Usenet reviews

Eweka Holiday Deal 2023

☛ If you are looking for the simplest, most efficient solution for accessing and searching for articles on Usenet, try EWEKA. EWEKA offers the best retention and completion rates on the market with no speed limits.

BEST Holiday Usenet Deals 2023 - The Eweka Holiday deal is ONLY 5,99 € / month

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You can sign up for EWEKA here. If you want a strong all-rounder of a Usenet service, then look no further than this provider. You won’t get any better for speed or completion if you buy Eweka USENET.

☛ This service includes everything:

  • Very high retention with complete article availability on every newsgroup. EVERY binary and text newsgroup on Eweka has 5600+ days of retention, giving you access to BILLIONS of more posts than over USENET providers. Higher the retention period, the easier the finding of the content.

  • Exceptionnal completion rates. During our testing, Eweka delivered comparably high completion rates. I recommend Eweka for anyone that doesn't want to worry about completion. Currently I' m using eweka with a 99% completion which is pretty excellent!.

  • Unlimited downloads with uncapped speeds.

  • Free newsreader with search. Search, preview, and download with a free copy of Newslazer. Full NZB-import functionality is also included.


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GET EWEKA PLUS = USENET + NEWSREADER + Free VPN account - SAVE 52% OFF EWEKA PLUS

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USENET Provider Reviews

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The best Usenet providers in 2024

USENET has a rich history spanning several decades and continues to thrive due to its remarkable speed, security, and decentralized nature. USENET (newsgroups) is in fact more robust then ever before thanks to advances in retention capabilities (access to more posts), faster speeds, and improved newsreader software.

To get started with USENET, you will first need a reliable USENET service provider to get connected to the network. Below, we have curated a list of the best providers with exceptional service. These providers offer the best retention rates and most extensive archives of Usenet posts for the best overall search results and completion rates.

Once you’ve signed up with a reliable USENET service provider, the next step is to get NZB files to feed into your newsreader client. This is where NZB indexes come into play - they allow you to search for specific articles, then create NZBs to send to your preferred newsreader app. Your newsreader app will then utilize these NZB files to download those articles.

NGProvider constantly tests and reviews all the Best USENET Servers. We highlight TWO OF THE BEST USENET PROVIDERS here:

  1. NEWSHOSTINGBest Overall Usenet Provider
  2. Newshosting offers the most retention (more retention means access to more posts, meaning better overall search results and completion rates), fastest speeds, and a host of additional premium features:

    • High retention and impressive completion rates
    • Unlimited Usenet access and transfer speeds
    • Free newsreader with a built-in Usenet search feature
    • Free VPN

    Get 58% off Newshosting, our #1 rated Usenet provider, here

  3. EWEKABest Independent European USENET Provider

    Eweka offers unlimited USENET access with excellent retention and completion rates. For a limited-time only, get a 52% special discount auto-applied to your account.

    Key Eweka features include:

    • High retention and impressive completion rates
    • Unlimited Usenet access and transfer speeds
    • Free newsreader with a built-in Usenet search feature
    • Free unlimited VPN

Get 52% off Eweka, our rated independent Usenet provider, here. Includes 30 day money-back guarantee.


We used the following VITAL CRITERIA (Completion - Retention - Speed) to identify and rate the crème de la crème of best USENET providers.

NEWSHOSTING

Get 58% off an unlimited Newshosting account

NEWSHOSTING REVIEW: The Best Overall Usenet Service

Newshosting is our top recommended USENET provider, offering unbeatable service levels and a comprehensive range of features:

  • Highest retention: Retention is the most critical factor that directly impacts the quality of your experience. The more extensive the retention, the greater the number of articles available, leading to enhanced search results and completion rates.

Newshosting offers an industry-best retention rate of 5,394+ days for all 110,000 binary and text newsgroups. With complete article availability, you'll have access to an astounding number of USENET posts to explore, surpassing other providers by billions of posts. Moreover, Newshosting's retention rates continue to grow daily, ensuring you never miss a new or old USENET post.

