If you’re looking for “Pandora for Business,” you’ve probably run into a confusing problem. You’ll see two different names: Pandora for Business by Mood Media and Pandora CloudCover.
Are they the same service? Which one is the real Pandora for Business? And which is the right choice for your coffee shop, retail store, or restaurant?
This is a common point of confusion for small business owners. The good news is that there’s a simple answer. In this guide, we will explain why there are two brands, how they are different, and which one is the best fit for your needs.
Why Are There Two "Pandora for Business" Brands? The Story Explained
The confusion is real, but it’s easy to understand when you know the history.
For a long time, “Pandora for Business” was a single service. Pandora provided its famous music technology, and a separate company, Mood Media, managed the service and sales for businesses. It was a simple partnership that began in 2013
Then, two big changes happened:
- SiriusXM Buys Pandora (2019): The satellite radio giant SiriusXM acquired the parent company of Pandora.
- SiriusXM Buys Cloud Cover Media (2022): A few years later, SiriusXM also acquired a different business music service named Cloud Cover Media. You can see the official SiriusXM acquisition press release here.
After this second purchase, SiriusXM rebranded its new service to Pandora CloudCover in March of 2024.
This left two competing “Pandora” services in the market:
- Pandora for Business by Mood Media: The original, long-time partner.
- Pandora CloudCover: The new, in-house brand owned directly by Pandora’s parent company, SiriusXM.
Both are completely legal and licensed services, but they are sold as different products.
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Pandora for Business: CloudCover vs. Mood Media
| Provider | Great For... | Key Pandora Feature | Starting Monthly Price | Free Trial Available | Learn More |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
 Pandora CloudCover | Multi-Location Businesses | Central Dashboard Management plus Pandora & CloudCover Music | $16.95 | Learn More | |
 Pandora for Business by Mood Media | Single Business Location Owners | Classic Pandora UX and Playlists | $26.95 | Learn More |
Which Version of Pandora for Business is Right for You?
Pandora CloudCover (Great for Management & Control): Pandora CloudCover is a true business platform that gives you two libraries in one. You get the familiar Pandora Stations you know, plus access to CloudCover’s own catalog of 200+ professionally curated business stations. This gives you more variety to choose from. Combined with a Centralized Dashboard that controls all your locations from one login, it is a great choice for brands that want maximum control and musical variety.
Pandora for Business by Mood Media (Great for Simplicity): Mood Media offers the classic Pandora experience. The interface and the music selection feel exactly like the consumer Pandora app—just fully licensed for commercial use. It is ideal for the Single Location Owner who loves the classic Pandora “Thumbs Up / Thumbs Down” functionality, the unique Pandora playlists and doesn’t need the extra library of business-specific channels. It is the “pure” Pandora option.
Want to see more options? Compare features, Sonos compatibility, and pricing for all major providers in our full Music for Business Comparison Chart.
At-a-Glance: Comparing Pandora for Business Services
Here is a simple breakdown of the key differences between the two Pandora for Business options.
| Provider | Starting Monthly Price | Free Trial Available | Popular Artists | No Ads | Sonos Compatibility | Centralized Control | Spotify Import | Apple Music Import | Music Player Hardware | Learn More |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pandora CloudCover | $16.95 | Learn More | ||||||||
|
Pandora for Business by Mood Media
| $26.95 | Learn More |
See how Pandora CloudCover & Mood Media stack up against leading music for business providers, it's fast and simple!
Pandora CloudCover: A Good "Pandora for Business" Option?
Pandora CloudCover is the newer, more modern-feeling of the two services. It is built to be flexible and is often the more affordable choice to get started.
Pros
- More Affordable: The starting price is lower, making it great for new businesses or those on a tight budget.
- Free Trial: You can try the full service for 14 days before you commit any money.
- Flexible Hardware: You can run the service from a phone, tablet, or computer you already own. You don’t need to buy a special box.
- Tiered Plans: You only pay for what you need. If you just want music, you can get the basic plan. If you need in-store announcements, you can add the “Messaging” tier.
- Diverse Music Selection: Customers have access to both CloudCover playlists and the classic Pandora playlists and algorithm as well.
