PR Gun vs openPR (2026), Free Posting vs Paid Distribution

By the PR Gun Research desk. Prices verified November 1, 2026.

Disclosure. PR Gun wrote this comparison and sells paid press release distribution, so we compete with openPR for some buyers. An earlier version of this page made claims about both services that we couldn't source. We've removed them.

PR Gun vs openPR is posting versus paid distribution. On November 1, 2026 openPR let business users post one free release every 30 days, and a single paid credit cost 49.00 EUR plus VAT. openPR is a posting portal with no U.S. national wire product. PR Gun sells U.S. distribution tiers at $49, $99, $199 and $399, with AP News and USA Today on the top tier. Choose openPR for low-cost posting, and PR Gun for named U.S. outlets and writing.

openPR and PR Gun compared

openPR's prices are in euros and exclude VAT, so your final card charge depends on exchange rates and your tax status. PR Gun prices are in U.S. dollars.

How cheap can openPR get?

Very cheap at volume. Here's the per-release math from openPR's own credit prices.

No PR Gun package comes close to those per-release figures. If you need to post a lot of routine news and don't need named U.S. outlets, that's a strong case for openPR.

What can't we tell you?

PR Gun's database of published press releases has no 2026 openPR sample, so we can't describe what openPR releases look like or how often they carry contact details. openPR's pricing page doesn't list partner outlets either. We won't fill those gaps with guesses.

What openPR does publish is advice. Its FAQ explains how to get a release listed in Google News, including using a suitable keyword in the headline. That's a sign the service expects you to do your own optimization.

Choose openPR if...

• You want to post at no cost. One free release every 30 days is a real benefit for a small business with occasional news.
• You publish in volume. 500 credits for 399 EUR works out to well under 1 EUR per release.
• You also publish in German. openPR's submit page sends German-language releases to openPR.de.
• You value buyer feedback. openPR's 4.2 rating from 15 Trustpilot reviews is higher than most services we track, though the count is small.
• You want credits that last. openPR credits lapse after three years. PR Gun credits expire after 365 days.

Choose PR Gun if...

• You want named U.S. outlets. PR Standard at $99 lists digital affiliates of FOX, NBC, CBS and ABC. PR Max at $399 adds AP News and USA Today.
• You need the release written. openPR doesn't offer writing. PR Gun's pricing FAQ says writing is free.
• You use a free email address. openPR's free tier doesn't accept Gmail or similar addresses.
• You want journalists contacted. PR Pro includes 250 journalist contacts in one category, and Media Outreach is $75 per category on its own.
• You want a refund window. PR Gun refunds before review starts. openPR's terms rule out returns between businesses.

Scenarios by buyer type

Startup. Use openPR's free monthly slot for small updates like a new feature. Save PR Gun's PR Max for the launch where you want AP News on your coverage page.

Small business. A local shop with news a few times a year may never need more than openPR's free tier. If you want TV-affiliate sites named, PR Standard at $99 does that.

Agency. openPR's 100 and 500 credit packs make low-stakes client posts nearly free. For a client paying for named outlets and a written release, PR Gun fits better.

Public company. Neither service describes a disclosure product. Start with PR Newswire vs Business Wire.

For openPR on its own, read our openPR review. To see how both compare with every other published price, go to the pricing guide or cheap press release distribution.

Frequently asked questions

Is openPR free?

Yes, for one release per 30 days, for business users with a non-free-mail address. Paid credits start at 49.00 EUR plus VAT for one release.

Is PR Gun better than openPR?

They do different jobs. openPR is a low-cost posting portal. PR Gun sells U.S. distribution with named outlets, writing and outreach at $49 to $399. Pick on whether you need those extras.

What is a good openPR alternative?

If you want named U.S. outlets such as AP News, or a written release, PR Gun is one option. If you only want cheap posting, openPR's own bulk credits are hard to beat.

Who runs openPR?

openPR is operated by Einbock GmbH in Hannover, Germany. Its footer dates the site from 2004.

Can I get a refund from openPR?

openPR's terms say there's no right of revocation or return between businesses, and credits can't be paid out. PR Gun refunds only before review starts.

Does openPR distribute to U.S. news sites?

openPR has no U.S. national wire product, and its pricing page names no partner outlets. It's a posting portal.