View the list
The Best HARO Alternatives
Missing HARO? These 7 tools offer with faster pitching, better results, and AI-powered discovery. Upgrade your PR and SEO outreach now.
If HARO was your go-to for press wins and backlinks, its sudden shutdown likely threw your outreach strategy into chaos.
For years, Help a Reporter Out connected brands with journalists hungry for expert quotes. Whether you were chasing PR coverage or SEO links, HARO made it feel easy.
It was a great alternative to popular link building services because it was a great way to earn powerful links for cheap.
But now that Connectively—the platform’s awkward rebrand—has gone silent, the scramble for replacements is on.
The good news? You’ve got options. Lots of them.
We spent 30 days benchmarking 17 HARO alternatives across five dimensions: journalist reach, link-building potential, ease of use, pricing transparency, and support quality.
Our team trialed big names like Qwoted and Prowly, under-the-radar picks like Source of Sources, and newer AI-driven upstarts like SEOBox.ai and PressPulse.
This guide breaks them down by use case. Whether you’re a solo founder seeking credibility, an SEO agency chasing bylines, or a PR team needing global reach, there’s a better-fit tool in here for you.
What to Look For in a HARO Alternative
There’s no universal best here. The right platform depends on what you're actually trying to land—quotes in media, guest bylines, or high-authority backlinks. The trade-offs show up fast.
Start with price versus value. Free tools like SourceBottle may work fine for occasional pitching. But if you're running campaigns weekly, you'll quickly outgrow them.
Paid platforms like JustReachOut or Press Hook are costlier, but their speed and success rate can justify the spend.
Next, match features to your workflow.
- Do you need a media database?
- Want to track open rates?
- Prefer AI-generated pitches?
Some tools (like Prowly) try to bundle it all. Others (like Qwoted) stay lean but excel at matching you with active journalist requests.
Lastly, ask how you plan to measure success.
If it’s about visibility, go for curated lists and niche publications. If it’s links, look at where previous users have landed coverage. Not every “placement” is created equal.
When we tested these tools, the biggest wins came from choosing based on our outreach goal—not just who had the slickest interface.
The Best HARO Alternatives
- Qwoted: Best for freelancers and small PR teams
- Press Hook: Best for brand visibility at scale
- JustReachOut: Best for link builders and SEO outreach
- Prowly: Best for enterprise-grade PR teams
- SourceBottle: Best for budget-conscious media pitching
- Featured (PressPulse): Best for fast byline placements
- SEOBox.ai: Best for AI-driven PR automation and discovery
1. Qwoted – Best for freelancers and small PR teams
Cleaner interface, less noise, and real-time access—without HARO’s inbox chaos.
Qwoted fills the same gap HARO once did: helping subject-matter experts get quoted in media stories. But where HARO flooded your inbox with irrelevant pitches and long, messy email threads, Qwoted offers a cleaner, more modern system. Instead of an email blast, you get a feed of journalist queries filtered by category, beat, or deadline. You also create a profile that journalists can find directly, which HARO never offered.
When our team tested Qwoted, the first thing we noticed was how easy it was to identify quality leads. No skimming pages of spam. No wondering if your pitch would even be seen. It felt like HARO, but stripped of all its worst habits.
Key Features
- Real-time journalist requests delivered in-app and via alert
- Searchable expert profiles that help journalists find you directly
- Pitch response system that tracks deadlines and keeps responses organized
- Filterable opportunity feed by industry, region, or publication type
- Optional media kit integration so your pitch includes assets instantly
Pros
- Real-time query access on paid plans, no daily delay
- High signal-to-noise ratio compared to HARO’s email dumps
- Free plan lets you try without risk
- Ideal for solo PR consultants, SMEs, and new founders
Cons
- Limited pitching volume on the free plan
- Fewer total journalist queries than HARO’s peak volume
- Not well-suited for legal, finance, or hyper-niche verticals
Pricing Snapshot
Qwoted’s pricing is tiered by access and volume. The free Basic plan gives you two pitches per month, with a two-hour delay on new journalist requests. The Pro plan, at $99 per month, unlocks unlimited pitches and instant access. For teams or agencies, custom pricing is available.
Compared to HARO, which used to offer full daily access for free but increasingly pushed users toward a premium paywall (with limited query filtering and poor UX), Qwoted makes you pay for speed—but the speed actually delivers. If you’re the kind of user who skimmed HARO’s emails and felt overwhelmed, Qwoted’s structure is a clear step forward.
