Media Industry, Nonprofits, Public Relations Industry
PRWeb vs. PR Newswire – What’s the Difference and Which One Is Right for Your Announcement
If you’ve ever Googled “how to distribute a press release,” you’ve probably come across two channels: PRWeb and PR Newswire. On paper, they both promise to get your news out there in a meaningful way. And, while this is true, these two Cision services operate at different speeds, catering to various needs with varying pricing models. Whether you're promoting a program launch, announcing new funding or just trying to build brand visibility, choosing the right distribution service is dependent on your goals and desired outcome.
So, if you’re wondering which one you should use (and when), let’s get into the details of what each service does best, how much they cost and what kind of outcomes you can expect.
PRWeb
PRWeb is designed for businesses looking to build online visibility rather than break major news. It’s often used by small businesses, solo founders, nonprofits and marketing teams that want to improve SEO or establish an online presence for a lower cost.
When you publish a release on PRWeb, your release shows up on online news portals, industry websites and sometimes on Google News. You can expect it to get picked up by local outlets and act as a content marketing tool that helps your release get syndicated and become discoverable online.
Pricing-wise, PRWeb is on the lower side, with the highest package (which includes more options for distribution networks and a quicker turnaround time) costing around $600. You’ll pay more if you want to add things like images, videos or more directed outreach efforts, but overall, it’s on the affordable end and has minimal editorial requirements, making it fast and easy to use!
See an example here: American Psychological Foundation Appoints Five New Members to its Board of Trustees
PR Newswire
PR Newswire is what most people think of when they picture an “official” press release “hitting the wires.” Like PRWeb, this platform is built for media visibility and puts your news in front of media contacts at major, national publications.
Typically, PR Newswire releases may appear in mainstream outlets like Reuters, Yahoo! Finance and Bloomberg, and will be distributed directly to newsrooms and editorial systems. As opposed to PRWeb, which is used for SEO building, PR Newswire is a great asset for big announcements like venture funding, an executive hire, a partnership or anything that might be considered important information for people to know and track.
In addition, the editorial standards for PR Newswire are much higher than those of PRWeb’s, and releases go through a formal review process to meet clear guidelines (no fluff, no exaggerated claims). Because of this, PR Newswire is more of an investment, and pricing can go up to a few thousand depending on word count and if you add digital assets like photos and logos.
See an example here: SSP International Announces Doubled Capacity in its Summer Science Program, Expanded Partnerships with U.S. Colleges and Increased Financial Aid
So... When Should You Use PRWeb vs. PR Newswire?
Use PRWeb when:
- You’re focused on SEO, backlinks or boosting online brand presence
- You don’t have a huge budget
- Your release is more marketing-driven than news-driven, meaning your press release reads more like promotional content than a news announcement.
Use PR Newswire when:
- You have important organizational news to announce (funding, major hires, expansion, public policy, etc.)
- You want your release in front of real mainstream media outlets and journalists
- You’re looking for more professional credibility and online visibility
An Important Final Note…
You don’t have to pick a newswire service and stick to it! A lot of companies end up using both services at different points. PRWeb is great for establishing cadence like pushing out new thought leadership and seasonal announcements to keep your presence steady. PR Newswire is the one to pull out when it really matters, and you are looking to expand your story’s reach.
Whichever you choose, remember…. distribution is only one piece of your PR strategy. Strong content, clear messaging and strategic timing still matters. Picking the right platform? That’s step one!
