For years, Pandora was the benchmark for internet radio. Not anymore.

Pandora’s genome system is designed to allow users to search for certain songs or artists and begin molding their own internet radio station. Through liking and disliking specific songs, users are able to hone in on a more accurate station while omitting songs they no longer want to hear.

Grooveshark, on the other hand, allows users to pick individual songs and create a personalized playlist. The song order can be manipulated and changed at any time, and if users create accounts (which are free), they can save their playlists as well.

The plus of Pandora is that users don’t have to monitor it and make the playlist on their own. However, Grooveshark has a radio option in addition to its playlists settings, making Pandora essentially obsolete. Admittedly, Pandora radio does a better job of recommending new artists and adding variety.

Like Pandora, Grooveshark also has mobile apps, although none exist for the iPhone as it would eradicate the need for iTunes. Thanks for that Steve Jobs. The problem with the mobile app is that in order to use it after the trial period, users must be VIP members, which involves a $3-a-month fee. But get real, that’s not much money to have any song at your fingertips at all times.

While the VIP fee applies to the mobile app, the desktop version is entirely free and has yet to show any sort of limit on the amount of play time that’s allowed. Additionally, ads have begun to pervade Pandora as of late, and while a banner ad occupies Grooveshark at all times, ads won’t be interrupting your playlists any time soon.

Grooveshark has been the internet’s best kept secret for some time now, but word is getting out. Hop on the bandwagon before it’s too late… or illegal.