Getting started with Usenet newsgroups can be a bit daunting for newcomers. One option is to find a selection that gives you everything you need, including a newsreader app, with simple payment options. Eweka has a good reputation, so let's see how it delivers.
Despite Usenet being popularly considered part of the "old internet" predating the Web 2.0 era, there are enough providers of newsgroup access to make it a crowded market.
Registered in 2000, Eweka is one of the oldest Usenet providers still around. It claims to have been the "number one Usenet provider in the Netherlands since 2001."
Eweka's experience shows, with sign up via a polished website providing access to a complete set of options in the members' area.
Like many others, this provider is based in the Netherlands. It provides a newsreader, NewsLazer, which is almost identical to the NewsHosting Newsreader app.
Features
Eweka promises secure, unlimited downloads. All plans provide unlimited access, with 256-bit SSL connections. These are limited to 30 simultaneous connections, lower than most other providers who offer 50. Speeds of up to 300Mbps are listed by Eweka, from a library dating back 4440 days.
Features are limited for some price plans, so you'll need to choose the right package for your requirements. However, you can pay monthly, annually, six monthly, or quarterly with the subscription package, and numerous payment methods are available.
The NewsLazer app is recommended by Eweka, although you can use other newsreaders. This is simple enough to use and offers the ability to add backup Usenet providers. Note that the app will not work without NewsLazer credentials, however.
If you run into difficulty using the service, Eweka offers a 24/7 professional support. Agents fluent in Dutch, English, German, and French are available for assistance. There is also a detailed support section with an FAQ, a service status page, and contact details.
Retention
Do you want a Usenet service who only provides five or six years' worth of newsgroup data? Or one that reaches far into the past, providing binary uploads and text discussions dating back two decades?
Retention is the key factor in this archive access. Eweka provides a stated 4440 days retention - equivalent to over 12 years' worth of activity. That means that you can view conversations that took place back in 2008 and download binaries that were uploaded since that time. This is an incredible volume of data, making Eweka one of the largest archives of Usenet data available.
Security and privacy
Usenet providers offer 256-bit SSL connections via newsreaders to their servers. Eweka follows this trend, which ensures data downloaded or uploaded is sent over an encrypted and trusted connection.
However, privacy options with this Usenet provider are limited. While you can sign up with just an email address and country location, there is no option to pay for the service using Bitcoin or another crypto currency.
Happily, the Eweka Privacy Policy is clear when it comes to logging your activity. This states: "We do not monitor which newsgroups you post to or download from or what you put in news articles that you post."
Other logging is stored, however, such as access to your account, and metering based on the chosen package. The full privacy policy is worth reading so that you understand how your data is used. Full GDPR adherence policy is also listed.
Performance
Speed is another key aspect of Usenet services; the faster, the better. Less time is spent downloading binaries, more time enjoying the unpacked media files.
Eweak was tested following a speed confirmation using Ookla’s Speedtest. This rated the connection (via a Dutch VPN) at 58.10Mbps. Two files were tested: one a 540MB audio collection uploaded the previous day; the other a 700-day old video file of 1.4GB.
Both binaries downloaded at around 5.2Mbps, peaking at 6Mbps. For clarity, that means the video file downloaded in just over 3 minutes.
As such, Eweka provides an incredibly fast Usenet experience.
Pricing
Eweka offers subscription and pre-payment packages with one, three, six, and 12-month deals. There is no contract, so you can cancel at any time. Payment is via credit card, PayPal, iDEAL, Mistercash, Giropay, and bank transfer. Netherlands residents can also buy a day's access via SMS.
The Standard prepaid package is just €7.50 a month (around £6.77 or $8.82) with 50Mbps speed limit, eight simultaneous connections, SSL, and the full 4440 days retention.
Eweka also lists a faster prepaid option, High-Speed prepaid, at €9.60 a month (equivalent to £8.67 or $11.29). This offers 300Mbps downloads, 20 connections, as well as SSL and full retention.
A standard subscription is available from as little as €7.00 a month (£6.32 or $8.23) for a 12-month subscription (€7.50 a month if paying monthly). This has unlimited downloads, 300Mbps, 20 connections, SSL, full retention, and comes with a 7-day free trial.
Given the available download speeds, Eweka offers one of the best value Usenet subscriptions around.
Final verdict
It is difficult to find a Usenet provider that ticks all the boxes. Some offer a low price with low retention; others have a great price but poor service, sluggish speeds, and a general feeling of "we'll take your money."
Eweka, as its legacy suggests, is one of the better services. With lightning fast downloads, impressive retention, and a stringent privacy policy, it also offers a status page so you can check if the service is offline. While it doesn't offer as many simultaneous connections as other services and skimps on Bitcoin payment, Eweka gives you everything you need for fast and reliable newsgroup access.
The cookie cutter nature of the recommended newsreader client is something of a surprise, but otherwise Eweka is worth considering as your primary Usenet service.
- We've also highlighted the best Usenet providers
via Tech Trade
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