  • Highest completion: Newshosting has a remarkable 99% completion rate. Their top-quality retention ensures you have the best chances of successfully finding the specific posts you're looking for.

  • Fastest network: Newshosting maintains a state-of-the-art network with the fastest speeds. Their fully redundant server farms in North America and Europe guarantee optimal performance and unlimited speeds with no soft caps, even for hard core users.

  • Unlimited access: In addition to unlimited speeds, Newshosting offers unlimited data with no caps. 

  • Free newsreader with search: Newshosting provides a free full-featured newsreader equipped with a Usenet search tool. The inclusion of full NZB-import functionality adds convenience to your Usenet experience.

  • Security features: All connections are secured with SSL encryption, ensuring your access is protected. As an added bonus, a free VPN service is included with apps for Windows, Mac, Android, iOS, and Linux. The VPN will secure all online data and replace your personal IP address with a secure address from their extensive network of VPN servers.

If you want a reliable and reputable Usenet service, look no further than NEWSHOSTING. The speed, retention, and performance make it our top choice.

SIGN UP FOR NEWSHOSTING

EWEKA USENET

Get 52% off an unlimited Eweka account


EWEKA REVIEW: The Best Independent EU Service with High Retention and Completion

Eweka is the number one Usenet access provider in Europe. Eweka is our top recommended independent USENET service offering exceptional performance and features:

  • Excellent retention: Eweka offers an extensive 5,420+ days of complete retention for all articles in all binary and text newsgroups. Eweka’s retention also grows daily, giving you access to both new and historical USENET posts spanning over 5,420+ days and growing.

  • Exceptional completion rates: Eweka is based in the Netherlands (EU servers) and offers top-quality completion rates. During our rigorous testing, Eweka consistently achieved an impressive 99% completion rate, making it a highly recommended choice for users seeking optimal results.

  • Fastest network: Eweka operates it’s own independent servers and Usenet network with extremely fast speeds. Prepaid accounts provide speeds of 200-300 Mbps, while subscription plans offer unlimited speeds, regardless of usage.

  • Unlimited access: All Eweka plans offer unlimited Usenet access, allowing you to enjoy unlimited USENET browsing and transfers.

  • Free newsreader with search: Every Eweka account includes a complimentary newsreader called Newslazer, available for PCs, Macs, and Linux. This user-friendly newsreader comes equipped with convenient NZB-import functionality, enabling you to easily import NZB files through drag and drop or direct import methods.

  • Security features: Eweka ensures your USENET connections are fully secured by including free 256-bit SSL encryption with all plans.

  • Special Discount: Get 52% off with a 30 day money-back guarantee.

Eweka is our top overall recommendation for accessing high-speed independent EU USENET servers, with exceptional retention and completion rates. With its market-leading completion rates and unlimited speeds, Eweka is an excellent choice for USENET access.

If you want the simplest, most efficient solution for accessing and searching for articles, both old and new, on Usenet, try EWEKA. It offers the best completion rates on the market with no speed limits.

SIGN UP FOR EWEKA USENET (30 day MBG)


BEST NZB SITES 2023

How does NZB work?

NZB is an XML-based file format designed for retrieving posts from USENET servers. Using an NZB file, users can find the exact posts (among the billions of other posts) on USENET to access. The easiest way to think of NZB files is with this analogy: if .torrent files are to Torrent, then .nzb files are to USENET.

NZB files themselves do not contain the actual USENET posts. Instead, they act as instructions for your newsreader, enabling it to quickly and accurately locate the posts you’re looking for. By relying on NZB files, users can streamline the search and retrieval process.

What is an NZB site?

NZB sites provide a convenient and user-friendly platform for searching and accessing articles posted to USENET newsgroups. NZB sites streamline the process of locating and downloading desired posts by offering well-organized communities that organize posts based on common topics. By taking on the complexities of searching for articles on USENET, NZB sites simplify the experience, enabling you to quickly discover articles posted to USENET.

