Is Usenet Dead?
No. Usenet is still actively used worldwide. With more than 6,000 days of article retention, decentralized architecture, and access to over 120,000 newsgroups, it remains a thriving platform for private, censorship-resistant discussion.
Quick Facts (2025)
• Active since 1980
• 6,000+ days of article retention
• Over 120,000 newsgroups
• Resistant to censorship
• Popular among privacy-focused users
Usenet is still alive and widely used, with global participation and decades of article access.
Usenet has been around since 1980, and while it’s not always in the spotlight, it has never stopped growing. It remains one of the most resilient online platforms for open discussion, niche communities, and high-volume article storage.
Unlike other platforms that depend on centralized servers or social media trends, Usenet is built on a decentralized structure. This makes it highly resistant to outages, manipulation, and censorship. Messages shared on Usenet are distributed across independent servers worldwide, allowing continuous and secure access to group discussions.
Newshosting, a leading Usenet provider, offers access to over 6,000 days of discussion history, high-speed SSL connections, and a powerful pre-configured newsreader. This long-term archival makes Usenet through Newshosting one of the most comprehensive repositories of shared communication on the Internet.
Usenet isn’t obsolete. It still draws new users with powerful Usenet search, privacy protection, and access to over 120,000 newsgroups.
While it may not trend on social platforms, Usenet thrives quietly behind the scenes, actively used by communities that value privacy, persistence, and access to uncensored conversation.
How Usenet Works Today
Usenet connects to newsgroups through a provider and newsreader, often using Usenet search tools.
To access Usenet, users typically sign up with a provider like Newshosting, which offers high-speed access, more article retention than any other provider, and a free VPN with the best plans. After signing up, users configure a newsreader and connect to their preferred newsgroups. Many rely on Usenet search tools to organize group results and locate specific discussions. SSL encryption adds a layer of privacy and security throughout the process.
Why People Still Use Usenet Today
Usenet remains a top choice for users seeking speed, privacy, and long-term discussion access.
- Censorship Resistance: Usenet’s decentralized model prevents any single entity from controlling what can or cannot be shared.
- Long-Term Access: Decades of article retention mean that older discussions are still searchable and accessible.
- Speed and Efficiency: Usenet servers operate at full connection speeds, even during peak usage hours.
- Privacy: SSL connections and newsreaders with built-in search provide private access to newsgroups without tracking.
Usenet isn’t dead. It’s just different—and that’s precisely the point for many.
Usenet vs. Other Platforms
Usenet offers decentralized discussion and long-term access that typical Web platforms lack.
Unlike Web-based communities that often rely on advertising and algorithmic feeds, Usenet operates without centralized moderation or forced visibility. This difference allows for more persistent, uncensored discussion and long-term article storage.
| Feature | Usenet | Web-Based Platforms |
|---|---|---|
| Architecture | Decentralized | Centralized |
| Moderation | User-driven, minimal censorship | Controlled by platform admins |
| Longevity of Articles | 6,000+ days of article retention | Often short-lived |
| Privacy | SSL encryption + no tracking | Frequently monitored |
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Usenet still active in 2025?
Yes. Usenet remains widely used and supported by providers like Newshosting, which offer decades of article access and modern tools for privacy and search.
Why do people still use Usenet?
Users value Usenet for its speed, privacy, censorship resistance, and long-term discussion access.
How is Usenet different from the Web?
The Web is built on centralized servers and indexed by search engines, using the HTTP protocol. Usenet distributes articles across a global network of servers using the NNTP protocol, with access managed by newsreader tools.
Looking to explore more about how Usenet works? Check out our full What Is Usenet guide. For tips on setting up your account, visit our Usenet setup guide.
