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Music & Audio Apps · head to head

Pandora vs Amazon Music

Pandora logo

Pandora

Music & Audio Apps

Personalized music and podcasts

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite
Amazon Music logo

Amazon Music

Music & Audio Apps

Unlimited music for every moment

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite

The short version

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

Where they differ

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

Attributes where Pandora and Amazon Music differ
AttributePandoraAmazon Music
Pricing modelUnknownfreemium
PlatformsWeb, iOS, Android, Connected DevicesWeb, Ios, Android, Fire-tv, Echo
Founded20002007

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

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 Pandora

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

Only in Amazon Music

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

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.

Pandora

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

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

Where each one falls short

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

Pandora

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

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

Pricing, plan by plan

Pandora

Free

No published plan breakdown. See the Pandora review.

Amazon Music

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

Which should you pick?

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

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

Questions people ask

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