Dive into our real-talk reviews of the top 7 Usenet services, where we cut through the hype to tell you what’s actually worth your time and money.

From unbeatable speeds to wallet-friendly deals, find out which providers truly stand out in the crowded and confusing Usenet landscape.

What is the best Usenet provider?

There is no one size fits all, it depends on your needs. Compare ShareConnector’s top 7 picks below.

#ProviderPrice/moRetentionServersVPNRating
1Newshosting$5.995649+US, NLYes★ ★ ★ ★ ★
2Eweka€6.995646+NLYes★ ★ ★ ★ ★
3NewsGroupDirect$6.254448+US, USW, NLYes★ ★ ★ ★
4UsenetServer$7.95 5649+US, NLYes★ ★ ★ ★
5Easynews$5.995649+US, NLYes★ ★ ★ ★
6Tweaknews€7.504500NLYes★ ★ ★ ★
7PureUsenet€5.974100NLNo★ ★ ★
All data shown is for the unlimited plans, with binary retention in days

Not sure what to pick? Try before you buy the best free Usenet providers (free trial).

Now lets get into the nitty gritty details of our editors top 7 picks while providing full transparency to the best of our knowledge.

1. Newshosting – Best for speed freaks

Newshosting
Specs
Retention5649+ days
Backbone(s)HW Media (US), HW Media (NL)
ServersUS, NL
Max connections100
NewsreaderYes with Usenet Search
VPNYes
Free trial14 days or 30GB *
Best dealUnlimited 12+3 Months $5.99/mo **
Unlimited Monthly $9.99/mo ***
* Regular price with FREE trial
** Discount + 3 FREE Months ($7.50/mo thereafter)
*** Discount

Newshosting has been one of the best Usenet companies for years. They have a modern Usenet client interface and operate their independent server networks on multiple locations (US and EU).

This top provider maintains its newsfeeds, and delivers lightning-fast download speeds, 3 to 4 Gbps being reported. Granting you the highest download completion and retention (text and binary) in the industry, period.

You’ll be able to access over 110,000 newsgroups (news servers) and easily find the Usenet posts you are looking for.

Newshosting’s high-quality newsreader with integrated Usenet search works on Windows, MacOS, and Linux operating systems is included, as well as the free zero-log PrivadoVPN, making Newshosting a superb value for money.

Read our extended Newshosting review.

  • Free newsreader with search
  • Highest retention (and continues to grow)
  • Independent EU and US backbone
  • Solid completion rate
  • Fast speeds
  • Free VPN (Zero-Log)
  • 100 (SSL) Connections
  • Lifetime exclusive for ShareConnector visitors
  • 14-day free trial
  • Limited payment methods
  • No real-time customer support

For a limited time, ShareConnector readers can access an EXCLUSIVE Newshosting offer via the link below: 70% discount for life on unlimited Usenet downloads. 3 Free Months included in this deal.

2. Eweka – Best European Access

Eweka
Specs
Retention5646+ days
Backbone(s)Eweka
ServersNL
Max connections50
NewsreaderYes with Usenet Search
VPNYes
Free trialNo trial (30-Day Money-Back Guarantee)
Best dealUnlimited 15 Months €6.99/mo
Unlimited Annual €9.00/mo
Unlimited Monthly €9.50/mo

Eweka has been one of the most respected Dutch Usenet services for over 20 years. They provide high-quality Usenet access with great retention, completion rates, and speed. This is because they own all of their data centers.

A free newsreader is included in the account. It allows you to search Usenet, NZB importing, auto-downloading, and file previews. With the 27% lifetime discount and a one-week free trial with unlimited downloads, it is one of the most tempting Usenet offers available anywhere.

EU server clusters only, which may affect access speed of users outside Europe.

Read our extended Eweka review.

  • Reputable Dutch Usenet provider
  • Independent EU backbone
  • Uncapped speed and data
  • Free newsreader with search
  • High article completion and retention rates
  • Free trial with unlimited data
  • No Bitcoin payments
  • No real-time customer support
  • EU server clusters only

Get this amazing Eweka offer via the link below: 52% discount on unlimited Usenet downloads.

