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Compare Web-Based NZB Downloaders

May 7, 2012 by

Last August we were introduced to NzbLord web-based NZB download service.  Since then we’ve tested a couple more new NZB downloaders including NzbLeecher and NzbLoad.  While all three providers are similar in function there are definitely some features that set each apart.  There are also limits including speed caps and max nzb file sizes that you want to keep in mind when comparing these special purpose Usenet services.

Before we get started I’d like to explain what we mean by web-based nzb downloaders.  Otherwise there will be some readers that wonder why we didn’t include full featured web Usenet services like Easynews or even web browser clients like SABnzbd.  We highly recommend both options but this post is meant specifically for the new services that offer simple online interfaces for downloading nzb related content.  No more, no less.

NzbLord Web-Based NZB Downloader

NzbLord is the first web-based nzb downloader we had a chance to test last year.  At first we weren’t sure as our mindset of a web interface was Easynews which has a lot more features.  Yet as we continued to test NzbLord the service grew on us.  Specifically the ease of use.  You can use the NzbLord site to search their built-in FindNZB search engine or any nzb site you choose.  From there you can enter the nzb’s URL into NzbLord, upload the file or even paste the nzb file contents into their site.  NzbLord will take over from there.  Grabbing the content and then letting you download the resulting files.  Visit NzbLord.com to learn more about the service.

NzbLord offers six accounts but we would recommend looking at their top three plans based on max files sizes and speed caps.  Their unlimited plans (Driver, Aviator and Astronaut) all include unlimited traffic.  With terms ranging from one to three months.  Along with different zip / nzb file size limits and speed caps.  Those use to NNTP Usenet downloads might even find their top account slow at 15 Mbps.  It really depends on your connection.  If you have a 50 Mbps Internet pipe then you may prefer an NNTP service like Newshosting.

NzbLeecher Web-Based NZB Downloader

The NzbLeecher service is very similar to NzbLord.  They both perform the same functions.  The difference comes in speed and binary retention.  As NzbLeecher has a higher number at 1,350 days of binaries.  They don’t have a built-in Usenet search engine but you can use favorites like Binsearch, Nzbmatrix, Mysterbin, etc. to find content.  Then paste the URL or upload the nzb file to the NzbLeecher site.  Then you can sit back and watch NzbLeecher do all the work.  Downloading your content at speeds up to 50 Mbps depending on which plan you select.  NzbLeecher will also store your files for a specified amount of time.  A nice backup solution.

NzbLeecher offers three Usenet accounts.  Each offers unlimited data transfer.  The difference comes in nzb file size limits, performance (15 Mbps up to 50 Mbps) and the time period NzbLeecher retains your downloads.  With prices ranging from $9.99 a month up to $29.99 a month depending on your preferences.  Visit NzbLeecher.com to learn more.  They also offer 500 MB of downloads for free.  A nice way to test the interface.

NzbLoad Web-Base NZB Downloader

NzbLoad is the latest web-based provider to launch.  The service is currently in beta.  With NzbLoad the process is very much the same as NzbLord and NzbLeecher.  You either choose an NZB file from your computer or paste in the URL to load it into their web interface.  From there NzbLoad will grab your files and you can download the resulting content to your system once finished.  The service offers speeds up to 20 Mbps and 900 days of binary retention.  NzbLoad supports multiple downloads and allows you to pause and resume downloads.

NzbLoad offers three Usenet accounts.  The only difference is term for each plan.  With the terms ranging from two days for €4.95 up to a month for €9.95 and finally three months of service for €24.95.  Regardless of which plan you choose the features are the same including unlimited transfer at speeds up to 20 Mbps.  Visit NzbLoad.com for more details and to sign up for their Usenet service.

Conclusion

We appreciate the ease of use that each of the three services offer.  Regardless of which you choose they all offer nzb downloads without the need for a Usenet client.  There is almost no learning curve if you already know how to search for newsgroup content.  As for future opportunities we still prefer the full-featured interface of Easynews.  Yet that might no be the target market for these services.  The only real drawback is that none of the three services support SSL so you might want to compare VPN services if you prefer encrypted downloads.

Visit Newsgroup Reviews to learn more about web Usenet.  Follow us @NewsgroupRevs for the latest deals.

Filed Under: NzbLeecher, NZBLoad, Nzblord, Usenet Providers Tagged With: , , , ,

NzbLeecher Review : Web-Based NZB Downloader

December 13, 2011 by

We recently had the opportunity to test a new web-based NZB downloader called NzbLeecher.  NzbLeecher downloads content from Usenet based on an uploaded NZB file or associated URL.  It lacks the features of a full blown web Usenet interface like Easynews.  Yet it’s very simple to use.  You feed the site an NZB file or URL and NzbLeecher does the rest.  Gold members also have their download requests stored indefinitely.

Thanks to the team over at NzbLeecher for the Gold account we used for testing.  To get started we visited NzbLeecher.com and logged in.  From there we needed to find something to download.  So we headed on over to NZB.CC and searched for “Ubuntu 11.10” which brought up several options.  We chose the first NZB which was 771 MB from 59 days ago.  We then downloaded the associated NZB file to our hard drive.

From there we went back to NzbLeecher and uploaded our NZB file.  At that point the service took a few seconds to queue the Ubuntu download.  We were then presented with a ‘Go to Your Download’ button.  Once we clicked the button we were presented with the following screen:

Clicking on the ‘Click Here to Download’ button brought up the option to open or save the Ubuntu zip.  Something we should have mentioned.  NzbLeecher compresses the resulting NZB content into a zip.  We chose to save the Ubuntu zip and started the download as shown below:

We were able to download the 675 MB Ubuntu zip file in around 6 minutes.  At a rate of about 1.8 to 2 MB per second.  Our 59 day old Ubuntu download was perfect.  Without any need of repair.  We asked about retention and NzbLeecher supports 1,200+ days of binaries.

NzbLeecher advantages – NzbLeecher is very easy to use.  Simply drop in the NZB and download the associated contents in a .zip file.  Leaving you open to find the NZB’s via sites like nzb.cc, binsearch, nzbmatrix, newzbin, mysterbin or anywhere else you prefer.  The service was reliable and without any glitches.

Future opportunities – we’d really like to see SSL support.  The NzbLeecher team assured us they don’t log IP’s or other personal info but we prefer encrypted downloads.  You could always consider a VPN service with NzbLeecher.  The other area that could be improved in our opinion is NZB handling.  Rather than automatically download all contents let the user select which parts to download.  That way you can skip unnecessary PAR’s.

We enjoyed testing NzbLeecher and look forward to tracking their progress.  Visit Newsgroup Reviews to learn more about Usenet and follow us @NewsgroupRevs for the latest news and special offers.

Filed Under: NzbLeecher, Usenet Providers Tagged With: , ,