HARO alternatives got popular because HARO went dark for more than four months. Cision shut down Connectively, the renamed HARO, on December 9, 2024. Featured.com bought HARO in April 2025 and restarted the daily email.
Plenty of guides and AI answers still say HARO is gone, or that it lives on as Connectively. Both are out of date.
For a SaaS team the pick matters. Each service reaches different writers, and each one charges in a different way. This page covers 7 options with prices read from each vendor's own page in November 2026, who each one suits, and how to choose.
We make AY Listicle, so it is on this list. We rank every entry by the same criteria.
TL;DR: Featured is the best HARO alternative for most SaaS founders, because it carries the relaunched HARO queries plus other journalist requests in one place. If your expertise is B2B marketing, sales or SaaS, MentionMatch costs nothing and reaches the writers who cover those topics.
What happened to HARO?
HARO still exists, and Featured.com runs it. Here is the short history.
- 2008: Peter Shankman starts Help a Reporter Out, a daily email of journalist queries.
- 2014: Cision takes over HARO and later renames it Connectively.
- December 9, 2024: Cision permanently discontinues Connectively and HARO to focus on CisionOne.
- April 16, 2025: Featured.com announces it has bought HARO from Cision, with the original email format, no charge for journalists or sources, and ads in the newsletter paying for it.
- April 22, 2025: the emails restart, as Press Gazette reported. Featured's founder Brett Farmiloe told the paper that sources who misrepresent their expertise "will be banned".
Today the helpareporter.com homepage says "Powered by Featured" and offers daily media queries by subscription at no cost. So if your old reason to look elsewhere was "HARO shut down", that reason is gone. What remains is fit. HARO covers every topic, so a SaaS founder reads many queries that do not match what they know.
How we ranked these HARO alternatives
We scored every entry on the same five questions:
- How you earn the mention. Answering a journalist's query is the closest match to HARO. Requesting a spot on a listicle is a different route.
- Cost. The paid price you need for regular use, and what the no-cost tier gives you.
- Who reads the outlet. National press, trade blogs, or "best of" pages that buyers and AI search read.
- Fit for B2B SaaS. How many queries are about software, marketing and tech.
- Control over timing. Whether you wait for the right query or choose when and where a mention goes live.
Journalist-request platforms win on the first question, so they fill the top of the list.
Best HARO alternatives: a quick overview
If you want the closest thing to HARO:
- Featured: best for founders who want HARO queries and other journalist requests in one inbox, because every plan includes HARO queries plus AI help with matching.
- Qwoted: best for experts who pitch top-tier press often, because its Pro plan gives 35 pitches a month with instant delivery.
- Source of Sources: best for founders who want the original HARO-style email with strict rules, because it is run by the person who started HARO.
If you sell or work in B2B software:
- MentionMatch: best for B2B marketing, sales and SaaS experts, because its writers cover those topics and it costs nothing.
- AY Listicle: best for SaaS teams that want to choose which "best of" pages name them, because you request a spot on a listicle instead of waiting for a query.
If your buyers are in one region:
- ResponseSource: best for teams that need UK media coverage, because its requests come from UK journalists, sorted into 25 categories.
- SourceBottle: best for founders who want Australian outlets and a pay-per-pitch option, because one plan charges only when you pitch.
HARO alternatives compared, with prices as of November 2026 from each vendor's own page (sources in each entry):
| Platform | How you get mentioned | Best for | Lowest paid plan | No-cost option |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Featured | Answer journalist requests (HARO, LinkedIn and more) | HARO plus other requests in one inbox | $39/mo (Lite) | Yes, small daily allowance |
| Qwoted | Pitch reporter requests | Frequent pitching to top-tier press | $149.99/mo (Pro) | Yes, 2 pitches a month |
| Source of Sources | Reply to emailed queries | The original HARO format | None | Yes, the whole list |
| MentionMatch | Reply to B2B writer requests | B2B marketing and SaaS experts | API only, price not listed | Yes, the whole list |
| AY Listicle | Request a spot on a listicle, or swap | Choosing which "best of" pages name you | $79 Starter plan, 400 credits | No |
| ResponseSource | Reply to UK journalist enquiries | UK media coverage | From £625 per category per year | One-week trial |
| SourceBottle | Reply to call-outs, or pay per pitch | Australian outlets, pay per pitch | $25 per pitch | Yes, profile and call-outs |
1. Featured, best for HARO queries plus other requests in one place
Featured (featured.com) is a PR platform where experts search and answer journalist requests, podcast invites and speaking slots. It is also the company that owns HARO. Its pricing page says every plan includes "Respond to journalist queries from HARO, LinkedIn, and more", so you read HARO and other sources in one place.