3. NewsGroupDirect – Best Triple Backbone

NewsgroupDirect
Specs
Retention4448+ days
Backbone(s)UsenetExpress, Vipernews, Supernews
ServersUS, USW, NL
Max connections100
NewsreaderNo
VPNYes
Free trialNo trial (30-Day, 15GB Money-Back Guarantee)
Best dealUnlimited NGD Triple Play $13.00/mo
Unlimited Annual $6.25/mo
Unlimited Monthly $9.00/mo

With NewsgroupDirect you can now experience unparalleled connectivity with their Triple Play Plan, now featuring triple backbones for unmatched reliability and performance. They are also offering competitive features, such as SSL encryption, and a variety of billing options, including a block account system where users pre-purchase data.

NGD offers a solid binary retention period of 4448+ days which is competitive with other providers in the market. The service includes both US and EU servers, appealing to users keen on privacy and seeking to download from outside their home country.

Additionally, subscription accounts come with the bonus of access to the Ghost Path VPN service, enhancing security and privacy for users. A pity they don’t offer a free newsreader with any of their plans, like Newshosting and others.

Read our extended NewsgroupDirect review.

  • SSL Encryption
  • 4445 Days Retention
  • US and EU Servers
  • VPN with Subscription
  • Block Account Option
  • 100 Connections
  • 30-Day Free Trial
  • No Bitcoin Payment
  • No Native Newsreader
  • Free Trial US Credit Card Only
  • No real-time customer support

4. UsenetServer – Best Global Reach

UsenetServer
Specs
Retention5649+ days
Backbone(s)HW Media (US), HW Media (NL)
ServersUS, NL
Max connections20
NewsreaderYes
VPNYes
Free trial14 days or 10GB *
Best dealUnlimited Annual $7.95/mo **
Unlimited Monthly $10.00/mo **
* Regular price
** Discount – no free trial

UsenetServer is a renowned Usenet service known for its affordable unlimited access to Usenet with high speeds and some of the best binary and text retentions in the business (>13 years). They operate their own independent server farms in both the US and EU and have been regarded as one of the best back-end newsgroup service providers for decades.

UsenetServer also supports NZB and with its free NZB downloader/search engine, you can find Usenet posts and create NZBs. However, UNS does not have a newsreader but works well with the most popular clients like NewsLeecher. You also get the zero-log and blazing-fast PrivadoVPN.

Read our extended UsenetServer review.

  • Independent EU and US backbone
  • Longest retention (text and binary)
  • Usenet client search feature
  • Free VPN (Zero-Log)
  • Free 14-day trial
  • No Native Newsreader
  • Limited payment methods

For a limited time, ShareConnector readers can access an EXCLUSIVE UsenetServer offer via the link below: 60% lifetime discount on unlimited Usenet downloads.

5. Easynews – Best for Mobile & Streaming

Specs
Retention5649+ days
Backbone(s)HW Media (US), HW Media (NL)
ServersUS, NL
Max connections60
NewsreaderYes with Usenet Search
VPNYes
Free trial14 days or 50GB *
Best dealUnlimited 12+3 Months $5.99/mo **
Unlimited Monthly $9.99/mo ***
* Regular price with 14 days FREE trial
** Discount + 3 FREE Months ($7.50/mo thereafter)
*** Discount

Easynews is the leading Usenet innovator. An all-in-one provider that combines unlimited Usenet access with a newsreader and NZB search – a separate indexer is no longer needed.

You’ll get unlimited speed and an excellently designed web interface (with video streaming) that is easy to use. The Usenet web access is one of its great selling points as no (few) others have it.

It is optimized for mobile devices which makes previewing files and streaming videos a pleasure to use. You can even Chromecast the videos to your TV.

Due to its outstanding search technology, it has the widest and most accurate Usenet (web) browser results.

On top of all that, you’ll get the highest retention in the industry and the ultra-fast zero-log PrivadoVPN for free.

Read our extended Easynews review.

