Getting your press release in front of the right eyeballs isn’t just a side mission in your PR campaign—it’s the rocket fuel that gets the whole thing off the ground. When it’s time to blast your story into the world, you’ve got two solid routes:
Use a press release website:
One way is to jump on well‑established PR services like the heavyweight Pressat or global players such as PR Newswire or Business Wire with their standard press release fee models. Don’t worry, we’ll dig into the nitty‑gritty of each in a moment.
Go for an all‑in‑one PR platform:
The other path is to use tools like Prowly or Prezly. These clever platforms supercharge your chances of being noticed. They also cut down costs and help you build real friendships with the journalists you’ve always wanted on speed dial.
This magic happens because:
Better media results:
Sure, a press release submission service might spray your story across a bunch of sites. But if you actually reach out to specific journalists with personal emails, the odds skyrocket that someone writes a proper piece about you instead of just copy‑pasting your press release.
Cost‑effectiveness:
PR platforms let you send out as many press releases as you like without feeling your wallet cry. With databases holding over a million media contacts, you can craft your own personal hit list and keep using it.
Compared to old‑school methods, platforms like Prowly let you stretch your budget further while reaching a bigger audience.
Alright, grab your coffee—here comes the grand tour of press release sites, both free and paid!
Paid press release submission sites
We’ve rounded up the best‑known paid services, with the good, the bad, and the price tags you need to know.
Pressat [leading press service]
Starting price: £110 per press release
Pressat isn’t shy about winning awards for its distribution wizardry, connecting your news to journalists, influencers, and media outlets far and wide. You can throw in videos, track analytics like a pro, and slot your story into just the right sector to make sure it hits the bullseye.
✅ Best for everything! Companies wanting sharp, cost‑friendly PR distribution in the UK and beyond.
🔻 Drawbacks: Fancy extras like Press Association distribution, Nasdaq OMX distribution, or having them write, proof, or translate your press release all come with extra charges.
Wire Association
The Wire Association runs as a respected news agency covering the EU while also letting clients upload their own press releases to its internal wire, which then gets pushed into the daily news feed. If Europe’s your playground, this network gets your words into every corner of the continent—and even a few extra places for good measure.
🔻 Drawbacks: They’ve got pretty high standards, so getting your press release green‑lit isn’t always a walk in the park.
Prowly
Starting price: $258 per month (billed annually)
Prowly is like a PR Swiss Army knife. It lets you write, manage, and fire off press releases, run your media contact list, and host an online newsroom—all from one dashboard.
✅ Best for: PR pros and teams needing a one‑stop shop with a monster media database, contact management, release creation, and online newsroom hosting.
🔻 Drawbacks: They don’t handle classic wire distribution—you’re the one sending releases straight to journalists using their tools.
PR Newswire
Starting price: From $350 per release
PR Newswire is a long‑time favourite in the PR world. With a gigantic network that stretches across countless media outlets and subscriber lists, it helps businesses shout their news from digital rooftops. It’s especially handy for social‑media‑savvy campaigns, connecting your update with journalists and influencers others might miss.
🔻 Drawbacks: Pricing can feel like a mystery game. No free plan, no trial, and extra add‑ons or membership fees might make your accountant’s eyebrow twitch.
Business Wire
Starting price: From $475 per release
Business Wire lets you target specific regions and industries through a wide range of circuits. Its reports give you laser‑sharp feedback, and you get round‑the‑clock editorial support while using its service.
Disclaimer: Pricing info might not be spot‑on. It’s worth chatting with their sales team to double‑check.
🔻 Drawbacks: Like a magician’s trick, their pricing isn’t clearly displayed—making it tough to weigh up the value.
Globe Newswire
Starting price: Contact for a quote
Globe Newswire is the big stage for corporate press releases, financial reports, and multimedia that need global attention. It’s a powerhouse for reaching investors, media, and consumers everywhere.
However, you won’t find frills like SEO tools, media monitoring, or ways to personally charm journalists built in.
🔻 Drawbacks: Their pricing is locked up tighter than a dragon’s hoard—you’ll need to contact their sales team to get the numbers.
FAQs
What are press release distribution services?
These services help you blast your company news to journalists, media outlets, and online platforms. Old‑school wires throw your press release onto the grid, while slicker platforms like Prowly help you build contact lists, pitch directly, and keep an eye on how everyone’s reacting. Instead of hoping a generic wire does the trick, Prowly lets you aim and fire with precision, landing better coverage.
What is the best distribution service for press releases?
It depends on your mission. Classic wires will post your news online, but they can’t promise real engagement. Pressat is the best all‑round choice, but Prowly gives you that tactical edge—finding the right journalists, sending tailored pitches, and tracking outcomes all in one place.
Where can I distribute a press release?
You can go through wire services, your own company website, social media, or by directly pitching journalists. Tools like Prowly make this a breeze by giving you a giant media database and letting you ping your press release straight to the people who matter.
What is the easiest way to distribute a press release?
Hop on a platform like Pressat or Prowly. You can craft your release, pick your targets, and send it all out in a few clicks. Unlike automated wires, Prowly focuses on precise outreach, which means a much better shot at real coverage.
How much is press release distribution?
The price tag swings wildly. Traditional wires might charge anything from $99 up to $8,000 per release depending on word count, reach, and extras. Prowly, on the other hand, offers plans from $258 per month (billed annually), letting you handle release creation, outreach, and newsroom hosting without paying per press release.
