The 10 Best PR Newswire Competitors & Alternatives (in 2025)

Cision PR Newswire has long been a major player in global news distribution, offering access to a vast media network. However, it often receives criticism for its high costs, pay-per-word pricing, and the quality of its media database.

In this guide, we’ll explore PR Newswire’s features, its limitations, and some of the best PR Newswire competitors on the market. By the end, you’ll have a clear idea of whether PR Newswire is right for you – or if a better PR tool exists for your needs.

1. Prezly – Best all-in-one PR tool with built-in CRM, newsroom creation, and direct journalist outreach
2. PRWeb – A budget-friendly press release distribution service with decent reach
3. eReleases – Provides human-curated distribution with a focus on small businesses
4. Newswire.com – Affordable and simple press release distribution
5. Mynewsdesk – PR platform with a focus on content marketing and storytelling
6. 24-7 Press Release – Cost-effective press release service for small businesses
7. GlobeNewswire – Best for companies targeting financial and investor media
8. BusinessWire – High-end press release distribution aiming to connect clients to major media outlets
9. Send2Press – Offers affordable press release services with personalized distribution
10. Prowly – PR software with media contact management and distribution features

Need more details? Keep reading for a more in-depth comparison of each PR Newswire competitor!

PR Newswire is a press release distribution platform that helps brands share news with journalists, bloggers, and media outlets worldwide. It aims to provide syndication to thousands of websites and media organizations, which can be particularly helpful for big names with broad announcements, such as mergers, new hires, or product launches.

However, PR Newswire has its drawbacks. Its high costs can be prohibitive for startups and frequent users, and its pay-per-word pricing may limit how much detail you can include in a release. Additionally, distribution doesn’t guarantee media coverage, as journalists often overlook press releases due to the sheer volume of low-quality content.

Without direct outreach tools or CRM features, PR Newswire functions as a broad distribution service rather than a personalized PR solution.

• High costs – PR Newswire is expensive, especially for frequent users. The price may not be cost effective for start ups either
• Pay-per-word pricing – Press releases can become costly if they exceed word limits, which can stifle your brand’s message
• No guarantee of media pickup – Distribution doesn’t mean journalists will engage with your release or give you online visibility
• Spammy reputation – Many journalists ignore newswire releases due to high volumes of low-quality content. Your release could be drowned out by countless others
• Lack of direct outreach tools – PR Newswire doesn’t provide personalized outreach or CRM features. Consider it a “one size fits all”

Here’s what other people are saying about PR Newswire:

As you can see, the high price is a common concern amongst users, which indicates it isn’t the best distribution service for everyone. Keep reading to learn more about the top ten PR Newswire alternatives below!

Prezly is a modern PR platform that helps businesses distribute media rich press releases more effectively through targeted outreach. Unlike traditional newswires, Prezly enables direct journalist engagement through the sending of personalized media pitches.

• Prezly – Starts at $90/month with unlimited press releases. (And did we mention it has a two-week free trial?)
• Cision PR Newswire – Pricing varies based on word count, region, and add-ons, so you can never be sure how much your release will cost until you’re well into the planning process. Check out our PR Newswire pricing guide for a comprehensive breakdown

• Press release builder – Create visually engaging press releases with multimedia.
• Direct pitching – Send personalized emails to journalists and track engagement.
• Media CRM – Manage journalist relationships and track outreach history.
• Newsroom hosting – Publish press releases on a branded newsroom website.
• Analytics & reporting – Gain insights into who engages with your press releases.
• Coverage tracking – Monitor where your press releases get published.
• All-in-one pricing – Simple subscription model without hidden fees.
• Agency-friendly plans – Special pricing for PR agencies managing multiple clients.
• Customer support – Dedicated team for onboarding and ongoing assistance.
• Media list integration – Access pre-built media lists or create your own.

Try Prezly free for 14 days – no credit card required. Start now.

Affordable press release distribution with basic visibility.

