Pandora is one of the best online radio platforms available offering much more radio stations and shows compared to others. And, that’s not all. The service has more to offer to its customers. But the only problem with this amazing platform is that you must know how to unblock Pandora anywhere because it’s only available inside the United States.
Now that isn’t delightful for the masses, of course. In fact, the entire entertainment within this amazing platform becomes useless if not everyone can access it.
So, is there anything you can do to continue listening to your favorite stuff on Pandora anywhere for free?
Absolutely. With this guide, I will walk you through the different ways you can get Pandora to work.
Listen to Pandora outside the US – Quick guide
Running short on time to read the details and want to listen to Pandora right away? No problem. Below you go with a quick three-step guide to get Pandora unblocked:
- Look for a fast and reliable VPN. After testing more than a dozen VPNs, I shortlisted 5 VPNs that work best with Pandora. (You can take a look at all five later in this article). But my number one recommendation is NordVPN. It has multiple server locations in the US and has stealthy privacy features. That means not only your Pandora streaming will be a breeze, but also, you will have the maximum possible all-around protection online.
- Setup and connect the VPN. Install the VPN and launch it. Choose a US-located server and connect.
- Launch Pandora. Register for an account, download the Pandora app and enjoy Pandora immediately.
If you want to gain more useful information and explore further options to unblock Pandora, then continuing reading this detailed guide.
Why use Pandora?
You might wonder why bother to use Pandora when there are many others like it? Well, there is a simple explanation. Its radio channels and shows catalog are arguably unmatched by the competition.
Unlike other audio services, Pandora is a dedicated radio streaming platform. You can even play songs in the uninterrupted Pandora music box, which aims at prioritizing the radio experience at its best.
Obviously, the main reason you seek a radio platform is that you want to listen to the radio. Right?
Currently, there’s nothing that can beat Pandora to its online radio game. It loads and plays live audio smoothly. Not only that, but the platform has also tailored its interface for listening to this form of media.
How to get Pandora unblocked (the detailed guide)
While you can find many explanations for it on the web, this guide provides you the most comprehensive and effective information possible.
Although, there are several ways to access Pandora if you’re not residing in the US. But the most effective way to listen to Pandora anywhere is using a VPN. That’s because VPNs are certainly the best means to evade geo-restrictions seamlessly.
Here’s how you can resume listening to your favorite music and other content with a VPN
Subscribe to a VPN provider
Getting started, you need to choose the right VPN provider. This is the most crucial step because not every VPN can effectively unblock Pandora outside the US. So, before subscribing to one, make sure that the provider offers secure and fast-speed servers from the United States to support streaming.
In case you already have a VPN installed, check whether your provider has US-based servers. If yes, see if the servers are fast enough to handle high-quality audio streaming. You may also contact your VPN provider’s customer support to seek information about it.
Install the VPN on your device
Moving on, given that you had found a top-notch VPN service, you need to install and activate it. Below you go with the installation steps:
- Downloading the VPN app from the provider’s website to your device. On a mobile device, you need to download the VPN app from the respective app store.
- Next, install and launch the app.
- Finally, choose any US server and connect to it.
When the connection establishes, double-check your IP address via this “What is my IP?” tool. It should detect your IP location as the US. Otherwise, you need to reconnect your VPN or choose a different US server.
Start streaming Pandora
While on the official Pandora webpage, log in or register for an account. You can also see the service’s pricing plans on its homepage to decide what plan you should get.
Once you are logged in or done with creating your account, you should be able to play anything of your liking there. You can continue listening to Pandora music for free with limited features or upgrade to a plus or premium plan.
That basically is it when it comes to using Pandora outside US. You’ve successfully unblocked Pandora radio on your device.
Why you need a VPN for Pandora
In 2007, Pandora blocked all other countries except the US from accessing its service.
