The client is very much compatible with Microsoft Windows (2000, XP, 2003, Vista, 8 & 10), Mac OS X and Linux operating systems. But since Thunderbird is not meant for downloading binary files, NZB files are not supported. The client is meant to be used just for reading Usenet.

Below is a picture of what Thunderbird looks like:

You should, however, be prepared for a hard time when first configuring the client for Usenet service. Users may find it somewhat difficult to configure the client for a service with paid Usenet access such as Giganews for the first time.

Thunderbird is installed the usual way after which you are expected to add a Usenet or NNTP connection. The next thing to do is click on the “Manage newsgroup subscriptions” shown in the screen shot below to set up your username and password:

The screen shot that follows shows you what to expect when inputting your username. After specifying your username, make sure you save it.

Next, you choose a password and save it as shown below:

Once you are done with the above, the client connects and starts to download all newsgroups that are available. Check below for what to expect when the groups are being downloaded:

That is all that is to it to get going.

Thunderbird is very easy to use after managing the first configuration. The client also supports SSL encryption and is absolutely free for users.

Visit Thunderbird’s Website to Learn More

Unlike some other newsreaders who only support Windows operating system, Binreader not only supports that, it also supports other operating system such as Mac OS X and Linux. Binreader has also promised to make available an Android version sometime soon. To make the deal more interesting, the SSL encryption and IPv6 available on the system ensure that you need not be afraid about your security on Usenet. NZB files are, of course, supported.

When using Binreader and you happen to have any broken download, this can automatically be repaired using PAR2 technology. The newsreader also has the capability to handle RAR files effectively and three options are provided for that purpose. You can set file extraction to start immediately as you download or you can configure it to start after downloads are completed and have been repaired, if need be. You also have the option of disabling file extraction if you will prefer to do that by yourself, but I wonder why. Binreader also allows users to preview media files while being downloaded. For example, you can watch a video while you download it.

In addition to the features above, Binreader allows users to set up to 50 connections on the system. However, the default number of connections is 4 and it should be noted that the more connections you use the slower the speed becomes. You can also set network time-out and the interval between waiting and retrying. The reader allows you to select a media player and some special parameters are also accepted.

You will need to download an installation package that is compatible with your operating system to get started. Binreader also has a portable version that can easily be carried about. All you need do is download a zip version of the application, which you will then proceed to extract and copy to your portable device such as a USB stick. To get the program to work when started, you will need to enter NNTP server information into the client. Check out the screen shots below to have an idea of what it looks like:

It is also required to get NZB downloaded to your computer before you get going. After that click on “Add NZB,” select the NZB file that you want and automatically a download will begin. Click on “Download” at the top of the reader to view downloaded content. Check the screen shot below to have an idea of what to expect:

It is obvious that with Binreader you need not stress yourself too much to download any file. Just open the NZB file that you have obtained and the reader will complete the process for you. Binreader has basically everything that you may need from an NZB downloader. It also does not necessarily have to be installed to use and you can carry the program on your USB drive so that you can make use of it everywhere you go. And to think that Binreader is available all for free, it is recommended that you check it out. After all, what exactly do you have to lose doing that? The SSL encryption supported should also not be forgotten.

Newsbin is made to work only on Microsoft operating system, and compatible versions are available for both 32-bit and 64-bit systems. The speed of your internet connection is not an issue with the client as it runs at any speed automatically combining multipart binary posts to create a single file with options provided for organizing downloaded files. Newsbin was responsible for the invention of NZB files, so it is natural that NZB downloads should be supported on the system.

The website of Newsbin is quite easy to use. If you happen to be new to this type of service, just check for link to the support section from the available options at the bottom of the home page. You can find a tutorials section to get yourself acquainted to the system. The tutorials are so useful with each addressing issues that might want to prove a snag for new users. These help to ensure that you are up and running within a short time. Another section of the site that you will find invaluable is the forums where you can quickly check to see if issues being experienced had already been addressed. You also get to participate in discussions on the forums contributing your own views on issues being discussed.

