Pandora has long been a favorite destination for discovering new songs and streaming personalized music stations. Unlike other purely paid services such as Apple Music or Tidal, Pandora separates its features into three subscription tiers - Free, Plus, and Premium. This tiered structure often leads many users to wonder: can you actually make a playlist on Pandora, and if so, how?
If you've been asking yourself how to make a playlist on Pandora on your phone or computer, this complete 2025 guide will give you all the answers. We'll walk you through the exact steps for both mobile and desktop users, explain what's available on each Pandora plan, and even show you an effective way to create a Pandora playlist without a subscription.
Part 1. Can I Make a Playlist on Pandora for Free?
Before learning how to create a playlist on Pandora, it's essential to understand how Pandora's subscription model works. Each plan offers different levels of access to music playback, downloads, and customization features.
Pandora offers three types of plans:
- Pandora Free: Lets you enjoy personalized radio stations with ads and a limited number of skips. You can listen to on-demand songs after watching short ads, but you cannot create or save custom playlists.
- Pandora Plus: Removes ads and offers unlimited skips when playing stations. It also allows you to download up to three stations for offline playback. However, playlist creation is still unavailable, and on-demand playback requires ad unlocking.
- Pandora Premium: Builds on the Plus plan and unlocks the full experience - including complete on-demand playback, unlimited downloads, and the ability to create and manage Pandora playlists anytime.
So, the short answer is:
❌ No, you can't make a playlist on Pandora for free.
✅ Only Pandora Premium users can create, edit, and manage custom Pandora playlists.
If you're on the Free or Plus plan, Pandora automatically creates 'stations' based on your listening preferences - not manually curated playlists. These stations are generated by Pandora's algorithm, while playlists are fully customizable collections of songs that you control. Still, don't worry! In Part 4, we'll show you how to make and download Pandora playlists without Premium using a reliable third-party tool.
Part 2. How to Create a Playlist on Pandora App on Phone [Android/iPhone]
If you're a Pandora Premium subscriber, creating playlists in the Pandora mobile app is quick, intuitive, and effortless. It's the easiest way for anyone wondering how to create a playlist on Pandora app on Android or iPhone. Follow the detailed steps below to see how to make your own Pandora playlist right from your smartphone.
Make a New Playlist on Pandora App by Adding Songs in Bulk
Step 1. Open the Pandora App
Launch the latest version of the Pandora app on your Android or iPhone. Ensure that you're signed in with your Pandora Premium account.
Step 2. Go to "My Collection"
Tap the My Collection icon at the bottom of the screen. This section displays all your saved albums, songs, and playlists.
Step 3. Create a New Playlist
Tap All > Playlists > + New Playlist to start a new one. Enter a playlist name, then type the track name into the search bar. Tap the + icon to add songs to your new playlist, and finally hit Save to confirm.
Step 4. Add Songs to Your Playlist
You can add more songs in several ways:
• Tap the three dots (⋮) next to any song and select Add to Playlist.
• Choose an existing playlist or create a new one.
• Repeat this process to keep building your custom Pandora playlist.
Step 5. Edit or Reorder Songs
To manage your playlist, go to My Collection > Playlists, select the playlist you want, and tap Edit. You can rename it, remove songs, or drag and drop tracks to change their order.
💡 Tip: Pandora Premium users can also download playlists for offline listening. However, this feature is only available during an active Premium subscription period and cannot be accessed beyond Pandora app.
Part 3. How to Make a Pandora Playlist on Web Player [PC/Mac]
For those who enjoy using Pandora on a computer, both the web player and desktop app offer a clean, easy-to-navigate interface for organizing your favorite songs. This method is perfect if you want to create and manage Pandora playlists more efficiently on a larger screen. Follow the steps below to learn exactly how to make a playlist on Pandora on your PC or Mac.
Step 1. Visit the Pandora Web Player
Go to https://www.pandora.com and sign in to your account. Pandora Premium users will see the My Collection and Playlists options available in the menu.
Step 2. Navigate to "My Collection"
Click on My Collection in the left sidebar to open your personal library.
Step 3. Create a New Playlist
Click Create Playlist in the upper-right corner of the screen. Enter a playlist name, then click Create to start adding songs.
Step 4. Add Songs to the Playlist
Use the search bar to find your favorite songs, artists, or albums. Hover over a song, click More (⋮) > Add to Playlist, then choose the playlist where you want it saved.
Step 5. Edit or Manage Your Playlist
From the playlist view, click Edit Playlist to reorder or delete songs. You can also click Share to send your Pandora playlist to friends or copy the playlist link for easy sharing.
💡 Tip: All playlists you create on Pandora will automatically sync between your phone and computer, as long as you are signed in to the same Pandora account.
Part 4. How to Make a Playlist on Pandora Without Premium
While Pandora Premium users enjoy full playlist creation, many people want a free way to organize and download their favorite tracks offline. If you're one of them, AudFree Streaming Audio Recorder is the perfect solution.
