Difference between Pandora and Spotify

Key Difference: Pandora and Spotify are two different mediums where one can listen to music. However, the main difference between Pandora and Spotify is that Pandora is a radio service where a user can listen to a radio station, whereas Spotify allows a user to search and stream a particular song as per their choice.

 Pandora and Spotify are two different mediums where one can listen to music. They are both commercial music streaming services that allow one to listen to music anywhere and anytime they want. However, the main difference between Pandora and Spotify is that Pandora is a radio service where a user can listen to a radio station, whereas Spotify allows a user to search and stream a particular song as per their choice. Spotify also offers a radio service where users can listen to a radio station that will play musics as per their choice.

The main benefit of the Pandora radio is that a user can select the types of music they like, and Pandora will play similar music that the user is more likely to listen to. Whereas, the Spotify radio plays songs as per its own choice. Additionally, while both radios allow a user to skip a song, users on Pandora can also skip a certain number of songs within a timeframe, whereas on Spotify, users can skip as many songs as they want.

 However, Spotify also allows users to search their favorite songs, stream it, share it, and save that song in a playlist to listened to again later. This is more similar to a personal music library rather than a radio station.

Also, Spotify has access to a much bigger music library than Pandora, giving more options to users. Pandora is mainly about new music discovery, whereas Spotify aims to replace traditional music players, like iTunes or Windows Media Player, with streamable music.

Comparison between Pandora and Spotify:

Pandora

Spotify

Type

Radio, Commercial music streaming service

Commercial music streaming service, radio

Feature

New Music discovery

Replacement for traditional music players, like iTunes or Windows Media Player

Price

Pandora's premium service, Pandora One, is $4.99/mo. Offers free version with ads and limitations.

Spotify Premium is $9.99/mo. Offers free version with ads and limitations.

Function

Radio service where a user can listen to a radio station.

A user can search and stream a particular song as per their choice. Also has a radio service where a user can listen to a radio station

Choice

Does not allow user to choose the specific songs they want to listen to

Allows user to choose the specific songs they want to listen to

Stream and share

User can choose what type of music they like, and the service will find songs that are "musically similar" to their favorites.

Users can stream and share music that users already know and love.

Library Size

1,000,000+ songs

About 20,000,000, but varies by region.

Skipping Songs

Yes, but with limitations: 6 skips / hr, per station; limited to 30 skips in 24 hours.

Yes, with no limits.

Custom playlist

No

Yes

Download music

No

Yes, but only for Spotify Premium members.

Radio

Music-recommendation radio

Traditional-style radio

Applications

Mobile App and Web App. Desktop App for Pandora One members.

Mobile App, Web App, and Desktop App.

Parental Controls

Yes

No

Audio Quality

64kbps for free users; 192kbps for Pandora One users.

160kbps for free users; 320kbps for some Spotify Premium songs.

Regional Availability

In the U.S., Australia, and New Zealand.

Available in dozens of countries and territories.

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