Newsbin has a Duplicate Detection mechanism to help users determine if a particular file had been previously downloaded. Provided this option is enabled, each file being downloaded is saved in a signature.db3 database so that duplicate files could easily be detected. The shortcut CTRL+Y could be used to force duplicate file download. Newsbin also has a Speed Limiter feature to regulate upload and download speed. This feature will prove very useful for those users who may be concerned about the amount of bandwidth used while downloading content from Usenet.

To use Newsbin, there is a one-time fee of $35, but it can be installed on two computer systems. Once the one-time fee has been paid, users can enjoy free updates as long as they continue using Newsbin. Just in case you will like to test the system first, there is a 10-day free trial on offer. Usenet search function is also available for the payment of $5 per month and you have 10 free searches per month on that to check out the efficiency of the Usenet search service.

What most people find quite interesting about Newsbin is the frequency of updates, which are free to enjoy, coupled with the client’s efficiency. The user interface is simple and easy to use no matter the level of your expertise — a pro or newbie. The SSL encryption and multiple server support of the software also make it tick. There is also the integrated Usenet search feature to note and the excellent compatibility of Newsbin with Usenet providers.

Newsbin offers a very fast Usenet newsreader service. It also gives its users the ability to easily adjust download speed and to pause downloads. And, though some people have complaints against the $35 charge to use the program, it is a good newsreader considering the fact that updates come free. The longer you get to use Newsbin after the one-time fee, the smaller the average yearly cost becomes. Most users, based on their comments, do not see the fee as any issue considering the quality of service they get.

This Newshosting newsreader beta client does not seem to have been coded in Java because it is quite responsive and fast making for a pleasant user experience. If you do not believe this, you might want to give the new client a try by signing up for a free trial to be really convinced. You will receive all necessary information on the newsreader beta once you have signed up.

Some interesting and essential features to be on the look out for on the Newshosting newsreader beta client include built-in search, SSL support and filtering. The built-in search feature is good for searching the back end servers of Newshosting while the available SSL could prove quite useful in bypassing traffic restrictions. The filtering feature allows users to specify how they wish to view content searched for by them. You can filter results by language (English, French, Dutch, Italian and Spanish), category type, date or size. Results can be sorted by clicking on the header at the top of any column. Images, audio, video and documents are some of the filtering options available on the newsreader beta.

Once you have downloaded the Newshosting newsreader client, you can proceed to install it on your computer. The installation process is not any different from the usual way you normally install some other programs on your computer. After the installation, when you open the Newshosting newsreader client for the first time, you will be requested to enter your username and password. Just enter the user information that you must have received in a welcome email from Newshosting. And should you forget or lose your password in the future, there is a “Lost Password” link to be used for that purpose.

To download anything after logging in, just input the name or keyword in the search facility provided. You may also sort the search results to suit your specific need. Once you have found the particular content you are looking for, simply double click on it to start the download. The download will be going on in the background and if you need to view the download progress look at the area over the Newshosting client and click on the ‘Transfer’ image. If you are concerned about the bandwidth need for your other activities on the Internet, you can also limit the connection of the newsreader.

With Newshosting newsreader, downloading and unpacking of archive files are absolute bliss. After finishing the download of an archive (.rar, for example), you need not stress yourself extracting it. The client will automatically extract the files by itself into an appropriate folder for the downloaded file. There is also an Auto-repair feature, which makes sure that all broken files are found and repaired. A video preview feature also makes it possible for users to actually watch part of videos before deciding to download. You know you do not want to download a video only to discover that it is not what you had expected.

Newshosting newsreader does most of the work. Just find the required content, click on the appropriate link and you are free to continue with some other tasks. The screen shots below show what to look out for on the newsreader:

Binary retention: Thundernews currently offers 1048 days of binary retention. They also offer 1265 days of text retention. This retention plan comes with very high level of completion rates.

