Astraweb Review
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Verdict: 4.2 out of 5
Since 1997, Astraweb has been a popular Usenet provider. It’s one of the few remaining Usenet providers with pay-per-byte “block” plans as well as subscriptions which, for some casual users, is a welcome option.
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Astraweb Category Ratings
| Retention | 3/5 |
| Performance | 4/5 |
Privacy and Security
|
5/5 |
Pricing
|
3/5 |
| Getting Started | 4/5 |
Pros
- Lots of packages to choose from
- Up to 50 connections
- Unlimited speeds
Cons
- Doesn’t come with a VPN
- No free trial
- Doesn’t have its own newsreader software
Astraweb is a great choice to get your feet wet with Usenet because it offers a per-byte, pay-as-you-go plan. Overall, though, we still recommend Newshosting and Eweka with their included newsreaders for the easiest start to the world of Usenet.
Astraweb Features
- 50 Simultaneous Connections – Get up to 50 Usenet connections protected with 256-bit SSL security.
- Uncapped Speeds – Available with all Astraweb subscriptions. Browse Usenet as fast as your Internet connection allows.
- Block Accounts Available – As low as $10 for 25GB up to 1000GB for $50.
- US and EU servers – For speedy connections no matter where you are globally.
Rating
|
4.2 out of 5 |
| Retention | 4,000 Days in all binary and text newsgroups |
|
Security
|
SSL |
| Discount | 47% savings |
|
Price
|
$8.00/mo |
Usenet Search?
|
No |
Retention
| Retention Length | 4,000 Days |
Binary and Text Retention
|
Access to over 120,000 newsgroups. |
Retention rate determines how long a post will be accessible on a Usenet provider’s servers after it has been uploaded. Astraweb provides 4,000 days of retention across all packages, good enough, but not on par with competitors like Newshosting and Eweka who have spooling retention.
Performance
Astraweb offers unlimited speed with up to 50 connections, among the highest offered by any Usenet provider.
The subscription plans have no download cap. Alternatively, users can purchase 25GB, 180GB, and 1000GB blocks with no expiration dates. Plan flexibility makes it easy to meet a variety of users’ needs.
Astraweb doesn’t have its own newsreader software like our top choices Newshosting and Eweka. Newsreaders are required to access and search for content on Usenet servers, which is why many providers have their own. Astraweb requires a third party client. Check out our rundown of newsreaders here.
Privacy and Security
Astraweb offers SSL encryption to secure your Usenet activity. SSL is a strong, widely-used cryptographic protocol.
Astraweb only logs anonymous, general performance metrics to improve their service, so users’ private information remains secure.
We’re a little disappointed that Astraweb doesn’t offer virtual private network (VPN) access which provides an extra layer of security for Usenet and all other Internet traffic, like web browsing and email. Astraweb’s SSL encryption is secure, but it only protects actual Usenet activity and not, for example, checking indexers. If you prefer more security, check our top recommended services Newshosting and Eweka which both include VPN access.
Pricing
Astraweb offers both subscription and block plans.
All the subscription plans have the same features, and prices range from $8/month for a year to $15 month-to-month.
The block accounts offer the same features as the subscription packages. A 25GB block costs $10 and prices continue up to $50 for 1000GB.
Bottom Line
Astraweb has been online since 1997 and their core Usenet service is solid as a rock. But today, many other providers offer more value to the user with added features that are missing at Astraweb, and that’s a shame.
We recommend Astraweb mainly because it offers more flexible plan options. Their unlimited speed and block account packages are especially valuable to users who only sporadically connect to Usenet servers.
Signing up to Astraweb is incredibly easy.
Start by browsing packages on their website by clicking this link.
