Supernews Review (2025): Legacy Usenet Provider
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Verdict: 2 out of 5
Supernews has been around since 1995, making it one of the oldest Usenet providers still in operation. At one time, it was considered a strong choice, but today it struggles to compete with modern Tier-1 providers. While it offers unlimited speeds, SSL encryption, and simple one-plan pricing, it falls behind in article retention, features, and overall value. For most users, better options exist.
Why Choose Supernews?
- One simple plan with unlimited speed and access
- Up to 30 SSL-encrypted connections
- Intro starting at $5.99/month (renewing at $11.99/mo)
- Long history in the Usenet space (since 1995)
Supernews Category Ratings
| Retention | 1/5 |
| Performance | 2/5 |
Privacy and Security
|
2/5 |
Pricing
|
3/5 |
| Getting Started | 2/5 |
Pros
- Unlimited speeds and no data caps
- Simple, one-plan pricing
Cons
- Very low article retention
- No bundled newsreader or VPN
- Not competitive with Tier-1 providers
Supernews Features
- Cheap Usenet – Supernews is very inexpensive and sits on the lower end of the mid-tier Usenet providers.
- Up to 30 Connections – Supernews includes up to 30 fast SSL encrypted Usenet connections.
- One Plan – Available in monthly and annual pricing makes it easy to choose.
Rating
|
2 out of 5 |
| Retention | 1,100 Days in binary newsgroups and 5,000+ in text newsgroups* |
|
Security
|
SSL |
| Discount | 25% savings |
|
Price
|
$6.19/mo |
Usenet Search?
|
No |
* Number is an estimate since Supernews doesn’t advertise their exact retention rate.
Retention
| Retention Length | 1,100 Days Binary, 5,000+ Days Text |
Binary and Text Retention
|
Access to over 100,000 newsgroups. |
Retention is where Supernews falls far behind. Competing providers like Newshosting, Easynews, and Eweka now offer more than 6257+ days of binary article retention with daily spool growth. By comparison, Supernews’s 1,100 days makes it unsuitable for users who want reliable completion on even modest post age.
A limited archive directly impacts usability. Users who rely on NZBs often encounter missing articles or incomplete posts when retention is low. In those cases, many will need to turn to secondary Usenet accounts to fill the gaps 00 an extra step that Tier-1 providers with deeper retention typically make unnecessary.
Performance
Supernews includes up to 30 SSL connections, which allows most users to max out their home Internet lines. In testing, performance was stable, with consistent speeds and no artificial throttling. Latency was acceptable, and the unlimited bandwidth means there are no hard caps on usage.
The problem isn’t speed – it’s the limited retention and lack of infrastructure compared to Tier-1 networks. Even with fast connections, missing articles reduce the value of that speed.
Newsreader
Supernews does not include its own newsreader or search tool. To use the service, you’ll need to set up a third-party client such as SABnzbd, NZBGet, or Newsbin, along with an external Usenet indexer.
This approach gives flexibility but adds complexity. Beginners may find the process daunting compared to providers like Easynews, which offer a complete web-based interface with search and browsing built in. Newshosting and Eweka also bundle their own newsreaders at no additional cost, making them far more user-friendly out of the box.
Privacy and Security
Supernews protects your Usenet traffic with SSL, preventing ISP monitoring of your newsgroup activity. However, unlike most competitors, it does not include a VPN for full Internet privacy. This is a notable omission, especially since many providers bundle VPN service at no extra cost.
- SSL encryption included (all connections)
- No VPN included
Pricing
Supernews keeps things simple with a single plan:
- Monthly: $5.99 intro rate for the first month ($11.99 renewal)
- Annual: $74.25 intro rate for the first year (renewal pricing not clearly stated)
At first glance, this pricing looks competitive, but long-term it’s less compelling. For a nearly identical monthly cost, providers like Eweka or Newshosting deliver far more – longer retention, stronger completion, included newsreader software, Usenet search, and bundled VPN service.
Budget-conscious users might be attracted to the low entry price, but it’s important to compare the full feature set before committing.
Getting Started with Supernews
Signing up is straightforward:
- Sign up on the Supernews website
- Receive server credentials via email
- Install a newsreader such as SABnzbd or NZBGet
- Add your credentials and start accessing 100,000+ groups
New users can also test the service with a free 3-day trial.
Who Should Choose Supernews?
Supernews may appeal to:
- Experienced users who only want a secondary, unlimited-speed Usenet account
- Budget-conscious users who don’t care about article retention or bundled features
- Experienced users who only want a secondary, unlimited-speed Usenet account
For most others, providers like Newshosting, Easynews, or Eweka are better long-term choices due to stronger retention, integrated tools, and added security.
Bottom Line
Supernews is one of the oldest names in Usenet, but age alone doesn’t equal value. Its limited binary retention, lack of features, and absence of a bundled VPN make it hard to recommend in 2025.
While unlimited speeds and simple pricing are positives, the low retention undermines its reliability. For users who only want a cheap, secondary account for very recent posts, Supernews can still serve a purpose. But as a primary provider, it lags far behind modern Tier-1 services.
Supernews FAQ
Supernews is a Usenet provider offering unlimited speed and access, but with lower retention and fewer features than competitors.
No, only SSL is included. VPN service is not bundled.
Up to 30 simultaneous connections.
Yes, new customers can test the service for 3 days free.
Advanced users looking for a cheap, unlimited-speed secondary Usenet account.