Speed: Downloads are only restricted by your ISP & your internet connection. The speed at which you get these services is extremely high. They have 2 server farms in the US & 2 in Europe providing high speed connection for customers located on either continent.

Completion rate: Thundernews has extremely high completion rate of 99%.

Newsgroups: Thundernews covers all major binary & text newsgroups, more than 107,000 news groups as they state on their website.

Newsreader: Thundernews provides all its subscribers with a copy of NewsRover which is regularly updated for the convenience of their clients.

Pricing: Thundernews pricing plans starts at $6.99 & ends at $21.99. The lowest plan offered by Thundernews is at $6.99 where you get 50 simultaneous connections with 10 GB. Other plans offered by Thundernews are $9.99 (25 GB), $13.99 (50 GB), $16.99 (75 GB) & $14.99 with unlimited bandwidth, but only for the first 3 months, after which you pay $21.99. All the schemes come with 50 simultaneous connections & 1048 days of retention plan. They also provide discounts for 3, 6 & 12 months terms accounts.

Free trial: The free trial by Thundernews is not advertised but you can definitely ask for a 3 day free trial. You can avail this 1 GB free trial option by clicking on the support link at the bottom of their site.

Security/anonymity: All their plans come with 256 bit SSL encrypted connections guaranteed. So, security & anonymity should not be an issue with Thundernews.

Customer support: Customer support is provided 24/7 through email & chat.

Payment options: Payment options of Thundernews are quite varied & flexible. Payments can be made through PayPal, WorldPay as well as credit cards.

Other cool features: If you become a Thundernews affiliate you would get real time stats on data usage, get commission & earn a few bucks monthly for every customer you send over to them. 50 simultaneous connections on all the plans is a really cool feature. All their services are uncensored, unfiltered & without any logs. Providing NewsRover to all their customers is also a pretty neat feature of Thundernews’s services.
So if you operate a Usenet related website, this might be interesting for you.

Conclusion: With 1058 days binary retention, 1,265 days of text retention, 256 bit SSL encrypted connections, 50 simultaneous connections & free Newsrover to all the customers, it is evident that Thundernews has a lot to offer to UseNet users. Efficiency of their service is also quite commendable. Customer feedbacks about Thundernews have been pretty good. Therefore, Thundernews is a highly recommended to the UseNet service providers from our side, although other services offer practically the same service at a far lower price as you can see on our main page.

Visit Thundernews to Sign Up

This changed drastically when they announced that they were raising their retention by over 4000%, which triggered a chain reaction among Usenet services to do the same. Now they claim to offer almost 3 years of retention while still providing you with high speeds and good completion.
Plus they offer refunds for 24 hours upon purchase.

So, let’s do a little checkup on the hard numbers, shall we?

Retention: 1214 days (over 2 years)

Anonymity: Since SSL is included and logging has been deactivated on their servers, downloading is 100% secure.

Speed: We were able to max out a 50 MBit connection using only a few connections, and even a 100 MBit connection we tested with delivered really high speeds, so downloading a whole BlueRay or DVD is a question of just a few minutes, which is pretty much as good as you can get with regular Internet. Also they offer two different server farms for EU and US so that you should get fullspeed whether you live in either region.

Pricing: Now, here is where it gets very interesting:
Normally, an unlimited account with which you can download as much as you want costs $15 a month, but using a special (or “secret” is you want) URL you can now get a huge discount:

– Unlimited: $11 using our special URL, or $96 for a year ($8 a month) (Offer expired!)

– Block account (a good choice for casual users): 25 GB for $10, 180 GB for $25

This “loophole” to secure this pricing may be removed at any time, so we cannot guarantee it will last for long. Notice that the cheapest of both deals was already taken down, so you should take action NOW. Just use the link at the top to lock in the discounted price for a lifetime.

