featured-com vs connectively
Featured.com vs Connectively — features, pricing, and which to choose for your SEO workflow in 2026.
Quick Verdict
The digital PR landscape shifted dramatically when HARO transformed into Connectively in 2023, leaving many PR professionals searching for alternatives. Featured.com emerged as the AI-powered challenger, while Connectively carries the legacy of the original source-matching giant. Both platforms connect experts with journalists, but their approaches to automation, user experience, and pricing couldn't be more different.
This comparison matters because choosing the wrong platform can mean missing high-authority backlink opportunities or wasting hours on irrelevant pitches. Featured.com promises AI-driven precision matching, while Connectively offers the established network and credibility that comes with the former HARO brand recognition.
Feature Comparison
Featured.com takes an AI-first approach to source matching, automatically analyzing journalist queries and matching them with relevant expert profiles based on expertise, location, and availability. The platform uses machine learning to improve match accuracy over time and provides automated pitch suggestions. Users can set up intelligent alerts that go beyond simple keyword matching, considering context and relevance scoring. Connectively maintains the traditional HARO model with some modern updates. Journalists post queries organized by category (business, lifestyle, healthcare, etc.), and sources manually browse through daily email digests or the web platform. The platform offers basic filtering by category and keyword search, but lacks the sophisticated AI matching that Featured.com provides. However, Connectively benefits from its established journalist network and brand recognition that many reporters still trust. The key difference lies in automation versus manual curation. Featured.com reduces the time spent scanning irrelevant opportunities, while Connectively gives users complete control over which queries they pursue, potentially catching opportunities that AI might miss.
Pricing Comparison
Both platforms start with free tiers, but the value proposition differs significantly. Featured.com's free plan includes basic AI matching and limited monthly pitch opportunities, with paid plans adding advanced matching algorithms, priority support, and increased pitch limits. The pricing scales based on the number of monthly opportunities and AI features accessed. Connectively offers free access to browse queries and submit pitches, similar to the original HARO model. Their premium plans focus on enhanced visibility, advanced search features, and priority placement of source responses. The pricing structure is more straightforward but lacks the AI-powered efficiency features that justify Featured.com's premium tiers. For budget-conscious users, Featured.com provides better value through time savings and improved match quality, while Connectively's free tier offers broader access to opportunities without feature restrictions.
Best For
Featured.com works best for busy PR professionals, agencies, and solo consultants who receive dozens of daily opportunities and need AI assistance to filter relevant matches. It's ideal for users who value efficiency over manual control and want to automate much of the initial screening process. The platform excels for experts in multiple niches who need sophisticated matching beyond simple keyword triggers. Connectively is better for traditional PR professionals who prefer manual opportunity review, journalists who want access to the established HARO network, and sources who worry about AI missing nuanced opportunities. It's the right choice for users who have time to scan daily digests and prefer the familiar HARO workflow that many journalists still expect.
The Verdict
Featured.com wins for most modern PR workflows. The AI-powered matching saves significant time while maintaining quality, and the automated features help users scale their digital PR efforts without proportionally increasing manual work. While Connectively carries the HARO legacy and established network, Featured.com's superior technology and user experience make it the better choice for 2025's digital PR landscape.