Newsgroup Downloader Mac

  1. Intuitive interface. Scales to any screen size. Easy overview of all history details. Every option, on every screen size. Manage a job's individual files. Also comes in Night-mode. Easy speed limiting. Add NZB's or use drag-and-drop! Quickly change settings.
  2. SuperNZB is an NZB-file downloader for Windows and Mac OS X. It will open your NZB files, download from your Usenet server, and automatically run PAR and RAR to extract the files. Download SuperNZB for Windows 10 Download SuperNZB for macOS. Make sure to have an NZB file on hand! Mac users: Download with Apple’s Safari browser if your current.

Here is our list of the best newsreaders of 2021 followed by an all-inclusive newsreaders list.

Download an NZB for your file. Load the NZB into your NZB client software. Configure your NZB program with your Usenet server logon info. Download your file. Verify, decompress, and play your file. NZB files are plain text. So you can open and view them with any word processor. Search results include thumbnail previews, file details and options to either download the post or access the post from inside your browser window without any software needed. Get a 50GB free trial and 75% off (lifetime) here. Newshosting browser lets you search, preview, download, repair, and unpack content. Usenapp is a Newsreader / Usenet client for Mac OSX. It contains a Newsreader, NZB downloader, and search tool to search, download, and post articles from/to usenet. It has its very own search engine with retention of almost 12 years. Searching for NZB files on Spotweb and all Newznab sites is supported. Advanced Newsreader.

Think of the newsreader as your gateway to Usenet. Along with subscriptions to an NZB indexer and a Usenet service, you are ready to find and download Usenet content. Just enter your indexer and Usenet server login credentials into the newsreader and you are good to go.

Because Usenet has been around for decades, there are lots of newsreaders out there. Many are old technologies that aren’t actively being updated. Trust Usenetreviewz.com to test and recommend the newsreaders that are full featured for today’s Usenet use cases.

Editor’s Note: The best Usenet Newsreader we tested is embedded inside Easynews, a one stop shop for all things Usenet. The index, access to Usenet content and web-enabled newsreader are pre-configured into one subscription package and it’s all you need to get the most from Usenet.

Top 5 Usenet Newsreaders

#NameOSDetails
1
  • Best Usenet Search Interface
  • Best Usenet Search Results
  • File Previews
  • Easy to Use
  • Usenet Access Included
2
  • Multi Platform Newsreader
  • Bundled USENET service
  • Quickly Scan Header Files
  • Good USENET Search
3
  • Free and Easy Binary Newsreader
  • Popular NZB Downloader
  • Responsive Web Interface
  • Automated Features
4
  • Popular NZB Downloader
  • Supports Multiple Platforms
  • Web Interface
  • Automatic Download Features
5
  • Windows only
  • One Time Price
  • Updates for lifetime
  • Supports multiple servers

What is a Usenet Newsreader

  • Allows you to connect to multiple USENET Providers
  • Permits you to subscribe to a particular newsgroup and read it
  • May allow you to post to Usenet
Essential Features
  • NZB File Support does your newsreader support import NZB files. This is a relatively new feature however very necessary. You should cross off the list any newsreader that does not support NZB files.
  • yEnc Support all newsreader should support yEnc. We are not going to get into what yEnc is but if your Newsreader does not support yEnc its way too old and take it off your list
  • SSL support Its good to have privacy when you are on Usenet both to stay anonymous and to keep your ISP from lowering your download rates. Make sure your newsreader supports SSL.
Possible features
  • Thumbnail preview of Images some newsreaders do and some newsreaders don ’t either way
  • Automatic Extraction of binaries of Features can your newsreader unpackage par and rar files. This is a really nice feature otherwise you will have to manually fix corrupt file using a third party program such as quickpar.
  • Usenet Search Are you able to search Usenet easily with you Newsreader ?
Mac

Detail on Top 5 USENET Newsreaders

First Place - Easynews

Pros
  • Best Usenet Search Interface
  • Best Usenet Search Results
  • File Previews
  • Easy to Use
  • Usenet Access Included
Cons
  • Bitcoin Not Available

Easynews keeps raising the bar for the Usenet community by combining high-speed Usenet access with a web based, mobile ready newsreader interface. Avoid the cumbersome process of setting up, registering and configuring Usenet service, newsreader software and an NZB index separately. Just open your preferred web browser to Easynews and you’re all set.

