Current Usenet Provider Deals

Explore the best deals for Usenet providers below. Each provider offers various plans and features, ensuring you find the right fit for your needs. We’ve included each provider’s retention period to help you make an informed choice. For more details on retention, see the section below.

Most offers can be stacked to lock in introductory pricing for additional years. Simply order the same subscription multiple times to extend your current plan at the discounted rate.

Long-Term Plans

Monthly Plans

Block Plans

Posting Block Plans

Important Notes

• No expiration and upload limits: Block accounts don’t have an expiration date, and uploads do not count against your download limit.
• X-Trace headers: Be aware that X-Trace headers can potentially link a post to the account that uploaded it.
• NZB indexing: Some providers may not have their posted headers indexed by NZB search engines like NZBKing.
• Anonymity: Use an anonymous server or a reputable VPN like Mullvad, and ensure your account is purchased anonymously. Be sure to check the VPN section below and do your research for the best privacy practices.

Regular Plans

Free Trials

Additional Information

Backbones

A Usenet backbone refers to the server farms operated by Tier-1 Usenet providers, which peer and exchange data feeds to ensure that all backbones receive the same. They then each store the content until it is deleted. These backbones handle vast amounts of data, with around 475 TiB uploaded daily, and are expensive to maintain. Since most smaller providers can’t afford to operate their own backbone, they lease access to these networks from the backbone operators and resell access to end-users.

Check out the Usenet Tree for a visual map of Usenet providers and resellers.

Eweka, Omicron, XLned, and TweakNews are owned by Omicron Media, but each provider operates differently when it comes to server locations.

• Omicron has servers both in the US and the Netherlands.
• XLned is based on Omicron but operates only in the Netherlands.
• Eweka and TweakNews each have their own backbone, located in the Netherlands.

For other backbones:

• Giganews and NetNews operate servers around the world.
• Usenet Express and Abavia operate servers in both the US and the Netherlands.
• Farm, and Uzo Reto each operate servers exclusively in the Netherlands.

When choosing a Usenet provider, consider the location of their servers. Providers with servers closer to your location can offer faster download speeds and reduced latency.

Retention

Retention refers to how long your provider keeps files available. Choosing a provider with good retention is essential for a smooth Usenet experience, as not everything is reuploaded and may only be available once. However, retention time in days isn’t always a full indicator; some providers may delete articles sooner than advertised. To help you choose the best provider, I’ve created a tier list based on actual retention performance. Providers are ranked by retention (highest to lowest), but this list is an approximate guide and may change with improved testing methods. Refer to the Usenet Tree if you’re unsure of your provider’s backbone.

S-Tier: Eweka, Omicron
A-Tier: Usenet Express, Abavia, NetNews
B-Tier: Giganews, XLned
C-Tier: Uzo Reto
D-Tier: TweakNews, Usenet.Farm

Please consider supporting smaller providers like Usenet.Farm and ViperNews, even if their retention isn’t the best. Pair them with a larger provider if needed. Avoid the cheapest deals, even with bigger providers, as they’re often unsustainable. Your support helps ensure healthy competition and a more diverse Usenet ecosystem.

Additionally, you should consider that NewsDemon and NewsGroupDirect each have another unique extra storage cluster.

Helpful Resources

• For Usenet automation resources, visit Trash Guides.
• If you are German, you might want to check out PCJones/usenet-guide.

VPNs

Consider the quality and reliability of included VPN services. For example:

• GhostPath VPN: Outdated since 2018, poor user interface, slow servers, and lacks support for the WireGuard protocol.
• PrivadoVPN: Uses inaccurate GeoIP data, with nearly all server locations actually hosted in just four locations (US West, US East, Amsterdam, and Frankfurt).
• VyprVPN: Also uses inaccurate geolocation, primarily serving users from one US and one Amsterdam location for most servers.

These VPNs may not meet your needs if you’re looking for speed, modern protocols, and trustworthiness.

When using Usenet, a VPN is generally unnecessary. VPNs simply shift the trust you place in your ISP to a random VPN server. While your ISP won’t know you’re using Usenet then, your VPN provider will. Moreover, thanks to encryption, obfuscation, and SSL, no one can see what you’re downloading, even if a provider keeps logs. They can only see the parts of the data you’ve downloaded, but not the specific files or which parts belong to which file.

If you really want to use a VPN, make sure both your VPN and Usenet provider are anonymous—there’s no point in protecting your connection if your provider isn’t. While crypto can be used for anonymous payments, it must be done correctly. Many VPNs are not trustworthy and should be avoided, so always choose reputable services with strong privacy practices.

Shady Practices

Some Usenet providers, like FreeDiscussions and Usenext, are known for poor customer practices and are best avoided. They are often overpriced and use deceptive tactics to lock customers into costly memberships. Canceling can be difficult, and missed payments may lead to intimidating collection letters.

There have also been unproven claims that certain providers log customer access. While these allegations lack solid evidence, they are sometimes used by competitors as marketing tactics to gain an edge. Be cautious of websites that spread misleading information or biased recommendations to earn affiliate revenue.

For transparency, this page currently contains no affiliate links.

Contact Me

If you have any questions, deals to share, or other requests, feel free to reach out at usenet[at]rexum.space via email.