Pure Usenet Review

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Verdict: 4 out of 5

Pure Usenet has been serving the Usenet community since 2000, making it one of the longest-running providers in Europe. Based in the Netherlands, it’s recognized for its budget-friendly pricing, SSL encryption, and flexible, speed-tiered plans that let users match service levels to their Internet connection. In this Pure Usenet review, we’ll cover article retention, performance, pricing plans, and which users Pure Usenet is best suited for.

While Pure Usenet doesn’t include extras like a built-in newsreader or VPN, it stands out as a reliable, low-cost option for users who already have their software and want dependable Usenet access without unnecessary add-ons.

Why Choose Pure Usenet?

4,100+ days of article retention across 120,000+ groups
Flexible plans with capped and unlimited speed options
Affordable pricing starting at €3,09/month
Accepts credit cards, PayPal, iDeal, and SEPA Direct Debit

Pure Usenet Category Ratings

Retention	3/5
Performance	4/5
Privacy and Security	5/5
Pricing	5/5
Getting Started	3/5

Pros

Cons

Pure Usenet Features

Great Price — Pure Usenet is one of the best value Usenet providers in the US or EU.
Unlimited Speeds and Downloads — Download as much as you want as fast as your Internet connection will allow with the Pure XXL plan.
Accepts Crypto — Get the added security of paying for your subscription with Bitcoin rather than a credit card.

Rating	4 out of 5
Retention	4,100 days in all binary and text newsgroups
Security	SSL
Discount	20% savings
Price	€5,97/mo
Usenet Search?	No

Pure Usenet made its name by offering competitive pricing compared to its rivals while providing good retention, unlimited data transfer, and accepting a variety of payment methods for users around the world. However, that low price comes at the cost of fewer features and cut-backs on essential items.

Here is our analysis of PureUsenet’s service performance metrics.

Retention

Retention Length	4,100 Days
Binary and Text Retention	Access to over 120,000 newsgroups.

Retention is the measure of how long Usenet articles remain accessible, and it impacts both completion rates and search results.

Pure Usenet offers 4,100+ days of binary and text retention across more than 120,000 newsgroups – equal to over 11 years of Usenet history. This provides fairly good access to discussions and binaries. However, it falls short of the 6,200+ days maintained by top-tier providers like Newshosting or Eweka.

If your priority is access to the deepest possible archives, especially for older or hard-to-find articles, choosing a provider with longer retention may be the better option.

Performance

Pure Usenet takes a unique approach compared to most providers: instead of offering only unlimited speed tiers, it offers multiple levels of capped and uncapped plans.

Entry-level plans cap speeds between 20 Mbps and 60 Mbps, ideal for users with slower ISPs or those who want to save money.
Pure XXL plan removes all speed limits and offers unlimited speed and data, making it the best choice for heavy users with fast broadband.

Connections also vary by plan, from 8 on lower tiers to 20 on XXL. While that’s fewer than Newshosting (up to 100 connections) or Eweka (50 on all plans), it’s still enough to fully utilize most Internet lines.

In testing, Pure Usenet delivered steady speeds without throttling, even during peak hours. Completion rates were strong, though retention levels are not as expansive as other providers.

Newsreader

Unlike Easynews or Newshosting, Pure Usenet does not include a newsreader or Usenet search tool. Instead, it’s compatible with all popular third-party clients, including:

SABnzbd
NZBGet
Newsbin Pro
Alt.binz
Unison

This approach appeals to advanced users who prefer customizing their setup with the software of choice. For beginners, however, the absence of bundled tools can make the initial setup a bit less straightforward.

Privacy and Security

Pure Usenet includes SSL encryption with every plan, creating a secure tunnel between your device and their servers. This prevents ISPs or third parties from monitoring your Usenet traffic.

What’s missing is a bundled VPN. Competing providers like Newshosting, UsenetServer, and Tweaknews all package VPN service with their subscriptions, protecting all Internet activity – not just Usenet. If you want full online privacy, you’ll need to pair Pure Usenet with a separate VPN.

Pricing

Pure Usenet has a unique pricing structure. It’s one of the most affordable providers available, especially for users who don’t need maximum speeds. Plans are divided into speed tiers:

Pure M – €3,09/month – capped at 20 Mbps
Pure XL – €4,53/month – capped at 60 Mbps
Pure XXL – €5,97/month – unlimited speed and data

Compared to Eweka (€7,50/month for unlimited) or Newshosting ($12.95/month with VPN), Pure Usenet is one of the cheapest ways to access Usenet. The tradeoff is fewer extras, shorter retention, and lower connection counts.

Getting Started

Getting Started with Pure Usenet

Getting started with Pure Usenet is quick, but unlike full-service providers, you’ll need to bring your own newsreader. Here’s how the process works:

Choose a Plan – Select from capped options (M at 20 Mbps or XL at 60 Mbps) or go unlimited with XXL.
Register an Account – Sign up through their website. Accounts are available worldwide – no Dutch IP required.
Pick a Payment Method – Pay with credit card, PayPal, iDeal, or SEPA Direct Debit.
Set Up a Newsreader – Install your preferred client (SABnzbd, NZBGet, Newsbin, etc.) and enter the Pure Usenet server details.
Connect and Test – Start your client, confirm SSL is enabled, and run a test pull to verify speeds and connections.

This process is simple for experienced users, but beginners may find it easier to start with a provider that includes a built-in newsreader and search before moving to Pure Usenet.

Who Should Choose Pure Usenet?

Budget-conscious users – One of the lowest-cost options available.
Users with slower Internet connections – Flexible capped plans match your ISP speed without overpaying.
Experienced Usenet users – Already have a preferred newsreader and don’t need bundled extras.

Bottom Line

Pure Usenet is best described as a no-frills, budget-friendly Usenet provider. It doesn’t bundle extras, but it delivers reliable speeds, SSL security, and flexible plan options at some of the lowest prices available.

If you want the longest article retention, highest completion rates, and bundled features like VPN or integrated search, you’ll be better served by providers such as Newshosting, Eweka, or Easynews. But if your priority is affordable, reliable access without paying for extras you don’t need, Pure Usenet remains one of the strongest low-cost options in 2025.

Pure Usenet FAQ

Is Pure Usenet a good provider?
Yes. Pure Usenet is a reliable, affordable provider with 4,100+ days of retention and SSL security. It’s especially popular with cost-conscious users in Europe.

Does Pure Usenet include a newsreader?
No. Users must configure their own software such as SABnzbd, NZBGet, or Newsbin.

Does Pure Usenet include a VPN?
No. Unlike some competitors, Pure Usenet does not bundle VPN service. Pair it with a separate VPN if you want full online privacy.

How much does Pure Usenet cost?
Plans start at €3,09/month for capped speeds, with unlimited speed available for €5,97/month.

How many connections does Pure Usenet allow?
Between 8 and 20 simultaneous connections, depending on the plan.

Where is Pure Usenet based?
Pure Usenet is based in the Netherlands but is available worldwide.