News Rover Review
Last Updated: Jun 17, 2025
| Rating |  |
| Price | $29.95 |
| Retention | 500 Days |
| Free Trial | None |
| Features | Advanced Multi-Threading Capabilities |
| Automatic Extraction of RAR and ZIP Files | |
| Unattended Scanning and Downloading Features |
News Rover is a lightweight yet powerful newsreader that not only allows users to search for messages in Usenet newsgroups but also facilitates the posting of both text and binary files. It excels at managing multiple server connections, making it a solid choice for downloading various media files. Additionally, News Rover features a JPEG picture gallery, password protection, and file encryption to ensure user privacy.
With comprehensive support for NZB files and an integrated RAR/PAR processor for handling RAR file posts, News Rover stands out in its category. The built-in address book provides users with quick access to their frequent contacts, enhancing usability.
However, it’s important to note that News Rover appears to be outdated, with no significant updates in recent years. Users might want to explore the best Usenet newsreaders in the industry for more reliable alternatives. Furthermore, our recent checks indicate that the News Rover website is often inaccessible or slow to respond.
Editor's Tip: : Easynews is our top choice for quality Usenet search. It is an all-in-one service that includes everything needed to get up and running with Usenet:
- Unlimited Usenet access
- Highest quality retention (and growing)
- Built-in search interface with fast, accurate results and search previews
- Search Usenet without NZBs
- No software needed
Highlighted Features
News Rover boasts several essential features that align with what users expect from modern newsreaders. Key highlights include:
- Speed and Efficiency - Advanced Multi-Threading Capabilities
- Multiple News Server Support - Connect to up to 32 servers
- Enhanced Password Protection and Encryption - Keep newsgroups hidden from view
- Customizable Display Filters - For example, filter to view only .jpg files
- User-Friendly Configuration
- SSL Support
- Automatic Extraction of RAR and ZIP Files
- Picture Gallery - View Thumbnail Images
Additionally, News Rover offers a range of features designed to enhance convenience and efficiency for Usenet users:
- Unattended Scanning & Downloading
- Interest Groups
- Picture Gallery
- Include and Exclude Expressions
- Multi-Part File Reconstruction
- Duplicate File and Message Elimination
- Post New Messages and Send Replies
- Scanning Multiple News Servers
- File Folders
- Spam Elimination
- Blocking Senders
- Speed and Efficiency
- Scheduled Execution
- Built-in Spelling Checker
- Privacy and File Encryption
- Using News Rover for Genealogy
- Comprehensive Support Section
Plans & Pricing
News Rover is a paid Usenet newsreader priced at $29.95. Users can access News Rover through their website. However, based on our observations over several months, the website has experienced server issues and may not load consistently.
Free Trial Information
News Rover offers a 30-day free trial. After the trial period, users must register an account and purchase the software to access all features fully.
Usage Overview
News Rover is compatible with Windows devices. The installation process is straightforward, and the program’s user interface is designed for ease of use, requiring minimal learning.
Installation
The installation process for News Rover is uncomplicated. Simply download the installer package from their website and run it. Follow the standard installation steps provided in the setup wizard to complete the installation successfully.
Upon installation, a welcome message will appear, along with a few recommended instructions to guide you.
The 30-day free trial prompt will then appear, allowing you to run News Rover in demonstration mode or register for the paid version.
In the registration section, you will need to enter your registration name and key if you already have a paid account with News Rover.
Configuration
As with any newsreader, you’ll need to input your server information to use News Rover effectively. Navigate to the configure button and select the server tab to enter your provider’s server address, NNTP port, server nickname, and login details (if required). This is also where you can specify the maximum connections to a server and the disconnect time.
If you don’t have a Usenet provider yet, consider browsing through the best Usenet service providers to find one that suits your needs.
Scheduling & Automation
News Rover includes several scheduling features that can be configured in the schedule tab. There are also advanced and automated features available across multiple tabs in the News Rover configuration section.
Usability
News Rover operates in three modes:
- Subscribed Newsgroup Mode – Select the newsgroups you want to browse, subscribe to them, download a list of available messages, and double-click the entries you wish to download.
- Autoscan – Designed for unattended operation, you can set up one or more “Interest Groups” that specify which newsgroups to scan and the types of messages to download. Autoscan will work in the background while you attend to other tasks.
- Global Search – One of News Rover’s most powerful features, you can specify keywords for a comprehensive search across Usenet newsgroups. Double-click on the matching messages you want to download.
Conclusion
News Rover is a competent newsreader that offers a range of features beneficial to Usenet users. Its interface is clean and easy to navigate, and it provides a high degree of configurability for both basic and advanced settings. However, the lack of recent updates raises concerns about its reliability, especially given the fluctuating availability of their website. As a paid newsreader, you may want to consider more reliable alternatives such as Newshosting or Newsbin or explore other newsreaders from our list.