Cons
- Newer Brand: As “Pandora CloudCover,” it has less of a long-term track record than Mood Media.
- Features Cost Extra: That low price is for music only. Features like remote management or messaging are in higher-priced tiers.
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The Original Pandora for Business (Mood Media): Pros & Cons
Pandora for Business by Mood Media is the classic, established service. Mood Media is a giant in the background music industry and has been a Pandora partner for years.
Pros
- Long-Standing Reputation: Mood Media is one of the most trusted names in business music.
- Simple, All-in-One Service: The pricing is often a single, all-inclusive package. You get all the features without navigating complex tiers.
- Focus on the Classic Pandora Sound: Service leans on the Pandora playlists and UI that customers enjoy.
Cons
- Higher Starting Price: It is almost always more expensive to get started than CloudCover.
- No Free Trial: You cannot test the service before you buy.
- Proprietary Hardware: The service often works best with (or requires) their specific media player, which could add an upfront cost.
Pandora for Business: A Deep Dive on Key Features
When you’re choosing a Pandora for Business service, the decision really comes down to three things: hardware, pricing, and management.
1. Hardware and Setup
This is a major difference.
- Pandora CloudCover is flexible. You can download their app (the “CloudCoverA” app) on an iOS device, Android device, or computer. This is a “bring your own device” (BYOD) model. If you want a dedicated player, you can buy one from them.
- Mood Media often bundles its service with a dedicated player. This box connects to your sound system and the internet. It’s reliable, and may be offered at a discount with an annual plan. There is a BYOD option as well but they lean on the player.
2. Pricing Tiers
- CloudCover uses a “good, better, best” model. The cheapest plan is just for music. The mid-tier plan adds remote management. The top-tier plan adds in-store messaging (letting you record and schedule your own ads).
- Mood Media typically has a simpler, one-price model. This can be better if you don’t want to worry about features and just want everything to work.
3. Remote Management
If you have multiple locations and want to manage from a central web dashboard then Pandora CloudCover is for you. You can sit at home and change the music or schedule playlists for all three of your coffee shops. Pandora for Business by Mood Media does not have a central dashboard and would need to be managed independently at each location.
Who Should Choose Pandora CloudCover?
You should choose Pandora CloudCover if:
- You are a new business or on a strict budget.
- You want to try the service with a free trial first.
- You are tech-savvy and comfortable using your own phone or tablet to run the music.
- You want a-la-carte pricing where you only pay for features you will use.
- You need a central dashboard to manage the music at all your locations in one place.
Who Should Choose Pandora for Business by Mood Media?
You should choose Pandora for Business by Mood Media if:
- You are an established business that values a long-term reputation.
- You prefer a simple, all-in-one price.
- You want a “hands-off” solution and like the idea of a dedicated hardware player.
- You enjoy the classic Pandora UI and music algorithm.
FAQ: Your Pandora for Business Questions Answered
Q: Can I just use my personal Pandora account for my business?
A: No. Using a personal Pandora account for a business is illegal. It violates the terms of service and breaks public performance licensing laws. You could face very large fines. There is no Spotify for Business, Apple Music for Business or even an Amazon Music for Business.
Q: Are both Pandora CloudCover and Mood Media fully licensed?
A: Yes. Both services are 100% legal licensed music for business use. They pay all the necessary licensing fees (to groups like ASCAP, BMI, and GMR) so you don’t have to.
Q: Which “Pandora for Business” is the original?
A: Pandora for Business by Mood Media is the original partnership starting in 2013. Pandora CloudCover is the newer, in-house brand.
Q: Is Pandora CloudCover cheaper than Pandora for Business by Mood Media?
A: Yes, the starting price for CloudCover is almost always lower than Mood Media’s. You can easily compare prices and features on our music for business comparison page.
Q: Do I need to buy a hardware player?
A: No. Both brands offer a Bring Your Own Device (BYOD) option although Pandora for Business by Mood Media leans on their hardware player more.
Q: What is Mood Media?
A: Mood Media is a large, established company that provides “in-store experiences.” This includes background music, digital signs and in-store messaging.