  • All-in-one Usenet experience
  • Best search results on Usenet
  • Independent EU and US backbone
  • Highest retention
  • Video streaming and file previews
  • Mobile-friendly access
  • Web interface
  • VPN access (Zero-Log) free of charge
  • Exclusive 75% lifetime discount
  • 30 day money=back-guarantee
  • No Bitcoin payments

For a limited time, ShareConnector readers can access an EXCLUSIVE Easynews offer via the link below: 80% discount on unlimited Usenet downloads. 3 Free Months with a 30 Day Money-Back Guarantee with the special offer.

6. Tweaknews – Best European Usenet

TweakNews
Specs
Retention4500+ days
Backbone(s)HW Media
ServersNL
Max connections60
NewsreaderYes with Usenet Search
VPNYes
Free trialNo trial (30-Day Money-Back Guarantee)
Best dealUnlimited Annual €7.50/mo
Unlimited Monthly €9.99/mo

Tweaknews is an independent Usenet service provider with exceptional article retention and completion ratio. This is important for accessing older articles. They also have their own Windows-based Usenet client with solid features.

This service is great for users outside the US, like European users. Because of they have only got EU server clusters, this may affect access speeds of users outside Europe. But it certainly is the best European Usenet provider.

A TweakNews account includes top speeds, a free high-quality newsreader with a built-in search function and file-preview, plus the zero-log and blazing-fast PrivadoVPN.
This entire service package is only €7,50 per month (annual plan), making it clearly one of the best-value packages you can get.

Read our extended Tweaknews review.

  • Best completion rates 99,99%
  • Independently operated EU servers
  • 60 (SSL) connections
  • Free zero-log VPN
  • Awesome download speeds
  • Upgraded retention to 4500 days
  • Free trial – 10 days with 50 GB
  • Free newsreader with search + preview
  • EU server clusters only
  • No online chat support

For a limited time, ShareConnector readers can access an EXCLUSIVE Tweaknews offer via the link below: 42% lifetime discount on unlimited Usenet downloads.

7. Pure Usenet – Best Pennywise Pick

Pure Usenet
Specs
Retention4100+ days
Backbone(s)HW Media
ServersNL
Max connections20
NewsreaderYes with Usenet Search
VPNNo
Free trial7 days unlimited GB
Best dealPure M – 20 Mbps Annual €3.09/mo
Pure XL – 60 Mbps Annual €4.53/mo
Pure XXL – Unlimited Annual €5.97/mo

Pure Usenet offers fast, secure, and reliable Usenet access with exceptional binary retention of over 4,100 days and SSL encryption included in every account. With a free 7-day trial and packages starting at just €3.09/month, Pure Usenet is an affordable option for premium Usenet access.

As a Tier 1 provider, Pure Usenet’s network is among the fastest in the industry, and their 24/7/365 support ensures a trouble-free experience. Plus, enjoy maximum speed, unfiltered content, and anonymous access. Sign up now and save 20% on annual accounts.

Read our extended Pure Usenet review.

  • High retention
  • High speeds
  • Optimal price for slower internet
  • Bitcoin and iDeal payments possible
  • FREE 7-day trial
  • Relatively few connections
  • No additional features

Newsservers to avoid

Popular providers such as Giganews and Astraweb are not included in this detailed comparison due to their recently declining retention and service, as reported by customer experiences on Trustpilot and other review sites.

All Usenet provider reviews

Still not sure which provider to choose? Maybe some of the reviews below will fit your needs.

Best Usenet Provider for Sonarr

For the best experience with Sonarr, Newshosting and Eweka stand out as top Usenet providers, offering reliable and fast Usenet access. Both Newshosting and Eweka are renowned for their robust server networks and retention rates, ensuring seamless integration and optimal performance with Sonarr.

Our Review Criteria

At ShareConnector, we meticulously evaluate Usenet providers using rigorous criteria, including package options, connectivity, speed, retention, download completeness, software quality, VPN services, and customer support. This thorough approach helps us identify the best and most affordable Usenet providers. We regularly reassess and update our evaluations.

Our latest review and revision were completed on January 15, 2024.

Over the years, we’ve experienced Usenet through the lens of each provider listed below, witnessing the evolution of Usenet firsthand. This has allowed us to observe the innovations and enhancements made by some of these providers, enriching our understanding and expertise in the field.