Personal Insight / Watch-out
If I could start over, I would have signed up for Qwoted earlier—just to skip the inbox mess HARO left behind.
When I’d Recommend It
Qwoted is perfect if you used HARO regularly but dreaded the workflow. You’ll trade quantity for quality, and in most cases, that’s a good deal.
2. Press Hook – Best for brand visibility at scale
Built for high-touch PR teams that want speed, structure, and serious journalist access.
Press Hook is what HARO would have looked like if it had grown up with agencies in mind. Instead of blasting queries to everyone, it lets you build a polished, journalist-facing brand profile. Journalists browse a curated expert marketplace, then request interviews or content directly. You can also pitch out proactively using its media list builder and campaign tracking tools. When we trialed Press Hook, it felt more like a PR operating system than a media query inbox.
Where HARO was reactive, Press Hook puts you in control. And if you're managing multiple clients or products, that shift is a game-changer.
Key Features
- Curated expert marketplace that matches journalists with on-brand sources
- AI-powered pitch generator that personalizes your outreach
- Campaign dashboard for tracking who you pitched and what landed
- Digital press kit builder to streamline media assets
- Built-in analytics to measure pickup and reach
Pros
- Journalist-first platform that increases inbound requests
- Strong editorial quality control keeps spam out
- Well suited for agencies and brand PR teams
- Includes strategic support and media coaching for higher-tier users
Cons
- One of the most expensive HARO alternatives
- Requires a six-month commitment for brand accounts
- Small businesses may not need the full feature set
- Marketplace is more curated, so reach depends on journalist adoption
Pricing Snapshot
Press Hook offers a free expert profile option, but brands need a paid subscription. The Proactive plan starts at $374 per month (annual commitment), which includes campaign tools, curated media lists, and AI pitch support. Agencies and high-volume users will want the Premium plan with white-glove onboarding and additional campaign visibility.
Compared to HARO, this is not a plug-and-play swap. But for teams that treat PR as a long-term strategy, Press Hook gives you more ways to build visibility and influence on your terms. It’s less about quick backlinks and more about controlling how your brand is represented.
Personal Insight / Watch-out
What surprised me was how hands-off it became once we built our press kit. Journalists came to us without constant follow-up.
When I’d Recommend It
Press Hook is a fit if you’re ready to invest in earned media as an always-on channel, not just a one-off pitch fest.
3. JustReachOut – Best for link builders and SEO outreach
If your goal is authority backlinks, this platform gives you the roadmap and the engine.
JustReachOut is what HARO never was: a true link-building assistant. Instead of waiting for journalist queries, it lets you search for opportunities across blogs, podcasts, broken links, and press mentions. You pitch directly and track the outcomes, all from one place. When we tested it, it felt like combining HARO with a CRM and an outreach script coach.
Where HARO asked you to wait and respond, JustReachOut puts you in the driver’s seat. You find your targets, customize your message, and send it. For SEOs and growth marketers, that level of control is everything.
Key Features
- Searchable media database with over 700,000 contacts
- Pitch automation and follow-up scheduling to boost response rates
- HARO-style query feed built into the dashboard
- Broken link and unlinked brand mention tools for easy win campaigns
- AI pitch template library to personalize without starting from scratch
Pros
- Combines proactive outreach with HARO-style queries
- Tools for SEO-specific campaigns like link reclamation
- Streamlined user flow makes high-volume pitching sustainable
- Genuinely helpful support with onboarding tips and strategy
Cons
- Steep learning curve if you're new to PR or outreach
- Starter plan limits you to one user and 100 email sends per month
- Higher-tier features like analytics and CRM integration cost extra
- Not focused on inbound journalist discovery
Pricing Snapshot
Plans start at $147 per month, which includes basic email outreach, one user seat, and 100 sends. A 7-day trial is available to test the platform. Upgrades add more email volume, user seats, and analytics. It is pricier than Qwoted but replaces the need for several separate tools if you are doing serious link building.
Where HARO made you wait for the right quote request, JustReachOut lets you go find the story you should be part of. That’s a big mental shift but a powerful one.
Personal Insight / Watch-out
If I could start over, I would have used this earlier to track unlinked mentions instead of manually Googling every brand name variant.
When I’d Recommend It
Use JustReachOut if your top priority is building links and you want to manage the process without stitching together five tools.