In the April 2025 announcement of the HARO deal, Featured said it had more than 50,000 experts and a network of over 2,500 media outlets. The product leans on AI: it matches you to requests and runs a chat assistant for finding media opportunities. Plans differ only in how much AI usage you get.
Key features
- HARO queries inside the platform, next to LinkedIn requests
- Journalist request matching on every plan
- Podcast invites and speaking slots in the same feed
- Daily pitching tools, plus search and save for requests
- Team plans with up to 25 logins
Best for SaaS founders who answered HARO before and want the same queries with filters. Small marketing teams that want one place to track every request.
Pricing A $0 plan with "a gentle daily allowance". Lite is $39 a month ($29 a month billed yearly), Pro is $99 a month and Pro+ is $299 a month. Team plans start at $199 a month, and Enterprise is custom (as of November 2026, Featured pricing page).
Pros
- The only entry with HARO queries built in
- A no-cost tier you can test on real requests
- Covers podcasts and speaking, which suit founders who like to talk
Cons
- Plan limits are stated as AI usage ("5x more"), not as a number of pitches, so cost per pitch is hard to predict
- Team plans get expensive fast
2. Qwoted, best for frequent pitching to top-tier press
Qwoted (qwoted.com) is a network that connects journalists with expert sources, where you pitch into reporter requests from your profile. Reporters can also find you in its expert database.
Qwoted shows logos from The New York Times, Associated Press and Forbes on its homepage. It added video pitches, so a reporter can see who is behind the expertise. Its pricing is built around a pitch count, which makes the paid plan easy to budget.
Key features
- 35 pitches a month on Pro, with instant delivery
- Listing in the expert database reporters search
- Pitch Intelligence and media info before you pitch
- Video pitches
- An Events and Awards database on Pro
Best for Founders and in-house PR leads who pitch every week and want national press. Agencies that need unlimited pitches across clients (Team plan).
Pricing Basic costs nothing and gives 2 pitches a month with a 2 hour delivery delay. Pro is $149.99 a month, or $1,188 a year billed yearly. Team and the managed Amplify service are priced on request (as of November 2026, Qwoted pricing page).
Pros
- Clear pitch limits, so you know what you pay per pitch
- The Basic plan keeps you in the expert database, so reporters can find you without a pitch
- Video pitches help a small brand stand out
Cons
- The no-cost tier is tight: 2 pitches a month, each delayed 2 hours
- Pro is the most expensive self-serve plan on this list
3. Source of Sources, best for the original HARO format
Source of Sources (sourceofsources.com) is an email list of journalist queries started by Peter Shankman, who founded HARO. Queries arrive by email up to three times a day, and you reply straight to the journalist.
It keeps the rules of early HARO. Pitch off-topic even once and you are removed: "No exceptions, no appeals." There is no dashboard and no AI matching. You read the email and decide.
Key features
- Up to three query emails a day
- Direct replies to the journalist
- A hard ban on off-topic pitches, which keeps journalists on the list
- No account tiers
Best for Founders who liked the old HARO email and want it without a platform. Solo experts who can read three emails a day and answer fast.
Pricing The list costs nothing. The site says "This list doesn't cost a dime" and asks people to donate to animal welfare charities instead (as of November 2026, Source of Sources homepage).
Pros
- No cost at any volume
- Run by the person who built HARO
- The strict rule keeps spam out of journalists' inboxes
Cons
- One off-topic pitch gets you removed for good
- No filters, so you scan every query yourself
4. MentionMatch, best for B2B marketing and SaaS experts
MentionMatch (mentionmatch.com) is a service that sends B2B writers' requests for expert quotes to sources who match the topic. It used to be called Help a B2B Writer. Its FAQ confirms it is the same platform under a new name, and the footer credits Superpath.
