- HARO alternatives compared
- Nine HARO alternatives to sign up for
- Why accuracy wins you the quote
- Free email requests or a full PR platform?
- Questions to ask before you sign up
- How to write a pitch journalists use
- Signs your journalist pitching needs work
- My plain advice on choosing a HARO alternative
- Frequently asked questions
The best HARO alternatives send you requests from journalists looking for expert sources, so you can pitch a quote and earn coverage. Some are free daily email services, others are platforms with AI help, media databases and press release tools. Nine options follow in no particular order.
Answering journalist requests is still one of the quickest ways for a small business owner to get quoted in the press. You don't need an agency, just a good answer, sent fast, to the right request.
The nine services below are listed alphabetically and in no particular order, and every description comes from the service's own website, read this week. If you're new to this, my guide on how to master HARO-style requests walks through the pitching side.
HARO alternatives compared
In the free plan column, Yes means the tool's own site names a free plan, a free version, a free account or open source software. Trial only means a time-limited trial. Not stated means the pages I read named neither, even where there's a button inviting you to start for free.
| Tool | Type | Good for | Free plan |
|---|---|---|---|
| Featured | AI co-pilot for PR opportunities | Finding many media opportunities in one place | Not stated |
| JournoLink | PR platform for agencies and small businesses | Small businesses doing their own PR | Not stated |
| MentionMatch | Matching B2B writers with expert sources | B2B experts and SaaS marketers | Not stated |
| ProfNet | Expert source network from PR Newswire | Established expert networks | Not stated |
| Qwoted | Platform connecting media with expert sources | Building relationships with reporters | Yes |
| ResponseSource | Journalist enquiry service | UK journalist enquiries | Trial only |
| Semrush AI PR Toolkit | PR and media relations software (formerly Prowly) | Media lists and press releases | Trial only |
| Source of Sources | Reporter and expert source matching | Quick, free daily media queries | Yes |
| SourceBottle | Free publicity call-outs from journalists | Australian and UK call-outs | Yes |
Nine HARO alternatives to sign up for
Featured
Best for: Founders and experts who want media opportunities gathered in one place, with AI help to submit pitches and track them.
JournoLink
Best for: UK small businesses and agencies that want to write press releases and reach journalists with AI help.
MentionMatch
Best for: B2B founders and SaaS marketers who want writers covering business topics to find them as expert sources.
ProfNet
Best for: PR teams and universities that want their experts in front of journalists through a long-running source network.
Qwoted
Best for: Experts and PR agencies that want a free account to answer journalist requests and build ongoing reporter relationships.
ResponseSource
Best for: UK PR teams and businesses that want journalist enquiries sent to them, with a media database alongside.
Semrush AI PR Toolkit
Best for: In-house marketers who want a media database, press releases and AI visibility tracking from the Semrush PR toolkit.
Source of Sources
Best for: Experts who want free daily media queries by email and are happy to follow strict rules on relevant pitches.
SourceBottle
Best for: Small businesses in Australia, the UK and beyond who want free journalist and blogger call-outs for publicity.
Why accuracy wins you the quote
Journalists in the UK work to rules, and accuracy comes first. Clause 1 of IPSO's Editors' Code of Practice says the press must take care not to publish inaccurate, misleading or distorted information or images.
That's why a pitch with one clear, checkable fact gets used more often than a long, vague opinion. Give the reporter your name, title, a sentence they can quote and a source for any number you mention. You're making their job easier, and they remember that.
Free email requests or a full PR platform?
Free request services send you queries by email and leave the pitching to you. They suit solo experts who can answer quickly. Full PR platforms add media databases, press release tools and AI help, which suits in-house marketers and agencies.
Check which countries each service covers, too. Some lean towards US outlets, while others have strong UK, Australian or B2B audiences.
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Questions to ask before you sign up
- Which countries and outlets does it cover?
- How often do requests arrive in my topic?
- Can I filter requests so I only see relevant ones?
- Does it ban irrelevant pitches, and how strictly?
- Can I see which journalist is asking before I reply?
- Is there a free option to test it?
Getting a story out is covered in our press release distribution roundup.
How to write a pitch journalists use
Lead with the answer, not your biography. A reporter scanning dozens of replies wants a sentence they can drop straight into their article, followed by one line on who you are and why you're qualified to say it.
Keep it under 150 words, answer only what was asked and add a source for any number. If the request asks for a photo or a link, send exactly that. And don't chase. If your answer's good and on time, they'll use it or they won't, and the next request's already waiting.
Finally, keep a swipe file of your best answers. You'll see the same kinds of questions again and again, and a polished answer you can adapt in two minutes is how busy experts keep up with requests.
Tools for managing media relations are listed in our PR software roundup.
Signs your journalist pitching needs work
- You never hear back. Check you're on topic.
- Your answers run long. Lead with one quotable line.
- You reply a day late. Speed wins.
- Facts lack a source. Add one every time.
Do you make a journalist request or PR platform? Tool makers can ask to be considered for a featured place on this list.
My plain advice on choosing a HARO alternative
Sign up for two services that cover your country and topic, then answer only the requests where you're a real expert. Five sharp, relevant pitches a week will beat fifty rushed ones every time.
Speed matters as much as quality, because reporters often use the first good answer. My guide to digital PR and SEO shows how press mentions feed your search visibility too.
Frequently asked questions
What replaced HARO?
Several services now send journalist requests to experts. The list above includes free email services and full PR platforms, in no particular order.
Are there free HARO alternatives?
Some services offer free daily requests or free accounts. The free plan column shows what each service's own site says.
How do I get quoted by journalists?
Answer quickly, stay on topic, give a short quotable sentence and back any fact with a source.
Why do journalists check facts so carefully?
IPSO's Editors' Code says the press must take care not to publish inaccurate or misleading information.
Which services cover UK journalists?
Several services on this list have UK coverage. Their descriptions above mention their main audiences.
How many requests should I answer?
Only those where you're a real expert. Relevance matters more than volume.
