HD audio
  • Alexa integration
  • Echo devices
  • Fire TV
  • Alexa
  • Amazon account security
  • Family controls

Only in Pandora

  • Personalized radio
  • On-demand
  • Music Genome
  • Smart speakers
  • Car systems
  • Account security
  • Privacy controls
  • Smart-speakers support

Both cover

  • Podcasts
  • Web support
  • Ios support
  • Android support

What people use each for

The jobs each tool is most often brought in to do.

Amazon Music

  • On-demand music streaming across phone, watch and speakersnot Pandora
  • Listening to podcasts and Audible audiobooks in one appnot Pandora
  • Offline playback for subscribersnot Pandora

Pandora

  • Ad-supported music and podcast streaming for personalised listeningnot Amazon Music
  • Digital audio advertising platform for brands reaching streaming audiencesnot Amazon Music

Where each one falls short

Documented limitations, not opinions. Every one is a constraint you would hit in normal use.

Amazon Music

  • Amazon Music Unlimited is required for on-demand access to the 100 million song catalogue, ad-free podcasts and Audible audiobooks
  • Unlimited skips require the Amazon Music Unlimited subscription
  • Subscriptions bought through iTunes renew automatically each month unless auto-renewal is turned off at least 24 hours before the period ends
  • The account is charged for renewal within 24 hours before the end of each membership period
  • The iOS app requires iOS 16.0 or later

Pandora

  • Service availability restricted to United States; geoblocked outside US market

Pricing, plan by plan

Amazon Music

Free
  • FreeFree
    • Limited selection
    • Ads
  • Unlimited$9.99/month
    • Full catalog
    • HD audio

Pandora

Free

No published plan breakdown. See the Pandora review.

Which should you pick?

Choose Amazon Music if

  • You need music streaming.
  • You want to start without paying.
  • You work on Web, Ios, Android, Fire-tv, Echo.
  • You also want hd audio.
Amazon Music review

Choose Pandora if

  • You need personalized radio.
  • You want to start without paying.
  • You work on Web, iOS, Android, Connected Devices.
  • You also want on-demand.
Pandora review

Questions people ask

Is Amazon Music or Pandora better?
Neither clearly leads. Amazon Music starts at Free and Pandora at Free, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
Which is cheaper, Amazon Music or Pandora?
Amazon Music starts at Free and Pandora at Free.
Does Amazon Music or Pandora run on more platforms?
Amazon Music runs on Web, Ios, Android, Fire-tv, Echo. Pandora runs on Web, iOS, Android, Connected Devices.
Can I use Amazon Music for free?
Both have a free tier, so you can try either at no cost before committing.
What is Amazon Music best used for?
Amazon Music is most often used for on-demand music streaming across phone, watch and speakers, listening to podcasts and audible audiobooks in one app, offline playback for subscribers. Of those, on-demand music streaming across phone, watch and speakers and listening to podcasts and audible audiobooks in one app are not what Pandora is typically brought in for.
What can Amazon Music do that Pandora cannot?
Amazon Music covers Music streaming, HD audio, Alexa integration, Echo devices. Pandora covers Personalized radio, On-demand, Music Genome, Smart speakers. Both handle Podcasts, Web support, Ios support, Android support.
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