The newsreader’s web interface is well designed and intuitive. Plug in your search, choose a file type from a dropdown menu, then hit enter. All results are displayed cleanly on a single page with infinite scroll. Each result includes a file preview and details like newsgroup, post date and file size.

To be clear, you can use your current newsreader and NZB index with Easynews if that’s your style. Enter news.easynews.com for the Usenet server address into your newsreader for unlimited downloads, fast speeds and access to the largest Usenet archive with the best binary and text retention rates of any Usenet provider.

Second Place - Newshosting

Pros
  • Quality Software
  • Search USENET newsgroups
Cons
  • Monthly Fee

Top Usenet provider, Newshosting, provides a newsreader software that runs on multiple operating systems and has several impressive features that enhance search and downloading activity.

Third Place - SABnzbd

Pros
  • Low Impact on your device
  • Supports multiple languages
Cons
  • No Usenet Headers

Android Newsgroup Downloader

SABnzbd is a popular binary newsreader and NZB downloader that runs on multiple platforms.

It is completely free and has several impressive features that improve your whole Usenet experience.

Fourth Place - NZBGet

Pros
  • Multiple Configuration Settings
  • Can be integrated with popular indexers
Cons
  • Less User Friendly than SABnzbd

NZBGet is a popular and solid piece of Usenet downloader that has constantly been improved since its inception.

Its most recent version was released in 2019.

Fifth Place - Newsbin

Pros
  • One of the most popular and updated newsreader
  • One of the first to adapt NZB file
Cons
Newsgroup Downloader Mac
  • Only for Windows

Best Nzb Downloader

Newsbin is one of the most popular and heavily used newsreaders in Usenet that runs exclusively on Windows Operating System.

