Astraweb, a long-standing player in the Usenet provider market.
Sadly due to lackluster customer support and downloading issues in recent years, we do NOT recommend this provider anymore. Try Newshosting instead.
Dive into the world of Usenet with Astraweb, a service that combines affordability with basic features.
Coming from the previous century, Astraweb certainly has been around, but have they evolved with the competition?
Ready to explore? Let’s unravel the offerings of Astraweb.
Price / Packages
Astraweb performs wel on cost with its competitively priced packages, but less with package quality. It is more suited for a casual user who occasionally browses Usenet then for a power user who frequently downloads large files.
Astra web also offers unlimited plans and block accounts, but they don’t have a free trial like, for example, Newshosting. All plans offer 50 connections.
Pricing Unlimited plans
- 1 Month
- 3 Months
- 12 Months
Pricing Block plans
The pricing structure is designed to offer flexibility and value, ensuring that you only pay for what you need. You can choose between three block plans:
- 25 GB
- 180 GB
- 1000 GB
Astraweb packages
Astraweb doesn’t have free VPN, like Easynews does. And it has no free newsreader.
Payment options
In an era where privacy is paramount, Astra web goes the extra mile by accepting Bitpay as a payment option. This allows users to maintain their anonymity while enjoying the service.
Of course, for those who prefer traditional methods, major credit cards are also accepted.
EU countries other than NL, AT, and DE
- Visa
- Mastercard
- American Express
- Debit Cards
- Bitpay
- Sepa Direct Debit (SDD)
All other countries
- Visa
- Mastercard
- American Express
- Debit Cards
- Bitpay
Software
While Astraweb does not offer its own Usenet browser or Usenet search option, it is compatible with various popular newsreaders. This allows users to choose a newsreader that they are comfortable with and that fits their needs, but is usually means extra costs.
Besides providing this flexibility in software compatibility, trying to ensure that users can have the best possible Usenet experience, Astra web also doesn’t offer VPN. However, there is a 256-bit SSL encryption for Usenet searches. Read the CheapNews review, if you’re looking for an alternative.
- No Newsreader
- No VPN
Connectivity / Settings
Astraweb servers are strategically located in both the US and EU, ensuring optimal connectivity and speed regardless of your geographical location. The configuration process is user-friendly and straightforward, allowing even the most novice users to get started with their Usenet journey swiftly.
Here are the server details to connect any newsreader, like SABnzbd, to Astra web’s Usenet servers:
- SSL Server address: ssl.astraweb.com
- Non-SSL Server address: news.astraweb.com
- SSL ports: 443 or 563
- Non-SSL ports: 119, 23, 1818 or 8080
- Maximum connections: 50
- Retention: 4000 days (both binary and text)
Astraweb backbone(s)
Astraweb uses the HW Media backbone.
Astraweb Servers
One of Astraweb’s standout features is its server flexibility. Astraweb offers a diverse range of Usenet news servers in both the United States and Europe, catering to a variety of user needs. For an EU alternative to Astraweb, check our NewsGrabber review.
Whether you’re after binary retention or looking for specific newsgroups, Astra web’s diverse server offerings have you covered. Refer to official Astra web documentation or customer support for accurate server information.
The full updated list of their server addresses and ports are available in the Member’s Area of their website.
You have to login to view them, but we have listed them here for you.
- European servers: eu.news.astraweb.com
- American servers: us.news.astraweb.com
- European SSL servers: ssl-eu.astraweb.com
- American SSL servers: ssl-us.astraweb.com
Speed
Astraweb doesn’t put a cap on your download speeds, but in reality they are not consistently fast. It claims to offer unlimited speed, ensuring your downloads are as fast as your internet connection allows.
With up to 50 simultaneous connections, you should be able to maximize your bandwidth and download files quickly and efficiently, which is not always the case. This is particularly important to consider for users who frequently download large files.
