HARO Alternatives in 2025: 5 Platforms That Actually Deliver High-Quality Backlinks
If you’ve been using HARO for link building or PR and noticed it’s not working like it used to, you’re not alone.
The platform has become overcrowded, and getting noticed is harder than ever. But the good news? There are better options out there.
In this blog, we’ll cover the 5 best HARO alternatives that deliver results.
ProfNet – Where Quality Beats Quantity
Source: ProfNet
ProfNet, a service by PR Newswire (Cision), is a paid platform that connects journalists with vetted experts and PR professionals. Journalists post story requests, and subscribers can reply with pitches.
Because it operates behind a paywall, competition is lower compared to free alternatives like HARO, which means higher chances of securing media coverage from credible publications.
What We Like
The platform consistently delivers opportunities from respected outlets, and the journalists who use it tend to value authoritative, reliable sources. Since fewer people are pitching, the success rate is higher than on free platforms.
Many campaigns report earning links and mentions from sites with strong domain ratings and real traffic. Overall, it’s less about chasing volume and more about landing placements that carry weight.
Should You Get It?
ProfNet is a strong fit if you care more about quality than quantity and have the budget to invest in serious PR. It’s especially useful for agencies or organizations that want to impress clients or executives with placements in trusted publications.
However, it’s not perfect. The interface feels dated and is still tied to email digests, filtering options aren’t as refined as they could be, and the cost is steep if you’re just starting. If you’re working with a small budget or trying to scale quickly, you’ll likely find more affordable options elsewhere.
Price
Pricing is not public. Subscriptions typically run into the low thousands per year, and you’ll need to contact the ProfNet sales team for an exact quote.
Featured – Pitch Less, Win More
Source: Featured
Featured (formerly known as Terkel) is a journalist–expert connection platform designed for fast, SEO-friendly media placements. Unlike traditional services, it shows you clear SEO metrics—like Domain Rating and link type—up front, so you know the value of each opportunity before investing time.
With a streamlined interface and quick publishing turnaround, it’s built for marketers, agencies, and businesses that want high-quality links without overcomplicating the outreach process.
What We Like
The biggest advantage of Featured is transparency. You immediately see the DR, backlink type, and other SEO details on every query, which saves hours of guesswork. The platform is easy to use, intuitive, and optimized for productivity.
Another standout is speed: most links go live within three weeks, significantly faster than HARO’s average. Because pitches don’t have to be long, thoughtful but concise responses often get a high acceptance rate.
Should You Get It?
Featured is a great fit if you’re focused on SEO performance and want results quickly. It’s especially useful for agencies or professionals who need to prove value to clients fast. However, it’s not without drawbacks. The seat-based pricing model can become expensive for larger teams, and some opportunities are tied to internal linking networks, so not every placement carries the same long-term authority.
If you’re on a tight budget or want unlimited pitching at a lower cost, there are cheaper options. But if speed, clarity, and conversion matter most, Featured is an excellent HARO alternative.
Price
Featured offers a Free plan (3 answers per month) and three paid tiers: Lite ($19/month, or $11 billed annually), Pro ($49/month, or $29 billed annually) with unlimited answers under fair use, and Business ($99/month, or $59 billed annually) for teams and advanced features.
Help A B2B Writer – Where B2B Experts Connect with Content Creators
Source: Help a B2B Writer
Help a B2B Writer (HaB2BW) is a free media request platform designed specifically for the B2B, SaaS, MarTech, and content marketing space. Instead of trying to cover every industry like HARO, it focuses on connecting subject matter experts with writers producing high-quality B2B articles, reports, and blogs.
For anyone working in marketing or SaaS outreach, it’s one of the most relevant and targeted alternatives available.
What We Like
HaB2BW’s biggest strength is its focus. Because it’s niche, the opportunities that come through are far more relevant if you’re in B2B, SaaS, or MarTech. It’s also completely free to use—no subscriptions or hidden costs—which makes it accessible to individuals, startups, and agencies alike.
Many requests even include SEO details like Domain Rating and backlink type, so you know the potential value before you pitch. With lower competition compared to bigger platforms, the conversion rate can be significantly higher.
Should You Get It?
This is a great option if your outreach strategy centers on B2B or marketing industries. It’s especially helpful if you want to earn relevant backlinks without paying for access. However, it’s not for everyone.
If you’re working outside of its niche, the limited scope will feel restrictive, and the number of opportunities is smaller overall. Email deliverability can also be inconsistent at times. Still, if you fit its target industries, HaB2BW delivers strong results with less effort than larger, noisier platforms.
Price
HaB2BW is 100% free. There are no paid tiers or subscriptions—writers submit requests at no cost, and experts receive matched queries free of charge.
Qwoted – Where Reputation Meets Results
Source: Qwoted
Qwoted is a premium media connection platform designed for PR professionals, executives, and subject matter experts who want to build credibility with top-tier journalists. Unlike mass platforms where anyone can pitch, Qwoted vets its experts and moderates submissions to reduce spam.
