Easynews

Best Self-hosted Alternatives to Easynews

A curated collection of the 2 best self hosted alternatives to Easynews.

Easynews is a commercial Usenet provider offering NNTP access and a web-based newsreader to search, browse and download Usenet posts and binaries. Service plans include retention guarantees and an optional bundled VPN.

Alternatives List

#1
NzbDav

NzbDav

WebDAV server that mounts NZB files as a virtual filesystem for streaming; provides a SABnzbd-compatible API and integrates with Sonarr/Radarr for media-server workflows.

NzbDav is a WebDAV server that exposes NZB documents as a browsable virtual filesystem and streams their contents directly from Usenet without requiring full local downloads. It presents a SABnzbd-compatible API so automation tools like Sonarr and Radarr can use it as a drop-in download client.

Key Features

  • WebDAV server that exposes a virtual, streamable filesystem over HTTP(S).
  • Mount and browse NZB documents without downloading payloads.
  • Full streaming and seek support for video; can stream files inside RAR/7z archives and password-protected archives.
  • SABnzbd-compatible API for integration with Sonarr, Radarr and similar automation tools.
  • Healthchecks and automatic repair/replace for missing Usenet content.
  • Official Docker image for containerized deployment.

Feature details and examples are documented in the project README.

Use Cases

  • Provide an "infinite" Plex/Jellyfin/Emby library by streaming media directly from Usenet without local storage.
  • Use NzbDav as a drop-in SABnzbd-compatible download client for Radarr/Sonarr automation workflows.
  • Mount Usenet-sourced content via rclone (WebDAV) so media servers and players access streams via a filesystem mount.

These workflows are commonly described in the project documentation and community posts.

Limitations and Considerations

  • Requires accompanying tooling to mount and expose streams (examples and recommended settings use rclone with a FUSE driver); some rclone flags (e.g., --links) are required for expected behavior — check the README for exact guidance.
  • Playback and client compatibility can vary: community reports describe occasional player errors (client-specific), mount/configuration sensitivity, and the need for correct reverse-proxy/HTTPS setups for some clients.
  • Performance and reliability depend heavily on the Usenet provider and indexer behavior; large-scale automated searches can trigger high API/indexer usage.

These constraints are noted in the documentation and in community discussions.

NzbDav is a developer-focused tool for integrating Usenet streaming into media-server ecosystems, optimized for containerized deployment and automation via SABnzbd-compatible APIs. It is primarily distributed via its source repository and official Docker images; deployers should review rclone/FUSE and client compatibility notes before production use.

852stars
70forks
#2
NZBGet

NZBGet

NZBGet is a fast, lightweight Usenet NZB downloader with a remote web UI, queue management, post-processing, and automation-friendly integration with media managers.

NZBGet screenshot

NZBGet is a high-performance binary downloader for Usenet that retrieves content based on NZB files. Written in optimized C++, it is designed for low resource usage while sustaining high download speeds across many platforms.

Key Features

  • Multithreaded downloading for high throughput
  • Remote web interface for managing downloads from a browser
  • Queue management with prioritization and scheduling
  • Post-processing pipeline for tasks like unpacking, repairing, and moving/renaming
  • Scriptable automation hooks (commonly using shell or Python scripts)
  • Built-in performance testing to benchmark Usenet servers
  • Broad platform support, including NAS appliances and container deployments

Use Cases

  • Automated Usenet downloading as part of a media pipeline (e.g., with external library managers)
  • Running a lightweight downloader on NAS or low-power home servers
  • Centralized remote management of Usenet queues and post-processing

NZBGet combines efficiency, automation-focused workflows, and wide portability, making it a strong choice for users who want a fast Usenet client with robust control and customization options.

618stars
39forks

Why choose an open source alternative?

  • Data ownership: Keep your data on your own servers
  • No vendor lock-in: Freedom to switch or modify at any time
  • Cost savings: Reduce or eliminate subscription fees
  • Transparency: Audit the code and know exactly what's running