One of the key advantages of NZBs is their ability to compile posts that are spread across multiple Newsgroups, often with random filenames, making them the easiest and fastest method for such scenarios. NZBs efficiently gather these fragmented parts and seamlessly assemble them into a coherent and usable binary format, ensuring a smooth and hassle-free USENET experience.

With the help of NZB sites, you can explore your interests, stay informed about the latest posts from other users, and generate NZBs to send to your newsreader for transfer.

Recognizing the significance of NZBs, we have compiled a list of the top 10 NZB websites for the year 2023 to enhance your USENET experience:

  1. NZBGeek
  2. NZBFinder
  3. NZBPlanet
  4. NZBGrabit
  5. NZBForYou
  6. NZBStars
  7. OmgwtfNzbs
  8. DrunkenSlug
  9. Tabula Rasa
  10. NinjaCentral

Reviews of the Best NZB Sites. We can only recommend signing up for a bunch of them because each Usenet indexer unlocks different content.

NZBGeek is a Newznab indexer that also uses manual NZB referencing from its members. This is probably the best place to find what is interested in Usenet.

NZBFinder is one of the best NZB indexes these days. They have both free search and VIP accounts. With Elite account you do get access to Spotweb

NZBPlanet is one of the more popular hand indexes. Hand indexes are, as the name suggests, easier to use as they have already been sorted and often categorized to make it easier to find what you’re looking for.

NZBGrabit is a community-based NZB forum. Users add NZB content to the site.

NZBForYou is one of the best NZB indexes these days.

NZBStars is a Spotnet-based indexer. With Spotnet you can get files that you want from the Usenet system without leaving Usenet. Spotnet 2.0 works entirely via Usenet with its own database.

OmgwtfNzbs is a very reliable index and it has never let me down. 

DrukenSlug is also a great NZB indexing site with quality items.

Tabula Rasa is a Newznab based website. 

NinjaCentral runs on a newznab-based platform and has an interface that is very easy to use. 

With a good Usenet service provider such as Newshosting and one of the great NZB sites we’ve reviewed here, your Usenet experience should be great.


Importance of Usenet Completion, Retention and Speed in choosing a Usenet provider

When selecting a USENET provider, it’s essential to consider three critical service levels that greatly impact your experience:

  • Completion: This refers to the percentage of posts you request that are available on the USENET provider's servers. A higher completion rate indicates that a larger portion of requested posts will be accessible to you.

  • Retention: The retention period signifies the length of time a USENET service provider stores posts. Providers with longer retention periods retain posts for a more extended duration, allowing you to access a larger USENET archive, resulting in better search results and completion rates.

  • Speed: The speed of a USENET provider determines how quickly they can deliver requested posts to you. A faster provider allows for swift downloads and smoother browsing, enhancing your overall USENET experience. Opting for a provider with high-speed limits ensures that you can efficiently retrieve posts without significant delays.

If you're new to USENET and find it challenging to decide which provider is best suited for you, it's advisable to focus on these three criteria: completion rates, retention period, and speed limits. Prioritizing providers that excel in these areas will lead to a superior USENET experience, where you can access a vast array of content quickly and reliably.

Usenet Completion

Completion refers to the percentage of articles a specific USENET server actually has compared to the total number of articles that have been posted to USENET. For example, if a server has a completion rate of 95 percent, it means that it retains 95 percent of the articles accessible through USENET.
A premium USENET provider will have 99% or higher USENET completion across all newsgroups. Certain factors can affect a server’s ability to store every single article. These factors may include DMCA or NTD takedowns. Another factor that can impact completion rates is LIMITED RETENTION.

Hand in hand with completion is retention.

When it comes to selecting a USENET provider, choosing one with both FULL TEXT AND BINARY RETENTION IN ALL NEWSGROUPS is highly recommended. Full retention implies that the provider stores a copy of every article posted on USENET, continuously expanding its retention capacity and ensuring that no posts are expired from its servers.

In contrast, some providers may only retain select articles, often the most popular ones, for their full retention period while discarding others to free up storage space. This can result in significantly lower completion rates and a frustrating USENET experience for users.

