Torrents vs Usenet – Benefits and Disadvantages
Torrents and Usenet are two methods which allow you to download large media files from the Internet. Whether it is video, audio, software, or images, you can use torrents or Usenet to download what you’re after. Basically both serve the same purpose. However, which method is faster, more secure, more reliable, and easier to use? In this article, you’ll find a comparison between torrents vs Usenet.
Torrents vs Usenet – Benefits and Disadvantages Compared
Downloading via Torrents – Pros and Cons
To get started with BitTorrent, you need to download and install a BitTorrent client on your computer. Then, you need to get the .torrent file of whatever you want to download. You should find what you are searching for on Torrent sites like KickAss Torrents, PirateBay, or Torrentz. Here a the pros and cons of using torrents.
- Speed: Download speed of torrents mainly depends on how many seeds are available for the file you are trying to download. The lower the seeds, the slower the download.
- Anonymity: Other users can see your IP address. You might get DMCA notices.
- Upload: Seeding/Uploading is a necessity. Otherwise, files will no longer be available to download.
- Protocol: Torrents use P2P (Peer-to-peer) protocol. No central server is involved.
- Cost: Torrents are free. No additional subscriptions are required.
Downloading via Usenet – Benefits and Disadvantages.
In order to use Usenet, you need to install a Usenet newsreader client. Newsreaders can be downloaded for free. Most Usenet providers also offer their own newsreader client to their users. While a BitTorrent client deals with .torrent files, a newsreader is responsible of .NZB files. NZB points to whatever file you are downloading from the Usenet server. Take a look at the benefits and disadvantages of Usenet.
- Speed: Usenet utilizes your maximum available bandwidth. That translates into higher download speeds when compared to torrenting.
- Anonymity: SSL connections mean encrypted downloads. Make sure your Usenet provider uses SSL.
- Upload: While downloading, there’s no sharing involved i.e. you do not need to upload the file to other users’ computers. No bandwidth is wasted.
- Protocol: Usenet utilizes NNTP protocol. Downloading happens directly from your Usenet host provider.
- Cost: Decent Usenet providers require a paid subscription.
I’ve listed the top Usenet providers in the table below according to their speed, retention, features, as well as SSL availability below.
Last Updated YesterdayRank | Provider | Link |
|---|---|---|
 |  |  14 Days Free Trial Period |
| 2 |  | Free 30 GB for 2 Weeks |
| 3 |  | Free Trial |
| 4 |  | Free Trial |
| 5 |  | |
Torrents vs Usenet – What to Use?
For some, the fact that you need to pay for a reliable Usenet provider might seem as a deal breaker. However, the benefits of using Usenet more than make up for it in my opinion. For one, you get faster download speeds. More importantly, it is much safer to download files using Usenet than torrents, unless you utilize VPN that is. More and more people who use torrents are getting DMCA notices. Both methods are fairly easy to use once you get the hang of them.
Torrents vs Usenet – VPN for Privacy
In general, never leech/seed torrent files without being connected to VPN. It is simply not worth the risk. A virtual private network, allows you to hide your IP address and download torrent files anonymously. Thus, no one can track what you’re doing online. For Usenet, the need for VPN might not be as necessary, but it’s still recommended. Some Usenet providers do offer VPN in their packages.
Here’s a list of the best VPN providers to use with torrents and Usenet.
- Best for streaming and privacy
- High speed servers in 160 VPN locations
- Works for Netflix, BBC iPlayer, Amazon Prime Video, and Hulu
- 24/7/ live chat support
- 3 extra months free on annual plan
- UltraHD streaming
- Free Smart DNS proxy
- Unblocks all major streaming services
- Limited Time 72% Discount
- Unlimited VPN connections
- Over 1000 servers
- Ad-blocking feature available
- User-friendly application
- Exclusive Smart VPN feature
- Standalone Smart DNS subscription available
- Extra security features
- Extensions for Firefox and Chrome
- Split-tunneling available
Torrents vs Usenet – Conclusion.
Torrents are relatively more popular compared to Usenet. However, Usenet users are constantly increasing in numbers due to Usenet’s speed and privacy.
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About The Author
Charles
Streaming gadgets geek. Interested in every little thing there is to know about bypassing regional restrictions. An avid believer in the right to protect online privacy. Charles has also reviewed plenty of VPN service providers and knows how to separate the good apples from the bad ones.
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Yes VERY helpful!
I’ve used Usenet for years and torrents. Each have their place. Anyone who uses torrents without a vpn (that has a kill switch) is an idiot. Usenet is fine for pics and the like but gets a lot more complicated with movies and it’s a lot harder to try and figure out if its a proper video file you are downloading of reasonable size and quality and not password protected. There is also no proper naming on the Usenet. It also takes a lot longer to establish these facts. So Usenet is faster once you start but by the time you have located the correct file and started I’ve already downloaded mine on a torrent client. As for anonymity I would suggest that the Usenet service provider logs everything you are doing. (you have to login) With TPB and KAT it’s very easy to find and see what file you want to download and logging is irrelevant. There is no login and you are shielded by the VPN. Last but not least torrents are free. Usenet is not. In theory Usenet should be better but in practice, as is often the case, it’s absolutely not.
John has either never heard of an indexer or last tried Usenet in the 90s.
Thanks for sharing! Very educational. ;)