Summary of Service

Tweaknews is a long-running European Usenet provider (operating under Base Network Service BV) that focuses on a clean, “just works” experience: solid EU backbone performance, a simple plan lineup, and a bundled newsreader (UsenetWire) so you can be up and running fast.

It’s especially attractive if you want:

• Flexible plan choices (speed-capped tiers, unlimited tier, and block accounts)
• Plenty of connections (up to 60)
• Easy configuration with common ports (including SSL over 443)

Retention & Completion

• Retention: Advertised as 5,000 days of article retention.
• Completion: Advertised as a 99.99% completion rate.

In real-world terms, that combo is what you want for fewer “missing parts” headaches. If you run automation (SABnzbd, etc.), completion is the difference between a smooth queue and lots of repairs/retries.

Pricing

Tweaknews pricing is in EUR and is split into recurring unlimited plans (1/6/12 months) plus block accounts (one-time).

Recurring unlimited plans (includes SSL + UsenetWire newsreader)

• Fast (50 Mbit, 30 connections):
  • €7.95 for 1 month
  • €6.49/mo on 6 months
  • €5.83/mo on 12 months
• Lightning (100 Mbit, 40 connections):
  • €9.95 for 1 month
  • €8.33/mo on 6 months
  • €7.50/mo on 12 months
• Ultimate + VPN (Unlimited speed, 60 connections, VPN included):
  • €12.95 for 1 month
  • €10.36/mo on 6 months
  • €9.07/mo on 12 months (listed as €155.40/year)

Block accounts (one-time purchase, fixed data)

• 10GB: €2.00
• 50GB: €7.00
• 100GB: €13.00
• 250GB: €30.00
• 500GB: €45.00
• 2TB: €90.00

If you already have a main Usenet provider, the block plans are a fun “gap-filler” option to keep around for months (or years) without another recurring bill.

Free Trial Details

No traditional free trial is offered. Instead, Tweaknews positions onboarding around a 30-day refund policy for first-time subscriptions (request within 30 calendar days). Refunds typically process within 3 to 5 business days once approved.

Important caps/limits:

• The 30-day refund policy is for first-time subscriptions and does not apply to renewals or block accounts.

Special Offers

Tweaknews regularly runs promos (notably seasonal deals). One example promoted recently was a Black Friday-style annual discount bundle that included VPN and additional Usenet access benefits.

Practical tip: if you’re price-sensitive, it’s worth timing a 12-month signup around those big promo periods, then locking in the longer term rate.

Access Speed

Tweaknews uses straightforward tiering:

• Fast: 50 Mbit
• Lightning: 100 Mbit
• Ultimate + VPN: Unlimited speed

On a typical modern setup, the Unlimited tier is the one that’s happiest saturating high-bandwidth connections. The capped tiers are still plenty for steady downloading without paying top-dollar.

Server Connections / Ports / Configuration

Tweaknews keeps configuration refreshingly simple. You can use the main hostname, plus an alternative hostname, and pick from several SSL and non-SSL ports depending on what your network allows.

• Server hostnames:
  • Main: news.tweaknews.eu
  • Alternative: tweaknews.eu
• Maximum connections: Up to 60 (plan-dependent; top tier supports 60).
• SSL: Supported (recommended).
• SSL ports: 563, 443 (handy if your ISP/network is picky)
• Non-SSL ports: 119, 80, 23, 53
• Extra “port 119 blocked” workarounds:
  • Non-SSL: 80, 81, 8000
  • SSL: 443, 563, 8080

Quick setup cheat-sheet (typical):

• Server: news.tweaknews.eu
• Port: 563
• SSL: On
• Connections: set to your plan’s max (up to 60)

Provided Newsreader

Included newsreader: UsenetWire (included with Tweaknews plans).

UsenetWire is positioned as a beginner-friendly, modern client with built-in Usenet search and quick account setup (enter your Tweaknews username/password and go). It’s available for major desktop platforms and is also a nice “fallback” even if you primarily use SABnzbd or another NZB workflow.

VPN Client (If Offered)

VPN is included with: Ultimate + VPN.

Tweaknews promotes the VPN as an “unlimited” add-on for broader privacy beyond Usenet, and highlights extra security features (for example: kill switch, secure DNS, and threat/ad-block style protections as part of the bundle positioning). If you already have a favorite VPN, you can treat this as a bonus; if you don’t, it’s a convenient all-in-one.

Support Review

Tweaknews support is centered around a dedicated support portal/knowledge base with setup guides for common clients (and practical troubleshooting articles for connectivity issues and blocked ports).

Support options you can realistically count on:

• Support portal / ticketing: Yes (web form-based support requests)
• Knowledge base: Yes (configuration guides, client setup, troubleshooting)

If you’re the DIY type, you’ll like how “copy/paste” their server settings are—and if something’s broken, their port/connection articles are the exact kind you want at 1:00 AM when your queue suddenly stalls.

Payment Options

Tweaknews supports recurring billing (monthly/annual style renewals) and explicitly references PayPal as an accepted payment method in its terms. Credit card payments are also supported (and they publish troubleshooting guidance for card payment issues, including bank blocks due to international processing).

• PayPal: Supported
• Credit cards: Supported
• Other methods: Not clearly confirmed here (treat as unknown unless shown at checkout for your region)

---

Final Thoughts

Tweaknews is one of those providers that feels “easy in all the right ways”: plenty of connections, sensible port options (SSL over 443 is a lifesaver on restricted networks), a bundled newsreader for quick starts, and plan choices that suit both light and heavy users.

If you want a clean EU-based Usenet subscription with a modern on-ramp (UsenetWire) and the option to go unlimited speed (plus VPN) when you’re ready, Tweaknews is a strong pick. And if you’re building a multi-provider setup, those block accounts are a no-brainer little tool to keep in your kit.

---

Pros & Cons of Tweaknews

Pros

• Flexible plan lineup – Monthly, multi-month, and block options make it easy to match your actual usage.
• Excellent connection options – Up to 60 connections plus SSL on 563 and 443 for easy ISP/workaround setups.
• Strong archive positioning – Advertised 5,000 days retention and 99.99% completion for fewer incomplete grabs.
• UsenetWire included – Bundled newsreader with built-in search makes setup fast and beginner-friendly.

Cons

• No classic free trial – You’re relying on the 30-day refund policy rather than a small trial allotment.
• Top performance requires top tier – Unlimited speed (and included VPN) is reserved for Ultimate + VPN.
• EUR-based pricing – If you budget in USD, your final cost can vary slightly with exchange rates.
• Payment method list isn’t fully transparent upfront – PayPal and cards are clear, but other methods may depend on checkout/region.