Press releases are still one of the easiest ways to get the word out. If you’re launching a product, want to spread the news or catch the eye of a journalist in your niche, a good press release can get you into trusted outlets and even put you on the radar of investors.
However, choosing a distribution service isn’t as simple as it looks. Prices vary wildly, targeting tools aren’t always clear, and some platforms simply push your news to low-value sites. You don’t want to waste money on syndication that looks impressive but delivers little impact.
Press release distribution platforms can still do the job, but only if you pick the one that matches your goals. Some are built for financial disclosures, some for startups, and others focus mainly on SEO. And newer platforms help content get indexed directly into AI chatbots like ChatGPT and Gemini.
In this article, we’ll look at ten platforms that stand out—what they do well, what they could improve, and the kind of business they’re built for. Let’s begin!
How we chose these platforms
For this roundup, we’ve essentially looked at five things:
- Reach: Can a service get you into respected outlets instead of random blogs?
- Targeting: Can you narrow things down by industry, geography, or even specific journalist lists?
- Budget: The upfront price is one thing, but what about other fees? Extra charges for word count, multimedia, and regional add-ons can get pricey.
- Analytics: Guessing where your release landed isn’t good enough. You need insight into placements themselves.
- Indexing: If the release ends up in Google, Bing, and Yahoo that’s great but indexing in ChatGPT, Gemini, Perplexity and other AI chatbots is the best case.
- Fit: Some platforms are built for Fortune 500 compliance; others are clearly aimed at lean startups.
One last note: ignore promises of “guaranteed coverage.” That’s syndication, not earned media. What you really want is a balance between visibility and relevance.
The 10 best press release distribution platforms
1. Press Ranger: Best overall
Press Ranger isn’t a legacy wire but a full modern PR toolkit built for today’s media landscape. Instead of paying $1000+ per release, you get wholesale distribution to Yahoo Finance, Business Insider, AP News, MarketWatch and more. No extra charges for images, extra words, links, etc. and each release comes with a reseller ready report if you’re working with clients. But the best feature is that their press releases are indexed by all of the AI chatbots. For any business trying to improve their ranking on ChatGPT, this is a must.
Press Ranger also includes media databases that have 500,000 journalists, 160,000 publishers, and 200,000 podcasts, all with full contact details. Perfect for outreach after publishing a press release.
Key features:
- Wholesale distribution to premium outlets like Business Insider and Yahoo Finance
- AI-powered campaign creation and outreach
- Index content directly on AI chatbots like ChatGPT, Perplexity, and more
- No charge for images, extra words, etc.
Best for: Startups, agencies, SEO teams
Limitations: Doesn’t carry the legacy “wire” prestige
So put your news where it matters. Try Press Ranger and get wholesale distribution plus AI-driven outreach without legacy wire costs.
2. PR Newswire (Cision): Best for maximum reach
PR Newswire is the giant of this space. Its network covers more than 4,000 websites and 3,000 media outlets worldwide. Big corporations, governments, and regulated industries rely on it for the credibility and compliance it brings. The upside is obvious: massive reach and recognition. But it comes at a cost. National distribution runs $650 – 645 for just 400 words, with another $140 for every extra 100 words. With multimedia, the price is even higher. Targeting is limited, too, so it’s more about blasting wide than going narrow.
Key features:
- Global reach via thousands of outlets
- Backed by Cision for analytics and media tools
- Widely used by enterprise brands
Best for: Corporations with big budgets.
Limitations: Expensive, not precise.
3. Business Wire: Best for financial and regulatory disclosures
Berkshire Hathaway’s Business Wire is the gold standard for financial news. It’s the platform that prioritizes compliance and investor trust, distributing to analysts, institutions, and journalists who track corporate finance. Pricing starts at $760 for 400 words, with $195 for every 100 words after that. For public companies, the credibility is worth it. For smaller brands, probably not at that price. This is a platform that makes sense when accuracy and trust are non-negotiable.
Key features:
- SEC-compliant financial press distribution
- Wide investor and analyst audience
- Trusted by Fortune 500s
Best for: Public companies, investor relations.
Limitations: It can get expensive.
4. GlobeNewswire: Best for corporate and investor communications
GlobeNewswire, run by Notified (Meltwater), focuses on corporate and investor comms. It distributes to thousands of newsrooms, financial portals, and aggregators like Yahoo Finance and MarketWatch. Multinational firms often use it for quarterly results, product launches, or M&A announcements. The downside: pricing isn’t listed anywhere, so you’ll need a sales call to get a quote. For organizations with a need for global financial reach, GlobeNewswire can be a great choice.