By opting for a USENET provider with full retention in both text and binary formats across all newsgroups, you gain access to a wider and more comprehensive selection of posts. This not only improves the overall search results but also ensures higher completion rates, allowing you to retrieve a larger percentage of the articles you request.

Providers like Newshosting and Eweka are highly recommended for their exceptional services, particularly due to their high retention and completion rates. They are recognized as top Usenet providers in the industry, offering users a superior experience with extensive retention and comprehensive access to posts.

Usenet Retention

Usenet has experienced significant growth and currently handles an enormous volume of data transfer on a daily basis. The abundance of posts contributes to its vibrant and active community.

When considering Usenet access, retention is a crucial factor. High retention is crucial because it directly impacts the number of Usenet posts you can access. However, retention rates can vary significantly among providers. It is important to carefully consider the terminologies used by Usenet providers to describe retention.

As a general guideline, it is recommended to select a provider that explicitly states the exact retention period in days. This ensures transparency and clarity regarding the duration for which posts are retained. Additionally, it is advantageous to choose a provider that offers the same retention period for all articles across all newsgroups. This guarantees consistent access to a comprehensive range of posts without limitations or discrepancies.

Full Retention USENET Providers

For the best USENET experience, choose a provider that falls into this category of full retention. These providers offer the following features:

  1. Access to over 14.8 years of binary and text retention: Subscribers can access every post made to USENET Newsgroups going back 5,404 days and growing.

  2. Store every article for their full retention period: Full retention providers ensure that all articles, without exceptions, are stored for the entirety of their specified retention period. This applies to every article in every newsgroup, ensuring comprehensive access to the complete USENET archive.

  3. Daily retention growth: Full retention providers continue to expand their retention capacity on a daily basis. This ensures that users have access to a continuously growing archive, encompassing every article posted to USENET over the past 15 years as well as new articles.

Full retention providers have a clear retention policy that specifies their exact number of days of retention. They explicitly state that this same level of retention is available for all articles in all newsgroups, leaving no ambiguity or limitations.

LIMITED Retention USENET Providers

In contrast, limited retention providers:

  1. Offer a lower number of days of retention. By nature, this means access to a smaller archive of USENET posts.

  2. Often expire posts earlier than their stated retention period, especially for articles that are not frequently requested by users.

  3. Also sometimes cache retention. This means they have some local article storage and articles outside of their own retention are pulled from a third party backbone. This oftentimes leads to slower speeds.

Limited retention providers often use vague language in their retention policy, such as "up to XXXX days of retention." On the other hand, full retention providers clearly state the retention period, specifying that it applies to all 110,000 newsgroups.

Editor’s Tip: Premium providers like Newshosting and Eweka are recommended for their long and high-quality retention, as well as their superior completion rates. Either of these providers would be an excellent choice for a satisfying USENET experience.

Usenet Speed

One of the notable advantages of USENET is its ability to provide extremely high speeds. With the advancement of computer technology and faster internet connections, maximizing download speed has become a natural expectation for users. Today's USENET servers are designed to facilitate rapid transfers, allowing users to take full advantage of their internet service provider's (ISP) speeds. You can download at speeds as fast as your ISP can handle.

To achieve optimal speeds, it is generally recommended to subscribe to a USENET provider with servers located geographically close to you. The proximity to a server directly influences the connection speed. For example, providers like Newshosting have their own multi-gigabit server farms strategically located throughout the United States and Europe. These server locations enable users to benefit from fast USENET connections.


What is Usenet? - Complete 2023 Guide to Usenet

What is Usenet ?

USENET is a decentralized network system that was developed in the 1970s for users to exchange exchange text-based messages and information. However, around a decade later, users began using USENET to exchange binary content, such as large multi-media files like images, audio, and video, instead of just text. This shift made USENET extremely popular because it was, and remains, the fastest and most secure global platform for exchanging articles and large files. Internet service providers (ISPs) recognized the popularity of USENET and started offering free USENET access (albeit limited in terms of retention and the number of newsgroups) to encourage people to sign up for their internet accounts. However, as USENET continued to grow rapidly and required substantial storage and bandwidth resources to maintain, many ISPs discontinued providing access to USENET.