4. Prowly – Best for enterprise-grade PR teams
If you need full PR campaign control, Prowly has the tools, templates, and tracking to match.
Prowly is less of a HARO alternative and more of a HARO successor for those who run PR like a business function. It does not just help you respond to journalist requests. It helps you craft, send, monitor, and report on entire campaigns. When we trialed it, it felt like the kind of tool you’d use after outgrowing HARO and realizing you needed analytics, visual content support, and team workflows.
Prowly positions itself as a modern newsroom builder and media CRM. It is built for scale, not speed. But once set up, it makes high-volume outreach much more organized and trackable.
Key Features
- Visual press release studio that simplifies content creation
- Built-in journalist database with advanced filtering options
- AI pitch assistant that drafts and optimizes messaging
- Media monitoring and coverage tracking in one dashboard
- Newsroom hosting to centralize your press assets
Pros
- All-in-one solution for PR campaign management
- Integrates well with CRM and analytics tools
- Flexible for both in-house teams and agencies
- Includes detailed reporting to show outcomes and ROI
Cons
- Steep price point for smaller teams or solo users
- Initial setup and learning curve can be time-consuming
- Interface has occasional lags or complexity
- Not designed for casual or reactive use
Pricing Snapshot
Prowly’s Starter plan begins at $258 per month and includes access to the core newsroom, press release builder, and journalist database. A 7-day free trial lets you explore features before committing. Annual plans bring the total cost close to $3,000 per year, which reflects its focus on professional teams with ongoing PR needs.
Compared to HARO’s free model, Prowly is a serious investment. But if you are running consistent campaigns and need to report on every pitch, hit, and contact, it delivers tools HARO never came close to offering.
Personal Insight / Watch-out
What surprised me was how polished our press materials looked after using their editor. It made it easier to land coverage we had struggled to earn before.
When I’d Recommend It
Use Prowly if you manage multiple PR campaigns across a team and need structure, visibility, and full reporting baked in.
5. SourceBottle – Best for budget-conscious media pitching
If you need media opportunities without the monthly fee, this is your best bet.
SourceBottle has been quietly serving the same function as HARO for over a decade, especially in Australia and the UK. What makes it stand out now is its affordability. While many HARO replacements moved to premium-only models, SourceBottle kept a free option that still delivers real journalist requests. During our tests, we received daily queries in marketing, wellness, and small business—all without spending a cent.
Unlike HARO, SourceBottle also offers a “No Pitch, No Pay” model where a team manually matches experts to media if you want guaranteed placement help. That human touch makes it unique in a landscape full of automation.
Key Features
- Daily email digests with active journalist requests
- Optional paid plans to pitch more and filter better
- Human-curated pitching service for hands-off users
- Request alert system by category or geography
- Lightweight expert directory for visibility
Pros
- Free plan is genuinely usable for consistent pitching
- Global reach, with a focus on AU, NZ, UK, and US markets
- Optional concierge pitching for premium users
- Simple setup with no credit card required
Cons
- Queries tend to skew toward lifestyle and SMB topics
- Fewer high-authority media outlets in the free tier
- Interface feels a bit dated compared to newer tools
- No centralized inbox or outreach tracking
Pricing Snapshot
The core SourceBottle platform is free to join and use. Their paid “Unlimited” plan is $65 per month and unlocks full access to pitch history, advanced filters, and unlimited outreach. The “No Pitch, No Pay” option is priced by outcome and offers guaranteed outreach handled by their team.
Where HARO once offered volume, SourceBottle offers accessibility. It is not as feature-rich, but it gets the job done for users who want to dip into media outreach without spending hundreds each month.
Personal Insight / Watch-out
What surprised me was how many international outlets were included. This tool is better if you think globally.
When I’d Recommend It
Go with SourceBottle if your budget is tight but you still want a steady stream of media requests you can actually respond to.
6. Featured (PressPulse) – Best for fast byline placements
If your goal is to get published quickly with your name on it, this is the shortcut.
Featured, now operating under PressPulse, flips the HARO model on its head. Instead of waiting for a journalist to quote you, you contribute full answers to editorial prompts. Editors then publish selected submissions as full byline articles or expert quotes. This gives you more control over messaging and better odds of landing a placement. During our test, our team submitted two responses and got one published within a week—with an author credit.