Ten points to consider when choosing a USENET newsreader

Newsgroup Downloader Mac Free

  1. Price This should be obvious but some USENET newsreaders are free and some USENET newsreaders cost money. Some USENET newsreaders are included for free if you sign up for a USENET package. Lets take the example of one of our favorite USENET newsreaders: Newshosting Newsreader. Newshosting’s newsreader comes included when you signup for Newshosting’s USENET service. Many USENET providers offer this capability. Tweaknews also includes their newsreader similar to Newshosting. Finally some USENET newsreaders are hybrid USENET newsreader and USENET service such as Easynews.
  2. Search Ability some USENET newsreaders such as Newshosting come in with a free built in search mechanism where as some USENET newsreaders only download NZB files and are not able to search USENET in any way. Finally some USENET newsreaders such as Newsbin and Newsleecher have USENET search services as add-on additional charges.
  3. OS Compatibility Many of the USENET newsreader currently are platform independent such as NZBGet and SABNzbd, however you should always check to
  4. Multiple News Services Some USENET newsreaders have been developed to support a connection to only one USENET service at a time. While this may have been a good idea years ago or a good idea today if you are only reviewing text groups, the truth is that if you are downloading binaries from USENET many times, binary files will be taken down from one USENET server because someone or some organization complains. So in many cases it is recommend to have multiple news servers and a newsgroup newsreader that support multiple USENET services. All the providers mentioned on our top 5 USENET newsreader list above support this option.
  5. Integration In the last few years, automation tools like Sonarr and Couchpotato have become very popular. To use the tools effectively, both your USENET newsreader and your automation tools (Sonarr, Couchpotato or Sickbeard,etc) will need to be configured properly. Note: all of our top 5 USENET newsreaders can be configured to work together but some of the older USENET newsreader such as Thunderbird or Xnews will not work well in conjunction with these automation tools.
  6. Headers compatibility In some cases you will want to download the latest USENET headers or message subject headings from a USENET newsgroup to see what is being posted. Not all browsers support the downloading and browsing of USENET headers. Some USENET newsreaders such as NZBGet and SABNzbd would be better called NZB downloaders as with these USENET newsreader you are not able to easily scan the latest message headers in a USENET newsgroup. In some cases you might not need this nor be interested in the ability to download USENET headers as you might be using only NZB sites for finding your desired content.
  7. Difficulty in use – Setup up time some USENET newsreaders are easier to setup than others. One of our top recommendations,Newshosting really doesn’t get any easier – just download and run the installer and you can search by group or by search term. Easynews is also another very easy choice. No need to download anything. Just login to the website and search. Then click to download.
  8. SSL Connections All of our top recommendations support SSL connections but historically some USENET newsreaders did not support SSL. SSL means privacy which is a good thing. Remember to verify that you are connecting via an SSL connection.
  9. Additional Automation Features Flashback 10 years ago and many USENET newsreader did not support what are now defined as essential features for a good newsreader such as unpar and unrar, unzip and uudecode. Currently most USENET newsreader or at least all that we have on our top 5 list above automate the downloading, decoding and repairing of USENET but if you want to take observe all the steps a user would have to go through to manually download, decode and repair files take a look at Mozilla’s Thunderbird or XNews. Both of these programs are very basic USENET newsreaders.
  10. NZB importation ability just as some newsreaders do not allow you to view the USENET headers or subject headings of a USENET newsgroup, conversely some USENET newsreaders do not allow you to import NZB files. NZB files are historically somewhat new to USENET and some of the older and simpler newsreaders such as Mozilla’s Thunderbird or XNews do not support the importation of NZB files.