To keep USENET alive and cater to its global user base, dedicated USENET providers like Newshosting, Eweka, and Easynews emerged. These providers recognized the unique capabilities of USENET in terms of its ability to handle large loads, deliver files quickly and securely, and evolve technologically in terms of ease-of-use. While accessing USENET today typically requires a subscription with a USENET access provider, the pricing is often affordable, and the benefits of using USENET compared to other protocols make a subscription worthwhile. 

To this day, more and more people discover the advantages of using USENET:

  • Ease of use - Downloading files from Usenet is straightforward, especially with the availability of NZB sites.

NZB sites simplify the process of searching for articles on USENET. They are generally very user friendly, often have helpful communities behind them, and require a simple NZB file download. An NZB file specifies the articles for your Newsreader to download from USENET, and once the NZB is received, your newsreader will take the instructions included in the file (e.g. what newsgroup and which articles) and grab those articles from USENET.

USENET has become increasingly easier over the years with feature rich Newsreaders or automation tools (Prowlarr - Sonarr - Radarr). Automation tools can act as an in-between to coordinate NZBs from an indexer & send them to a downloading tool of your choice (SABnzbd or NZBGet).

Note: Today’s top providers like Newshosting and Easynews include all the components in their Usenet access plans: Usenet access, newsreader, and Usenet search. NZB sites, which often require a separate subscription, are no longer required, but may still be helpful for rounding out your USENET experience.  

  • Usenet is Cheap - While Usenet requires a subscription, the cost is generally reasonable.

Usenet is not available for free, but the benefits of fast USENET access and enhanced privacy make a subscription worthwhile. 

  • Incredibly fast - USENET is built for speed. USENET will max out your broadband connection.

Most of the USENET backbones are on redundant 10gbps nodes and provide the speed needed to saturate your connection, whether you have a 12Mbps or 500Mbps connection! Because USENET access is so incredibly fast, your only limitations are the maximum speeds offered by your internet service provider.

  • Secure - USENET is available via TLS/SSL encrypted connections.

Usenet is available through TLS/SSL encrypted connections, ensuring the privacy and integrity of the data exchanged. SSL encryption protects data as it travels between Usenet providers' servers and users' computers. Overall, USENET remains one of the most secure platforms anywhere. Some providers also offer VPN access, further enhancing security and anonymity. This is an encryption tool that gives you an anonymous IP address every time you go online, not just when you’re accessing USENET. With it, you can rest assured that your Internet activity will never be tracked by or visible to outside parties.

These SSL and VPN security options can cost extra, but they are absolutely worth it. We like Newshosting because it offers both a reliable VPN and SSL encryption for free with your plan. 

  • Privacy - USENET providers take privacy very seriously.

USENET providers prioritize user privacy, with a commitment to network neutrality and non-surveillance of user activity. Many providers do not store user data and some even offer anonymous payment options, such as Bitcoin (Bitcoin & Usenet). 

NGProvider recommends all take privacy, security, and anonymity seriously. 

  • USENET's vast archive

An enormous amount of posts are available on USENET, making it one of the largest platforms for posting and pulling articles and files. With vasts amounts of data comes vast amounts of storage.

Retention, measured in days, varies widely among providers. It is important to review the retention policy of a provider before choosing their services. Look for providers that clearly state the exact number of days they store Usenet posts and whether this retention period applies uniformly to all articles in all newsgroups. Unclear or ambiguous retention policies may indicate that posts are quickly deleted from the provider's servers, resulting in higher failure rates when searching and browsing USENET.

The top USENET providers have achieved remarkable retention rates, surpassing 5,418 days of retention in every newsgroup. This means that users can access articles that were posted to USENET many years ago. Opting for a provider with extensive and consistent retention rates ensures the best USENET experience and access to the largest USENET archive available.

Usenet

Usenet today ? (aka USENET 2.0)

After three decades, USENET has continued to thrive and evolve. One aspect of this evolution is the emergence of stealth USENET (obfuscation), which has significantly enhanced the efficiency and reliability of the platform. Stealth USENET is spectacularly efficient.

