Most press release distribution service comparisons stop at price. Price matters, but it misses the more important question: what are you actually buying?
Both PR Newswire and eReleases send your release on the same national wire — the same infrastructure used by the AP, major newsrooms, and every large company announcing earnings or acquisitions. PR Newswire is eReleases’s authorized distribution partner. The difference is what you pay for that access, and what you get on top of it.
The price difference is quite significant.
The Short Answer
eReleases distributes on PR Newswire’s national wire. Not a regional cut, not a partner network that sounds like PR Newswire — the same wire. eReleases’ entry plan starts at $399. The equivalent national distribution purchased directly from PR Newswire costs at $1,145 per release. Plus an annual membership fee, and word count overages that push a 500-word release past $1,500.
That price gap isn’t the only difference. eReleases adds targeted outreach directly to the specific journalists most likely to cover your story. And it adds human editorial review to ensure your release is formatted correctly to be picked up. You get the wire and the targeting. Going direct to PR Newswire costs you more.
What PR Newswire Actually Costs
PR Newswire’s pricing is built for companies with PR departments and dedicated budget.
PR Newswire’s national distribution starts at $1,145 for a 400-word release. Add the required annual membership of a couple of hundred dollars. Then add word count overages per additional 100 words. In the end, a standard 500-word national release runs $1,500+ before extras. Throw in your company logo ($670) or an image ($550) and a single release can reach $2,700+.
eReleases offers three flat-rate plans with no membership fee:
- Buzz Builder — $399: 400 words, 1 industry journalist list, PR Newswire national distribution, editorial review, WireWatch™ pickup reporting
- Newsmaker — $499: 500 words, 2 industry journalist lists, same wire distribution
- PR Pro — $699: 600 words, 3 industry journalist lists plus a direct email send to the journalists most likely to cover your story.
First-time customers receive 30% off. No setup fees. No annual commitment.
The direct PR Newswire distribution value of its Buzz Builder plan is $1,145. eReleases charges $399 for it.
How eReleases Targets Journalists (and Why PR Newswire Doesn’t)
PR Newswire is a wire service. Your release goes on the wire, where newsrooms and journalists who monitor it can find it. That’s broadcast distribution: broad reach, no targeting. There’s no human selecting who gets your release based on their beat or coverage history.
eReleases works differently. Each morning, editors custom-build the journalist list for every release going out that day. They pull from a database of 1.7 million media contacts and hand-select the reporters most likely to cover your specific story based on beat, outlet, and past coverage.
Your release goes on the wire and arrives in the inboxes of journalists who subscribed to receive news in your industry. That’s the difference between a release that hits the wire and one that lands on the right desk.
The PR Pro plan adds the Cision Influencer List — a direct email send to journalists and influencers in addition to the wire that costs as much as $785 to access separately through Cision.
Sending to the whole wire isn’t targeting. The tech reporter at a regional paper doesn’t want your food industry announcement. eReleases’ editors make sure your releases get delivered to the right place.
Does PR Newswire Include Editorial Review?
No. PR Newswire’s platform is self-serve. You upload a release, and it goes out. If your headline is weak, your lede is buried, or your news hook is missing, the release will distribute that way. Journalists delete poorly structured releases before finishing the first sentence.
eReleases includes professional editorial review on every plan. A real editor reads your release before it goes out. That review is not an add-on. It’s included at $399.
PR Newswire vs. eReleases: Side by Side
| PR Newswire (direct) | eReleases | |
|---|---|---|
| Starting price (national) | $1,145 + $195 membership | $399, no membership |
| Word count overage | $365 per 100 words | $150 per 100 words |
| Distribution network | PR Newswire national wire | PR Newswire national wire |
| Journalist targeting | None | Hand-curated, all plans |
| Journalist database | — | 1.7M contacts |
| Editorial review | No | Yes, all plans |
| Multimedia | $550+ per item | $150 per image |
| Pickup reporting | Basic | WireWatch — live links within 2 hours |
| Built for | Enterprise, large brands | Small businesses, startups |
Which One Is Right for You
Choose PR Newswire direct if you’re a large company that needs customized distribution circuits, global reach across multiple markets, or the PR Newswire brand name on a major corporate announcement. Enterprise PR teams with dedicated staff and complex requirements will find more options going direct.
Choose eReleases if you want PR Newswire national distribution without the PR Newswire price. You get the same wire, targeted journalist outreach included with every plan, editorial review before every release, and flat-rate pricing with no annual fees. For small and mid-size businesses, eReleases is the direct path to national wire distribution.
Ready to send your release on PR Newswire’s national wire? Compare eReleases plans and pricing.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does eReleases use PR Newswire?
Yes. eReleases is an authorized national PR Newswire distribution partner. When you send a press release through eReleases, it goes on PR Newswire’s national wire — the same network major corporations use for significant announcements. eReleases has maintained this partnership for over 27 years.
How much does PR Newswire cost compared to eReleases?
PR Newswire’s national distribution starts at $1,145 per release, plus a $195 annual membership, plus word count overages of $365 per 100 words. A standard 500-word national release typically runs $1,510 before add-ons. eReleases’ Newsmaker plan covers the same national wire for $499 with no membership fee.
Is eReleases better than PR Newswire for small businesses?
For most small businesses, yes. eReleases provides the same national distribution at roughly one-third the direct price, plus targeted journalist outreach and editorial review that PR Newswire direct doesn’t include. PR Newswire’s direct platform is designed for enterprise teams with larger budgets and more complex distribution needs.
What is the difference between eReleases and PR Newswire journalist targeting?
PR Newswire puts your release on the wire. Journalists who monitor the wire see it. eReleases adds a targeted layer: human editors build an industry-specific journalist list each morning from a 1.7 million contact database and send your release directly to the reporters most likely to cover your story. The PR Pro plan adds a Cision Influencer email send on top — a direct outreach layer that costs up to $785 to access separately through Cision.
What is WireWatch™ reporting?
WireWatch™ is eReleases’ pickup tracking system. It delivers live links to your release as it gets picked up across news sites — typically within two hours of distribution. You can see exactly where your release landed, rather than waiting days or manually searching for it.
Can small businesses afford PR Newswire distribution?
Yes, through eReleases. Going directly to PR Newswire for national distribution costs $1,145+ per release before fees and add-ons. eReleases provides the same PR Newswire national distribution starting at $399 with no annual membership — built for small businesses that need national wire access without an enterprise budget.
Mickie Kennedy founded eReleases.com in 1998 after watching PR firms charge small businesses a $20,000 minimum for a single press release. For 27 years, he’s been closing that gap — distributing 150,000+ releases via Cision PR Newswire, serving 30,000+ clients including Manscaped, Squatty Potty, and 40+ Shark Tank brands, and generating $132M+ in earned media. A sought-after podcast guest and two-time Amazon bestselling author of Beginner’s Guide to Writing Powerful Press Releases and The PR Strategy Manifesto. Mickie holds an MFA in Creative Writing from George Mason University. Based in Baltimore, MD. LinkedIn