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Cheapest press release distribution: what each price buys
The lowest prices we read on public pages (5 Nov 2026) are free (PRLog, ad-supported) and US$21 for one release (IssueWire). Plans that name news sites run from about US$60 to US$300. Press Elevate is not the cheapest: US$899 includes writing, 400+ sites and a live-link report.
Updated 5 Nov 2026
What does each price buy?
Swipe the table sideways to see all columns.
| Price per release | Examples on public pages (read 5 Nov 2026) | What those pages show |
|---|---|---|
| Free to US$49 | PRLog: free (ad-supported), US$29, US$49. IssueWire: US$21 for one release (its page also shows “first PR is free”). 24-7 Press Release: US$29 (own site only), US$49. | Posting on the vendor’s own site or a small network. PRLog’s free tier is hosted on PRLog and search engines; PR Newswire is a paid add-on. IssueWire says its free release gets “up to 35+ sites”; its “300 media outlets” is only for the paid top tier. |
| US$60 to US$149 | PR.com: US$60, US$100. 24-7: US$89. Send2Press: US$99. EmailWire: US$99. PRWeb: from US$120. EIN Presswire: US$149. | News-site distribution. You write the release. Word limits and site lists differ by plan, so ask for the list in writing. |
| US$199 to US$300 | Send2Press: US$199 to US$289. 24-7: US$199. PR.com: US$300. EmailWire: US$299 with writing. | Bigger or national networks. PR.com lists AP outlets only in its US$300 plan. |
| US$399 to US$699 | Newswire.com: US$399 and up. eReleases: US$399, US$499, US$699. 24-7: US$479. PRWeb: up to US$480. | PR Newswire or larger networks. eReleases writing is US$300 extra. |
| US$899 to US$1,499 | Press Elevate: Core US$899, Global US$1,499. | We write it. 400+ (Core) or 500+ (Global) news and finance sites. A report with every live link. You pay after you approve the draft. |
Is the cheapest option the right one?
- Pick a free or very low-cost service if you write well, have almost no budget and only need your news on the web.
- Pick a self-serve wire if you will write your own release and want known news sites: for example PRWeb from US$120 or EIN Presswire from US$149.
- Pick Press Elevate if you want the release written for you and your approval before you pay. We cost more than every self-serve plan above, because we write it.
When is US$899 worth it?
Add up what you would otherwise pay. At eReleases, the US$399 Buzz Builder (400 words) plus US$300 for writing is US$699. Those are different products with different networks, so compare the site lists. If you already have a finished release, the gap to a US$120–149 service is real, and a self-serve wire is the better buy. More services side by side: PR cost comparison.
What can no price promise?
No price buys press coverage, a ranking or a number of visits. A newsroom can see a paid release and may choose to cover you. See Are press releases worth it?
Short answers
What is the cheapest way to distribute a press release?
On the pages we read (5 Nov 2026): free with PRLog (ad-supported) or US$21 for one release with IssueWire. Some low plans post only on the vendor’s own site, so compare what each plan includes.
Do cheap plans reach the same sites as dearer ones?
Not necessarily. IssueWire says its free release gets up to 35+ sites and its “300 media outlets” applies to a paid top tier (read 5 Nov 2026). Ask for the site list in writing.
Is Press Elevate the cheapest press release service?
No. Press Elevate costs US$899 (Core) or US$1,499 (Global), more than every self-serve plan we read. The price includes writing, 400+ or 500+ sites, a live-link report and payment only after you approve the draft.
Sources and read dates
- Prices re-read on 5 Nov 2026: EIN Presswire, PRWeb, eReleases, Newswire.com, 24-7 Press Release, PRLog, Send2Press, PR.com, IssueWire, EmailWire. Plans and prices change.
- Our offer: pricing and FAQ. Related: EIN Presswire alternative, press release writing service, distribution for startups.
If the flat-fee route fits
We reply within one business day with a free release plan. You approve the draft before you pay.
Email app did not open? Write to support@presselevate.com from any inbox. Use the subject “Order: Core Coverage ($899)” or “Order: Global Coverage ($1,499)”.