This emphasis on trust and quality has made it a go-to resource for journalists at outlets like Bloomberg, Fortune, and Forbes. The platform is less about quick backlinks and more about long-term reputation, brand authority, and meaningful media relationships.
What We Like
Qwoted stands out for the caliber of opportunities it delivers. Many requests come directly from high-profile publications, giving experts exposure that’s hard to match elsewhere.
Because every source is vetted, journalists receive fewer irrelevant pitches, which improves trust and response rates. For professionals playing the long game—building thought leadership and a consistent PR presence—Qwoted offers a strong advantage.
Should You Get It?
Qwoted is best suited for experts and PR teams who value credibility and brand reputation over sheer link volume. It’s not designed for SEO-driven link-building since many quotes don’t include backlinks or use nofollow links.
The free tier is limited (only two delayed pitches per month), so serious users will need to upgrade to paid plans. If you’re focused on visibility in respected outlets and want to nurture long-term journalist relationships, Qwoted is an excellent choice. If your primary goal is fast SEO wins, this isn’t the platform for you.
Price
Qwoted offers a Free plan with 2 delayed pitches per month. The Pro plan costs $99/month (or $1,188 annually) and unlocks unlimited pitches, removes delays, and adds features like email read receipts. Team options are available for larger organizations at higher custom pricing.
Journo.com – Smart Outreach for Serious Media Wins
Source: Journo.com
Journo.com is a HARO alternative built for credibility and quality. Created by PR professionals, the platform focuses on filtering out spam, low-effort pitches, and AI-generated content.
Every expert is manually verified, which ensures journalists only receive credible, human-sourced responses. With this approach, Journo.com positions itself as a modern, reliable solution for brands and agencies that want meaningful placements and long-term trust with top-tier media outlets.
What We Like
The platform’s biggest strength is its strict verification and anti-spam system. It also uses AI and a built-in Writing Quality scoring system to filter out low-value responses, ensuring journalists consistently receive higher-quality pitches. This focus on quality has helped Journo.com attract outlets like Forbes, Reuters, and The Sun.
Pitches often get picked up quickly—sometimes within hours—making it faster than most competitors. For agencies, the multi-client tools are especially useful, as the system is built to handle multiple brands under one account.
Should You Get It?
Journo.com is a strong fit for agencies, PR pros, and experts who want to stand out with verified credibility. It’s especially appealing if you’re tired of AI-written spam and want a platform where quality is the priority. That said, it’s still relatively new, so the volume of opportunities is smaller compared to more established platforms.
Also, approval requires building a solid expert profile, which means it’s not ideal if you’re looking for quick sign-up and instant access. If quality matters more than quantity, this is one of the most promising HARO alternatives available.
Price
Pricing is not listed on the official site but reported tiers include: Free (2 brands and 2 responses per month), Pro ($250/month for up to 23 brands and 100 responses), and Enterprise ($1,190/month for up to 300 brands and 1,500 responses). Plans are billed monthly, with no trial currently advertised.
Wrap Up
There’s no shortage of HARO alternatives out there. But the best platform depends on your goals, budget, and niche.
Whether you want faster turnaround, better conversion, or higher-quality backlinks, there’s a tool that fits. We’ve tested them, tracked the results, and shared the ones that actually deliver.
If you’re ready to level up your outreach, explore the platforms above, choose what fits your workflow, and start sending strong, focused pitches. And if you’d rather leave it to pros, we’ve got you covered—just get in touch with our team.
FAQs
1. Is HARO officially shut down?
Not anymore. While the platform did shut down on December 9, 2024 under Cision’s Connectively rebrand, it was brought back in April 2025 by Featured.com. So yes—the service is very much continued and operational again as HARO under new ownership and with improvements.
2. What’s a good replacement for Connectively (formerly HARO)?
Good alternatives include Qwoted, which works much like HARO with searchable journalist requests, and Featured (formerly Terkel), which focuses on verified expert contributions. SourceBottle is widely used in the UK and Australia, while Help a B2B Writer is strong for SaaS and tech. For small businesses, Journo offers affordable UK media access.
3. What is CisionOne?
CisionOne is Cision’s all-in-one PR platform that combines media monitoring, social listening, journalist outreach, and AI-powered insights. It tracks brand mentions across news, broadcast, podcasts, and social media, and its new AI tools help write pitches, summarize coverage, and flag potential crises in real time.
4. Is HARO still available, or do I need an alternative?
HARO was shut down by Cision in December 2024 when it rebranded as Connectively. However, in April 2025, the platform was acquired and relaunched by Featured.com under its original HARO name. It’s active again, but many PR professionals still use alternatives like Qwoted, Featured, SourceBottle, and Journo.com to diversify their outreach.
5. Do HARO alternatives offer free access?
Yes, some platforms do. SourceBottle provides free access to journalist requests, especially in Australia and the UK. Help a B2B Writer is also free to use and great for SaaS or tech brands. Others, like Qwoted or Journo, use a freemium model; letting you browse or respond to a limited number of queries before upgrading.
