Free as in advertisement assisted - though that has yet to take affect, so now it's just plain free. Once in place, the paid subscription will give you ad-free listening plus other stuff which I forget. My first 3 stations: Curt Boettcher, Chris von Sneidern & Grip Weeds. Planned: Candybutchers, Dotted Line, Syreeta. Only complaint - not enough obscure stuff - ie my selections are more obtuse than Pandora's choices. Tho the stuff they select is quite good. Dig, - michael