7 key factors when choosing an Usenet service provider

To help you find your best Usenet server that is tailored to your use case, consider these seven criteria:

Pricing plans

A reliable Usenet service will set you back an average of $5-$10/month. Choose the plan that suits your needs and internet speed. Basic unlimited access without extras and with limited speed costs around $5/month.

Speed and Connections

Maximize your Usenet download speed by prioritizing a fast internet connection, instead of just relying on multiple connections. You can increase Usenet download speeds (data transfer capacity) by using multiple connections. With 20-40 connections, you can get the most out of your bandwidth, depending on your internet connection.

Retention growth

Retention is the make-or-break feature of a quality Usenet service for optimal search results and retention should increase all the time. Make sure to choose a Usenet supplier with high retention rates and a large Usenet archive to maximize your access to articles and improve your overall experience on Usenet.

Equally important to file retention is header retention (the time the headers are stored). By searching headers, you can easily find content on Usenet. Most of the top Usenet services use the HW Media backbone.

Usenet

Completion ratio

Ensure successful downloads by choosing a Usenet company with a high completion ratio with few or without missing parts or incomplete Usenet posts.

Unlimited and secure access

Top Usenet services do not limit your access, throttle speeds or obstruct you in any other way. Every good Usenet service should have SSL included. Keep your Usenet searches private and safe with 256-bit SSL encryption.

Server network and Locations

Usenet service providers which operate their own server network are more reliable. The location and concentration of Usenet servers on the globe is also important, depending on your current location.

If you download from Europe, make sure the provider has European servers to get the best (unlimited) speeds, for example. Better is of course a provider with US and EU servers.

Extra’s like free VPN

To stay protected and to streamline your Usenet experience, some Usenet service providers come with free premium VPNs and optimized newsreaders from the best providers on the market.

For more information on these criteria, you can look at our Usenet provider reviews. (For example, the Pure Usenet review with interesting block accounts)

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the best Usenet service?

The best Usenet service provider is Easynews. It’s an all-in-one web-based service for which you don’t need to install anything and can use it on any device. It is optimized for mobile devices which makes previewing files and streaming videos a pleasure to use.

Can you still access Usenet?

Yes, you can still access Usenet. Several Usenet Providers offer access to Usenet newsgroups with different plans and pricing options.

Do I need a Usenet provider?

Yes, you always need a Usenet service provider and when you use Easynews, you don’t need a separate newsreader and NZB search engine.

Is Usenet illegal?

Usenet is not illegal, just as the internet isn’t. But it is still your responsibility to make sure, you don’t do anything illegal, for example, with UsenetServer.

Do Usenet Providers have servers in the US and Europe?

Yes, many Usenet Providers have servers in both the United States and Europe. This allows users to access Usenet from different locations and get faster download speeds.

Can I get a free trial with Usenet Providers?

Yes, many Usenet Providers offer a free trial period, which can range from a few days to a few weeks. Some providers, such as Newshosting, offer a special promotion where you can get 3 free months of service.

Are there any free Usenet providers?

Permanently free of charge Usenet access is slow, painfully limited, and not worth your time. Most Usenet providers like Easynews offer a free trial period.

Do I need VPN with Usenet?

Using a VPN with Usenet is not necessary, when you use the Usenet SSL protection, because VPN will unnecessarily reduce your download speeds. When you download torrents, it is on the other hand highly recommended.

How much does usenet cost?

Basic Usenet plans can start as low as $2 per month, while premium plans with more features can cost around $20 per month.

How does Usenet compare with torrents?

Usenet offers faster download speeds, higher privacy, and better retention rates compared to torrents. While torrents are free, Usenet provides a more reliable and secure way to access a vast library of content without the need to share.

By Jerone Jones

Jerone JonesEditor
Jerone, a true coding cowboy from Silicon Valley, scribes pixel-pushing tales from the tech frontier. Former Google engineer, turned AI guru, he's cracked the Matrix, chewed binary for breakfast, and spit out usable code. Trust his bytes, he's seen every bug in the virtual book. Enjoys real books, java (the drink), and quirky keyboards.

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