Eweka Review - Is This Usenet Provider Worth Trying?

What Is Eweka?

In 2022, the appeal of a dated bulletin board system like Usenet lies in its ability to preserve access to content without the prying eyes of the modern web. While not explicitly permitted by providers, Usenet file-sharing generally falls under the radar and is well supported. In fact, it now represents much more traffic than the system’s original purpose of text information sharing.  

So, how do you access these elusive “newsgroups” of yesteryear?

Eweka has the answer!

This long-running Usenet service provider lets customers view both traditional text and binary newsgroups that share files, dating back 5,063 days and counting. It’s fast, offers unlimited downloads, and has everything you need to get started if you’re a beginner.  

The Eweka newsreader, is available on Windows, Mac, and Linux. All you have to do is plug in your account, username, and password, and it’ll connect you right away. There’s no limit on searches, and it supports file previews and the NZB protocol for even easier downloads. 

Eweka’s servers are located in the Netherlands, London, and Germany, making it an excellent option for European customers. Moreover, the company actually owns its network rather than renting third-party Usenet servers. Therefore, performance and stability are a step above what is typically available.

On the other hand, its privacy falls below several competitors. There’s no Eweka VPN, and it doesn’t accept anonymous crypto payments. However, it does employ 256-bit SSL encryption and vows not to log your browsing habits. 

Furthermore, a cross-section of other Eweka reviews gives no indication that the company will share your information. It has built a strong reputation since its launch in 2001, and there’s no reason to think your privacy is at risk, even if it lacks some security features.

Retention

Eweka retention time is the duration it stores text and binary Usenet data. Your searches will go back roughly 5,063 days – close to 14 years – tapping into more than 100,000 individual newsgroups. 

That means you could access almost any obscure file or old conversation as far back as 2008 without restriction. Common categories include film, gaming, images, and music.

To put this in perspective, only a couple of other providers offer similar length and breadth of access. Most of what’s missing will simply be spam or poor-quality content.

Furthermore, retention is forever growing, so the content available on day one is never overwritten as time goes on.

Speed

Speed is always a primary consideration when considering Usenet services. 

Your max speed depends on the plan you choose. Lower tiers range from 50Mbps to 300Mbps, while the “high speed” option is completely unfiltered. According to some Eweka reviews, your location is another determining factor. Its servers are hosted across Europe, so users in the region will see faster average speeds than, say, those in the United States. 

Nonetheless, it’s one of the fastest providers we’ve experienced, regardless of location. And owning its network gives it the capacity to be just as fast as any healthy peer-to-peer network. 

Customer Support

During this Eweka review, I had the chance to put its customer support to the test. Currently, the primary contact option is email ticketing via web form on the site. While a live chat would be nice to see, reps are still available 24/7, and I received a detailed response to a test question within an hour of sending it.

Supported languages include English, Dutch, German, and French.

The company also has a presence on Facebook and Twitter if you prefer a more public forum.

Resources include a thorough help section and an FAQ, which is a good place for Usenet newcomers to learn more. If you suspect the service is down, its status page makes for another helpful feature.   

Pricing

Eweka’s pricing is split between two no-obligation prepaid plans and a fixed contract. The latter is the fastest and most feature-packed option.

The 7-day Eweka free trial gives you access to the high-speed option.

With performance in mind, this is excellent value for money. The only catch is billing is in Euros, regardless of your location. Nonetheless, you can pay via credit or debit card, bank transfer, and PayPal. 

Eweka Review – Verdict 

Eweka is one of the most well-rounded Usenet service providers on the internet. It has lightning-fast servers, leading retention, and reasonable pricing. You also get responsive customer support and a quick link to the required software.

Although it lacks modern privacy addons like a Usenet VPN or Bitcoin payments, its raw performance and long-standing reputation keep it at the top of the heap.