All Working USENET newsreaders

NameOSMore Detail
  • Best Usenet Search Interface
  • Best Usenet Search Results
  • File Previews
  • Easy to Use
  • Usenet Access Included
  • Multi Platform Newsreader
  • Bundled USENET service
  • Quickly Scan Header Files
  • Good USENET Search
  • Free and Easy Binary Newsreader
  • Popular NZB Downloader
  • Responsive Web Interface
  • Automated Features
  • Popular NZB Downloader
  • Supports Multiple Platforms
  • Web Interface
  • Automatic Download Features
  • Windows only
  • One Time Price
  • Updates for lifetime
  • Supports multiple servers
  • Decent Usenet Search
  • Supportive and Responsive
  • Windows only newsreader
  • With 14-day free trial
  • Basic Newsreader Functions
  • Offline Reading Function
  • Support yEnc
  • Multi Server Support
  • Small and Efficient Usenet Client for MacOS
  • Free and Paid Version
  • Multi Connection/ Threaded Downloading
  • RSS Feed Support
  • One-click Downloads
  • Usenet Automation
  • Binary Preview
  • Multi Server and Connection Support
  • Streaming newsreader
  • SSL Support
  • Multi Server Support
  • RAR and ZIP file Support
  • Mac Only NZB Downloader
  • Simple and Intuitive
  • Spam filtering features
  • No Windows Support
  • Automatic Video Library Manager
  • Python Script
  • Integrable with SABnzbd and NZBGet
  • Supports Usenet and Torrent
  • NZB Binary Downloader for KDE 4
  • Solid Graphical User Interface
  • Automatic file verification/repairing
  • Also works on portable OS like POSIX
  • PVR that automatically downloads video files
  • Fully Integrable with NZB downloaders
  • Reads RSS Feeds
  • Automatic Failed Download Handling
  • Searches and Manages Video Files
  • Usenet and Torrent Support
  • Integrable with download clients
  • Automatic Downloading
  • Mutli Server Support
  • Downloads Binaries
  • Message Filter
  • Delphi-based
  • Multi Threaded Program
  • Unrars and Unzips automatically
  • Unattended Scanning and Downloading
  • Highly Configurable
  • Mail Reader and Usenet Client
  • Very Basic Newsreader functions
  • Supports multiple servers
  • Supports multiple platforms
  • Web-based NZB Downloader
  • Simple Interface
  • Drag & Drop System
  • For Premium Users
  • Full Download Control
  • Impressive Search Features
  • Multiple Server & Connections Support
  • Easy API for Beginners
  • Preconfigured with Unliminews and Z51
  • Integrated & Simplified Search
  • Simple and Streamlined Interface
  • Automatic Repairing and Decompression
  • Java-based newsreader
  • Supports Multiple Servers
  • Extracts, Repairs & Unzips
  • Built-in yEnc- and UU-decoding
  • Supports Multiple Servers
  • Handles Multiple Downloads
  • Easy to Use Interface
  • Automatic Repairing and Extraction
  • Multi Server Support
  • Supports Various Search Engines
  • Auto PAR and RAR
  • Full NZB File Support
  • NZB Downloader with Free Usenet Access
  • Integrated Search Engine
  • NNTP Access
  • Intuitive Interface
  • Newsreader for MacOS
  • Multi Connection Downloads
  • Newsgroup Search
  • Modern and Easy to Use interface
  • Full-featured Newsreader for Mac OSX
  • Multi Server Support
  • Powerful Filtering
  • NZB Support
  • Usenet browser and Newsreader
  • Auto unRAR and PAR Technology
  • Servers optimized for speed
  • Text, Binaries and Images Filtering
  • Advanced Newsreader
  • Searches, Imports and Exports NZB Files
  • Auto Repair and Extract
  • Works on latest version of MacOS
  • All-in Internet Suite
  • Very Basic Newsreader Functions
  • Mail & Newsgroups Functions
  • Built-in Web Browser
  • Multi-threaded Usenet Newsreader
  • Handles Binaries
  • Multiple Search Commands
  • Supports Multiple Languages
  • Usenet Newsreader for Mac OSX
  • Primarily an Offline Reader
  • Basic Newsreader Functions
  • Supports Multiple Servers
  • NZB Downloader for Mac OSX
  • Multi-Server Support
  • Par2 Full Support
  • Integrated Search
  • Mobile Newsreader for Apple Devices
  • Basic Newsreader Functions
  • Supports Binary Groups
  • Simple and Easy Interface
  • Video Collection Manager
  • Full Integration with NZBGet & SABnzbd
  • Manual or Automatic Search
  • Good User Interface
  • Audio Collection Manager
  • Full Integration with NZBGet & SABnzbd
  • Manual or Automatic Search
  • Good User Interface
  • Fast and Simple NZB Downloader
  • Easy to use Web Tool
  • Multiple Downloading Methods
  • Paid NZB downloading service
  • Newsreader for text and binaries
  • Full NZB Support
  • Handles large newsgroups efficiently
  • Integrated search
  • Pro and Ultimate Versions
  • Full NZB FIle Support
  • Media Streaming Function
  • SSL Support
  • Very Traditional Usenet Newsreader
  • Read and Respond to Posts
  • Works on multiple platforms
  • Multilingual interface
  • Built-in Newsgroup Reader
  • Online and Offline Reading
  • Message Search via Keywords
  • Posting enabled
  • Open Source Newsreader
  • Capable of Binary Decoding
  • Flexible Display Filters
  • Implements scoring system
  • Automatic NZB and RAR Extraction
  • Enabled Header Compression
  • Multiple Server Support
  • SSL Support
  • Linux Binaries Downloader
  • Not a full-featured newsreader
  • Supports Multiple Servers
  • Download Queue Manager
  • Simple Setup
  • Streamlined Search
  • Automated Downloads
  • Multi Platform Support
  • Focused on NZB file downloading and extraction
  • RSS Intergration
  • Multiple Downloads
  • Easy and Simple to Use
  • Secure and Free NZB Downloader
  • Simple User Interface
  • RAR and PAR2 Handling
  • Multi Connection Support
Newsgroup