PRWeb, offered by Cision, is a budget-friendly press release distribution service tailored for small businesses, startups, and anyone looking to share news without a hefty price tag.

The platform distributes newly published press releases to various online news sites, search engines, and select industry platforms. It also includes social media sharing tools, which can boost visibility for announcements like product launches, events, or other noteworthy updates.

However, PRWeb may not be the right fit for everyone. Its distribution network is more limited compared to larger services, particularly for those seeking coverage in top-tier financial publications or international outlets. The lower cost also comes with fewer targeting options and less in-depth analytics, making it more challenging to track the exact impact of a release.

See out detailed PRWeb vs PR Newswire comparison.

• Starting price: $110/release
• G2 rating: 3.8/5
• Pros: Budget friendly, easy-to-use platform, decent syndication
• Cons: Limited media reach, lacks direct journalist outreach

Human-curated press release distribution tailored for small businesses.

eReleases is a strong option for small businesses, startups, and independent creators looking for the reach of a major wire service with a more hands-on approach. Through its partnership with PR Newswire, it provides access to top media outlets, journalists, and niche publications while also offering a review process to ensure press releases meet quality standards before distribution. This makes it a good choice for those aiming to generate positive media coverage and broad exposure without overspending.

That said, eReleases falls into the mid-range pricing tier, which may be too costly for very small businesses or solo entrepreneurs on a tight budget. Additionally, its process is less automated than some other services, so it may not be the best fit for those who need to distribute news quickly.

• Starting price: $399/release
• G2 rating: 4.1/5
• Pros: Personalized service, broad media reach, integrates with PR Newswire
• Cons: Higher cost per release, slower turnaround time

Affordable distribution with no word count limits.

Newswire.com caters to businesses looking for a balance between affordability and reach. As a press release distribution site, it provides various distribution packages that include placement on major news sites, financial networks, and industry-specific platforms, making it a versatile option for both small businesses and larger companies. The service also offers features like media monitoring, analytics, and targeted lists to help refine PR efforts and measure performance.

However, Newswire.com doesn’t match the distribution depth or reputation of top-tier services like PR Newswire or Globe Newswire – particularly for those aiming to secure coverage in leading financial publications or international media.

• Starting price: $349/release
• G2 rating: 3.9/5
• Pros: No word limits, competitive pricing, user friendly
• Cons: Less reach than top-tier services, fewer syndication partners

PR and content marketing platform with newsroom features.

Mynewsdesk sits alongside platforms like Prezly in the “modern, all-in-one PR platform” category.

This is evident in features like their online newsroom builder and custom email designer, making it a solid choice for PR professionals looking to adopt a more web-focused, contemporary approach to their work.

That said, while Mynewsdesk leans toward modern PR solutions, it doesn’t fully break away from traditional methods. They still rely on practices like selling media lists and keeping their pricing less transparent.

Overall, Mynewsdesk works well for those combining current digital strategies with more conventional PR tactics.

• Starting price: No pricing information available upfront
• G2 rating: 4.1/5
• Pros: Combines PR and content marketing tools
• Cons: Requires a subscription, no one-time distribution options

Budget-friendly press release service for small businesses.

24-7 Press Release is a solid option for small businesses, startups, and entrepreneurs looking for an affordable press release service. With multiple pricing tiers, it offers flexibility in choosing the level of distribution, and its user-friendly interface makes it a convenient choice for quickly sharing news about a product launch, event, or company update.

What sets 24-7 Press Release apart is its emphasis on SEO and seamless social media sharing. However, its analytics and targeting options are fairly limited, and it doesn’t provide true global distribution.

• Starting price: $89/release
• G2 rating: 3.8/5
• Pros: Cheap, simple distribution
• Cons: Limited analytics, smaller distribution network

Best for reaching financial and investor-focused media.

