UsenetServer Review - The Provider On The Test Bench

Most Usenet providers promise similar things, but when one carries the name UsenetServer, you simply expect that they will offer you the best kind of Usenet service possible. This particular provider has been around since 1998, and as such it is one of the longest-standing companies in the Usenet business around.

The promises of amazing retention, unlimited download speeds and volume, and high levels of security all look pretty good, but how does UsenetServer perform in practice? I decided to find out and went through a thorough UsenetServer review for potential users to educate themselves with.

usenetserver-logo

USENETSERVER

UsenetServer Services
Services: Premium Usenet search and downloads with UsenetServer

As always, I signed up for UsenetServer myself to find out what exactly they offer, but I have had encounters with them in the past as well, since they are one of the services that were around back when Usenet was still relatively young. Keep reading to find out just how UsenetServer actually performs and how it compares to some of the more recent additions to the world of Usenet.

Table of Contents

Advantages and disadvantages of the provider

Pros

  • Retention going back 4,600 days
  • 99% file completion rate
  • Easy to download and setup
  • No browsing or download speed limitations
  • Unlimited download volume
  • 256-bit SSL/TLS encryption

Cons

  • Slightly more expensive than some competitors
  • Maximum of 20 simultaneous connections

Prices - can savings be made with a UsenetServer coupon?

The price tag does not necessarily make a service good or bad in itself, but when one compares what a particular service has to offer for the given price, you can start drawing some conclusions. UsenetServer in particular does offer a lot in terms of services and features, but also comes at a price that is nearly double what most other similar competitors cost.

The selection of subscription packages for the UsenetServer software is not very big either. You can pick between paying on a monthly basis, paying for three months, or a whole year ahead. Past that, performance will be pretty much the same, but you will be able to get reasonable discounts and pay only about half the price if you go with the yearly package. This is your best way to get a discount without a special UsenetServer coupon.

Prices: Choose a yearly UsenetServer subscription for discounts

Each package you can choose from comes with the same basic set of features, but my recommendation is that you get the yearly package. There are two reasons for this. For one, you will get a major discount. Secondly, you get a free subscription to Zero-Log VPN, which is a very solid VPN service that you would have to pay for if you decided to get one of the other packages.

Try UsenetServer for Free for 14 days

Free trials are fairly common with Usenet providers, and UsenetServer is no different. If you choose to buy one of the UsenetServer packages, you will have the option of testing it for 14 days first. The service will not cost you anything for those 2 weeks, and you can cancel it at any time if you decide that it’s not worth going with. I highly recommend using the trial period to try out the provider and see if you are happy with what it has to offer.

If you decide to take one of the available packages, you will have only two options for payment. The most common payment method is via credit card, and all major cards are accepted here. If you prefer an extra security buffer, PayPal is also available as an option. Unfortunately, additional alternatives such as iDEAL or Paysafe are not available, and neither are any kinds of Bitcoin and cryptocurrency payments.

Independent high-speed network with 100,000 newsgroups

So you must be wondering about the kind of performance that UsenetServer actually offers! Like most providers, this one also offers slightly different features based on the particular package you choose, but those differences are only slight. For the most part, all their packages offer the same service, and it’s quite an impressive one.

Worthy of note is the impressive retention, with files as old as 4,600 days available through this Usenet provider. That’s longer than most competitors and really gives you access to a major piece of the overall Usenet. Like most providers, a 99.99% completion is guaranteed, which means you will be able to download practically every file ever uploaded to the over 100,000 newsgroups you will have access to.

UsenetServer also boasts fast searches and downloads, with unlimited download speed available with every subscription package. Along with that comes unlimited download volume, which kind of makes up for the fact that no block packages are available. Yet, users who don’t need the service too regularly will be somewhat disappointed they can’t simply pay for the GB they actually download.

UsenetServer Features
Features: Premium retention and unlimited downloads with UsenetServer

Every connection you make via your UsenetServer login is secured by 256-bit SSL/TLS encryption, which is absolutely the industry standard. In terms of security, you should be quite safe browsing Usenet with this provider, and the company does not log unnecessary data either, which means you can rest easy and not be afraid of entering the wrong newsgroup at the wrong time.

UsenetServer also offers free access to a premium VPN, but only to users who purchase yearly plans. Everyone else will have to pay for this VPN, which is kind of a downside and another reason to go with a yearly package. Yet, I would like to see them give this one for free to all subscribers, as the packages cost more than most competitors already. There is no doubt that UsenetServer provides a high-quality service, but concerns about the pricing have to be stated, as some of the best in the business charge less than this particular provider.