Additional USENET newsreader evaluation tips

  • Pro tips – As mentioned above , when choosing among newsgroup readers especially for downloading binaries you want to make sure that they support multiple connections, SSL and NZB file processing. The quickest way to do this is to choose two SSL only servers, choose an NZB file for the word ubuntu and then test.
  • If you look at each Usenet client review page you will see more details in addition to what is here now.
  • Have a look around our free usenet newsreader client page to help you be informed.
What is a Newsgroup Newsreader and why do you need one?Jump Straight to the Newsreader table

Usenet is really just a huge interactive database where all the records get copied and shared among all the usenet providers. There’s the data (the articles) and the headers (the index). There is no web page or HTML or anything – it’s just a big database. So typically you need software on your PC (or Mac, or Smartphone, or whatever) to view the contents of the database. That software is called a Usenet Newsreader. (There is at least on online newsreader too, which we have included in the table below).

Most Usenet (Newsgroup) newsreader software connects to your usenet provider using an internet address that your provider gives you. The first time you connect, it sucks down a list of all the group names on the server. You tell it which groups you would like to see the index of (i.e. the headers) and it downloads them all and saves them on your PC. Then you pick which articles or attachments you want to see based on the description in the headers, and the software goes out and downloads the articles and attached files and stores them on your hard disk. There are also a few newsreader programs that do not download headers (an index) for you. They rely upon article lists that you must find yourself using a file format known as NZB via usenet indexing websites.

Nearly all the newsreader programs have ways to save your favorite groups, build lists of file types that you prefer to download, filter out posters that you find annoying (i.e. spammers). Most let you post articles as well as read and download. SSL (encrypted data transfer) is built into the latest releases of just about every product. And – because there are SOO MANY ways to select, view, filter, and preview articles, the interfaces are quite often a bit confusing until you play with them for a while. None of them are perfect.

Features that we think add special value to a usenet newsreader are:

Must HaveOther Features
  • I – Interface complexity 1-5 (1=easy, 5=technogeek)
  • SSL – SSL Encryption Support
  • ST – Self Throttle Bandwidth to allow other Internet activity
  • HD – Header Download
  • HC – Header Compression
  • F – Filter header and poster terms to block spam and trolls
  • Q – Mark headers for later retrieval (Queuing)
  • NZB – NZB import
  • D – Place downloaded files in directories by newsgroup
  • RQ – Re-order items in queue to expedite retrieval of specific articles
  • P – Pause download
  • AFC – Auto fix (PAR) and combine RAR and 001 files internally
  • V – Built in viewers for text and image files
  • IS – Internal header Search
  • ES – Integrated external header search (Indexing service – extra fee)
  • BP – Binary Posting
  • MS – Pull articles from multiple servers
  • NZB-Only – No header support, import NZB files only

Newsgroup Reader

Before we get to the list of Usenet Newsgroup Readers, we also want to point out that there are a few usenet providers that have written web-based readers. They have pretty much the same features as a PC-based newsreader, except they run on a server and there is a browser based interface. You typically pay a bit more for these services, but they save you the hassle of installing software on your PC and they usually make selecting articles faster since you don’t have to download headers.

Newsreader Listing

NamePrice / TrialDefining FeaturesProsConsComments
Newsbin Pro$20 / 10 dayV6.3 (2012)Nearly every feature under the sun, developers add new features regularlyi4, SSL, ST, HD, HC, Q, RQ, F, NZB, D, ACF, V, IS, ES, BP, MSFlexibility can make User Interface confusing. Internal text message viewer weakAnchordudes Top PickThis is the Usenet Reader software we currently use for our own posting and reading. We really like the new video preview feature (6.3). Optional external indexing service ($5 / mo) makes searching extremely easy.
FreeA&A v1.1B ( 2004)GB12.2.7 (2007)Dedicated binary upload tool – recognized as the best for large uploads.I3, BPVersion A&A 1.1b had a few bugs, version GB12 fixes manyAnchordudes Top PickConsidered THE tool for uploading large attachments with superb naming and queuing features. A&A version is most widespread but GB12.2.7 version added many fixes
sabnzbFreev 0.6.0Windows / Linux / OSX based NZB downloader with a nifty web interfaceI2, SSL, MS, ST, RQ, NZB, DRuns as a service – self installer usually works but if fails is hard to configure by handAnchordudes Top PickIf successfully installed, it’s a very easy to use NZB download program – the use of an HTML web interface is pretty cool. We don’t like all the advertising built into it, but for ease of use, it’s a winner. It’s open source, and there is a big community of add-on features for it too.
Easynews$10 mo / 14 dayN/AOnline newsreader – no software requiredI1, SSL, F, Q, RQ, AFC, V, ESLimited access to text articlesAnchordudes Top PickEasynews is a combined online newsreader and usenet newsgroup provider. You use a web interface to search for attachments with thumbnail image previews including motion previews of video. It also automatically combines RAR multi-parts so you can tag a complete article group as one single file. Once tagged, it zips the file to compress it and lets you decide on the download order to your PC. By far the easiest way to use Usenet!
NewsLeecher$20 / 14 dayV4.0 (2010)Nearly every feature under the sun, competes directly with Newsbin Proi3, SSL, SL, HD, HC, Q, RQ, F, NZB, D, ACF, IS, ES, MSImage and text viewers are external.Anchordudes Top PickIf we didn’t already feel comfortable with Newsbin Pro, we might have settled on NewsLeecher. It might even be the better tool for someone just starting with Usenet. Their monthly pricing option also makes it easy to give the software and its built-in indexer a try without having to pay the full license cost.
NewsRover$30 / 30 dayV16.2 (2011)Downloads headers as background process to support a good internal global searchI2, SSL, HD, Q, F, NZB, ACF, V, P, AFC, IS, MS, HCNo throttling or external index serviceAlthough the interface feels a bit dated, Newsrover has pretty much all the features most new readers should have.
HogWasher$49 / 60 Day4.3 (2006)Mac OS X NewsreaderI1, HD, Q, F, F, V, BPNo SSL, limited support for new Usenet features and large groupsNo new releases since 2006, but still considered the best Usenet Newsreader for Mac by most users
Agent$29 / 30 day6.0 (2009)One of the first widespread GUI newsreaders. Handles threaded conversations very well.I2, SSL, HD, ST, Q, F, NZB, D, V, BP, MS, HCNo AFCThe first newsreader we ever used, it has kept up with the times. Be careful not to change user interface settings – they can be hard to get back.
GrabitFreev1.7b (2009)A simple to use free usenet newsreader program.I2, SSL, HD, D F, NZB, P,ACF, IS, ES, MSNo V, BP, STA very easy to use program that fits basic needs of most users (no picture viewer though). The price is right. Shemes also offers an optional NZB search service to make searching headers easier.
BinTube$59 / 14 dayv3.6 (2011)An NZB-based downloader that lets you listen and watch audio and video as it is downloadedI2, SSL, ST, HD, HC, NZB, D, ACF, VNo Headers! NZB reader only – requires external header search tools / site. No PostingA cool NZB-based reader. No internal header lookup – you MUST use an external NZB index site, or BinTube’s own external index service
Unison$29V2.1.4 ( ????)Mac OS X Newsreader, easy to use interfaceI1, HD, NZB, F, ACF, V, BPNot a power user tool by any meansWe weren’t able to run Unison ourselves, but many Mac users lament its very simplistic filtering and thread display
MT-NewswatcherDonation Warev3.5.2 (2006)Simple Mac-based newsreader, no longer updatedI3, SSL, FSlim feature set, may not work on OS X 10.6 and upIn its time it was a good start, but the developer obviously moved on to other things