Best Free Usenet Clients
Last Updated: Jun 18, 2024
On this page we have listed the top 5 free USENET newsgroup newsreaders followed a list of all the free USENET newsgroup newsreaders that are to be found currently. We also make a list of the best USENET newsreaders (some are free and some are a one time fee).
In addition to USENET newsreader software you will need a USENET provider ( See our Top 5 Recommended USENET Providers for 2024 and some place to find content most easily done via an NZB site (recommended) or USENET Search Engine.
Top 5 Free USENET Newsreaders 2024
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Details on the Top 5 Free USENET Newsreaders 2024
First Place - Easynews
Pros
- ✔ Best Usenet Search Interface
- ✔ Best Usenet Search Results
- ✔ File Previews
- ✔ Easy to Use
- ✔ Usenet Access Included
Cons
- ✖ Bitcoin Not Available
Easynews keeps raising the bar for the Usenet community by combining high-speed Usenet access with a web based, mobile ready newsreader interface. Avoid the cumbersome process of setting up, registering and configuring Usenet service, newsreader software and an NZB index separately. Just open your preferred web browser to Easynews and you’re all set.
The newsreader’s web interface is well designed and intuitive. Plug in your search, choose a file type from a dropdown menu, then hit enter. All results are displayed cleanly on a single page with infinite scroll. Each result includes a file preview and details like newsgroup, post date and file size.
To be clear, you can use your current newsreader and NZB index with Easynews if that’s your style. Enter news.easynews.com for the Usenet server address into your newsreader for unlimited downloads, fast speeds and access to the largest Usenet archive with the best binary and text retention rates of any Usenet provider.
Second Place - Newshosting
Pros
- ✔ Quality Software
- ✔ Search USENET newsgroups
Cons
- ✖ Monthly Fee
Top Usenet service provider, Newshosting, provides a newsreader software that runs on multiple operating systems and has several impressive features that enhance search and downloading activity.
Third Place - SABnzbd
Pros
- ✔ Low Impact on your device
- ✔ Supports multiple languages
Cons
- ✖ No Usenet Headers
SABnzbd is a popular binary newsreader and NZB downloader that runs on multiple platforms.
It is completely free and has several impressive features that improve your whole Usenet experience.
Fourth Place - NZBGet
Pros
- ✔ Multiple Configuration Settings
- ✔ Can be integrated with popular indexers
Cons
- ✖ Less User Friendly than SABnzbd
NZBGet is a popular and solid piece of Usenet downloader that has constantly been improved since its inception.
Its most recent version was released in 2019.
Fifth Place - Pan
Pros
- ✔ Advanced Sorting Function
- ✔ Download Task Management
Cons
- ✖ No NZB Handling
Pan is a Usenet newsreader that runs on Linux, MacOS X, Windows and BSD systems.
It is a good newsreader for text and binaries; however, Pan was not designed to handles NZBs.
Five things to consider when choosing a free USENET newsreader
Search Ability: Some USENET newsreaders, such as Newshosting Newsreader, come with a free built-in search feature, while others only support NZB downloads and lack any search capabilities. Regardless of your choice, it’s important to have a strategy for finding the content you need. If your USENET newsreader does not support searches, you’ll need to rely on NZB sites or a USENET search engine to locate content.
OS Compatibility: Many USENET newsreaders are platform-independent, including Thunderbird, NZBGet, and SABNzbd. Be sure to check our list to confirm whether the newsreader you’re interested in is compatible with your preferred platform.
Ease of Use: Some USENET newsreaders are easier to set up than others. One of our top recommendations, Newshosting, is extremely simple to install—just download, run the installer, and start searching by group or term. Easynews is another straightforward option. Note that Newshosting Newsreader and Easynews are free only if you subscribe to their USENET services, and in most cases, you will need to pay for USENET access. There are a few exceptions for completely free USENET access, but these are limited.
Headers vs NZB Compatibility: In some cases, you may want to download the latest USENET headers or message subject lines from a newsgroup to see what is being posted. Not all newsreaders support downloading and browsing USENET headers. Some, like NZBGet and SABNzbd, are better described as NZB downloaders, as they don’t allow easy browsing of message headers. Depending on your needs, you may not require this capability if you primarily use NZB sites to find content.
Performance: Some newsreaders are faster than others, which is especially important if you’re installing a USENET newsreader on a low-powered device like a Raspberry Pi. NZBGet is one of the best examples of a fast and efficient USENET newsreader. Other fast options include PAN and SABnzbd, but NZBGet is the clear winner in this category.
Below, we have listed the most popular free USENET newsgroup readers. While there are a few other options available, the free newsgroup readers below represent the best choices.
All Free USENET newsreaders
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Some other free usenet news readers are not listed because they are very outdated and not even worth your time especially if you are looking to download binary files.
Additional Free USENET newsreaders tips
If you want something free and you are going to participate in only discussions and not binary downloading then Mozilla Thunderbird is the perfect free USENET news reader. Thunderbird is available for every platform Windows, Mac and Linux and despite a slightly more complicated installation and a few hidden configuration option, is a very good piece of software. Check out our review of Mozilla Thunderbird here.
Another USENET newsreaders to consider would be the Newshosting Newsreader. Newshosting’s newsreader is able to use NZB files to quickly download USENET binary files, search USENET and participate in USENET discussion. Yes you need to sign up for Newshosting USENET service but if you want to use USENET you will need to buy access for at least one provider.
Finally, If you are only interested in downloading binary files from Usenet via NZB files or if you want to automate you USENET usage with PVR applications like Sonarr or CouchPotato then typically your best options would be one of two programs. and you want something free then essentially you have just a few choices
- SABnzbd this is a web-based USENET NZB downloader meaning that SABnzbd installs it own web-server and the user interface is web-based. SABnzbd continues to make improvements and has a large base of fans that are happy with their software.
- NZBGet similar to SABnzbd, NZBGet is a multiplatform USENET NZB downloader which runs it own web-server. NZBGet is different in that NZBGet is optimized for low powered CPUs. NZBGet is written in C++ and designed to achieve maximum download speeds while very little system resources. We hope you find these tips helpful. Be sure to give these free USENET newsreaders a try. Also be sure check out our list of best paid Usenet newsreader software in addition to our list of recommended USENET Providers for 2024 .