For SEOs and personal brand builders, that kind of speed and visibility is hard to beat. HARO never offered contributor bylines. Featured made them the default.
Key Features
- Editorial prompt system that lets you submit full answers
- Byline placements in partner outlets for qualified responses
- Dashboard to track submissions and publishing status
- Pro plan with guaranteed opportunity volume
- Optional AI filters to prioritize the best prompts for your profile
Pros
- Fastest route to published bylines of all tools we tested
- Submission workflow takes five minutes or less
- Strong match for thought leaders and subject-matter experts
- Affordable entry point with basic free plan
Cons
- Less predictable than pitching a known journalist directly
- Quality of partner publications can vary
- Free plan has limited reach and visibility
- Not a fit if you want control over publication targets
Pricing Snapshot
The Pro plan is $49.75 per month and includes access to the full prompt list with filtering and AI prioritization. A free plan exists but surfaces fewer opportunities and places responses lower in the editor queue. You also get a 5-day trial of the Pro tier to evaluate the tool.
Where HARO required waiting and hoping, Featured invites you to take initiative. The editors still decide what runs, but you get to speak in your own voice and earn credit. That changes the game for personal brand building.
Personal Insight / Watch-out
What surprised me was how direct the process felt. No follow-ups or back-and-forth—just a clean yes or no.
When I’d Recommend It
Use Featured if you want your name in print fast and do not need to target a specific publication every time.
7. SEOBox.ai – Best for AI-driven PR automation and discovery
This tool monitors the entire web to surface PR and backlink opportunities in real time.
SEOBox.ai is a different breed. While HARO sent email digests and waited for you to pitch, SEOBox uses artificial intelligence to scan blogs, media sites, social feeds, and even other PR platforms. It delivers custom outreach leads based on your keywords, goals, and link targets. During our test, it found guest post and unlinked mention opportunities that no other platform flagged.
This tool feels more like a scout than a database. You are not browsing a list. You are getting matched leads pushed to your dashboard.
Key Features
- AI scans across media and social platforms to find active opportunities
- Personalized alert system based on your outreach goals
- Backlink monitoring for brand and competitor names
- 5-day free trial to test performance before committing
- Integrated lead management dashboard for tracking progress
Pros
- Truly proactive lead discovery without manual search
- Covers HARO-style queries, brand mentions, and blogger outreach
- Saves hours of research with its daily automated alerts
- Competitive edge for link builders and digital PR pros
Cons
- Still in beta, so some features may shift or glitch
- Less predictable than a structured journalist query tool
- Limited brand recognition compared to Qwoted or Prowly
- May require pairing with another platform for outreach execution
Pricing Snapshot
SEOBox is currently in open beta. A 5-day free trial is available, after which pricing is expected to be tiered by usage. As of now, no fixed public rate is listed, though early testers have mentioned plans starting around $49 monthly.
Compared to HARO, SEOBox is all about automation and scale. It is not built for answering specific media queries. It is designed to help you find backlink and press coverage opportunities the moment they appear.
Personal Insight / Watch-out
If I could start over, I would have used SEOBox alongside HARO. It fills the gaps that traditional PR lists miss.
When I’d Recommend It
Choose SEOBox if you want to automate your media monitoring and uncover leads that no curated platform is surfacing.
Final Thoughts: Which Alternative to Choose?
HARO may be gone, but your media outreach doesn't have to suffer. In fact, this shift opened the door to better tools that are built for the way PR and SEO actually work today.
If you're a solo consultant or early-stage founder, Qwoted and SourceBottle give you affordable access to active journalist queries.
If you're ready to scale, Press Hook and Prowly offer the infrastructure and insight HARO never could.
For link builders and content marketers, JustReachOut, Featured, and SEOBox.ai bring proactive discovery and automation into play.
The right choice depends on what you are solving for:
- Need quick wins with bylines? Go with Featured.
- Chasing backlinks at scale? Try JustReachOut or SEOBox.
- Want visibility in high-tier press? Start with Press Hook.
- Prefer a classic query inbox without the spam? Qwoted is the clear upgrade.
Whichever tool you choose, test it with intention. Run a campaign and then track what lands.
Most of these platforms offer trials, and every one of them is better than crossing your fingers and waiting for a HARO email that will never come.
This list will evolve as new tools launch and old ones adapt. We'll keep it updated with real user data, case studies, and hands-on insights so you can stay ahead.
Post Navigation
Jump directly to a section:
