NewsGrabber

NewsGrabber is an Amsterdam-based Usenet service positioned around a pricing model unusual for the industry: instead of differentiating by data allowance, all NewsGrabber packages differ only in their maximum download speed. Every package offers unlimited download volume — the only thing that varies is how fast you can download.

This approach has a clear advantage: users pay exactly for the speed they actually need — not for a data allowance they might never use up, or that conversely limits them.

Plans: Four Speed Tiers

NewsGrabber offers four monthly, cancel-anytime plans:

• 10 Mbps | €6.00 | 10 Mbps
• 30 Mbps | €6.75 | 30 Mbps
• 60 Mbps | €7.50 | 60 Mbps
• 120 Mbps | €10.50 | 120 Mbps

All plans include:

• Unlimited downloads (no data cap)
• Up to 50 simultaneous connections
• SSL encryption (256-bit)
• Access to all 100,000+ newsgroups
• No fixed term (cancel monthly)

The price range is strikingly narrow: only €4.50 separates the cheapest (€6.00) from the most expensive plan (€10.50). This makes NewsGrabber an affordable option overall for users who know what speed their connection can deliver.

Important: someone with a 100 Mbps connection using the 10 Mbps plan won't utilize their full connection. The speed limit sits at the Usenet server, not on the user's own network. Users should therefore realistically assess what speed they actually need day to day.

Distinctive Infrastructure: Direct Connection to AMS-IX, NL-IX, and DE-CIX

A technical distinguishing feature of NewsGrabber is its direct multi-peering connection via three major European internet exchange points:

• AMS-IX (Amsterdam Internet Exchange) — one of the largest internet exchanges in the world
• NL-IX (Netherlands Internet Exchange) — Dutch internet exchange
• DE-CIX (German Commercial Internet Exchange, Frankfurt) — Germany's largest internet exchange

Each of these connections runs over multiple 10 Gigabit Ethernet links. This means: users in Western Europe, especially Germany, Belgium, France, and the Benelux countries, can expect very low latency and high availability — with no routing detours over transatlantic links.

This infrastructure is exceptionally well set up for a small provider and explains why NewsGrabber offers a solid performance foundation despite its modest public presentation.

Retention and Completion

• Binary retention: 550 days — around 1.5 years of stored binary content
• Completion: 99%+

Retention of 550 days is noticeably below what modern tier-1 providers offer (typically 4,000–7,000+ days). For users primarily downloading current content, this is rarely a problem in practice — most downloads involve releases from the past few weeks or months. Users who regularly need older archives, however, will hit limits here.

A technical detail: NewsGrabber retains binary newsgroup headers and overviews for only 365 days. Older articles (up to 550 days) remain retrievable if you have a direct Message-ID reference — for example via an NZB file from an external indexer. This is common practice and barely limits practical use for NZB-based downloads.

Connections and Security

• Connections: up to 50 simultaneous SSL connections
• Ports: standard NNTP (119) and SSL (563)
• Encryption: 256-bit SSL

50 connections are more than sufficient for most users. Even on a 120 Mbps connection, typically only 10–20 connections are needed to fully utilize the line's capacity.

No Trial Offer

NewsGrabber offers no free trial and no money-back guarantee. Anyone wanting to try the service must commit directly to a subscription. Given the low entry cost of €6.00/month, however, the financial risk is manageable.

Who is NewsGrabber for?

NewsGrabber is a good choice for:

• Users with clear speed needs who know exactly what line speed they require
• European users (especially Germany, Benelux) who benefit from the AMS-IX/NL-IX/DE-CIX connectivity
• Budget-conscious users seeking a solid Dutch provider at low prices
• Users with moderate retention needs, for whom 550 days is sufficient

Users needing more retention or expecting a trial period should consider other European providers.

Frequently Asked Questions

What plans does NewsGrabber offer?

NewsGrabber offers four plans differentiated only by maximum download speed: 10 Mbps (€6.00/month), 30 Mbps (€6.75), 60 Mbps (€7.50), and 120 Mbps (€10.50). All plans include unlimited downloads.

What is NewsGrabber's retention?

Binary retention is 550 days with a completion rate of over 99%.

Is there a trial at NewsGrabber?

No. NewsGrabber offers neither a free trial nor a money-back guarantee.

Where are NewsGrabber's servers located?

NewsGrabber operates its servers in Amsterdam and is directly connected to the AMS-IX, NL-IX, and DE-CIX internet exchanges via multiple 10 Gbps links.

How many connections does NewsGrabber allow?

All plans allow up to 50 simultaneous SSL connections.