Everything you need to know about Usenet
Yes, you need a Usenet client (newsreader) to access Usenet. Popular options include:
You'll also need an account with a Usenet service provider (USP) that gives you access to their servers. Some providers offer web-based interfaces as well.
Absolutely not. While Usenet has gained notoriety for file sharing, it hosts thousands of legitimate discussion groups covering:
Usenet access typically costs between £5-15 per month, depending on the provider and plan. Factors affecting price include:
Some providers offer block accounts (pay-per-GB) instead of monthly unlimited plans.
Newsgroups are topic-specific forums within Usenet, organised in a hierarchical naming system. Examples include:
comp.lang.python
- Python programming discussionsrec.food.cooking
- Cooking and recipessci.physics
- Physics discussionsalt.binaries.movies
- Movie file sharingtalk.politics.misc
- Political discussionsThere are over 100,000 newsgroups covering virtually every topic imaginable.
Usenet typically offers much faster download speeds than torrents because:
Most users achieve their full bandwidth capacity when downloading from quality Usenet providers.
Usenet offers better privacy than many alternatives:
However, it's not completely anonymous - your provider knows what you download. For maximum privacy, some users combine Usenet with VPN services.
Getting started involves three steps:
Many providers offer free trials, and some newsreaders have built-in search capabilities to help beginners navigate the system more easily.
We're continuously updating our FAQ section. If you have a question that isn't answered here, please contact us and we'll be happy to help!