The best free Usenet Servers give you access to a great resource that is often ignored. Even though it’s not as famous as its big brother, the Internet, Usenet is still a lively part of the global tech community that you should pay attention to. Usenet has more than 110,000 newsgroups where people share all kinds of digital material, from articles to videos to just about anything else.
Most of them are about a certain subject and may or may not have a group of active moderators. Usenet is a lot like internet forums in a lot of ways. But secrecy and anonymity are its biggest strengths, and that could be why it has lasted so long. If you download files from Usenet, you should use a VPN service and security software. We’ve tried the best Usenet providers based on how fast they are, how easy they are to use, and how long they keep your posts. Below, we have mentioned the best Usenet service
What is Usenet?
Usenet is an online chat system that was around before the World Wide Web. It is one of the oldest ways to talk to people online. It was first made at Duke University in 1979 by Tom Truscott and Jim Ellis for academic and research reasons. Usenet is based on the Network News Transfer Protocol (NNTP) and works as a decentralized network of computers that each host a collection of newsgroups.
Benefits of using a free Usenet server
Cost savings: Free Usenet servers let people access Usenet newsgroups and discussions without having to pay for a subscription. This makes them a good choice for people who want to access Usenet information without spending a lot of money.
Basic Access: Most free Usenet sites offer basic access to text-based newsgroups. This means that users can read and talk about a wide range of topics without having to pay extra.
No Payment Information Needed: Users can sign up for free Usenet services without having to give payment information. This is helpful for people who don’t want to share their financial information online.
Learning and Exploration: People who are new to Usenet and want to learn more about its material and communities before committing to a paid Usenet service can benefit from using free Usenet servers.
Limited Access to Binary Groups: Most free Usenet sites focus on text-based newsgroups, but some may offer limited access to binary groups so that users can download files like images and software without paying a subscription fee. But the speed and length of storage may be slower than with paid companies.
Best free usenet servers Comparison table
Free Usenet sites let you access the huge world of Usenet newsgroups without having to pay a monthly fee. Users can get to discussions, files, and information on a wide range of themes through these servers. There are free Usenet sites, but they may not be as fast, keep your data longer, or be as reliable as paid options.
Feature | Newshosting | Eweka | XS News | Easynews | Supernews |
Retention Period | 4,000+ days | 4,500+ days | 3,500+ days | 4,500+ days | 3,394+ days |
Completion | High | High | High | High | High |
SSL Encryption | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
Number of Servers | Multiple | Multiple | Multiple | Multiple | Multiple |
Server Locations | US, EU, Asia | EU | NL | US, EU, Asia | US, EU, Asia |
Unlimited Downloads | Yes | Yes | Yes | No | No |
Free Usenet Browser | Yes | No | No | Yes | No |
Free Trial | Yes (up to 14 days) | Yes (up to 7 days) | Yes (up to 7 days) | Yes (up to 14 days) | No |
Newshosting
Features
- High retention rates for Usenet articles.
- Fast and reliable Usenet servers.
- Free Usenet client software included.
- Unlimited data transfer.
- 30 connections for optimal download speeds.
Newshosting is a service that gives you everything you need to start using Usenet. There is an indexer (for finding) and a newsreader (for downloading) in the Newshosting app. It has the best data retention and finish rates in the industry, so you are more likely to find what you are looking for. Overall, this is one of the best Free Usenet Servers you can consider now.
Pros
- High retention rates.
- Fast download speeds.
- Easy-to-use newsreader software.
- Good customer support.
- Unlimited data transfer.
Cons
- Premium pricing.
- Limited free trial period.
Eweka
Features
- Excellent completion rates on Usenet.
- Servers located in Europe for low-latency access.
- High-speed connections with SSL encryption.
- Affordable pricing plans.
Eweka is a popular Usenet service that has been around for a long time and has a good name. It runs separate data centers all over Europe, and it also runs a trans-Atlantic Usenet backbone to provide fast speeds in the Americas. Still, this is one of the best Free Usenet Servers you can consider now.
Pros
- European-based Usenet provider.
- High download speeds.
- Good completion rates.
- No download limits.
Cons
- Limited server locations.
- Limited retention compared to some competitors.
XS News
Features
- Multiple server locations across Europe.
- High retention rates and completion.
- SSL encryption for secure Usenet access.
- Free trial available with limited data.
Another long-time European Usenet source, XS News, offers a 14-day free trial with unlimited speed and access to a huge 30 Petabyte archive. If you keep using the service after your free sample, you will be put on the Elite plan for a year. Overall, this is one of the best Free Usenet Servers you can consider now.
Pros
- Competitive pricing.
- Good completion rates.
- High retention.
- European-based servers.
- Free trial available.
Cons
- Limited server locations.
- Not as user-friendly for beginners.
Easynews
Features
- Web-based Usenet service with a user-friendly interface.
- No need for a separate newsreader client.
- Retention rates suitable for most users.
- Search and download Usenet content in your browser.
- Tiered pricing plans.
Thanks to its handy online app and HTTP server, Easynews lets users download files from their regular web browsers. This means you don’t have to use indexers or news readers from outside sources if you don’t want to. Downloads are encrypted with SSL whether you use HTTP or a standard NNTP news reader and index. The provider does not keep track of what people receive. For now, this is one of the best Free Usenet Servers you can consider now.
Pros
- Web-based Usenet access (no need for a newsreader).
- Pre-configured search and download interface.
- Unlimited data transfer.
- Good retention rates.
Cons
- Higher pricing compared to some providers.
- No standalone newsreader support.
Supernews
Features
- Fast and reliable Usenet service.
- Good retention rates.
- SSL encryption for secure connections.
- 3-day free trial.
- 24/7 customer support.
Some of the benefits of Supernews’s subscription plan are the same as those of other providers, like unlimited speeds and access. You get 30 connections to help you get the most out of your download speeds, and all of them come with SSL for protection. Even for the free sample, you will need to give some personal information when you sign up. Overall, this is one of the best Free Usenet Servers you can consider now.
Pros
- Competitive pricing.
- Fast download speeds.
- Good retention rates.
- Unlimited data transfer.
- Global server locations.
Cons
- May not have as extensive a network as some premium providers.
- Limited additional features compared to some competitors.
How to choose the right free Usenet server for you
Connection Speed: Choose a server that lets you join quickly and reliably. For Usenet to work well, you need low delay and fast download and upload speeds.
Rate of Completion: A good Usenet server should have a high completion rate, which means it can get and send a lot of the files that are asked for.
Security and privacy: If you want to keep your Usenet activity safe, look for sites that offer SSL encryption. For internet anonymity, privacy and security features are very important.
Limitations of the Free Tier: Be aware of any restrictions on free Usenet sites, like data caps or limited access. Think about whether these restrictions are enough for you or if you need more features and stability, you might want to pay for a Usenet service.
FAQs
Users can read and post to Usenet groups through the Google Groups interface. Registered users can also set up mailing list archives for email lists that are hosted somewhere else, in addition to viewing Google and Usenet groups.
The dark web does not include Usenet. Usenet was made so that information could be shared, not hidden.26-Jun-2020