Refund Policy: Hidden in the helpdesk faq they give 100% refunds but only within the first 24 hours.

Other Nice Features: Astraweb offers both servers for the USA as well for the EU, so you can get maximum speed no matter where you are located.
There are 20 connections available, though this is not necessary to get a decent speed.

Recommendation:

Astraweb is definitely one of the best providers out there.
If you’re looking for top retention, incredibly high speeds and a very low price, Astraweb is definitely for you. Just click on the banner to signup.

Visit Astraweb to Sign Up

Can total beginners really browse through the giant Usenet archives without any technical knowledge and download without having to go through all the trouble of repairing and unpacking files?

To answer that question, just watch the video below and see yourself: Would you be able to use this interface?
I think the answer is going to be, “Yes, I could.”

As you can see, the search engine is capable of not only finding videos (complete with thumbnails and further information about quality, format and which languages are included), images (if you search for those you’ll see them listed up with thumbnails to make it easy to browse through them) and music (complete with a “preview” function), but also making it very easy to check if you’ve the found the right file. Also, downloading multiple files is simply done with a few clicks.

Finding programs and games is slightly more difficult: As you can see in this video, the advance search has a few more options, making it look a bit more complex than the “simple” search; however the concept remains the same.

What both searches have in common: Downloading a file only requires you to click on the file name, and everything downloaded is immediately ready to use.
So regarding easy of use, Easynews holds its promise: This is by far the easiest way to find and download everything you want on the Usenet, and even total beginners should be able to use it.

Now, let’s take a look at price, speed, retention and anonymity.

Retention: When using the web interface you’ll be able to download files that are 150 – 200+ days old (depending on your package). While this is a lot, modern Usenet providers offer you more (up to 1200 days) however, they’re of course slightly more difficult to use.

It is also possible to use Easynews with a regular Usenet client, which will get you ~1050 days.

Anonymity: SSL encryption is included, and downloading is 100% secure, since no logs are kept.

Pricing: Easynews offers three packages:
– “Easynews Classic” for casual downloaders, with 20 GB download traffic included and 150 days web retention, for $9.98 / month
– “Easynews Plus” for regular users, with 40 GB download traffic included and 200+ days web retention, at $14.97 / month
– “Easynews Big Gig” for heavy users, with 150 download GB traffic included and 200+ day web retention, at $ 29.94 / month

On all packages you can get unlimited access for a regular newsreader like you would use with any other provider (NNTP) for an additional fee of $9.95 / month.
Also, unused gigabytes will not be lost but added to your personal “Rollover Gig Bank” so that you can use them up anytime you want, for up to 3750 GB depending on your plan.

Speed: Easynews is really fast with most Internet connections. Of course you can use any download manager you want to maximize your speed, download several files at the same time, and Easynews also offers a little tool called “Easyboost” which accelerate your downloads by 100% on average.
4 out of 5 stars rating.

Recommendation:

If you love easy solutions and aren’t concerned about having less retention, Easynews is the provider for you. Are you not sure if this will affect you? Then simply signup for a trial account and check it out for yourself – Chances are, you’ll never want another Usenet service again; Easynews is just the most convenient of them all.

Visit Easynews to Sign Up

The UseNetNow profile needs to be looked at!

Binary Retention: With a subscription, users achieve a binary retention rate of 1,050 days and for text retention, it is 730 days. Like other Usenet providers, the completion rate is over 99% across 125,000 newsgroups

Pricing:  The following are the Usenet provider’s pricing plans users can purchase without the hassle of subscription;

UseNetNow Unlimited:

$5.29 for 1 Week. It is non-renewable
$12 for a Month. It is renewable
$30.49 for 3 months. It renews automatically after every three months
$30.49 for 3 months. It is non-renewable

Free Trial: No free trial exists. It is unfortunate that users cannot first screen the Usenet service provider to make sure it matches their requirements.

Deal: The UseNetNow summer special is a special deal of $10.39 per month for unlimited Usenet downloads. You can follow the Usenet provider on twitter to get special twitter- discounts. Additionally, users receive special updates regularly on twitter, keeping them abreast of the latest happenings or news by the usenet provider.

An interesting thing this Usenet provider is that it has special offers on holidays or on specific occasions. However, there are no ongoing deals.

Customer service is limited to email but it is alright.

Speed:  Two Usenet systems are situated in USA and Europe, both connected to Multi-Gigabit backbones. This allows for increased speed. The servers are reachable through 50 simultaneous connections. UseNetNow website states they offer speeds up to 40 Mbps.

Security/Anonymity: Users are assured of a strong SSL encryption accompanying all accounts to protect their information from a third party. They can use the standard SSL ports, 23, 119, 443, 2000, 880, 8080 and 9000. The most secure ports are 563 and 5563.

Extras:
Uncensored newsfeeds so users will not miss any pertinent information
Featured web reader for users to view texts and picture groups right from the browser.
A version that is compatible with IPhone and Smart Phone, giving users the ability to access the Usenet server anywhere.
Free uploads if users are interested in giving back to the community.

Recommendation

UseNetNow lacks the brand recognition of some of the other Usenet providers. However, that doesn’t stop people from trusting it because of its high-quality services. UseNetNow offers a similar service to that of Ngroups.Net but at a higher price and without the unlimited storage.
Customers are impressed with the quality service shown by this Usenet provider. The high retention is a very attractive aspect of UseNetNow. Also the deals are really worth a shot.

If you want to give a smaller provider a chance, go for it! They seem to offer a pretty good service.

Visit UsenetNow to Sign Up

Lets do a checkup on them:

Binary Retention: 1020 days of binary articles are stored and a high level of completion across multiple newsgroups is guaranteed.

Pricing: There are two categories of pricing plans for monthly and block downloads. The monthly pricing plans include:

• $16.99 per month for ten simultaneous connections without SSL
• $19.95 per month for 50 connections with SSL

If you think a block account will be more feasible, the prices range from $2 for 10 GB to $87 for 1000 GB. The updated block plan makes the purchase worthwhile. Previously, the plan ended after a year. The latest plan offers non-expiring Usernet blocks that last indefinitely. You can now download the full amount of large blocks ­­-500 GB to 1TB- without the worry of the account expiring.

The non-expiring block plans, varying from 10 GB to 1000GB, features 650+ days of binary retention, 50 simultaneous connections on 107,000 newsgroups and a free newsreader.

Also if you are a student you can get a 25% discount if you have an .edu email address on all plans.

All the plans promise free headers and free postings.

Free Trial: If you would like to give the service a try before you make a commitment, you can avail of free 15GB and 20 connections. The company provides free Usenet accounts to college/university faculty and staff in addition to accommodating employees of both qualified charities and media outlets.

Coupons: For $9.99 per month, you can enjoy the Demon Deal promotion. You will gain unlimited downloading and download speed, 50 SSL Connections, News Rover Software and 30 GB of Secure Online Storage.

A referral bonus encourages members to register new members via a free month of Usenet service. Also, a 25 percent life-time discount is offered to new customers on all packages plus block account packages on inserting a coupon code ‘comparere25’.

Speed: A back bone link of 10 Gps grants you a high download speed.

Security/Anonymity:Security is assured with a 256 bit SSL encryption, ensuring user information and downloads are secure and anonymous. Moreover, the Usenet service is uncensored.

Extras: Members have access to the following benefits;

• 100,000 newsgroups
• A 24 hour live Chat Support
• Storage Ninja: Similar to Amazon S3. Storage Ninja contains 30 GB of anonymous and rapid online storage which is interesting for backups or saving files online so you can access them from everywhere.
• Server farms are present in the US and Europe with up to 50 connections on premium plans and 10 connections on economy plans. Multiple server farms and the 50 connection guarantee high speeds from both continent. Also you can access their servers from multiple ports, even the stardart HTTP port 80 in case your ISP throttles your connection, making it possible to still get full speeds.
  With SSL, you should be able to trick almost any attempt to screw with your downloads by your university, network administrator or ISP.

Recommendation:

NewsDemon has many positive points in its favor, such as a range of packages catered to meet different customer’s financial limits, long retention time and other useful offerings are notable incentives for you to give NewsDemon services a try. Compared to other Usenet service providers, it can keep up with the major providers, however the price is not as competitive on the standart plans.
However you might consider the special deal run at the moment, offering 3 months of unlimited Usenet for $21, which is $7 / month, even cheaper than Newshostings special deal.

Visit Newsdemon to Sign Up

Retention: Good but Could Be “Great”

Fast Usenet boasts 4,000+ days of binary retention and over three years of text retention. That’s a lot of storage upgrades—and a lot of cat memes from 2012. Sure, it’s not the 1050+ years (or whatever) some of the juggernauts are offering, but hey, let’s not get greedy. Fast Usenet gives you access to an impressive archive without making you feel like you’re scrolling through the Library of Congress.

Pricing: More Bang for Your Buck

With plans ranging from $2.95 to $6.95, Fast Usenet serves options like a well-stocked buffet. The entry-level plan at $2.95 gives you 6 GB of downloads, while the $6.95 plan says, “Go ahead, gorge yourself with unlimited downloads and uploads.” All plans include 50 secure connections, 4,000+ days of binary retention, 100,000+ newsgroups, and a free web newsreader.

In Usenet terms, this is like getting caviar on a fast-food budget.

Free Trial: Test Drive the Autobahn

Not ready to commit? Fast Usenet offers a 14-day free trial with a generous 15 GB download limit. That’s enough time to dig through the service and decide if it’s a match made in binary heaven.

Security & Anonymity: Fort Knox Level

Fast Usenet offers 50 secure connections with 256-bit SSL encryption. Translation: your data isn’t just secure; it’s practically encased in titanium. Your Usenet activity remains as private as a diary under lock and key.

Speed: Fast Usenet? You Betcha!

Fast Usenet consistently delivers speeds of 15-20 Mbps with 50 simultaneous connections. For those with supercharged internet, the numbers climb to a blazing 850–925 Mbps. If speed kills, Fast Usenet is a Usenet Ferrari.

Completion Rate: Almost Perfect

With a 99% completion rate, Fast Usenet ensures you’ll find what you’re looking for—unless what you’re searching for is your willpower to stop downloading.

Newsgroups: Browse with Ease

The customized web newsreader is sleek, secure, and user-friendly. Whether you’re catching up on text newsgroups or browsing media, the experience is seamless and refreshingly intuitive. Think of it as the Tesla of newsreaders—without the autopilot.

Payment Options: Flexible & Convenient

Fast Usenet doesn’t play hard-to-get. Pay with a credit card or PayPal, and you’re good to go. Simple, straightforward, and modern—just the way it should be.

Other Features: Beyond the Basics

Fast Usenet supports a mobile newsreader for Java-compatible devices (hello, retro tech!) alongside iPhones and iPads. Their customized GrabIt newsreader with search is pre-configured and ready to roll. Just plug in your credentials, and you’re off on a high-speed download adventure.

Localization: Language Matters

Fast Usenet speaks your language—or at least four of them. Their multilingual website (German, Dutch, Spanish, French) expands accessibility and fosters a more inclusive Usenet community. Bravo, Fast Usenet!

Conclusion: A Hidden Gem

Fast Usenet checks all the boxes: solid retention rates, competitive pricing, top-notch security, and unique features. While it might not have the brand recognition of some heavyweights, it’s a gem in the Usenet community waiting to shine in your browsing experience. So why wait? Give Fast Usenet a whirl—you might just find yourself wondering why you didn’t discover this sooner.