The writers here are mostly B2B content marketers, so the queries are about the work SaaS teams do. You pick your areas, such as SaaS, SEO, sales or AI and tech, and get matching requests by email. The site says it is "Trusted by 9,000+ B2B sources".
Key features
- Requests filtered by area of expertise, with SaaS as its own area
- Writers ask for quotes, anecdotes and data
- A paid API for agencies and SaaS tools, with instant access and "Verified Sender Status"
- No account tiers for sources
Best for SaaS marketers and founders with a view on growth, SEO or sales. B2B experts who want mentions on the blogs their buyers read.
Pricing Sources and writers pay nothing. The FAQ says sources "don't need to pay anything to be on the list". The API for agencies has no listed price (as of November 2026, MentionMatch homepage).
Pros
- Queries are close to SaaS topics
- No cost to join or reply
Cons
- Mentions land on company blogs and trade sites more than national news
- The API page promises access "instead of waiting a day", so email subscribers see requests later
5. AY Listicle, best for choosing which "best of" pages name you
AY Listicle is a network where SaaS companies get their product into "best of" listicles that buyers and AI search read. It works differently from the four entries above. You do not wait for a journalist's query. You request a spot on a host's listicle with credits, or swap with a host who is open to swaps: you list them, they list you.
That is why it sits at number 5. On "how you earn the mention" it is a different route from HARO, so the journalist-request platforms rank above it. It ranks above the two regional services because it scores well on SaaS fit and on control over timing. Our guide to getting listed with credits covers the request side.
Key features
- Request a spot on a listicle with credits, priced by the host site's DR, the position on the list and the impressions
- Swaps with hosts who are open to swaps (see how listicle swaps work)
- Every mention is checked by our crawler, and its text is checked by Jev every month
- Listicles can be verified with Google Search Console to see real impressions
Best for SaaS teams that want their product named on comparison pages in their category. Founders who would rather pick the page than wait for the right query.
Pricing The $79 Starter plan gives 400 credits. A listicle costs 50 to 400 credits. The price weighs DR at 60%, position at 25% and impressions at 15% (as of November 2026, request a spot on AY Listicle).
Pros
- You choose the listicle instead of waiting for a query
- Mentions are rechecked every month, so you know they are still live
- Search Console verification shows real impressions for a listicle
Cons
- Credits are spent per spot, so it suits teams with a budget for placements
- It only lists SaaS, and it gets you onto listicles, not press quotes in news outlets
6. ResponseSource, best for UK media coverage
ResponseSource (responsesource.com) is a UK service that sends journalist enquiries to PR teams and experts by email. Its homepage says "Hundreds of journalists send requests through ResponseSource each week."
Requests are moderated and sorted into more than 25 sector categories. They cover expert comment, products to review and case studies. You subscribe per category, so a SaaS company would usually start with the technology or business categories.
Key features
- Journalist enquiries sent to your inbox, filtered by category
- Requests checked by the ResponseSource team before they go out
- Product review and case study requests alongside expert comment
- A one-week trial
Best for SaaS companies selling into the UK that want UK national and trade press. PR agencies with UK clients.
Pricing The Journalist Enquiry Service starts from £625 per category on an annual subscription, plus VAT, and the price varies by category (as of November 2026, ResponseSource pricing page). A one-week trial is available.
Pros
- Strong on UK outlets
- Moderated requests mean fewer junk queries
- Category filters cut the noise
Cons
- Paying per category adds up if you cover several topics
- Little reach outside UK media
7. SourceBottle, best for Australian outlets and pay-per-pitch
SourceBottle (sourcebottle.com) is a publicity platform, founded in 2009, that sends media call-outs to experts and lists them in a directory journalists search. The outlets it shows lean Australian, such as the Sydney Morning Herald, ABC Australia and SBS.
Its pricing is the most flexible here. You can pay per pitch, so a quiet month costs nothing extra.
Key features
- Media call-outs by email on the no-cost plan
- An expert directory journalists can search
- A pay-per-pitch plan
- Agency plan for up to 5 expert profiles
Best for SaaS founders selling in Australia. Experts who pitch a few times a month and want to pay only when they do.
