Sending press releases is one of the most tried-and-true ways to get the word out about your business and build your brand credibility. If you’re looking for a low-cost way to get started, I’ve compiled the eight best places to get free press release distribution for your story.
Some services offer 100% free distribution with no strings attached, while others have limitations on your coverage. Either way, they’re a good starting point for growing your brand.
- PRLog: Best free press release distribution service overall
- EIN Presswire: Best for distributing to major news sites
- IssueWire: Best for multimedia press releases
- PR.com: Best for industry-targeted press releases
- openPR: Best for distributing to Google News
- PRFree: Best for distributing to search engines
- NewswireToday: Best for RSS distribution
- 1888PressRelease: Best for basic press release hosting
NOTE: Free platforms offer limited reach and virtually no targeting, so your story might not get to the journalists or readers you want to reach. Instead, consider using an industry-level service like EIN Presswire for guaranteed placements, direct-to-journalist emails, and targeting (and use free distribution as a supplemental resource for added reach). |  |
Best Free Press Release Distribution Services at a Glance
Unlimited Free Press Releases | Free Plan Distributes to News Sites | Free Plan Distributes to Search Engines | Free Plan Hosts Your Press Release on Its Website | Expert Score | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
 | ✓ | ✕ | ✓ | ✓ | 4.96 out of 5 |
| ✕ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | 4.75 out of 5 |
 | ✕ | ✕ | ✕ | ✓ | 4.61 out of 5 |
 | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | 3.81 out of 5 |
| ✓ | ✕ | ✓ | ✓ | 3.74 out of 5 |
 | ✓ | ✕ | ✓ | ✓ | 3.51 out of 5 |
| ✓ | ✕ | ✕ | ✕ | 3.09 out of 5 |
 | ✓ | ✕ | ✕ | ✓ | 3.01 out of 5 |
PRLog: Best Free Press Release Distribution Service Overall
Pros
- Free-forever plan distributes to search engines, RSS feeds, and PRLog website.
- All press releases have keyword optimization and social sharing.
- You can send multiple press releases for free.
Cons
- You can only get detailed analytics from paid plans.
- Free plans include ads.
- There’s a 500-word limit, plus $10 per 100 words.
Free | Basic | Premium | Premium 2 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Cost per Press Release | $0 | $29 | $49* | $99* |
Ad-free | ✕ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
Search Engine Distribution | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
PRLog Hosting | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
RSS Feeds Distribution | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
Industry Distribution | 1 | 1 | 3 | 5 |
Keywords | 1 | 3 | 8 | 10 |
Location Listings | 1 country, state, and city | 1 country, state, and city | 1 country, state, and city | 2 countries, states, and cities |
Distribution to 8,000 Subscribers | ✕ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
Social Sharing | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
*More press releases are available at higher costs. | ||||
If you’re looking for a 100% free press release distribution service with no strings attached, our top recommendation is PRLog. PRLog is one of the most comprehensive free press release sites.
Its free plan includes the distribution of multiple press releases to search engines, RSS feeds, emails, and the PRLog site—all completely free. It even has a free press room where you can host your releases, which makes it easy for journalists to discover all your news.
PRLog offers an unlimited number of free press releases. (Source: PRLog)
You can even include links in your press release—a premium service from some competitors. You can also specify keywords where you want your press release to appear, which is significantly helpful for improving your press release’s search engine rankings. The only drawback is that all your free press releases will come with ads—you’ll need to upgrade to the paid plans for no ads.
However, you can distribute as many press releases as you need for free with PRLog, which is helpful for any small business. If you absolutely need a free service, we recommend this one.
EIN Presswire: Best for Distributing to Major News Sites
Pros
- It distributes to major news sites and search engines including AP News and Google.
- All press releases go through an editorial review.
- Same-day distribution is available even on the free plan.
- Free plan includes a detailed report.
Cons
- Only 1 press release is free.
- Free press releases can only be sent to 1 distribution channel.
- Free press release doesn’t include images or video.
Free | Basic | Pro+ | Corporate | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Cost* | $0 | $99.95 | $399 | $999 |
No. of Press Releases | 1 | 1 | 5 | 25 |
Distribution Channels | 1 | Multiple | Multiple | Multiple |
Images in Press Release | ✕ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
Distribution Report | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
Distribution to Major News Sites (Google News, Bloomberg, etc.) | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
Distribution to Major Search Engines (Google, Bing, etc.) | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | |
Editorial Review Process | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
*Pricing for individual press releases is also available at higher rates. | ||||
While PRLog has an impressive free plan, one major area it lacks is distribution to major news sites like AP News and Google News. For that, the best free PR distribution service is EIN Presswire.
While it is not technically a free press release service, it offers your first press release for free. It’s also our top press release service overall for its audience targeting and news distribution, including major news sites like those mentioned above.
EIN Presswire distributes your first press release free of charge. (Source: EIN Presswire)
However, on the free plan, you can only distribute to one channel of your choice, meaning you can only distribute to either Google News or AP News, and so on, and not both. Also, your press release won’t have any images or video.
However, EIN Presswire has a wide scope of distribution and is very easy to use. You only need to upload your press release, and then it’ll go through an editorial review before it’s sent out on the same day.
Overall, because it only allows one press release for free, we recommend EIN Presswire most if you have one big news announcement you want to share on major news sites. For example, if you have a grand store opening or a major product launch, EIN Presswire is your best bet at gaining widespread coverage and attention.
IssueWire: Best for Multimedia Press Releases
Pros
- Free press releases can include 5 images and 2 videos
- Press releases are keyword-optimized and distributed to social media, even for free
- Your free press release is hosted permanently on IssueWire
Cons
- Only 1 press release is free
- Free plan doesn’t distribute to news sites or search engines
- Press releases have ads until Tier 2 Pro plan costing $65
Free | Tier 1 Pro | Tier 1 | Tier 2 Pro | Tier 2 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Cost per Press Release | $0 | $42 | $21 | $65 | $45 |
Images Included | 5 | 5 | 5 | 5 | 5 |
Embed YouTube and Vimeo | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
Distribution to Search Engines (Google, Bing, etc.) | ✕ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
Distribution to Major News Sites (USA TV, FOX, etc.) | ✕ | ✕ | ✕ | ✓ | ✓ |
US Nationwide Distribution | ✕ | ✓ | ✕ | ✓ | ✕ |
Keyword-optimized Press Releases | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
Social Media Blast | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
Ad-free | ✕ | ✕ | ✕ | ✓ | ✓ |
Press releases benefit so much more from images or videos. They tell your story more comprehensively to journalists and their audiences while making it easier to understand. The problem is that most free press release submission sites don’t include multimedia on the free plan—except IssueWire. IssueWire lets you add up to five images to your press release and a YouTube or Vimeo video, even on the free plan.
IssueWire lets you include up to 5 images in your free press release, plus YouTube and Vimeo embeds. (Source: IssueWire)
Your press release will also be search engine-optimized and distributed to social media channels—although not to news sites or search engines, which is the main drawback. Additionally, to distribute to Google, Yahoo, Bing, and major news sites, you’ll need a paid plan. Also, your press release will still have ads. However, you can include up to four links in your document, and it’ll be hosted permanently on the IssueWire site.
While these are considerable drawbacks, IssueWire is still one of the best free PR sites, especially if you have a visual press release with images and video and want to broadcast on social media more than traditional outlets.
PR.com: Best for Industry-targeted Press Releases
Pros
- It offers free industry targeting up to 5 industries.
- It offers free distribution to search engines, PR.com, some news sites, and RSS feeds.
- You can send multiple press releases for free.
Cons
- Free plan doesn’t include links (add an extra $29.95 per link).
- Same-day distribution costs $300.
- You cannot embed media on the free plan.
Cost per Press Release* | $0 | $60 | $100 | $300 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Industry Targeting | 5 industries | 10 industries | 10 industries | 10 industries |
Hosting on PR.com | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
Search Engine Distribution | Limited | Full | Full | Full |
News Sites Distribution | Limited | Full | Full | Full |
RSS Feeds Distribution | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
Social Media Distribution | ✕ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
Next-day Distribution | ✕ | ✕ | ✓ | ✓ |
Same-day Distribution | ✕ | ✕ | ✕ | ✓ |
*Add links to your press release for an additional $29.95 per link. | ||||
PR.com provides a free service for distributing press releases that include industry targeting. You can target up to five industries and three geographic regions. Additionally, you get publishing on PR.com, keyword optimization for SEO, and file attachments for adding video, images, or other types of media to your release. Most importantly, you can send as many free PR packages as you need.
PR.com is your best option for industry-targeted press releases. (Source: PR.com)
While you can publish a release for free on PR.com, including a link to your website or landing page costs $29.95 per link, much higher than other services. Also, it doesn’t offer same-day distribution until the highest plan, which costs $300 a month, so it’s not the best for urgent news updates.
However, if your top priority is industry targeting, PR.com is one of the best free press release distribution sites. Your press release will end up on general search engines, RSS feeds, and the PR.com website. All you need to do is sign up for an account, fill out your information, upload your press release, and wait for it to be sent.
openPR: Best for Distributing to Google News
Pros
- It distributes to Google News.
- It also distributes to search engines and RSS feeds.
- You can include logos and links on the free version.
Cons
- It is limited to 1 free release every 30 days.
- It only supports up to 3 links.
- You’ll need to pay to edit or delete your press release.
openPR is 100% free for 1 press release every 30 days. However, you can also purchase press release credits for repeat distributions.
Press Release Credits | Approximate Cost (Converted From Euros) |
|---|---|
1 | $20.72 |
10 | $64.34 |
30 | $75.25 |
50 | $86.15 |
100 | $129.77 |
500 | $435.12 |
If you want to distribute your press release specifically to Google and Google News, openPR is one of the best free platforms. It specifically targets those placements and even optimizes your document with the right keywords and SEO best practices to increase your chances of ranking on Google. openPR also distributes to other search engines and RSS feeds.
openPR specifically targets placement on Google News. (Source: openPR)
However, the primary disadvantage of openPR is that you can only distribute one press release a month for free. For more frequent press releases, you’ll need to purchase credits, which you can redeem anytime you need to send a press release. Also, openPR only supports up to three links per press release, which is considerably fewer than most others.
But if you only need to send a press release once every month and want a no-cost option, openPR is a good candidate. Since it distributes to Google (and Google News), you’re also guaranteed a wide enough coverage.
PRFree: Best for Distributing to Search Engines
Pros
- You can distribute to major search engines for free.
- There’s no limit to how many free press releases you can send.
- Your press release will be hosted on the PRFree website.
Cons
- It doesn’t distribute to major news sites like AP News or Google News, even on paid plans.
- Free press releases don’t have images, videos, or links.
- It has no keyword optimization for press releases.
Free | Basic | Premium | |
|---|---|---|---|
Cost per Press Release | $0 | $19 | $39 |
Search Engine Distribution | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
Hosting on PRFree.com | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
Live URL | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
Add 20 Images | ✕ | ✓ | ✓ |
Add 5 Videos | ✕ | ✕ | ✓ |
Add 10 Links | ✕ | ✕ | ✓ |
Ad-free | ✕ | ✓ | ✓ |
PRFree is one of the best free press release sites for distributing exclusively to search engines. While it doesn’t distribute to major news sites like AP News or Google News, it makes up for it by distributing to all major search engines, including Google and Bing.
PRFree is ideal for distributing to search engines. (Source: PRFree)
However, the free plan unfortunately does not support images, videos, or in-document links, which can be detrimental to your press release’s quality and backlinking. You’ll need to upgrade to higher plans for those. It also doesn’t optimize your document with keywords, which docks it a few more points. And, your press release will also have ads.
On the plus side, the platform is very easy to use, and your press release will be hosted on the site permanently. You can also distribute as many as you need, so I find it most helpful for helping boost your SEO on search engines or as an extension of your SEO content marketing efforts.
NewswireToday: Best for RSS Distribution
Pros
- It has a free-forever plan so you can publish as many press releases as you like.
- It distributes to RSS feeds of people interested in your field.
Cons
- Free plan only distributes to RSS feeds.
- Your free press release will have ads—not great for credibility.
- Free press releases don’t allow images, videos, or links.
Free Basic Submission | Press Room/Social Wall | Site Launch Boost | Premium Articles PRO | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Cost per Press Release | $0 | $199 | $129 | $399 |
RSS Feeds Distribution | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
Social Media Distribution | ✕ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
Search Engine & News Outlet Distribution | ✕ | ✕ | ✓ | ✓ |
Ad-free | ✕ | ✕ | ✓ | ✓ |
Same-day Publishing | ✕ | ✕ | ✓ | ✓ |
RSS feeds, aka Really Simple Syndication feeds, are one of the simplest ways to get your brand mentioned across the internet. They work like news aggregators that users subscribe to to get updates within their area of interest, whether that’s gaming, tech, or sports. As such, they’re a reliable way to get your news story noticed by people interested in your industry.
NewswireToday offers free distribution to RSS feeds. (Source: NewswireToday)
One of the best free press release distribution services that can help you with that is NewswireToday. It’s a free-forever service that lets you distribute your story to RSS feeds, with higher plans that can also distribute press releases across search engines and social media. However, NewswireToday is also one of the more basic, lesser-known sites, and your press release will have a good amount of ads, which isn’t great for your credibility.
Your press release also won’t be prioritized for publishing, so it’s not ideal for sending out important, timely announcements. They also don’t allow image or video embedding or interlinking. Overall, NewswireToday is mostly best for simply getting your story across to readers interested in your field and growing your brand authority.
1888PressRelease: Best for Basic Press Release Hosting
Pros
- It offers a free and easy way to get your press release online.
- It can host unlimited press releases on the website.
Cons
- It doesn’t distribute to other news websites or search engines.
- Press releases aren’t hosted permanently.
- You need to pay an extra $50 to optimize your press release for SEO.
