Free NZB sites, also called free NZB indexers, let you find NZB files without paying for a membership. Some are completely free, some have a small free level with paid plans on top, and some only let you in with an invite. Below we cover what to look for, the free NZB indexers we think are worth your time right now, and the one thing none of them can do for you.
Free NZB Sites and Indexers: Where to Start
NZB sites are the websites that index Usenet and hand you NZB files. You’ll also see them called NZB indexers. There are a lot of them, and they change all the time, so it’s hard to know which ones are still worth signing up for. If you’d rather search Usenet without signing up anywhere, our Usenet search engine sites page covers the tools that do that.
What Is an NZB Site?
An NZB site is a search engine for Usenet posts. It scans the newsgroups, sorts what it finds, and gives you an NZB file for each post. That file tells your newsreader where to find all the pieces. Some NZB sites are completely free, some are partly free, some are paid only, and some are invite only.
What to Look For in a Free NZB Indexer
They all hand out NZB files, but a few things make a big difference:
- How much the free level really gets you. Most free accounts only allow a few NZBs and API calls a day, so check the limits before you rely on one.
- Whether you can get in. Some of the best indexers are invite only most of the year.
- How easy it is to use. A clean search page saves you a lot of time.
- Whether it works with your apps. If you use Sonarr or Radarr, you’ll need API access, and that’s usually what the free level holds back.
- Whether it’s safe. Look for the padlock (SSL) in your browser, and don’t download anything strange.
Now you know what to look for, here are the free NZB indexers we think are worth your time.
The Best Free NZB Indexers
We’ve reviewed all the major NZB sites, and these are the ones where the free option is actually useful.
GingaDaddy
GingaDaddy is one of the easiest free NZB indexers to join, and you don’t need an invite. The free account gets you a few NZBs and a few API calls a day, which is fine for trying it out. If you like it, VIP is only about $15 to $17 a year and gets you unlimited downloads and unlimited API calls.
DrunkenSlug
DrunkenSlug has a free level called Water with 5 NZBs a day. The catch is getting in, because it’s invite only most of the year and only opens registration now and then. Once you’re in, paid levels start at €5 a year.
NZBGrabit
NZBGrabit is a free NZB forum where members post NZBs and help each other out. Anyone can sign up, but you have to introduce yourself in the forum before you can download. It doesn’t have an API, so it’s for picking downloads by hand, not for Sonarr or Radarr.
NZBFinder and ABnzb
NZBFinder is open to anyone and is one of the free NZB indexers with a small free account, with paid plans from about $15 a year. ABnzb has a bigger free account when its registration is open, so it’s worth checking now and then.
NZBPlanet
NZBPlanet has a free account, but right now you need an invite to get one. You can skip the invite by buying a premium account, which is one of the cheaper paid indexers.
Free NZB Search Sites With No Account
If you want to skip free NZB indexers and just search without signing up, Binsearch, NZBKing and NZBIndex let you search Usenet and download NZB files for free. They don’t work with Sonarr or Radarr, and they don’t reach back as far as a proper indexer.
NZBgeek (Cheap, But Not Free)
NZBgeek used to have a free level, but now you need a paid membership to search and download. It’s still worth knowing about, because it’s one of the most popular indexers and we broke down what NZBGeek costs. It starts at $6 for six months, which isn’t much more than free.
You Still Need a Usenet Provider
This is the part that trips up nearly everyone who’s new to Usenet. Free NZB indexers don’t give you the files. All it hands you is the NZB, which is really just a map that tells your newsreader where the pieces are on the Usenet servers. To download anything you need an account with a Usenet provider, and that’s a separate paid service. If you just want our pick, UsenetServer is the one we recommend most, and 12 months plus 3 free works out to $5.99 a month with UsenetServer. If you’d rather search and download in your browser without a newsreader, Easynews puts the search and the download in one place.
Why the Provider Matters More Than the Indexer
Think of it this way. The NZB site is the search engine, and the provider is where the files actually live, so you need both. It also means the provider matters more than the indexer. Retention decides how far back you can find things, and completion decides whether a file comes down in one piece. We go through all of that on our best Usenet providers comparison.
Which Free NZB Indexer Should You Use?
If you want something you can join today, start with GingaDaddy or NZBFinder. If you can get an invite, DrunkenSlug is one of the best there is. Most people end up paying a few dollars a year for at least one indexer, because the free levels run out fast, but a free account is a good way to find the one you like. For the full list, see our best NZB sites page.