Globe Newswire, a service from Notified, focuses on distributing corporate press releases and financial disclosures on a global scale. It’s particularly beneficial for publicly traded companies, PR agencies, and corporate communications teams looking to connect with media outlets, investors, and industry leaders.

What makes Globe Newswire stand out is its extensive distribution network, which includes thousands of newsrooms, financial platforms, and specialized industry sites, along with syndication to major aggregators like Yahoo Finance and MarketWatch. An interesting selling point is that Globe Newswire offers catholic press release services, helping target influential Catholic media outlets.

Globe Newswire is the newswire offered by Meltwater (see also: Meltwater review).

• Starting price: No pricing information available upfront
• G2 rating: 4.3/5
• Pros: Strong reputation in finance
• Cons: Expensive for broader, non-financial industries

Premium press release distribution with global reach.

Business Wire is a more traditional wire service that takes a more targeted approach compared to PR Newswire, making it a better choice for reaching a specific audience. This is especially true for companies looking to connect with readers outside the US.

As two of the biggest names in press release distribution, Business Wire and PR Newswire are often compared. If you’re deciding between them, take a look at our in-depth comparison of Business Wire vs PR Newswire.

• Starting price: $760/release + word fees
• G2 rating: 4.3/5
• Pros: High-end service, global reach
• Cons: High cost. (It’s the most expensive on this list!)

Personalized press release service with editorial oversight.

Send2Press takes a more hands-on approach, with a team of PR professionals who review and refine press releases before distribution, making it a great option for those who need extra guidance, especially first-time users.

The service primarily focuses on US distribution, reaching local and national newspapers, trade journals, and even some TV and radio stations. This makes it a strong choice for businesses looking to connect with targeted audiences within the US.

However, Send2Press isn’t ideal for those seeking global reach or placement in top financial media. Additionally, while the personalized support is valuable, it can slow down the process for those who need to distribute news quickly.

• Starting price: $119/release
• G2 rating: 4.5/5
• Pros: Affordable, hands-on service
• Cons: Less reach than major wire services

PR software with media contact management.

Prowly is a public relations platform designed for teams, agencies, and independent PR professionals to manage press release creation, distribution, and media outreach.

The platform includes a sizable media database for sending press releases to journalists, though it doesn’t guarantee coverage. It also offers media monitoring and social listening tools to track brand mentions, along with a media pitching tool and online newsrooms for distributing press releases and pitches via email.

Additionally, Prowly features a media reporting tool, allowing users to share PR performance insights with teams, clients, and executives.

• Starting price: $258/month
• G2 rating: 4.3/5
• Pros: Great media contact management, PR workflow features
• Cons: Requires subscription

A full PR toolkit at a fraction of the cost

Prezly’s PR CRM, Outreach, Newsroom Creator, Media Monitoring and Analytics earn you authentic media coverage by putting journalist relationships first. Starting at $90/month.

Start free trial

• Expensive – High costs with no guaranteed media coverage
• Low engagement – Journalists often ignore mass-distributed press releases
• No personalization – Releases are sent out in bulk with no targeted pitching
• Limited analytics – Hard to track which journalists engage with your release

• Personalized PR pitches increase response rates
• Stronger media relationships lead to more earned coverage
• Better storytelling helps position your brand effectively
• Analytics & tracking show which journalists engage with your news

Try targeted outreach with a 14-day free trial of Prezly. Sign up now →

Choosing the right PR platform really depends on your needs:

• For an all-in-one cost effective PR solution: Prezly
• For budget-friendly distribution: PRWeb or 24-7 Press Release
• For financial news distribution: GlobeNewswire
• For human-curated distribution: eReleases
• For premium global reach: BusinessWire

If you're looking for a more inclusive and tailored PR platform, you should look at Prezly. With its 14-day free trial and demo, modern interface, and low pricing, Prezly is the best PR Newswire alternative to centralize your team’s PR workflow with.

When it comes to PR software, the options are seemingly limitless. We hope that this guide has brought you a step closer to choosing the right tool for your team.