The move was made due to the lack of international laws equivalent to DMCA Section 114. It is a US Code that protects the exclusive rights of sound recording. Without it, Pandora can’t regulate or prevent users from distributing or reproducing its media assets.
Currently, Pandora is only available in the US.
In the past, Pandora Music was available in New Zealand and Australia other than the US. But the platform was forced to end its operations in both countries on Global radio operation laws’ grounds.
While the service is expected to remain blocked for the rest, some proven and effective workarounds also exist. Some are complex, while some merely require a few clicks. The easiest method, however, to get Pandora unblocked happens to be by using a VPN.
A VPN allows you to access Pandora outside the US by changing your IP country. It works by redirecting your traffic to a US-based server to bypass geo-restrictions. Hence, you can continue listening to your favorite music, podcasts, and more, regardless of where you are.
Other uses of a VPN
You might question if it’s worth paying for a VPN for the sole purpose of unblocking Pandora. Considering that some VPNs are expensive, your doubt is reasonable. However, you should know that VPNs have many other uses as well apart from streaming your favorite music.
A VPN or Virtual Private Network routes your internet requests to a dedicated server. Think of it as a detour. Instead of connecting directly to a website, you will travel to a VPN server first.
What it does is that it masks your real location so that a website would detect a different region. In doing so, you can achieve several things as well as gain some benefits. For instance, you will have more confidence that malicious entities will not exploit your data.
Sure, you can bypass geo-restrictions and access content that are not available in your region. Along with that, you can also use many social media platforms your country or institute has censored. For example, it can help you get Instagram unblocked.
That yet is not all, there is more to what a VPN can do.
The most important thing is that it secures your devices from hackers and vulnerabilities online. It is crucial, especially if you visit unknown websites, as some might expose your data. It is a critical tool to have when it comes to completing the online security puzzle today.
Another use of a VPN is maintaining privacy. As many are aware, ISPs and other entities can snoop on your internet traffic and web activities. Indeed, you don’t want this to happen. That’s where a VPN comes in. It keeps all your internet activities private and lets you browse anonymously.
Therefore, a VPN is not just another privacy tool. It is essential for a secure online presence and activity.
Best VPNs for unblocking Pandora
Although, accessing Pandora with a VPN isn’t difficult. However, choosing a quality VPN is the most critical aspect here where people get wrong. If you end up subscribing to a VPN that does not offer enough speed or has some shady privacy practices, you could get yourself in trouble.
But do not worry about finding the right VPNs. Below I have shared a list of the best VPNs to access Pandora after thorough research and tests.
According to my experience, these service providers are the best ones offering fast and reliable US servers. In fact, all the VPNs listed below are more than capable of letting you stream Pandora without any issues.
1. NordVPN
A well-known provider that deserves mentioning among the best Pandora VPNs owing to its huge server network that bears nearly 2000 US servers.
5,000+ servers in 60 countries
P2P full support
AES-256-bit encryption
Zero-logs policy
Kill switch
Double VPN
DNS/IPv6 leak protection
Allows up to 6 simultaneous devices
30 days money-back guarantee
Pros
- Unblocks Pandora
- Robust security credentials
- Around the clock customer support
Cons
- Desktop app is not to be as user-friendly as others on the list
Being based in Panama means NordVPN doesn’t need to participate or cooperate with government intelligence. It means that the provider will not disclose or submit any of your sensitive data to a third party.
Given the fact it comes with added privacy features, if you care about your privacy, that alone is enough reason to choose this VPN.
Also, if your primary reason is to unblock Pandora in your region, you should not worry either. That’s because the service has over 5000 servers in 60 different countries, including the US. Therefore, you can change your location online to start streaming Pandora right away from anywhere.
Even though this provider offers cutting-edge VPN alongside added privacy solutions, it is one of the most affordable providers in the market. You can subscribe from a one-month to a two-year plan for as low as $3.71 per month.
In essence, not only NordVPN is a true performer, but also is budget-friendly.
