The benefits of downloading with newsgroups are many.  First you will realize with all these providers that you are finally able to fully max out your internet connection, without sharing what so ever. Your connections to news servers are 100% secure and safe.

However choosing the right newsgroup provider is a harder task than you would imagine.  There are a lot of things to consider when choosing the right type of service for your needs and skill set. Consider how long files are retained, the actual newsgroups that are carried difficulty or ease of use and the maximum speed and file completeness a provider can deliver.  There are basically 3 main ways that you can gain access newsgroups, we have broken them down here.  

1) You would use a 3rd party news reader program such as agent newsreader, grabbit, or one of the many other softwares to log into an NNTP server which will show you what is listed and you can then download from your reader of choice. 

Advantage - fastest speeds, most connections and longest retention

Disadvantage - Must also download large header files and cannot test for quality and completeness until your files are downloaded.

2) You could also access NNTP through a web page, this would show you the listings in much the same way you can view your email (SMTP) on a page.

Advantage - You don’t have to download any header files, and you can also check the quality and completeness before downloading (Par files), or just choose the archive automatically extracted to download. 

Disadvantages - slightly less file retention, quality and completeness, and speeds. 

3) Through an all in one software.

Advantage - Very simple to use, searches across all newsgroups, no header files,

Disadvantage - Not as easy to see daily postings, costs a premium to use. 


With the above criteria in mind we have tested to find the best and easiest to use of the 3 leading methods to access NNTP services.  Please note being #1 here does not make it the best service, all of the services are rated as the best for their method.