To understand the recent evolution of USENET, we have to study how does Stealth USENET work? Stealth Usenet operates by utilizing obfuscated article names. When accessing USENET, you may come across names that appear as gibberish. These posts have obfuscated names in order to hide their content and the use of stealth technology increases completion rates – this practice makes USENET 'Stealth'.

Future of Usenet 

USENET remains a unique and uncensored section of the Internet. Users have the freedom to post information and data on the USENET network without filtering or mod oversight. This unrestricted environment allows for a diverse range of activities, including exchanging news, ideas, information, knowledge, and files in an extremely efficient manner. Because of this, USENET will continue to thrive for decades to come.

How to use Usenet? How to get started with Usenet?

To get started with USENET, you will first need to create an account with a reliable USENET service provider. So many people make the mistake of finding the cheapest USENET provider, then find that many files are incomplete, their service doesn’t include software, and their ‘unlimited’ plan was paused or throttled due to a fair use policy buried in the fine print when signing up.

While there are many Usenet providers out there (and we’ve tried pretty much all of them), we find ourselves recommending Newshosting again and again.

Newshosting Special Deal: Get 58% Off Unlimited Access plus Free Newsreader App and VPN Access

Newshosting offers the fastest speeds, longest retention, most complete Usenet archive, and best overall USENET service. Plans also include free SSL encrypted connections, a free newasreader with USENET search and previewing, and a free VPN account.

 

To get started with USENET, follow these steps:

  1. Choose a reliable USENET service provider: Look for a reputable USENET service provider that offers the highest retention rates possible. Providers' retention policies can vary significantly. Some providers may offer shorter retention periods, while others may provide longer retention periods that span several years. When reviewing a provider's retention policy, pay attention to the following factors:

    Exact number of days: Look for providers that clearly state the exact number of days they store USENET posts. This information will give you a clear understanding of how far back you can access USENET posts.

    Uniform retention across newsgroups: Check if the provider maintains the same retention period for all articles in all newsgroups. Consistent retention ensures quality access.

    Clear policy communication:
    Providers with transparent retention policies clearly communicate the details on their websites or documentation. This indicates their commitment to providing reliable and consistent access to Usenet posts. 

  2. Select a newsreader: A newsreader is software used to download posts from USENET newsgroups. Some USENET providers, like Newshosting and Easynews, offer their own newsreader as part of the subscription package. Alternatively, you can choose from various third-party newsreader options available on the market like SABnzbd. The Newshosting Browser is an example of a comprehensive and user-friendly newsreader bundled free into your USENET access plan.

  3. Set up your newsreader: If you've chosen a bundled newsreader from your USENET service provider, it should come pre-configured with your connection information. Simply download the newsreader from the provided link or through your account control panel. For third-party newsreaders, you will need to manually configure the server settings using the information provided by your USENET service provider.

  4. Log in and start using Usenet: Once you have your newsreader set up, log in using your credentials. If you're using Newshosting's newsreader, you can access various features like NZB downloads, integrated search, automatic repair and decompression, and even automated search for customized searches.

When you have your USENET service provider and newsreader set up, you are free to access USENET. While providers like Newshosting and Easynews come with easy-to-use search functionality, signing up with an NZB site can add more to your USENET experience.

TOP NZB Sites can also help to ensure a 99% completion rate. There are plenty of NZB sites out there, varying greatly in features and usenetfulness. My current favourite is NZBGeek.

All you need to do is search for what you’re looking for, select the relevant posts, download the .nzb file. Click the cloud icon to start your NZB download.

nzbgeek.info cloud icon

The Newshosting Newsreader, included with all their Usenet access accounts, supports NZBs and will download everything automatically, and even decompress and repair it when needed.

As you can see above, the USENET files are downloading at a speed of 46 MB/s.

A good NZB Site will almost always ensure 100% completion of all the downloads as long as you use a USENET provider with high quality retention. We didn’t run into a single broken download during our time with Newshosting, so we have no complaints when it comes to completion rate.