Pros
- Written in C++ for fast performance
- Available for the majority of devices
- Easy web interface and initial setup
- Native coding
- Automatic processing with remote control
Cons
- Smaller user base than alternatives
- More complicated set up compared to native newsreaders from a provider
- Limited to NZB downloads only
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NZBGet: Fast, Simple, and Straightforward
NZBGet is a very popular newsreader that has consistently ranked high on lists of top Usenet software. That’s honestly not surprising when you consider its consistent service updates and regular release of new features.
This open-source binary newsreader is an impressive platform. Among other things, NZBGet is known for its high-security standards, low resource consumption, and cross-platform capabilities.
Considering all of that, it’s rather astounding that it’s free.
NZBGet: The Things We Like
Performance
Usenet can seem confusing for newcomers, but NZBGet makes it a lot easier. For one, Usenet downloads frequently require a lot of computational power, slowing down your local system. Thankfully, NZBGet is written in C++, which helps accelerate download speed and reduce overall system overhead. This has helped NZBGet earn a reputation for strong performance, effectiveness, and diverse customization options.
Another highlight of NZBGet is, by using less memory to function, it allows for low-power devices to interact with newsgroups. This is particularly useful for users who want to use older devices or even a Raspberry PI to handle their downloads.
Multi-platform Accessibility
NZBGet’s low resource requirements allows it to run effectively on virtually every type of device: traditional PCs, Raspberry PIs, NAS devices, SAT-receivers, media players, WLAN-routers, and many more. In fact, some systems come pre-installed with NZBGet, or you can even download it directly from the App store now.
Furthermore, this client can be accessed from a web interface, which natively allows you to remotely manage feeds, monitor downloads, add NZBs, and much more. Their Remote Procedure Call (RCP) API allows the newsreader to integrate with a wide array of third-party apps. If you are crafty, you can easily use this feature to further automate a handful of tasks.
Automation
While opinion varies from source to source, for a free newsreader, NZBGet makes interacting with Usenet very easy, automating several essential tasks. Downloads, deobfuscations, verifications, repairs, and extractions are all made very simple, if not done for you. Frequent updates also ensure that the platform operates at the highest security standards.
Usenet NZB Search
With the amount of content available on Usenet, finding the right indexer is crucial. Thankfully, there are countless indexers to choose from. Each indexer is individually configured to arrange Usenet binaries into organized libraries for easy retrieval. They all vary in terms of features, content, and speed.
The best option is to get a number of different indexers and a newsreader that can integrate them all at once, which NZBGet’s API does. Planned properly, this will provide you with a robust Usenet search solution by combining many indexers.
All these factors give NZBGet one of the strongest client-side NZB searches available that is both free and open-source.
What We Like Less About NZBGet
Like most open-source services, the extra features need to be self-configured. New users will find native Usenet clients such as the ones included with providers like Newshosting and Easynews easier to pick up.
Secondly, while you will find very passionate community support from NZBGet, it is not as large a user-base as SABnzbd. It is worth mentioning that given all its strong features, the community is growing every day, but it’s not quite robust enough for our full-throated support at the time of this writing.
Finally, this newsreader only supports NZB files and does not have any built-in search functionality for other posts, which can be an inconvenience to some.
Bottom Line
NZBGet is a great option for people who want a Usenet newsreader that is powerful enough for experienced users, but simple enough for beginners. You can grow with it. We particularly enjoy its sleek interface which complements the rapid speed and efficiency of the downloader.
We aren’t surprised that this is one of the fastest-growing platforms in the market. It’s free, open-source, and continues to improve at a rapid pace. It also takes fewer resources than programs which run on Python.
Obviously this platform was designed with efficiency in mind. For instance, NZBGet is highly effective at file reparation, verification, and deobfuscation. It uses native algorithms to sort everything internally instead of relying on external programs that slow down the process.
Undoubtedly, we’ll be hearing a lot more from NZBGet as the program’s current features improve and new ones are released. We’re excited to see the evolution of this program that champions efficiency. Overall, NZBGet is a newsreader that we are convinced you will be satisfied with.
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How to Get Started with NZBGet
NZBGet has a straightforward download process. On the config screen you can select options including security, localhost, logging, RSS feeds, and so on. You’ll need to set up your news server details such as your hostname, username/password, and encryption.
To download NZBs, just select ‘Add’ and choose whether you are downloading from a URL or your local drive. Once you add the file, it will immediately start downloading. Simple and painless.
