IT Pro Verdict
With its instant access to Usenet content via a browser-based interface, Easynews represents one of the simplest ways to get the files you need, and its speeds aren’t too shabby either.
Pros
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Useful browser-based Usenet client
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Advanced search makes finding content easy
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Fast speeds when downloading via NNTP
Cons
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More expensive than most Usenet providers
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HTTP data transfer limits are quite low
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Limited support
The best Usenet providers offer fast, unlimited access to the immense library of text and binary content that’s been uploaded to the Usenet network. Easynews is one such Usenet provider offering unlimited access to Usenet via its servers in the US, Netherlands, and Germany. It has been going since 1996, so it is one of the oldest Usenet providers in the market.
Our Easynews review looks at whether it’s the best way to search through and download the content on Usenet. While user discussion via Usenet newsgroups has all but vanished since the advent of web-based forums and social media, Usenet is still a popular service for people sharing files online. Easynews is an interesting way to access Usenet because it includes a browser-based interface to Usenet as well as a web-based Usenet search interface and an Android app.
Easynews: Plans and pricing
Easynews has three plans—Classic, Plus, and Big Gig. All plans have a 14-day free trial. A VPN is included in the Big Gig plan, whereas it’s an add-on that costs £2.52 on the other plans.
Easynews distinguishes data transfer made via its website (via HTTP) and a Usenet client (via NNTP). This is the biggest differentiator between the plans, as the Big Gig plan includes unlimited data via NNTP. This costs an additional £8.42 a month on the cheaper plans.
So, Easynews’ cheapest unlimited plan costs £16.26 a month, making it pricier than most of the competition.
Easynews' pricing plans
| Header Cell - Column 0 | Classic | Plus | Big Gig |
|---|---|---|---|
| Price per month | £8.41 | £12.62 | £25.23* |
| Monthly transfer | 20GB | 40GB | 150GB |
| Connections | 60 | 60 | Unlimited |
| Unlimited NNTP | £8.42 | £8.42 | Included |
| VPN | £2.52 | £2.52 | Included |
*After the initial first three months, which is priced at $9.99 a month
Easynews: Features
Many Usenet providers only market access to their servers. Then you must use a software client to connect to them. Easynews is different, as it includes a strong browser-based interface you can use to search for files and even download them through your browser.
Because of the browser-based interface, you could technically get by using Easynews without standalone Usenet software at all. But though you can search through the threads on text-based newsgroups using the browser-based interface, note that there’s no way to post new replies to them or create new threads, and speeds are slower.
Binary retention refers to how long a provider keeps Usenet files on its servers. Longer binary retention means you’re more likely you’ll be able to find the content you need.
Easynews has a massive 5,205+ day binary retention, so most files that have been uploaded over the past 14 years are archived. This is on par with the best Usenet servers available today.
Advanced Usenet search
The advanced search feature of Easynews’ web-based interface is particularly powerful, allowing you to filter your search by file type, extension, size, and even video format. The advanced search functions allow users to download multiple files at the same time. There is also a group search function that enables searching by group name, then filter and browse results.
There is a zip manager that allows users to view list of files in a Zip queue, edit the name of the queue, as well as sending the queue for processing or to be cleared.
Besides binary searches, you can perform text and group searches to find Usenet discussions on the topics that interest you. Searches can also be saved in the Advanced Search function for use in the future. Saved Searchers will even surface the number of results available and the date the last search was run.
Easynews: Interface and in-use
Easynews lives up to its name by being one of the most accessible ways to access Usenet. As soon as you sign up, you can search Usenet and download files through the website interface. Go to the website interface, search for a file, and it’s available for immediate download. This is a lot easier than installing and setting up Usenet client software.
Instead of downloading files directly, you have the option to get an NZB file that can be imported into your Usenet client software. Using this method, with the unlimited transfer add-on or the Big Gig plan, you can download an unlimited amount of content each month.
When downloading a Linux ISO through the web interface, we got an average speed of 3MB/s. Downloading through NNPT using open-source Usenet client SABnzbd, we averaged 10MB/s, which meant that the connection to Easynews was using 100% of the bandwidth we had Cavailable.
We can be sure, then, that Easynews is able to deliver speeds of at least 10MB/s, which is pretty fast, as long as you use NNTP to download. If you have a faster internet connection, you will be able to get even more speed. It’s notable, though, that you’ll need to use a Usenet client to get full speeds, as downloading directly through Easynews’ browser interface is certainly slower.
Easynews: Support
Easynews has a bare-bones support section on its website. It doesn’t include screenshots or in-depth guides on how to work with Usenet, but there are some useful articles on troubleshooting certain networking errors you might come across when using the service.
Directly contacting support can be done through an email ticketing system. Don’t expect a quick reply, though—it takes up to five working days to get a response. By that time, you may have already been able to fix your issue by researching solutions online.
Easynews: Security
Easynews has SSL support on all plans. But for even better security, you can use PrivadoVPN, free with the Big Gig plan and just $2.99 with cheaper plans. This will keep your online activities completely private from your ISP or anyone else monitoring your internet activities.
Though you could use any of the best VPNs to perform the same function, PrivadoVPN is a solid option, with 321 servers in 46 countries, a failsafe kill switch, and a simple, unassuming interface. This sports a zero-log service and comes with apps for Windows, Android, macOS, iOS, Fire TV Stick, and Android TV.
Alternatives to Easynews
Easynews’ standout feature is its useful browser-based interface, but if that doesn’t interest you, then you can get a much cheaper service from UsenetServer. As UsenetServer operates on the same Usenet backbone as Easynews, the speed and file availability are comparable, too.
Tweaknews is another good option that’s fast and has excellent file retention. You might want to choose Tweaknews over Easynews if you prefer to pay only for the data you use, as block subscription pricing is available.
Easynews: Final verdict
Easynews initially looks like a hard sell because of its relatively high pricing, but its excellent browser-based interface will appeal to inexperienced Usenet users who haven’t got to grips with Usenet indexers or Usenet clients like SABnzbd and NZBGet.
Throw in its fast download speeds via NNTP, 5,205+ days binary retention rate, and optional unlimited data transfer, and Easynews is a compelling choice for new users.
Further reading on Usenet
Learn how to download from Usenet, if you're interested in downloading files from the platform. It's also worth learning about Google Groups, another modern method for accessing Usenet; and take a look at our other reviews of top Usenet providers, including Eweka, EasyNews, UsenetServer, and Giganews.
