In Mac OS X, what software can I use to read Usenet newsgroups?

Users of Mac OS X currently have several options for reading Usenet newsgroups. Some of the newsreaders offer a graphical interface, while others are text-based. As with any newsreader, you must have an Internet connection.

• Entourage: Available from Microsoft as part of the Office suite of programs, Entourage is both an email client and a newsreader. For configuration instructions, see How do I set up Entourage 2004 or 2008 to read newsgroups? Office is widely available for sale; at Indiana University, see About the IU/Microsoft Campus Agreement. For more information about Entourage, see Microsoft's Entourage web site.
  
  
• Halime: Developed by Imdat Solak, Halime is a native Cocoa newsreader that can handle multiple subscriptions, and supports both online and offline reading and posting. Halime has a graphical thread view and makes extensive use of the OS X Aqua interface.
  
  
• Hogwasher: Developed by Asar, Hogwasher is both a newsreader and an email client, and allows you to sort and view articles in a number of ways, including by file series. Other features include multi-account message assembly, powerful filtering options, and in-line image display. For more information and to download or purchase Hogwasher, visit the Asar Corporation Hogwasher web site.
  
  
• MacSOUP: MacSOUP is an offline newsreader with rudimentary email capabilities, originally for Mac OS and now available for Mac OS X 10.1.3 and later. MacSOUP is shareware.
  
  
• MaxNews: In addition to the standard newsreader features, MaxNews supports offline newsreading, article filtering, multiple connections, kill files, and much more for both power users and beginners. It includes full SSL v1, v2, and v3 and TLS v1 support for secure connections. It is available to purchase for $16.90, or as a trial version, from Maxprog.
  
  
• Mozilla and Mozilla Thunderbird: Based on the same technology that produced Netscape Navigator and Netscape Communicator, Mozilla is an open-source web browser and mail and newsreader. The mail and newsreading component was separated into an application called Mozilla Thunderbird. Both Mozilla and Mozilla Thunderbird are freeware, and support multiple subscriptions, filters, a graphical thread view, and multiple sorting options. New releases are available at frequent intervals. For more information and to download either product, visit the Mozilla web site.
  
  
• MT-NewsWatcher: MT-NewsWatcher is derived from NewsWatcher and features easy-to-use filtering, searching, and sorting features. The program also makes viewing and saving binaries from newsgroups easy, and works transparently across multiple news servers. MT-NewsWatcher is freeware.
  
  
• Netscape: Netscape is a suite of applications, including a web browser, mail and newsreader, and web site composer. The mail and news component of Netscape supports multiple accounts, filters, and sorting, and has a graphical thread view. Visit the Netscape web site for information and downloads.
  
  
• NewsWatcher-X: NewsWatcher, by John Norstad, is the preeminent Mac OS newsreader. Electric Fish, Inc., carbonized it to make it a native Mac OS X application. NewsWatcher-X is freeware.
  
  
• Tin: Tin is an OS X version of the well-known Unix newsreader. It is a text-only application that you can use within the Terminal application of OS X. Find more information and download tin at the tin.org web site.
  
  
• Unison: Developed by Panic, Unison offers in addition to the standard newsreader functionality a unique four-view interface, allowing you to view and work with Usenet group content in one of four ways: messages, files, images, or music. For more information about other features of Unison and to download a 15-day trial version, visit Panic's Unison web site.

Also see:

• How do I set up Entourage 2004 or 2008 to read newsgroups?