Thundernews has subpar support, which is the main reason we do not recommend their services.
Although they have high-speed connectivity and a vast selection of news groups, their lack of adequate support makes them less appealing for many users.
Who are they?
ThunderNews is a Usenet provider that offers a wide range of plans, boasting high connection-speeds, good article completeness, and sufficant article retention. They prioritize privacy, providing access to newsgroups without logging activity.
| Company name | Thundernews |
| Address | 719-D E. Greenville St. #155 Anderson, SC, United States |
Price / Packages
ThunderNews provides three primary types of Usenet access:
- Unlimited Monthly plans
- Block plans
- Metered plans.
The Unlimited Monthly plans offer unrestricted UN access, with up to 4390 days text-, and 4451 days binary retention, 50 simultaneous connections, and 256-bit SSL encryption. Renewal terms offered:
- monthly
- 3 month,
- 6 months
- 12 months
The standard plans are NOT speed-limited. With the 50 Premium Usenet-server connections, you can connect as fast as your ISP connection will allow.
For more flexible usage, Block packages, which are non-expiring, offer access to US and EU-servers with 10 simultaneous connections. Metered-packages feature 99% article completion, 24/7 support, broadband-speed, and unlimited message uploads.
In the context of this comprehensive review, it’s interesting to compare it with others, like in our Giganews review.
Payment Options
Thundernews offers flexible payment options, including credit cards and PayPal, catering to the digitally savvy. However, please note that cryptocurrency payments are not available at this time.
Connectivity and Configuration
Thundernews plans are intended for individual users and their immediate family members only, with no sharing permitted. Plans with a specified monthly usage allowance can connect from multiple IP addresses. However, unlimited plans are restricted to a single IP address.
You can set up their news reader software with up to 10 connections on Standard-servers and up to 50 on Premium-servers. Additionally, Thundernews offers a range of SSL and non-SSL ports, catering to news reader enthusiasts.
Standard (Non-SSL)
- news.thundernews.com
- Connections: 10
- NNTP ports: 119, 23, 25, 80, 3128, 7000, 8000 or 9000
Premium (SSL)
- us.thundernews.com
- eu.thundernews.com
- NNTP ports: 119, 23, 443, 3128, 7000, 8000, 8080 or 9000
- secure.us.thundernews.com
- secure.eu.thundernews.com
- SSL ports: 563, 80 or 81
Speed
Thundernews offers high-speed UN services, utilizing serverparks in both Europe and the US to ensure you can maximize your broadband connections. With an allowance of 50 connections, you can enjoy stable connections and maximize the benefits of unlimited downloads.
Retention
With a retention period of 4451 days of binary news group retention (4390 days text retention), Thundernews provides extensive access to Usenet content. While there are providers with even longer retention periods (like Easynews and Newshosting), Thundernews ensures a reliable and vast archive of information.
Download Completion
Thundernews-servers peer with hundreds of other Usenet newsservers across the Usenet to provide you access to every newsgroup available and maintain some of the best completion rates in the industry at over 99%. Our extensive testing has consistently demonstrated a 100% completion rate, highlighting the exceptional efficiency and reliability of Thundernews.
Software
Thundernews Usenet Browser
Thundernews has its own news reader software, providing users with a convenient and user-friendly way to access Usenet content. While users have the option to use their own downloading apps, Thundernews’ newsreader comes included with the service. This feature is especially beneficial for new users who may be unfamiliar with setting up external news readers or downloading software.
Customer Support
The biggest downfall of Thundernews is their horrible customer support. It is painfully slow and unhelpful, even after weeks my issue still hasn’t been resloved. However, their website has information on setup and usage, ensuring that most users will find the guidance they need to efficiently use their services.
Thundernews
Price: 6
Price Currency: $
Operating System: Windows, Mac OSX, Linux, iOS, Android
Application Category: Usenet
2.8
Pros
- High binary retention
- VPN add-on option
- Servers in US and Europe
- Variety of plans – unlimited, metered, block access
- Free newsreader
Cons
- Poor customer support
- No free trial
- Limited special offers and coupons
- Pricey plans with VPN
Frequently Asked Questions
How to upgrade or downgrade Thundernews plans?
You can manage your account settings, including upgrades or downgrades, through the Dashboard on the Thundernews website.
What is Thundernews Auto Recycling and how does it work?
Auto Recycling is a feature that automatically renews your plan when you reach your usage limit, ensuring uninterrupted service. You can enable or disable this feature in the Dashboard.
Can I view my past invoices and track my usage with Thundernews?
Yes, Thundernews provides an online history where you can view and download invoices, and also track your usage bytes and remaining bandwidth balance.
How do I cancel or reinstate my Thundernews account?
Account cancellation can be done through the Dashboard, and you can reinstate it by contacting Thundernews support or creating a new account.
What should I do if I encounter a 502 (server-authentication) error?
This error typically means you’ve reached your usage limit. You can upgrade or renew your account through the Dashboard to resolve this issue.
