HitNews
HitNews is a Usenet provider operating since 2006 with 2,100 days binary retention, 99.9% completion rate, and up to 50 simultaneous connections. A distinctive offering is the nighttime account option, which provides unlimited off-peak access during low-traffic hours. EU servers are available, and payment is accepted via Bitcoin, iDeal, PayPal, credit card, and bank transfer.
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
Abavia
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
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
Secure
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, iDeal, SEPA
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
5+ 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
Power Plan
$ 59.06 total, Duration: 12 months
Speed: Unlimited
Data: Unlimited Data
Connections: 100
Protection: binding plan
Power Plan
Speed
Unlimited
Data
Unlimited Data
Connections
100
Protection
binding plan
monthly
$59.06 total
Duration: 12 months
Power Plan
$ 30.71 total, Duration: 6 months
Speed: Unlimited
Data: Unlimited Data
Connections: 100
Protection: binding plan
Power Plan
Speed
Unlimited
Data
Unlimited Data
Connections
100
Protection
binding plan
monthly
$30.71 total
Duration: 6 months
Power Plan
$ 16.54 total, Duration: 3 months
Speed: Unlimited
Data: Unlimited Data
Connections: 100
Protection: binding plan
Power Plan
Speed
Unlimited
Data
Unlimited Data
Connections
100
Protection
binding plan
monthly
$16.54 total
Duration: 3 months
Power Plan
Speed: Unlimited
Data: Unlimited Data
Connections: 100
Protection: binding plan
Power Plan
Speed
Unlimited
Data
Unlimited Data
Connections
100
Protection
binding plan
monthly
Family Plan
$ 92.13 total, Duration: 12 months
Speed: Unlimited
Data: Unlimited Data
Connections: 100
Protection: binding plan
Family Plan
Speed
Unlimited
Data
Unlimited Data
Connections
100
Protection
binding plan
monthly
$92.13 total
Duration: 12 months
Family Plan
$ 47.25 total, Duration: 6 months
Speed: Unlimited
Data: Unlimited Data
Connections: 100
Protection: binding plan
Family Plan
Speed
Unlimited
Data
Unlimited Data
Connections
100
Protection
binding plan
monthly
$47.25 total
Duration: 6 months
Family Plan
$ 24.81 total, Duration: 3 months
Speed: Unlimited
Data: Unlimited Data
Connections: 100
Protection: binding plan
Family Plan
Speed
Unlimited
Data
Unlimited Data
Connections
100
Protection
binding plan
monthly
$24.81 total
Duration: 3 months
Block 500 GB
$1.77 / 100 GB
Speed: Unlimited
Data: 500 GB
Connections: 100
Protection: binding plan
Block 500 GB
Speed
Unlimited
Data
500 GB
Connections
100
Protection
binding plan
Family Plan
Speed: Unlimited
Data: Unlimited Data
Connections: 100
Protection: binding plan
Family Plan
Speed
Unlimited
Data
Unlimited Data
Connections
100
Protection
binding plan
monthly
Block 1000 GB
$1.48 / 100 GB
Speed: Unlimited
Data: 1000 GB
Connections: 100
Protection: binding plan
Block 1000 GB
Speed
Unlimited
Data
1000 GB
Connections
100
Protection
binding plan
Block 2000 GB
$1.33 / 100 GB
Speed: Unlimited
Data: 2000 GB
Connections: 100
Protection: binding plan
Block 2000 GB
Speed
Unlimited
Data
2000 GB
Connections
100
Protection
binding plan
Block 5000 GB
$1.12 / 100 GB
Speed: Unlimited
Data: 5000 GB
Connections: 100
Protection: binding plan
Block 5000 GB
Speed
Unlimited
Data
5000 GB
Connections
100
Protection
binding plan
All About HitNews
HitNews is a Usenet provider that has been in operation since 2006. The service offers binary retention of 2,100 days, a reported completion rate of 99.9%, and up to 50 simultaneous connections. One feature that distinguishes HitNews from many competitors is the availability of nighttime accounts, which provide unlimited downloading during off-peak hours. EU servers are available in addition to the primary server infrastructure, and a 3-day free trial allows new users to test the service before committing to a subscription.
Retention and Completion
Binary retention at HitNews stands at 2,100 days, equivalent to approximately 5.7 years of stored binary content. The provider reports a completion rate of 99.9%, indicating that almost all posted files are retrievable in their entirety. While 2,100 days is on the shorter end compared to providers offering 5,000 or 6,000+ days, it covers the majority of content that most users are likely to seek. The combination of retention depth and completion rate determines the practical usefulness of a Usenet service for binary access.
Connections and Download Speed
HitNews permits up to 50 simultaneous connections per standard account. Download speeds can reach up to 1,000 Mbit/s, subject to the user's own internet connection speed. SSL connections are available on ports 763 and 995, which are non-standard Usenet ports but allow encrypted access. Servers are located in the US as well as in Europe, and EU server access is available to all subscribers.
Nighttime Accounts: Off-Peak Unlimited Access
A distinctive aspect of HitNews is the availability of nighttime account options. Nighttime accounts provide unlimited downloading during off-peak hours, typically the overnight period when network traffic is lower. This makes nighttime accounts a cost-effective option for users who can schedule large downloads during low-traffic hours. Users who download primarily during business hours or evening peak times may find standard unlimited accounts more suitable, while those flexible with their download schedule may find value in the nighttime option.
Free Trial
HitNews offers a 3-day free trial for new users. While shorter than the 14-day trials offered by some competitors, the 3-day period allows basic testing of connection quality, server performance, and completion rates. Users can use this period to verify that HitNews servers are accessible and functional from their location before deciding on a paid plan.
Payment Methods
HitNews accepts a wider range of payment methods than many Usenet providers, including Bitcoin, iDeal (the Dutch bank payment system), PayPal, credit card, and bank transfer. Bitcoin acceptance provides an additional payment privacy option. iDeal support makes the service straightforward for users in the Netherlands. Bank transfer is also available for users who prefer direct payments without card or wallet intermediaries.
SSL and Security
HitNews supports SSL-encrypted connections on ports 763 and 995. These are non-standard Usenet ports, but both are available for encrypted access. The 256-bit SSL encryption secures data in transit between the newsreader and the servers. No VPN service is bundled with HitNews plans; users requiring a VPN must arrange one independently.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is a HitNews nighttime account?
A nighttime account at HitNews provides unlimited downloads during off-peak hours. This is suitable for users who can schedule large downloads overnight or during low-traffic periods.
Does HitNews offer a free trial?
Yes. A 3-day free trial is available for new users to test server performance and connectivity before signing up for a paid plan.
What SSL ports does HitNews use?
HitNews supports SSL-encrypted connections on ports 763 and 995.
Does HitNews accept Bitcoin?
Yes. Bitcoin is one of the accepted payment methods at HitNews, alongside iDeal, PayPal, credit card, and bank transfer.
Are there European servers?
Yes. EU servers are available to HitNews subscribers in addition to the primary server infrastructure.
HitNews has been operating since 2006 and offers a range of features including standard and nighttime account options, EU server access, and a payment method selection that includes Bitcoin and iDeal. The 2,100-day retention covers a substantial range of content, and the 99.9% completion rate provides reasonable assurance of file availability. Users comparing providers should weigh the retention period, the nighttime account option, and payment flexibility against their specific needs.