2. Surfshark
Having numerous servers from 25 US cities, Surfshark is a worthy recommendation for people looking to unblock Pandora without compromising their privacy online.
3,200+ servers in 65 countries
AES-256-bit encryption
P2P support
MultiHop mode
DNS leak protection
Automatic kill switch
Camouflage Mode
Allows unlimited simultaneous connections
30-day money-back guarantee
Pros
- Easily unblock Pandora
- Support anonymous payments like Bitcoin
- Keeps no logs
Cons
- Lacks some advanced functionalities
Surfshark is a reliable VPN with extra features that go well beyond what the average VPN providers offer.
Unlike typical VPNs, Surfshark includes all the necessary security and privacy features that anyone would want. It blocks ads and trackers for an entirely private web experience. Also, this service even deploys protocols that deflect phishing attempts and malware.
Like the two others explained above, this provider also has apps for all the popular devices. One thing where Surfshark has left even the top VPNs like ExpressVPN and NordVPN behind is its generous allowance of unlimited simultaneous connections.
That means there is no limit on the number of devices you can use this VPN on with only one subscription at the same time.
It has dedicated addons for Chrome or Firefox browser extensions. The provider even boasts an app for Amazon Firestick to make sure no user gets left behind and people get to use it everywhere. In short, with SurfShark, you can stream on Pandora on any device you own.
One of its greatest strengths is its “Whitelister,” which allows whitelisting apps and websites.
If you need to access a website that requires your real location, such as a bank, you can whitelist it to ensure its traffic doesn’t go through the VPN tunnel. You can do that without turning off Surfshark, which should help save time as you won’t have to do the manual work of disconnect/reconnect every time.
Consequently, it has many fast US-based servers. Meaning that you can easily unblock and enjoy your favorite music on Pandora no matter where you are.
3. ExpressVPN
Trusted pioneer of the industry known as one of the fastest VPNs that can seamlessly unblock Pandora and other US geo-restricted platforms abroad.
3,000+ servers in 94 countries
AES-256-bit encryption
DNS/IPv6 leak protection
P2P servers
Network-lock feature
TrustedServer technology
Allows up to 5 devices simultaneously
30-day money back guarantee
Pros
- Unblocks Pandora
- Excellent server coverage
- Strictly observers no-logs policy
Cons
- Big-budget VPN
Like any other VPN discussed here on PrivacySavvy, ExpressVPN also went through rigorous testing before making it to this list. Indeed, it deserves all the praise online for good reasons.
You will find this VPN to be a delight to unblock Pandora outside the US. That is because it has numerous US-based servers that are both fast and reliable.
It has native apps for most platforms, so you will not have a hard time getting started with it on any of your devices. Besides, ExpressVPN offers unlimited-bandwidth and ultra-fast servers so you can listen to Pandora music without slowing down.
The provider boasts over 3000 servers in 94 locations globally alongside stealthy security. Also, there is a 30-day money-back guarantee to safely return your amount should you change your mind.
PrivacySavvy tested ExpressVPN’s money-back guarantee and found it to be truly a no-questions-asked one. Overall, it is a well-rounded VPN, so the chances are, it will satisfy your needs comprehensively.
4. PrivateVPN
Staying true to its tagline “Unlock Anything. Protect Everything.”, the provider lets you unlock Pandora geo-restrictions while protecting your devices and privacy.
200+ server locations across 63 countries
AES-256-bit encryption
P2P sharing
Strict no-logs policy
Kill switch
Allows up to 10 simultaneous devices
30-day money-back guarantee
Pros
- Unblocks many streaming sites including Pandora
- Robust security and privacy features
- A 7-day free trial
Cons
- Server network isn’t as huge as the leading VPNs
One of its most compelling features is its military-grade encryption. The provider uses a robust 256-bit encryption standard to secure data transfers on its network. That means you can be confident the information about any of your web activities won’t get leaked.
