Blocknews
BlockNews is a pure block account provider — no subscription, no rebilling, no expiry. Nine packages from 5 GB ($1.99) to 3,072 GB ($99.99). Up to 200 simultaneous connections, 7 global server locations (US, Europe, Africa, Asia, Australia, South America), SSL. Credit card, PayPal, crypto. Also operates UsenetNow and Frugal Usenet.
Go to Provider →Backbone
A Usenet backbone forms the physical "backbone" of the Usenet infrastructure, on which the actual newsgroups and files (binaries) are stored.
Backbone
NetNews
Server Location
Choose the server location closest to you. Users in the USA get the best speeds when the provider also has servers in the USA. For users in Europe, European servers are recommended.
Server
EU, USA
Jurisdiction and Privacy
Not only technical encryption protects your data, but above all the laws at the provider's location. There are massive differences here:
The US Risk (CLOUD Act & FISA): US companies are legally obligated to grant US authorities access to data. This applies even when servers are located in Europe. Many US providers advertise that they don't store logs. However, in the USA, authorities can force companies to activate surveillance for specific users retroactively – the company's promise is overridden by law.
The Advantage of EU Providers: In these countries, strict data protection laws (GDPR) apply. Government access is subject to high barriers and court orders. There is no automatic "reach-through" by intelligence agencies.
Privacy
Insecure
Abuse Procedure
A DMCA Notice is the formal notification from a rights holder to a platform that content infringes their copyright. Takedown refers to the subsequent action of the platform operator to promptly remove this content to avoid liability. The Notice is the trigger, the Takedown is the result.
Abuse
DMCA
Payment Methods
Whether PayPal, credit card or other options: Especially for international providers, the available payment methods differ. In the comparison, you can filter by this directly.
Payment Methods
PayPal, CreditCard, Crypto
Retention Time
Retention indicates how long posts remain available on the servers. Depending on the provider and backbone, this can vary greatly. If you value the longest possible availability, this filter is particularly useful.
Retention
12+ Years
Protection
If you want to try a provider first, plans with a trial period or money-back guarantee are ideal. This reduces the risk and makes getting started easier.
Protection
not available
Trustpilot Ratings
Trustpilot is an independent platform where users submit real reviews. This score shows how satisfied users are with a provider.
Trustpilot
Plans & PricingPlans & Pricing Compared
Block 5 GB
$39.80 / 100 GB
Speed: Unlimited
Data: 5 GB
Connections: 50
Protection: binding plan
Block 5 GB
Speed
Unlimited
Data
5 GB
Connections
50
Protection
binding plan
Block 25 GB
$13.56 / 100 GB
Speed: Unlimited
Data: 25 GB
Connections: 50
Protection: binding plan
Block 25 GB
Speed
Unlimited
Data
25 GB
Connections
50
Protection
binding plan
Block 100 GB
$8.99 / 100 GB
Speed: Unlimited
Data: 100 GB
Connections: 50
Protection: binding plan
Block 100 GB
Speed
Unlimited
Data
100 GB
Connections
50
Protection
binding plan
Block 500 GB
$5.00 / 100 GB
Speed: Unlimited
Data: 500 GB
Connections: 50
Protection: binding plan
Block 500 GB
Speed
Unlimited
Data
500 GB
Connections
50
Protection
binding plan
Block 1024 GB
$3.91 / 100 GB
Speed: Unlimited
Data: 1024 GB
Connections: 50
Protection: binding plan
Block 1024 GB
Speed
Unlimited
Data
1024 GB
Connections
50
Protection
binding plan
Block 3072 GB
$3.25 / 100 GB
Speed: Unlimited
Data: 3072 GB
Connections: 50
Protection: binding plan
Block 3072 GB
Speed
Unlimited
Data
3072 GB
Connections
50
Protection
binding plan
All About Blocknews
BlockNews is a Usenet provider committed to a single model: one-time payments with no subscription, no rebilling, no expiration date. Every purchased data package remains available indefinitely until fully consumed. There is no recurring billing, no automatic renewal mechanism, and no hidden fees.
BlockNews is part of a larger company that also operates UsenetNow and Frugal Usenet — both independent Usenet services with separate positioning.
Nine Package Sizes
BlockNews offers nine data package sizes — from small entry packages to large ones for heavier users:
- Starter | 5 GB | $1.99
- Small | 10 GB | $2.49
- Basic | 25 GB | $3.39
- Standard | 50 GB | $5.49
- Medium | 100 GB | $8.99
- Large | 200 GB | $14.49
- XL | 500 GB | $24.99
- XXL | 1,024 GB (1 TB) | $39.99
- Mega | 3,072 GB (3 TB) | $99.99
Important: no expiry, no rebilling. The volume stays available until fully consumed. Buy a package and don't use it for three months — you lose nothing.
The 3,072 GB package at $99.99 works out to ~$0.033 per GB — a competitive rate for non-expiring data packages.
200 Simultaneous Connections – a Top Value
A technical standout feature of BlockNews is the number of possible simultaneous connections: up to 200. That's exceptionally high — most Usenet providers offer 10–100 connections. In practice, 200 connections mean:
- Users with very fast fiber connections (500 Mbit/s, 1 Gbit/s+) can fully utilize their line capacity
- Automated download systems can run multiple simultaneous streams without restriction
- Enough redundant connections remain active during network instability
7 Global Server Locations
BlockNews operates servers at seven locations worldwide:
- US (2 locations)
- Europe (1 location)
- Africa
- Asia
- Australia
- South America
This global coverage is unusual for a Usenet provider. Most providers focus on Europe and the US. For users in Australia, Asia, Africa, or South America, a local server location means significantly lower latency and potentially faster transfer rates.
Retention
BlockNews communicates continuously growing retention without stating a fixed day figure. The company says it actively invests in expanding the archive. Users should check current retention directly on the website or with support.
The annual Frugal Usenet subscription includes a bonus 300 GB BlockNews block account, which points to retention of over 5,600 days for that combination — suggesting BlockNews itself has built up well over 3,000 days of retention.
Payment and Support
Accepted payment methods:
- Credit card (Visa, Mastercard, and more)
- PayPal
- Multiple cryptocurrencies (Bitcoin and more)
Support runs through a ticket system. A direct email address and phone number are not publicly listed.
Assessment: Strengths and Limits
Strengths:
- Consistent pay-once model: no subscription, no expiry, no rebilling
- 200 simultaneous connections — among the highest values in the market
- Global server infrastructure across 7 continents
- SSL included
- Smallest package from $1.99 (5 GB) — very low entry barrier
- Crypto payment available
Limits:
- No publicly communicated retention day count
- No free trial
- Block accounts only — no unlimited subscription
Who is BlockNews for?
- Occasional users with low to moderate download needs (5–50 GB/month)
- Users in Australia, Asia, Africa, South America who benefit from local servers
- Power users with fiber connections who want to make use of 200 connections
- Privacy-conscious users who want to pay anonymously via crypto
Frequently Asked Questions
What packages does BlockNews offer?
Nine block accounts from 5 GB ($1.99) to 3,072 GB ($99.99). No expiry, no rebilling — the volume stays available indefinitely.
How many connections does BlockNews offer?
Up to 200 simultaneous connections — one of the highest in the entire Usenet market.
Where are BlockNews servers located?
Seven global locations: two in the US, one each in Europe, Africa, Asia, Australia, and South America.
Is there a trial at BlockNews?
No known free trial. The affordable 5 GB entry package ($1.99) can serve as a low-cost test.
Does BlockNews operate other services?
Yes. BlockNews also operates UsenetNow and Frugal Usenet — both independent Usenet services from the same company.