Newsreader selection - The right UsenetServer download for every device

Offering a newsreader as part of the bundle is not very popular with Usenet providers these days, and UsenetServer is no different. You will not automatically get access to one when you sign up with this provider, so you will need to separately download one and set it up on your device before you can start browsing Usenet.

Fortunately, there are plenty of great choices, and UsenetServer is compatible with them all. Which newsreader you go with will depend greatly on the actual device and operating system you are using, or at least it should. For greatest compatibility, I would choose Holmez, which can be used on any operating system and can be used in your browser without any additional downloads.

If you are running UsenetServer on your personal computer or Mac, Grabit is another solid choice of a newsreader. Grabit is very simple to use and offers great search options, making it amazing for new users and experienced Usenet veterans alike.

FAQs - All questions about UsenetServer answered

What is UsenetServer?

UsenetServer is a premium Usenet provider that has been available since 1998. The provider offers secure and unlimited Usenet browsing and download with amazing retention and completion rates and plenty of special features that make it one of the best providers around.

Is UsenetServer safe to use?

Yes! UsenetServer is a trusted service that has been around for many years and has always given its users a good experience. All Usenet connections made via this provider are secured by SSL/TLS encryption and the privacy policy is fairly strict, with few personal details logged by the provider.

Is UsenetServer illegal?

No! Accessing Usenet is not illegal in any way, and neither is using UsenetServer in particular. There is nothing illegal about purchasing and using this service in the US or EU. However, be mindful of the content you actually download using this service as some of it could be illegal to download and own.

What is the best Usenet provider?

Each user’s definition of the best is probably different, but we can all agree that it’s about the balance between the services offered and the pricing. While UsenetServer offers great performance, it also comes at a fairly steep price that you may not want to pay, with more affordable competitors available with similar services.

What UsenetServer subscription packages are available?

There are three subscription models available to UsenetServer customers. Plans differ in their duration, with 1 month, 3 months, and 1 year available. All packages offer the same performance and features, with the exception of the integrated VPN, which is free to users who purchase the yearly subscription only.

What features does UsenetServer offer?

UsenetServer provides its customers with unlimited Usenet browsing and downloads, longterm file retention and high degrees of file completion. Users can expect a fully secure and fast browsing experience through more than 100,000 newsgroups all over the Usenet.

Alternatives to UsenetServer

In this review, I have stated all the upsides and downsides of UsenetServer as your provider. The service certainly comes with a lot of great features and provides a quality browsing experience. The biggest downsides in my eyes are the facts that the provider is quite costly compared to its competitors and that packages come with a maximum of 20 simultaneous connections, which is also something that certain competitors can outmatch.

A very similar service that I would also rate as one of the top UsenetServer providers is Eweka. This provider offers access to even more newsgroups and has similar retention rates, while coming at a slightly lower price. Eweka is also EU-based, as opposed to UsenetServer which is US-based, should the geographical location make a notable difference in your decision.

Easynews is yet another great provider that’s going to let you try their software for free for as long as 14 days and let you download 50GB of content with no strings attached. It offers an integrated VPN, but is offered at a similar price to UsenetServer. Other, cheaper Usenet providers are also available, but they may disappoint you with the level of quality they offer.

Conclusion: Final words on UsenetServer

After using UsenetServer for a while and testing its performance in the real world, I can say that I was impressed by the way this provider handles things. Browsing and downloads are lightning fast and they allow you to use your connection to the fullest extent, without any limitations.

The UsenetServer download is fast and the setup is easy and painless. Once I was good to go, I could browse thousands of newsgroups without any problems, and I knew my connection was completely secure with the extra VPN service included in my yearly subscription.

Great speed, retention rate, and security are all parts of the package you will be buying if you decide to subscribe with UsenetServer. For these reasons, I have no doubt that it is one of the best providers around, even if pricing is a slight concern that may deter some of the more conservative users out there. I also wish I could choose a block package to use, but all of these things fade in comparison to the premium performance I have seen in my review. I give UsenetServer 4.7 out of 5 stars, and would bring that up to a full 5 out of 5 if they made their product only slightly more affordable.

alyn-smith

“UsenetServer is a premium Usenet provider with an amazing set of features. One of the best in the industry”!

5.0 / 5.0 rated by Alyn Smith

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