Hitnews, a Usenet service provider from the Netherlands, known for its diverse range of USENET access plans. This provider stands out with its unique offerings like special nighttime and short-term accounts at reduced prices, catering to a variety of user needs.

Key Features of Hitnews:

• A selection of download speed plans, including up to 1000 Mbit.
• Nighttime Account Option for discounted rates.
• Short Term Account availability.
• Long-Term Subscription Discounts.
• SSL Encryption for enhanced privacy.
• An Unlimited 3-day trial for new users.
• A solid 2100 days of binary retention.
• High completion rate of 99.9%.

Binary Retention and Pricing Plans: Hitnews offers a binary retention period of around 2100 days, which, while not the highest in the market, is still competitive. Their pricing structure is quite varied, with plans differing by speed limits. These include monthly, quarterly, semi-annual, and annual options, all featuring unlimited downloads and Usenet search, along with SSL-secured connections.

Plan Pricing and Details:

• 50 Mbit Plan: Ranging from €3,00 for 1 month to €26,00 for an annual subscription.
• 250 Mbit Plan: Monthly fee of €5,00, up to €50,00 for a year.
• 1000 Mbit Plan: Starts at €7,00 per month, going up to €70,00 annually.
• Each plan allows up to 50 connections.

Hitnews also offers a unique nighttime account option, providing full download speeds of up to 1000 mbit at reduced prices. The schedule for Hitnews nighttime Usenet access is notably limited, and download speeds outside these hours are restricted to 1Mbit. Short term plans at 1000 mbit download speed are also available for those needing brief Usenet access.

Free Trial and Special Offers: Hitnews entices new users with a three-day unlimited free trial, giving a full experience of what the provider offers. They also have a dedicated page for coupons and special discounts, including a current promotion that extends the trial period at a 50% discount.

Performance and Connectivity: In terms of speed, Hitnews performs commendably, likely allowing you to utilize your full ISP speed. Each plan comes with 50 connections, more than sufficient for most users’ needs.

Server Access and Security:

• Unencrypted Servers: Available at news.hitnews.com (port 119).
• Encrypted (SSL) Servers: Accessible at ssl.hitnews.com (ports 763, 995).

FAQs and Additional Information:

• The nighttime access package is tailored to CET times, potentially limiting its practicality for global users.
• The 48-hour access plan is less appealing compared to block access from other providers.
• Hitnews’ prices are slightly higher than some competitors offering similar or better services.
• No specific nighttime options cater to US users.
• Users have the flexibility to use their preferred newsreader.
• Lower connection numbers on slower plans can impact download efficiency.
• SSL usage is strongly recommended for privacy reasons.

Customer Support and Contact: For assistance, users can reach out to [email protected].

Privacy and Payment Options: Hitnews assures not to share personal information without user consent or a valid warrant. Payment methods include bank transfers, iDeal, Bitcoin, PayPal, and major credit cards.

Usenet Radar’s Perspective: While Hitnews presents interesting subscription choices, we find them less practical for the average USENET user, especially when compared to block access from other providers. The limited value of the nighttime and short-term subscriptions, particularly for users outside the EU, makes them less attractive. Overall, we recommend exploring other top-rated Usenet service providers that offer better value, flexible packages, and superior service without time-based restrictions.