If you’re looking for the best download speeds, Usenet providers with servers in multiple locations can be a great choice, since it not only lets you pick the server closest to you, it gives you the flexibility to experiment.
That being said, many of the top Usenet providers only have one main server location. So, we compiled this list, which ranges from providers with servers on five continents to those that have servers in multiple spots in the US.
Check out the picks below.
Usenet Providers with Servers in the Most Locations
If you want access to the most server locations possible, then that narrows it down to a couple of providers, both of which are actually sister sites with servers in the US, Europe, Asia, Australia, and South America.
Frugal Usenet
The main thing that differentiates the two sites is that the first, Frugal Usenet, offers unlimited monthly plans. Though if you pay for a year upfront, you do get a free block from BlockNews thrown in.
Blocknews
Blocknews, on the other hand, specializes in block accounts. These are great if you’re a sporadic user, want to supplement your existing monthly plan with another provider, or just like to pay as you go, rather than commit to recurring payments.
Usenet Providers with Servers in US and Europe
While there are only a couple providers with servers on 3 or more continents, there are actually quite a few with servers in both the US and Europe. So, we’re going to break things up by “backbones”.
For more info on what that is, check out our Complete Guide to Usenet Backbones.
Highwinds Backbone
We start with Highwinds, which is part of the Omicron network, boasting the top retention in the industry. Our pick here would be Newshosting, since it’s also our most recommended Usenet provider overall, but there are other options too. All of them have both US and EU servers.
UsenetExpress Backbone
Then there’s the UsenetExpress backbone, which doesn’t have quite the retention of Highwinds, but it’s still plenty for most people. And of course, United States and European servers are available for each.
Giganews Backbone
Last but not least, there’s the Giganews backbone, which boasts solid retention and four server locations across Europe and North America.
Usenet Providers with Servers on the US West and East Coast
Most Usenet providers with servers in the United States base them on the East Coast. That’s fine for most people, but if you live closer to the West Coast or just want more options, here are a few providers with both East and West Coast servers.
NewsDemon
Though NewsDemon is part of the Usenet Express backbone, it also has a second, independent backbone, along with West Coast servers, which separates it from the pack.
Frugal Usenet
Along with its European, Asian, Australian, and South American servers, Frugal also boasts US servers on both the East and West Coast.
BlockNews
As we covered above, BlockNews is essentially the block account focused version of Frugal Usenet. Same servers, different plans.
Wrap-Up
So, now that you’ve got a sweet list to pick from, you’re prepared to choose the right one for your situation. Of course, multiple server locations isn’t the be-all, end-all for selecting a Usenet provider, and in fact, heavy users tend to have more than one provider.
But it’s definitely something to consider, especially if you live outside the US/Europe or just travel a lot.
Do you use any of the above Usenet providers? Let us know your experiences in the comments.