Free vs paid membership: what you get
Quick answer: You can register free and download everything that is public on the site. Paid membership is optional: you are paying to support the site and see fewer ads, not for special access to files, and you get extra perks as a thank you.
Short version: you do not have to pay anything to use Arcade Punks. Registering is free, and a free account lets you see download links and grab builds. Paid membership is there for people who want to support the site and get a nicer experience while they are at it.
The three levels
- Visitor: you are browsing without logging in. You can read every post, guide and news story, but download links are hidden. You will see “You need to be logged in to see the download links” with Login and Register free buttons.
- Registered (free): you have made a free account and logged in. You can see and use download links on build posts.
- Member (paid): a registered account with a paid membership on top, which unlocks the perks below.
What each level gets
This comes from the table on the Membership page, which is always the most up-to-date version.
| Benefit | Visitor | Registered | Member |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ad.fly-free downloads | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Discounts, prizes and competitions | No | Yes | Yes |
| Discord access | No | Limited | Yes |
| Ad-free downloads | No | No | Yes |
| Reduced ads on site | No | No | Yes |
| High quality fuller site browsing, more content on screen | No | No | Yes |
| A way to contribute to the site and support the seedboxes | No | No | Yes |
| Select direct download files | No | No | Yes |
| All NZBs indexer, Quick Torrent Grab | No | No | Yes |
| NZB Grab licence and NZB Grab API | No | No | Yes |
| Dedicated high speed file downloader | No | No | Yes |
| Private members area and private Discord channels | No | No | Yes |
| Private servers, limited archives, exclusive content unreleased on site | No | No | Yes |
What you are actually paying for
This is important, so here it is in the site’s own words: you are not paying for special access to files. You are paying to support the site and see fewer ads, first and foremost. Arcade Punks is not a behind-the-scenes file-sharing club. The few FTP servers and non-public exclusives are purely a bonus.
If the only reason you are thinking of paying is to get files, save your money for a Usenet account instead (for example Newshosting) and download the public NZBs. See Usenet and NZB for beginners.
Arcade Punks is run not-for-profit. Money from ads and memberships goes back into the web, torrent and Usenet servers, running costs and kit for the builders and testers.
The paid options
- 48-Hour Trial: $5 one-time, 48 hours.
- 6 Months: $55 one-time, 182 days.
- Monthly: $30 for the first 3 months, then $10 a month.
- 1 Year: $100 a year, renewing yearly.
- Lifetime (10 years): $200 one-time.
Prices are as shown on the Membership page; check there before you buy in case anything has changed.
How to join or upgrade
- Register free and log in (or just log in if you already have an account) at the Login page.
- Go to the Membership page and choose a plan.
- Once paid, your Profile shows your membership and the date your access runs until.
Your free account keeps working whatever you decide. No one is forced to become a member.
Still stuck? See The members area, Your profile, or Can’t see download links. For account problems, use the contact page and pick “Account Issues”.