Usenet Providers Reviews
Usenet Providers ReviewsReviews of popular Usenet newsgroup providers:
Giganews
Giganews is one of the oldest Usenet providers around, having started up in 1998. They are a premium service, so they cost a little more than some, but the concensus is that you get your money's worth. Their 256-bit SSL encryption option is unique and good for people with privacy concerns. The unlimited plans are definitely reccomended if you are a heavy binary user. The ten concurrent connections are a nice feature. 200 days of binary retention puts them way ahead of other Usenet providers, and it gives you lots of time to find stuff you're interested in.
Power Usenet
Power Usenet is another premium provider, but with a few less features and at less cost than Giganews. The 105 days of binary retention is respectable and still ahead of the curve compared to many providers. Again, the 256-bit SSL encryption is a nice feature, letting users protect against packet shaping and identity theft. They have a nice discounted rate for your first two months of service.
Easy News
Easy News is another old timer in the Usenet provider business. Their service is a little outdated with low retention when compared to premium providers like Giganews. They have some nice bonus GB offerings for doing things like filling out a survey, and letting you roll over unused GB. 20GB may not be enough for hard core Usenet users. Price is respectable.
Usenet.net
Usenet.net is set apart by their cheap unlimited plans, which get you good service and pretty long retention. The difference between 5 and 10 connections may make some users choose the higher level Premium plan. They have a nice five day, 10GB trial which gives you a pretty good taste of their service. Also offer discounted rate for your first two months of service.
Rhino Newsgroups
Rhino Newsgroups is a good offering for people trying to watch their wallets, with two unlimited plans under $20/month. Their 60 days of binary retention is nothing compared to Giganews' 200 days, but it is still higher than the industry norm, especially considering their price point. Worth checking out.