NGroups, based in Sweden, is a USENET service provider offering a range of access options, including plans with VPN. This company has been serving users with data centers in both the US and EU, catering to a global audience.
NGroups Overview:
- Retention and Completion: Provides 3000 days of binary retention and over a decade of text retention, ensuring a high completion rate.
- Security and Connections: Offers SSL access to both server farms, supporting up to 60 simultaneous connections.
- Unlimited Downloads: Features unlimited download plans, appealing to heavy USENET users.
- Customer Support: Available 24/7, ensuring assistance is always at hand.
- Payment Flexibility: Accepts multiple payment options, including VPN services in some plans.
Binary Retention and Pricing: NGroups boasts more than 3000 days of binary retention, competitive in the market though not quite on par with the top providers. Its pricing strategy includes various service options, some incorporating VPN with varying speed and usage limits, particularly in the Unlimited Eco plan.
Plan Details:
- Light Plan: $5.99 per month for 10 GB transfer and 30 connections.
- Unlimited Eco: $10.99 per month (or $29.97 quarterly) for unlimited transfer with 30 connections.
- Unlimited Extra: $19.99 per month (or $54.97 quarterly) for unlimited transfer with 60 connections.
- Block Accounts: Offers both SSL and non-SSL block plans with a range of data limits.
Free Trial and Special Offers: NGroups provides a three-day, 5 GB free trial, allowing users to test the service. While there are no current special offers, NGroups often updates its promotions, so it’s worth checking back for updates.
Speed and Server Access: NGroups has demonstrated good speed in testing, with fast server access on both US and European servers. The provider offers a substantial number of connections, although most users will find fewer than 30 sufficient for maximum speed.
Server Details:
- US Server: us.Ngroups.NET
- European Server: eu.Ngroups.NET
- Port Configuration: Offers a range of unencrypted and SSL ports for secure connections.
Frequently Asked Questions:
- Understanding Plans: NGroups offers both auto-renewing subscriptions and non-renewing options. Block access plans are also available, expiring upon the consumption of the allocated data.
- Newsreader Compatibility: Users can choose their preferred newsreader, as NGroups is compatible with various USENET applications.
- Privacy and Safety: SSL encryption is recommended for privacy, and NGroups’ service is generally safer than torrenting, especially with SSL or VPN usage.
Customer Support: NGroups provides a comprehensive FAQ on its website and utilizes a ticketing system for direct support inquiries.
Security and Privacy: NGroups maintains a privacy policy that ensures user downloads and group visits are not monitored. They comply with legal requests but otherwise prioritize user privacy.
Our Opinion: NGroups presents a solid option in the USENET service market. While its website may appear a bit dated, the company remains competitive with SSL ports, global server access, and reasonable retention rates. However, when it comes to pricing, NGroups is outpaced by providers like Tweaknews and Newshosting, especially for long-term subscriptions. NGroups is a viable choice for those seeking basic USENET access with reliable service, yet for the best value and user experience, exploring other top-rated Usenet service providers is advisable.