Retention
With a retention period exceeding 4000 days, Astraweb is lagging behind the top Usenet providers when it comes to data retention rates. This means you can still access posts that are over a decade old, but you miss out on the old files you can find on some of the top tear providers.
Top providers like Eweka, meanwhile have almost 5,500 days of retention.
Download Completion
Astraweb as a result of the limited retention also has lower completion rate, resulting in occasional missing parts when you download files. This, combined with the service’s speed and retention, made for a rather average Usenet experience.
In the past you could download with confidence, knowing that your files will be complete and intact. However, during our Astra web review we noticed that their completion has been dropping recently.
Support
While some users have raised questions about Astraweb’s customer service, Astraweb[i] offers some support resources on its website.
There is a detailed FAQ section and a dedicated support team that can be reached via email. Astraweb, does not offer any instant customer support like live chat.
Conclusion
Astraweb is an average Usenet provider as it offers mainly affordable prices without much comprehensive features. When you’re new to Usenet Astraweb could be something to offer you. As you can see from our XS Usenet review, it is a great alternative to Astraweb for a reliable and fast Usenet service with unlimited downloads and uploads.
An experienced user, will likely be disappointed with these providers. With its below average retention period, unstable speed, but flexible server options, Astraweb doesn’t qualify as a top choice for Usenet access.
Astraweb
Price: 8
Price Currency: $
Operating System: Windows, Mac OSX, Linux
Application Category: Usenet
Pros
- Over 4000 days of retention
- Unlimited but unstable speed
- Up to 50 connections
- Affordable pricing
- Servers in both the US and EU
- Accepts Bitcoin
Cons
- No proprietary Usenet browser
- Customer service without live chat
- No VPN
- Below average retention
- Occasional missing files
Not impressed? Please examine the leading seven Usenet providers.
FAQ
What is a basic overview of Astraweb as a Usenet provider?
Astraweb is a solid Usenet service provider that offers individuals, ISPs, and others a straightforward access to a wide range of Usenet servers. Based in Iceland, Astraweb has been operating since 1997 and offers unlimited accounts, catering to both American and European users.
How is the customer support offered by Astraweb?
You can expect a response to your query (email only) within 24 hours. They have a support team ready to assist with any issues or queries regarding their Usenet service.
How does the server speed and connections work in Astraweb?
Astraweb offers unlimited speed and 50 secure connections with its DSL package. This means whether your ISP can support 10 Mbps or more, Astraweb offers a solid Usenet service that won’t slow you down.
Can you give a brief Astraweb review about its binary retention policy?
Astraweb has a decent binary retention rate, which is among the top-medium segment in the industry. This means that binary files on their servers are saved for a long time, allowing users to dig deep into the Usenet archives.
Does Astraweb provide a free trial for its Usenet service?
Astraweb does not provide a free trial to let new users experience their service first-hand. So it is harder for potential customers to gauge the performance and decide if the Usenet provider is the right fit for them.
How does Astraweb’s privacy policy protect its users?
Astraweb has a strong privacy policy. They do not log or monitor the activities of their users on their servers. Furthermore, they offer SSL encryption for added security while downloading from Usenet.
What differentiates Astraweb from other Usenet providers?
Astraweb is a popular Usenet provider that has been around since the late 90s. They differentiate themselves from other Usenet providers by unlimited speed and 50 secure connections with their DSL service. Their servers are located in both the United State and Europe, offering a good variety of options for users.
Can Astraweb be used with any newsreader?
Yes, Astraweb can be used with many Usenet newsreaders. This means you can keep using your preferred newsreader while enjoying the benefits of their Usenet service.
How does Astraweb perform in the “Best Usenet” rankings?
Astraweb often finds itself being placed in the medium ranks of many “Best Usenet” rankings. Their good binary retention, comprehensive Usenet servers’ list and a solid privacy policy make them a decent Usenet provider, but not the best.
What ports are available for Astraweb?
Astraweb supports the popular ports for Usenet which are 119, 23, 1818, and 8080 for non-SSL connections, and 563 and 443 for Astraweb SSL connections.