Key features:
- International distribution to corporate media
- Syndication to Yahoo Finance and MarketWatch
- Investor-focused targeting
Best for: Corporate comms, investor relations.
Limitations: Hidden pricing.
5. PRWeb: Best budget option for smaller brands
PRWeb is Cision’s more affordable option. Plans range from $110 to $455 per release. That gets you distribution to online outlets, search engines, and social media platforms. It’s approachable for small businesses, nonprofits, or startups.
The higher tiers extend reach with journalist lists and broader syndication. The trade-off is in targeting and analytics; they’re basic compared to more premium services. If your main goal is links and you care less about SEO and AI optimization, PRWeb is a practical way to get started.
Key features:
- Plans from $110–$455
- Syndication to 1,200+ outlets
- Built-in search and social visibility
Best for: Startups, SMBs, nonprofits
Limitations: Limited analytics and targeting, no premium publishers
6. eReleases: Best hybrid of wire reach + human review
eReleases combines the credibility of PR Newswire with editorial review. Every release is checked for clarity and polish before going out. That can improve your chances of media pickup while avoiding beginner mistakes.
Pricing ranges from $399 to $699, depending on word count and features. Its slower turnaround and mid-range pricing are a downside that can put off businesses where speed is critical. For small businesses wanting PR Newswire-level distribution with some guidance, eReleases still does a great job.
Key features:
- Access to the PR Newswire network
- Human editorial review
- Packages from $399–$699
Best for: Small businesses needing support
Limitations: Slower than automated services
7. Newswire.com: Easy to use and wide reach
Newswire.com keeps things straightforward. The interface is clean, the process is simple, and packages range from $349 to $899, including analytics and media monitoring. Distribution goes across Yahoo News, Google News, the Associated Press, and industry-specific lists. While it doesn’t have the prestige of PR Newswire or Business Wire, it’s much more approachable for mid-market brands that want reach without the hassle of legacy systems.
Key features:
- Simple release builder and dashboard
- Distribution to Yahoo, Google News, AP
- Affordable mid-tier pricing
Best for: Mid-sized companies
Limitations: Less prestige than legacy wires
8. 24-7 Press Release: best for affordable SEO & social boost
24-7 Press Release is made for smaller businesses that want visibility without breaking the bank. Packages range from $89 to $449 with a focus on SEO indexing and easy social sharing. It’s straightforward and accessible, but analytics are limited, and global reach isn’t its strong suit. For local launches, quick announcements, or businesses chasing online visibility, it’s a great, cost-effective option.
Key features:
- Pricing starts at $89 per release
- SEO-focused distribution
- Social sharing features
Best for: Startups and small businesses
Limitations: Limited reporting and global reach
9. Send2Press: best for guided, hands-on distribution
Send2Press adds human expertise to every release. A PR professional reviews and refines your content before it goes out. Packages range from $119 to $529, covering newspapers, trade journals, TV, and radio across the U.S. The personal touch is great for newcomers or smaller teams who want to make sure their release is up to standard. It does have a slower turnaround, since reviews take time, but for guidance plus distribution, Send2Press is a great option.
Key features:
- PR expert review built in
- U.S. reaches across print, online, TV, and radio
- Packages from $119–$529
Best for: Small businesses and beginners.
Limitations: Slower than automated wires.
10. PR Underground: best for low-cost recurring plans
PR Underground is one of the few platforms offering subscription pricing. Instead of paying per release, you can opt for plans that include several each month. A single release starts at $74.99, while the Gold plan ($129.99/month for 3 releases) and Premium ($209.99/month for 6 releases) are great for frequent users. Distribution includes Google News, Yahoo Finance, MarketWatch, and 100+ outlets, with SEO baked in. It’s not as prestigious as a legacy wire, but if you send out news often, the predictable cost makes a big difference.
Key features:
- Subscription-style pricing
- Coverage via Yahoo, Google News, MarketWatch
- SEO and social boost
Best for: Startups and agencies with frequent news
Limitations: Lacks recognition of top-tier wires
Closing Thoughts
Most companies treat press release distribution like another thing to get over with. That’s why so many releases end up lost in the same aggregator feeds. But there’s room to do more. You can treat distribution as a strategic channel: test multiple platforms, mix in outreach, and measure what actually drives coverage. The tools we covered here are starting points, but the rest is up to you.
Our pick for the best press release distribution is Press Ranger. Being able to get all of the high quality publishers and indexing in AI chatbots and still have the best price is just too good to pass up.