AudFree Streaming Audio Recorder is an all-in-one tool that can download and convert Pandora songs, podcasts, albums, or playlists into high-quality formats such as MP3, FLAC, WAV, and M4A. It supports multiple streaming services - including Pandora, Spotify, Tidal, Deezer, and Amazon Music - allowing you to freely make and manage playlists offline without a subscription.
Why Choose AudFree Streaming Audio Recorder?
- Download Pandora songs with lossless quality and full ID3 tags
- Convert Pandora music to MP3, WAV, FLAC, M4A, M4B, etc.
- Batch download tracks at up to 100× faster speed
- Play downloaded songs on any player or device without restrictions
- Compatible with both Windows and Mac systems
How to Make a Pandora Playlist Without Premium via AudFree Streaming Audio Recorder
This step-by-step tutorial shows you how to make a playlist on Pandora without Premium and save songs offline easily. Before you start, click the Download button above to install the program on your computer.
- Step 1 Install and Launch AudFree Streaming Audio Recorder
- Download and install AudFree Streaming Audio Recorder, then open it. On the main screen, you'll see icons for popular streaming platforms like Pandora, Spotify, Tidal, Apple Music, and more.
Note: The free trial of AudFree Pandora Music Downloader only allows downloads of the first 30 seconds per song. To unlock full downloads, activate the full version by clicking the user icon on the home screen.
- Step 2 Customize Output Format
- Click the top-right menu > Preferences > Conversion. Set your desired output format (e.g., MP3) and adjust parameters like bitrate or sample rate. Under Output, select a destination folder and enable Keep ID3 Tags. Click 'OK' to save.
- Step 3 Add Pandora Tracks to the Conversion List
- Click the Pandora icon and sign in to your account. Browse songs, podcasts, albums, or playlist, then tap the green + button to add them to the download list. Free users may need to play an ad to unlock on-demand playback.
- Step 4 Start Downloading Pandora Songs
- Click 'Convert' to begin the conversion process. AudFree tool will automatically download and save the Pandora tracks as DRM-free audio files. Once completed, you can go to the 'Converted' tab to view all the saved songs.
- Step 5 Create a Playlist Offline
- After downloading, open your preferred music player (like iTunes, VLC, Foobar, or Windows Media Player) to manually organize and create playlists offline. You can also transfer these MP3 files to a USB drive, TV, car stereo, or smart speaker for unlimited playback.
This is the most efficient method to make a Pandora playlist without Premium and enjoy your favorite music offline anytime, anywhere.
Part 5. FAQs about Pandora Playlists Creation
Why can't I create a playlist on Pandora?
If you can't create a playlist, you're likely using the Free or Plus plan. Only Pandora Premium users can manually create playlists. Free users can only create 'stations' based on songs or artists.
How do I delete a playlist on Pandora?
From your playlist page, click or tap More (⋮) > Remove from your Playlist, and confirm your choice. Once deleted, the playlist cannot be recovered.
Can I create a Pandora playlist on my smart TV or car system?
Currently, most smart TVs and car infotainment systems allow you to play existing playlists but not create new ones. However, playlists created on your phone or computer will automatically sync and appear on those devices.
How many songs can I add to one Pandora playlist?
Pandora hasn't published an exact limit for Premium users, but typically you can add thousands of tracks per playlist. However, the number may vary as Pandora occasionally tests feature limits.
Can I download the created Pandora playlists for offline listening?
Yes, Pandora Premium users can download songs and playlists directly in the app for offline listening, but this access is tied to the active subscription. Alternatively, a free user may look into third-party tools, like AudFree Streaming Audio Recorder, to download the Pandora playlist locally. This method offers permanent access and wider device flexibility beyond the Pandora app.
How can I create an auto-generated Pandora playlist based on an artist or genre?
No, Pandora Playlists are entirely composed of specific songs you manually choose. While Premium users can leverage the 'Add Similar Songs' feature to instantly populate their manual lists with recommendations, you cannot directly create a fully auto-generated playlist from an artist or genre seed.
What's the difference between a station and a playlist on Pandora?
A station is a radio-style mix generated by Pandora's Music Genome algorithm, while a playlist is a user-created collection where you have full control over song order and selection.
In Summary
Learning how to make a playlist on Pandora depends largely on your subscription level. Free and Plus users can only enjoy auto-generated stations, while Premium users get full control - creating, editing, and downloading custom playlists.
If you prefer to create playlists offline without paying for Premium, AudFree Streaming Audio Recorder provides a smart, flexible, and cost-effective solution. It lets you download Pandora songs, convert them into universal formats, and organize them freely on any device. No matter which method you choose, this 2025 guide gives you every option to customize your Pandora music experience to the fullest.
Roger Kelly
Staff Editor
