Finding the right journalist at the right time is the foundation of effective media outreach. A solid media database—sometimes called a journalist database—allows you to search and filter contacts by sector, country, publication, or beat.
Our team has spent years in journalism, public relations, and marketing, using every kind of database imaginable: premium services, budget platforms, and even our own giant spreadsheets. We’ve learned what works, what doesn’t, and what to watch out for when you invest in one of these tools.
Below you’ll find our review of 13 leading media and journalist databases this year. They’re not listed in any particular order, but each section highlights what sets them apart.
Agility PR
Agility PR is known for being easy to navigate and quick to learn. Its interface allows you to search journalists by beat, outlet, or geography with minimal clicks. Agility PR’s tools are designed to streamline your workflow, making it a popular choice for PR teams that want a straightforward platform without a steep learning curve.
Cision
Cision is one of the most established names in the industry. It offers expansive global coverage, making it suitable for companies running international campaigns. Beyond contact data, Cision integrates monitoring and analytics, helping users track the impact of outreach across multiple regions.
Prowly
Prowly is often described as an all‑rounder. It combines a user‑friendly database with built‑in PR tools such as press release distribution and newsroom management. This makes it attractive to smaller teams who want everything in one place without needing to piece together multiple services.
Roxhill
Roxhill is a favorite among UK‑based PR professionals. It has a strong focus on British media, with deep, well‑maintained journalist profiles. If your outreach is primarily UK‑centric, Roxhill’s local expertise can save you significant time and help improve pitch targeting.
Vuelio
Vuelio is widely regarded as one of the most comprehensive UK media and political databases. It’s particularly strong if your outreach involves government, policy, or advocacy angles, offering access to political contacts alongside mainstream media lists.
Muck Rack
Muck Rack is well known for its integrated approach—combining a database with social listening and journalist‑authored content. It’s popular with agencies and in‑house teams alike for identifying reporters who are actively covering relevant topics.
Propel
Propel stands out for its use of automation and AI features to keep contact information current. It also provides insights into pitching success rates, allowing teams to refine their outreach strategies. Propel appeals to data‑driven teams looking for a more modern approach.
PR Max
PR Max offers a wide range of journalist contacts alongside monitoring and analytics tools. It’s often chosen by those who want a balance between affordability and functionality, with a straightforward setup that doesn’t overwhelm new users.
Onclusive
Onclusive merges a strong journalist database with in‑depth analytics. It’s designed for teams that want to go beyond outreach and measure how their efforts translate into coverage, reach, and engagement.
Critical Mention
Critical Mention focuses on real‑time monitoring combined with contact data. It’s useful if you want to track where your stories appear and instantly see which journalists are writing about similar topics.
BuzzSumo
BuzzSumo isn’t a traditional media database, but it offers powerful content discovery tools that can lead you to the journalists and influencers shaping conversations in your sector. It’s ideal for identifying new contacts based on trending topics and popular articles.
MediaHQ
MediaHQ places emphasis on storytelling and helps users build relationships with journalists through frequent updates and easy list‑building features. Its search functionality is built for quick filtering and exporting, which can be handy for teams under time pressure.
Mediaddress
Mediaddress specializes in certain regions, notably Spain. This makes it a strong option if you need a highly localized journalist database rather than a broad, global one. For campaigns targeting Spanish outlets, Mediaddress often provides more comprehensive local coverage than larger competitors.
Key Considerations When Choosing a Media Database
Before signing up, think about:
- Database size and relevance to your region or industry
- Update frequency—weekly, daily, or real-time?
- Export limits for media contacts
- Sending limits for pitches or press releases
- Contract terms (many require 12 or 24 months)
Also check whether you can trial the platform. A sample or free trial ensures the database meets your needs before committing.
Pricing
Pricing varies widely and often depends on the regions covered, the number of users, and add‑ons like media monitoring. Expect anywhere from around $500 per month to $10,000 per year. Many providers will negotiate depending on your requirements.
Media List vs. Media Database
Buying a static media list is rarely worth it—lists quickly go out of date. A live media database, by contrast, updates regularly and gives you tools for targeting and pitching, saving time and improving results.
Final Thoughts
Selecting a media database is about matching features to your outreach goals. Test platforms where possible, compare data quality, and think about whether you need a local, regional, or global solution.
For those who’d rather skip the database entirely, consider using a newswire service that handles distribution on your behalf.
If you know of a great database not mentioned here, feel free to share—it might make the next update.
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