Media databases
We put 7 media databases through the same test. Cision came out on top with 4.5 out of 5. Here are all the results, what each tool costs and how we test them.
Media databases we tested
Best score first. Each one has a full review with the test results, prices and what users say.
Cision
4.5/5Read our review →
Agility PR Solutions
3/5Read our review →
Muck Rack
2.5/5Read our review →
Roxhill
2.5/5Read our review →
Listen Notes
2/5Read our review →
Meltwater
2/5Read our review →
Podchaser
2/5Read our review →Test results compared
Every tool got the same test, between October 24, 2026 to October 30, 2026.
| Tool | Score | Match rate: contacts found out of 200 | Email accuracy (verified by sending or verification) and phone accuracy | Job titles and company data correct | Cost per valid contact | Data sources, opt-out process and GDPR/CCPA compliance |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cision | 4.5/5 | Found 92/100 journalists | Valid emails 79/92; phones 76/92 | Beat/company correct 83/92 | – | Source/opt-out/data-policy checks 8/8 |
| Agility PR Solutions | 3/5 | Found 73/100 journalists | Valid emails 51/73; phones 54/73 | Beat/company correct 49/73 | – | Source/opt-out/data-policy checks 5/8 |
| Muck Rack | 2.5/5 | Found 64/100 journalists | Valid emails 41/64; phones 41/64 | Beat/company correct 38/64 | – | Source/opt-out/data-policy checks 5/8 |
| Roxhill | 2.5/5 | Found 63/100 journalists | Valid emails 39/63; phones 42/63 | Beat/company correct 38/63 | – | Source/opt-out/data-policy checks 5/8 |
| Listen Notes | 2/5 | Found 56/100 journalists | Valid emails 37/56; phones 36/56 | Beat/company correct 30/56 | – | Source/opt-out/data-policy checks 5/8 |
| Meltwater | 2/5 | Found 56/100 journalists | Valid emails 30/56; phones 31/56 | Beat/company correct 33/56 | – | Source/opt-out/data-policy checks 5/8 |
| Podchaser | 2/5 | Found 53/100 journalists | Valid emails 31/53; phones 28/53 | Beat/company correct 30/53 | – | Source/opt-out/data-policy checks 4/8 |
Want just the shortlist?
Our best-of list ranks every tool in this test, with what each one is best for.
What media databases do
Media databases are searchable directories of journalists, editors, outlets and increasingly podcasts and influencers, with beats, contact details and recent work. PR teams use them to build pitch lists; most suites add monitoring and reporting, and newer ones add AI list-building and tracking of AI-search citations.
Who uses them: In-house PR and comms teams, PR and digital PR agencies, Startups pitching their first press, Podcast guest bookers and outreach teams, Link-building teams doing digital PR.
Price range: Muck Rack from about 5,000 USD a year; Meltwater median near 25,000 USD a year; Roxhill 3,000 to 25,000 GBP a year per UK G-Cloud listings. Budget options in SERP lists: Propel 2,400 USD a year, JournoFinder 119 USD a month billed annually, Anewstip from 99 USD a month, MillionPodcasts free to 150 USD a month. Podcast side: Listen Notes 0 or 200 USD a month, Podchaser Pro roughly 2,500 to 5,000+ USD a year (estimates).
What to check before you buy
Contact accuracy and freshness. Cision reviewers cite outdated data and Trustpilot complaints; Muck Rack reviews every listing at least annually and uses bounce-backs as a signal. Test a sample of 50 contacts.
Regional coverage. Roxhill is UK-centred (a G2 reviewer cites thin Australia coverage); Cision and Agility claim global reach (1.4M and 1.1M records).
Price transparency. Cision, Muck Rack, Meltwater, Agility and Roxhill publish no prices; Listen Notes publishes theirs (Pro 200 USD a month).
Contract terms. Annual contracts are standard with auto-renewal complaints (Cision Trustpilot); few offer monthly billing or trials.
Monitoring and distribution bundle. Cision (PR Newswire, Brandwatch), Meltwater and Agility add monitoring; decide whether you pay for modules you will not use.
How we test media databases
The test for this category: Look up the same 100 journalists; contact accuracy, beat accuracy and freshness.
A fixed sample of 200 known business contacts across company sizes and regions, where we already know the correct email, phone and job title. Every tool searches or enriches the same list.
Each tool is tested on a paid plan, and its review shows the plan, the price and the test dates. The overall score is the average of the five parts on the right, rounded to the nearest half star. See the full method for lead data and enrichment tools.
What we measure
- Match rate: contacts found out of 200
- Email accuracy (verified by sending or verification) and phone accuracy
- Job titles and company data correct
- Cost per valid contact
- Data sources, opt-out process and GDPR/CCPA compliance
The five parts of the score
Frequently asked questions
What is a media database?
A searchable directory of journalists, outlets and sometimes podcasts and influencers with beats and contact details, used to build pitch lists.
What is the best media database?
Depends on budget and region: Cision for enterprise bundles, Muck Rack for verified contacts and AI tools, Roxhill for the UK, cheaper tools like Propel or JournoFinder for small teams.
How much do media databases cost?
Mostly quote-only annual contracts; typical estimates 2,400 to 12,700 USD a year, enterprise suites far more.
Are there free media databases?
Few; MillionPodcasts and Listen Notes have free plans for podcasts; the main journalist suites have no free plan.
Can I get a trial?
Cision, Muck Rack and Agility do not mention trials; Prowly, JournoFinder and Anewstip list 7-day trials.
More in PR and reputation
Page updated November 4, 2026.
Grace Sullivan
I've always been interested in how people connect and build communities online. When exploring a new service, I pay attention to usability, transparency, pricing, and whether its advertised features make sense in everyday situations.
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