Pricing The $0 plan gives a profile, a directory listing, up to 10 keywords and call-outs by email. "No Pitch, No Pay" is $25 per pitch, up to 3 a month. Unlimited Pitches is $65 a month or $650 a year, and Agency is $130 a month. The page lists dollars without naming the currency (as of November 2026, SourceBottle pricing page).
Pros
- Pay per pitch keeps cost tied to use
- The no-cost plan still delivers call-outs
- A directory profile lets journalists find you
Cons
- Most outlets on the homepage are Australian
- The currency is not labeled on the pricing page
How to choose the best HARO alternative for your SaaS
Start with the kind of mention you want, then match the budget. You may end up with two of these, one for press and one for software buyers.
1) Do you want press quotes or listicle mentions?
If you want quotes in news and trade articles: pick Featured, Qwoted or Source of Sources. A journalist chooses your answer, and you get named in their story.
If you want your product named on "best of" pages in your category: pick AY Listicle. You choose the page instead of waiting for a query. These are the pages buyers compare tools on, and ChatGPT and Perplexity read them too.
2) Do you have budget, or time?
If you have time and no budget: start with Source of Sources and MentionMatch. Both cost nothing. Block 20 minutes a day to read the queries and reply fast.
If you have budget and little time: Featured Pro or Qwoted Pro. Count the real cost per pitch. Qwoted's pitch limit makes that easy. Featured's AI usage limit makes it harder, so track it for a month.
3) Where are your buyers?
If they are in the UK: add ResponseSource, one category to start. If they are in Australia: add SourceBottle on the pay-per-pitch plan. If they are in the US: start with Featured and Qwoted.
4) How do you know it worked?
Run one platform for 30 days on real queries. Count the pitches sent, the mentions published and the pages that link back. Then drop the one with the fewest mentions per hour spent.
FAQ
Is HARO still relevant in 2026?
Yes, HARO is running again under Featured.com, which bought it from Cision in April 2025. The emails restarted on April 22, 2025, at no cost to sources. Featured also shows HARO queries inside its own platform, next to other journalist requests.
What happened to Help a Reporter Out?
Cision shut down Help a Reporter Out, by then renamed Connectively, on December 9, 2024. Featured.com bought HARO in April 2025 and brought back the original daily email format, paid for by ads in the newsletter.
What is the HARO platform?
HARO is a daily email that sends journalist queries to experts who want to be quoted. Peter Shankman started it in 2008. Journalists post a query, sources reply by email, and the journalist picks the answers to use.
Is Connectively still available?
Cision's Connectively was permanently discontinued on December 9, 2024. The current helpareporter.com homepage links to a query platform at connectively.us under the same name, but that page does not name the company behind it. If you want HARO queries in a platform, Featured's pricing page lists them on every plan.
Are there free HARO alternatives?
Yes. Source of Sources and MentionMatch cost nothing for sources, and HARO itself is back at no cost. Featured, Qwoted and SourceBottle have $0 tiers with limits, such as 2 pitches a month on Qwoted Basic.
Qwoted vs Featured: which suits a SaaS founder better?
Featured suits most SaaS founders better because it includes HARO queries on every plan and its lowest paid tier costs about a quarter of Qwoted Pro. Qwoted is the better fit if you pitch national press every week and want a fixed count of 35 pitches a month on Pro.
Do HARO mentions help you show up in ChatGPT or Perplexity?
No platform can promise that. ChatGPT, Perplexity and Google AI Overviews read and cite pages on the open web, so a quote in an article puts your name on a page they can read. Whether a given answer cites that page is outside anyone's control.
What is the difference between a HARO quote and a listicle mention?
A HARO quote is a line from you inside a journalist's story, and the journalist decides whether to use it. A listicle mention puts your product on a "best of" page in your category, which you request on a service like AY Listicle. The first builds credibility as an expert, and the second puts your product in front of people comparing tools.
Sources: HARO homepage, Featured homepage, Qwoted homepage, ResponseSource homepage, SourceBottle homepage, plus the Cision notice, the Featured press release, Press Gazette and the pricing pages linked above, all read on November 9, 2026.