Free | Diamond | Ultimate Plus | |
|---|---|---|---|
Cost per Press Release | $0 | $50 | $249 |
Hosting on 1888PressRelease.com | Temporary | Permanent | Permanent |
Distribution to Google News and Social Media | ✕ | ✓ | ✓ |
Images Included | ✕ | 10 | 15 |
File Attachments | ✕ | ✓ | ✓ |
Video Included | ✕ | ✓ | ✓ |
SEO Press Releases | ✕ | ✕ | ✓ |
Ad-free | ✕ | ✓ | ✓ |
*1888PressRelease offers other pricing tiers. | |||
Finally, if you’re only looking for a fast and basic way to get your press release online without all the extras, the best answer is 1888PressRelease. Rather than a traditional press release distribution service, 1888PressRelease is more of a free press release hosting site for small businesses across the country. However, it also has paid plans for distribution to news outlets and RSS feeds.
That’s the main disadvantage of 1888PressRelease: you’ll need to pay to have your release distributed outside of its website. You’ll also need to pay an extra $50 fee for your document to be optimized for search engines, which is a free service from most other providers.
1888PressRelease offers a free and easy way to get your press release online. (Source: 1888PressRelease)
1888PressRelease’s free plan only allows you to host your document on its website, nothing more, nothing less. It’s for this reason that I only recommend it as a supplement to your other press release efforts. For example, if you’ve published your press release on a different service, you can also place it on 1888PressRelease to generate more buzz.
How We Evaluated the Best Free Press Release Distribution Sites
At the very least, a free press release service should get your press release published online at no cost. Even better, if they can get your story in front of journalists, news outlets, bloggers, or even on social media. These factors, and more, all affect how we evaluate the best free press release sites.
25% of Overall Score
Not all free press release services are equal. Some are free forever, while others only offer the first one free. Given that this list focuses primarily on free providers, we give a higher ranking to those that are free to use forever.
25% of Overall Score
It doesn’t just matter whether a service is free. Equally important is what it can offer you. The most essential press release services include distribution to various news outlets and RSS feeds, basic-level audience targeting, the ability to include links and multimedia, and how quickly it can distribute your document.
25% of Overall Score
Aside from the essentials, some platforms go the extra mile and offer ancillary services like SEO keyword optimization, video embeds, social media sharing, analytics, and multiple languages. These services can significantly improve the quality of your press release, and the platforms offering them are therefore scored higher.
15% of Overall Score
Finally, we graded the services above based on our own experience with each platform. This involves the quality of their features, their usability, effectiveness, and value for money.
10% of Overall Score
Good support is essential to any service. We evaluated the platforms above based on their customer service hours and outlets (phone, email, chat), and if they have self-serve knowledge bases for you to explore.
Best Alternatives to Free Press Release Sites
Using free press release platforms can help garner publicity, but they have some significant shortcomings. For example, they lack guaranteed placements, direct-to-journalist emails, advanced targeting, and distribution to major news sites and media outlets.
Plus, you can expect your story to compete with many ads, which doesn’t give your brand the spotlight and could even detract from your credibility. Learn what these services offer and more about your other options in our guide to the best press release distribution services for small businesses.
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From $99.95 | From $399 | From $349 | From $159 |
Distribution Services | Free Service | Paid Service |
|---|---|---|
Pricing | Free | $21-$499 per release |
Distribution | Limited outlets, and some with limited publication (e.g., 90 days) | Massive reach across thousands of international, national, and regional digital and traditional outlets (TV, print, radio, digital) and permanent hosting to increase brand visibility |
Analytics | No performance reporting | Comprehensive analytics reports |
Quality of Newswire | Press release publishing on low-quality sites rather than distribution to premium outlets | Direct email lists with millions of journalists and influencers and subscribing journalists who look to the newswire as a key source of stories |
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
The best way to send a press release for free is via a free distribution service such as PRLog or EIN Presswire’s free plan. PRLog has a free-forever service that lets you send your press release to search engines, RSS feeds, and the PRLog website.
Meanwhile, EIN Presswire only offers your first press release free of charge, but it includes the full-service treatment including editorial review, same-day distribution, and distribution to major news outlets and search engines.
Press release distribution costs range from 100% free with services like PRLog and PR.com to upwards of $350 per press release for paid services like Newswire and eReleases. However, free services can have significant limitations, such as ads and limited exposure. For professional distribution to major news outlets, paid services are the better option. Most paid services cost anywhere from $100 to $400 per press release.
Yes, you can submit a press release to Google News for free using a service like openPR, which distributes to Google News. However, that doesn’t guarantee that it’ll get picked up and published on the platform. Google’s algorithm will still assess if it passes its standards. Google News is also an aggregator, so even if you publish your press release on a separate news site, it can still end up being crawled on Google News.
Bottom Line
Sending a press release has long been a reliable way of getting your brand into the public consciousness. And free press release distribution services are a fast and easy way to do that. The services above are some of the best places to get started and dip your feet into press release distribution. When you’re ready, upgrade to a paid press release service for more professional, industry-level press releases.
