Pandora has evolved into one of the top music streaming platforms, offering personalized listening with curated playlists, on-demand music, and offline playback. But for most users, unlocking all these perks means upgrading to Pandora Premium or Pandora Plus - which come at a cost.
So, how do you enjoy Pandora Premium for free or at least try it without paying upfront? This guide walks you through some useful methods to get free Pandora Premium trials, compare Premium and Plus plans, and even preserve your songs for offline playback permanently.
Part 1. What is Pandora Premium/Plus?
Before diving into how to get Pandora Premium free, it's essential to understand the difference between Pandora's subscription tiers. Many users confuse Pandora Plus with Pandora Premium, yet their features and pricing vary greatly.
Pandora Premium vs Pandora Plus
Choosing between Pandora's tiers? While both offer upgrades over the free version, Pandora Premium unlocks full on-demand control. Now, let's break down each tier:
Pandora Plus:
- Price: $4.99/month
- Features:
✅ Ad-free listening
✅ Unlimited skips
✅ Offline listening for selected stations
✅ Higher audio quality
Pandora Premium:
- Price: $10.99/month (Individual) / $17.99 (Family) / $5.99/month (Student) / $8.99/month (Military)
- Features:
✅ All Plus features
✅ On-demand streaming of any song
✅ Create and share playlists
✅ Download any track for offline playback
✅ Full library access
Compared to Pandora Free or Plus, Premium is a complete upgrade. Free users are often annoyed by ads, limited skips, and no offline options - not ideal for those who want seamless listening.
Part 2. How to Get Pandora Premium for Free [Four Methods]
If you're wondering how to get Pandora Premium for free, there are official channels that provide free trials. You can try Pandora Premium/Plus free through official trials (typically 30-60 days), letting you test all paid features at no cost. Pandora also offers discounted plans for verified students and military personnel.
Method 1. Free Pandora Premium/Plus Trial
Pandora officially offers a 30-day free trial for Pandora Plus and a 60-day free trial for Pandora Premium.
How to Claim the Pandora Free Premium Trial
Step 1. Sign in or create a Pandora account and click 'Upgrade' in the top-right corner. (Or go directly to: https://www.pandora.com/upgrade)
Step 2. Choose either the "Get 30 days Free" option for Pandora Plus or the "Get 60 days Free" option for Pandora Premium.
Step 3. On the Pandora Premium upgrade page, you might also see options like Student, Military, or Family plans.
Important: During the free trial period, you will not be charged for any of these plans, regardless of which one you select for the trial.
Method 2. Carrier or Device Promotions
Certain mobile carriers like Verizon or T-Mobile occasionally bundle free Pandora Premium access for 2-6 months. Check their promotions pages or Pandora's partner deals page - you might find an offer.
Method 3. Share a Pandora Premium Family Plan
The Pandora Premium Family plan allows up to 6 users. If a friend or family member subscribes to this plan, they can add you.
Compare the cost: The Family plan costs $17.99/month (shared by up to 6), while an individual Premium plan is $10.99/month. Sharing a Family slot is usually cheaper.
Method 4. Student & Military Discounts
While not free, Pandora Premium offers significant discounts for verified students and military personnel, making it much more affordable.
Part 3. How to Keep Pandora Premium Songs Forever - Even After Free Trial Ends
Once your free trial ends or your subscription expired, offline songs from Pandora Premium will no longer be accessible unless you renew. But there's a smart workaround using a trusted tool: AudFree Streaming Audio Recorder for Pandora.
This software enables you to download and convert Pandora music to Lossless Formats, including MP3, FLAC, and WAV, allowing you to listen offline at any time and retain the songs even after your Premium subscription expires. You can choose to download all your favorite playlists or albums to your local device via this powerful tool during your trial period.
How to Download Music from Pandora with Premium
This tutorial shows how to convert Pandora music to standard audio files on your computer. Note: The AudFree Pandora Music Downloader free trial only downloads 30 seconds per song. You need to activate it via email for the full version. Also, ensure your Pandora account is active to access the music (Premium or Plus).
- Step 1Install AudFree Streaming Audio Recorder
- Download and install AudFree Streaming Audio Recorder. Launch the program, you will see its main interface with 9 streaming service icons, including Spotify, Tidal, Pandora, etc.
- Step 2Customize Output Format
- Click the top-right menu, select Preferences > Conversion to choose your audio format (MP3 recommended). Customize settings like bitrate or sample rate. Under Output, pick a save location and enable ID3 tags.
- Step 3Select Pandora Content
- On the main screen, click Pandora's icon and sign in. Find songs/playlists, then tap the green + (bottom-right) to add them for conversion.
- Step 4Start Conversion
- Click the Convert icon (top-center) and press Convert. You can access finished files under the Converted tab or in your output folder. And now you can enjoy your Pandora curated playlist offline on any device.
View also: How to Download Songs from Pandora
Part 4. FAQs About Pandora Premium/Plus Free
Q1: How do you get Pandora Premium for free without a credit card?
A: Most trials require billing info, but you can use virtual credit cards or prepaid cards for safer access.
Q2: Can I use multiple trials with different accounts?
A: Technically yes, but it may violate Pandora's terms if abused. Use responsibly.
Q3: Is there a promo code for free Pandora Premium?
A: Occasionally, promotional codes are sent via email or bundled with certain apps or services.
Q4: How long does the Pandora Plus free trial last?
A: Typically 30 days. Make sure to cancel on time to avoid being charged.
Q5: What's the best way to keep Pandora songs forever?
A: Use AudFree Streaming Audio Recorder to download and save your favorite tracks offline permanently.
In Summary
Getting Pandora Premium for free is possible through official trials, device bundles, and family plans. For those who want to enjoy Pandora music even after the trial ends, the AudFree Streaming Audio Converter is a smart tool to keep your songs forever - no ads, no limits.
Take advantage of these free options and elevate your music experience the smart way in 2025.
Roger Kelly
Staff Editor
