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Music & Audio Apps · head to head

Pandora vs iHeartRadio

Pandora logo

Pandora

Music & Audio Apps

Personalized music and podcasts

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite
iHeartRadio logo

iHeartRadio

Music & Audio Apps

All your favorite music, podcasts, and radio

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite

The short version

  • Each has a real cost: Pandora service availability restricted to United States; geoblocked outside US market; iHeartRadio ad-free listening requires an iHeartRadio Plus or All Access subscription
  • They diverge on capability: Pandora covers Personalized radio, iHeartRadio covers Live radio.

Where they differ

Only the attributes on which Pandora and iHeartRadio actually diverge.

Attributes where Pandora and iHeartRadio differ
AttributePandoraiHeartRadio
Pricing modelUnknownfreemium
PlatformsWeb, iOS, Android, Connected DevicesWeb, Ios, Android, Smart-speakers
Founded20002008

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
  • Privacy controls

Only in iHeartRadio

  • Live radio
  • Custom stations
  • Events

Both cover

  • Podcasts
  • Smart speakers
  • Car systems
  • Account security
  • Web support
  • Ios support
  • Android support
  • Smart-speakers 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 iHeartRadio
  • Digital audio advertising platform for brands reaching streaming audiencesnot iHeartRadio

iHeartRadio

  • Streaming live AM and FM radio stations over the internetnot Pandora
  • Listening to podcasts and live sports commentarynot Pandora
  • Building music playlists on a paid tiernot 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

iHeartRadio

  • Ad-free listening requires an iHeartRadio Plus or All Access subscription
  • Unlimited skips and unlimited playlist creation require a paid subscription
  • Subscriptions renew automatically unless auto-renew is turned off at least 24 hours before the period ends
  • Any unused part of a free trial is forfeited when a subscription is purchased
  • The iOS app requires iOS 15.0 or later

Pricing, plan by plan

Pandora

Free

No published plan breakdown. See the Pandora review.

iHeartRadio

Free
  • FreeFree
    • Live radio
    • Podcasts
    • Ads
  • Plus$5.99/month
    • Unlimited skips
    • Offline playlists

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 iHeartRadio if

  • You need live radio.
  • You want to start without paying.
  • You work on Web, Ios, Android, Smart-speakers.
  • You also want custom stations.
iHeartRadio review

Questions people ask

Is Pandora or iHeartRadio better?
Neither clearly leads. Pandora starts at Free and iHeartRadio at Free, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
Which is cheaper, Pandora or iHeartRadio?
Pandora starts at Free and iHeartRadio at Free.
Does Pandora or iHeartRadio run on more platforms?
Pandora runs on Web, iOS, Android, Connected Devices. iHeartRadio runs on Web, Ios, Android, Smart-speakers.
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 iHeartRadio is typically brought in for.
What can Pandora do that iHeartRadio cannot?
Pandora covers Personalized radio, On-demand, Music Genome, Privacy controls. iHeartRadio covers Live radio, Custom stations, Events. Both handle Podcasts, Smart speakers, Car systems, Account security.
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Related pages

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