SABnzbd is one of the most popular Usenet clients, known for its flexibility, automation options, and strong community support. This free, open-source newsreader has been around for years and continues to evolve, making it a favorite among experienced Usenet users.
In this review, we’ll look at SABnzbd’s features, platform support, setup process, pros and cons, and also explain what SABnzbd port settings to use.
Pros
- Free and open-source
- Integrates with many apps and extensions
- Multi-platform, web-based interface
- Flexible news server setup
- Allows multiple indexers
- Highly customizable with add-ons and scripts
Cons
- NZB downloader only (no native Usenet search)
- More complex setup than provider-based newsreaders
- Steeper learning curve for automation and extensions
Get the most out of your Usenet. Save 58% when you sign up for Newshosting through our link.
What Is SABnzbd?
SABnzbd is a free Usenet newsreader built around flexibility and integration. Unlike simpler clients, SABnzbd is designed to work with a wide range of apps and indexers, making it an excellent choice for those who want to build a customized Usenet setup.
The software is web-based, which means you can access it through any browser on desktop, or even specialized SABnzbd mobile apps. It runs on all major operating systems – Windows, macOS, and Linux – as well as NAS devices (Synology, QNAP) and alternative platforms like BSD and Unix.
One of SABnzbd’s biggest advantages is its community. Because it’s open-source, developers and users frequently create new extensions, scripts, and integrations, expanding what the client can do.
SABnzbd Performance and User Experience
When you connect SABnzbd to your Usenet provider, the client handles every step of the process: verifying, repairing, and extracting NZBs with little to no manual intervention. This makes it reliable and efficient, even for large queues.
Key performance highlights:
- Automation: Handles verification, repairs, and unpacking automatically.
- Responsiveness: The Glitter interface adjusts smoothly to mobile, tablet, or desktop.
- Multi-server support: Lets you configure multiple Usenet servers and providers.
Users also appreciate that SABnzbd supports RSS feeds and can be paired with tools like Sonarr, Radarr, Lidarr, Bazarr, and Prowlarr to fully automate Usenet workflows.
In terms of resource usage, SABnzbd consumes more CPU and memory than NZBGet, but it makes up for it with a larger community and more plug-ins.
If you’re new to Usenet and curious about how articles are stored and retrieved, check out our guide: How Does Usenet Actually Work?
SABnzbd Port Settings
One of the most common questions about this client is: What port should SABnzbd use?
- Web Interface Port: By default, SABnzbd runs its web interface on port 8080. If SSL is enabled for the interface, the default is 9090. These ports can be changed in the configuration settings.
- Usenet Server Ports: For connecting to your Usenet provider, the most common options are:
- 563 (SSL) – the standard secure Usenet port
- 119 (non-SSL) – traditional, unencrypted option
- 80/443 – sometimes used to bypass ISP restrictions
- 563 (SSL) – the standard secure Usenet port
Most users should configure their provider connections through port 563 for SSL encryption. This keeps your Usenet activity private while maintaining high performance. Some providers offer alternative ports to avoid ISP restrictions, but port 563 remains the most secure and widely supported.
Pair SABnzbd with a Tier-1 Usenet provider like Newshosting, which supports SSL on port 563 and offers unlimited speeds, multiple connections, and industry-leading article retention for the best completion rates overall.
Usenet Search with SABnzbd
SABnzbd doesn’t come with built-in Usenet search, but its API allows you to configure multiple NZB indexers. This is a significant advantage compared to newsreaders that only integrate one search engine.
Because indexers can go offline without warning, using several at once gives you a more reliable and comprehensive Usenet search setup. Combined with automation tools, SABnzbd becomes the centerpiece of advanced Usenet workflows.
Thankfully, with SABnzbd, you don’t need to pick between your favorites. In fact, it is actually recommended that you don’t stick to one single indexer. The reason being, indexers tend to be volatile and it is not uncommon to see one being taken down unexpectedly. That is why many users choose to set up their Usenet process using multiple Usenet search engines.
Many Newsreaders will limit the integrated search to one engine. However, SABnzbd’s API key allows you to configure multiple indexers at a time. This is a particularly useful step to creating a robust Usenet search setup.
Downsides of SABnzbd
While SABnzbd is powerful, it isn’t the easiest client for newcomers:
- Setup complexity: Compared to native clients like those included with Newshosting, Easynews, or Eweka, SABnzbd requires more manual configuration.
- Learning curve: Advanced features like API integration and custom scripts take time to get working.
- NZB-only limitation: SABnzbd only processes NZBs, so you’ll still need external indexers for article discovery.
For absolute beginners, a simpler provider-based newsreader may be more approachable before moving up to SABnzbd. Alternatively, it may help to begin with a Comprehensive Usenet Beginners Guide before moving up to advanced tools like SABnzbd.
Is SABnzbd Worth Using?
For users who want flexibility and customization, SABnzbd is one of the best choices available. Its open-source foundation, large community, and endless integration options make it a top-tier client for those who enjoy tinkering and automation.
If you’re completely new to Usenet, SABnzbd may feel overwhelming at first. But once configured, it’s fast, reliable, and secure.
Tip for Beginners: If you want a smoother experience, use SABnzbd with Newshosting. It provides SSL-secured ports, high speeds, and long retention, which perfectly complement SABnzbd’s advanced features.
Get access to more Usenet content than any other provider with Newshosting. Use our link to save 58% today.
How to Get Started with SABnzbd
SABnzbd includes a setup wizard that simplifies installation and configuration.
- Install SABnzbd from the official site for your platform.
- Run the wizard: Enter your Usenet provider’s details (host, port, username, password).
- Choose SSL settings: Select SSL and port 563 for secure connections.
- Add servers: Configure multiple servers or providers if you want redundancy.
- Add NZBs: Manually upload NZBs or connect indexers via API for automation.
Once configured, SABnzbd runs smoothly in the background, processing your NZBs with minimal input.
See our SABnzbd setup guide for detailed steps on getting started.
FAQ About SABnzbd
SABnzbd is a free, open-source Usenet newsreader with a web-based interface and strong automation capabilities.
Yes. SABnzbd is completely free and supported by an active community of users and developers.
By default, the SABnzbd port for the web interface is 8080 (or 9090 for SSL). For secure Usenet connections, most providers – including Newshosting – use port 563.
Both the web interface port and the Usenet server port can be modified in the SABnzbd configuration panel.
SABnzbd has a larger community, more plug-ins, and a more user-friendly interface. NZBGet is faster and more lightweight, making it better for low-power devices.