If you’re planning to use PrivateVPN for Pandora music streaming, then it will surely suffice. You will not experience buffering or low-fidelity audio quality when playing Pandora content — all thanks to its fast servers that accommodate users to avoid network congestion.
5. CyberGhost
Best Pandora VPN that offers maximum-possible anonymity and data safety. It can be your go to solution to access any American platform like Pandora outside the US.
8,000+ servers in 91 countries
AES-256-bit encryption
Wi-Fi protection
P2P sharing
Split tunneling
Allows up to 7 devices simultaneously
45-day money-back guarantee
Pros
- Keeps no-logs
- Unblocks Pandora
- Good value for money
Cons
- Inconsistent unblocking capabilities
Like other VPNs on the list, it has dedicated apps for every major operating system out there. In other words, even kids can use Pandora anywhere because they can install this VPN on all their devices without any technical knowledge.
Also, it allows users to use VPN on up to seven devices with one subscription simultaneously.
CyberGhost boasts more than 8,000 servers in 91 countries. This huge number of servers easily manages all the load to prevent network congestion. It means you can expect your connection to be fast. Of course, it has many US-located servers, too — so rest assured, you can get Pandora unblocked with it regardless of your current location.
On top of regular VPN protection, CyberGhost brings many additional features to the table, too. These include secure file sharing, ad blocker, anti-tracking, and more. Arguably, the provider has covered all the basics well and offers extra, too.
Pandora’s pricing
Pandora offers a free starting plan with limited options. It only features unlimited skips, podcasts, and personalized stations. If you’re looking for more controls like offline listening, you should upgrade your account.
Pandora Plus costs $4.99, while Premium is available for $9.99 a month. Service offers special discounts on its premium plan for military people (and their registered family members) alongside the students.
The wrap-up
Pandora is the best option for listening to radio channels such as Pandora radio for Israel and many other shows online. It is annoying if you can’t access this platform as you like.
Thankfully, you now have a quick fix to avoid being left behind: a VPN. Select and use a high-quality VPN like NordVPN or ExpressVPN, and access anything on the web, including the entire Pandora library.
You’ve got it all. You have done it. Now go and listen to tailor-made podcasts and playlists on Pandora from outside of the US. Happy listening!
FAQs
Like Netflix and other streaming services, Pandora continues to try and block VPNs. But the online radio giant has not marked the use of VPN illegal, ever. So, your only problem can be a VPN getting blocked by the Pandora system. As long as you use any of the VPNs on the list above, you’ll be fine. A VPN can even enable you to get Pandora unblocked at places like schools that usually block streaming platforms.
You can. But then, neither your connection to the internet will be secure nor will you find a proxy fast enough to stream Pandora without interruptions. A VPN encrypts all the web traffic from your device to the server you’re accessing. Technically, it is more secure than a SOCKS proxy. Unlike VPNs, a SOCKS proxy only exchanges data packets between you and a client-server. If you need reliable access to the Pandora player, you should go only with a VPN. Also, despite being a viable option, a SOCKS needs a lot more configuring to work. It means, unlike a VPN, that’s not a solution for everybody.
There’s no Pandora radio in Israel, Mexico, or anywhere else than the U.S. It means that you can’t use it when you’re outside the United States. With the VPNs featured in this article, you can unblock and access Pandora regardless of your country.
As long as you use one of the five VPNs recommended above, you can expect a positive result. All the VPNs on that list can not only access Pandora but also unblock other major streaming services. It is important to note that not all VPNs have the same speed. Therefore, you should decide beforehand whether you need a fast service or want more privacy. It can save you both money and time.
If you mainly use your mobile phone for audio streaming, you can use a VPN to listen to Pandora on smart speakers. However, you cannot install a VPN service on most of the speakers themselves. If you’re really into playing music from a smart speaker, check the device’s compatibility with services like VPN before purchasing. Look for something that lets you install third-party applications. Finally, look it up on the web and see user reviews to decide.
