Pay-as-you-go

CU usage conversion

The performance metrics contained in one CU depend on the listener protocol. Divide each metric by its CU coefficient to get the number of CUs.

HTTP(S) rule evaluations are affected by the number of forwarding rules and extended certificates. Both have a free quota of 25 — only the excess is billed:

• When the processed rule count exceeds the free quota: Rule evaluations = QPS x (excess forwarding rules + excess extended certificates)

• When the processed rule count does not exceed the free quota: Rule evaluations = QPS

CU billing example

On 2026-06-02 at 08:10:00 a pay-as-you-go standard GA instance is created with a TCP listener configured. The instance is released at 08:50:00 the same day. During the 08:10–08:50 billing cycle, the TCP listener records: max new connections 4,000, max concurrent connections 720,000, processed data volume 10 GB.

New Connection CUs = 4,000 / 800 = 5
Concurrent Connection CUs = 720,000 / 100,000 = 7.2
Data Processing CUs = 10 / 1 = 10
Hourly CU fee = 0.386 x MAX{5, 7.2, 10} = 0.386 x 10 = 3.86 CNY

Since only Data Processing CUs are currently charged: hourly CU fee = 0.386 x 10 = 3.86 CNY.

Data transfer types

• Internet traffic from client to acceleration region: Access lines support BGP multi-line (default, available in all acceleration regions) and BGP Pro (available only in China (Hong Kong) and Japan (Tokyo), optimized for overseas-to-Chinese-mainland traffic).

• Transfer traffic over the accelerated network between acceleration region and endpoint group:

  • Cross-region traffic: Chinese mainland region to Chinese mainland region, or overseas region to overseas region.

  • Cross-border traffic: Chinese mainland region to Hong Kong (China), Macao (China), Taiwan (China), or other countries and regions.

    Ensure the accelerated application domain has completed ICP filing, otherwise GA cannot be used.

    Choose the transmission quality type:

    • Premium Bandwidth For Cross-border Acceleration: uses a BGP Pro line and simplifies the cross-border qualification process.

    • China Unicom Cross-border Leased Line: uses a Unicom dedicated line for better acceleration but requires applying for a China Unicom cross-border business qualification and completing cross-border compliance certification.

  • No transfer fee is charged when the acceleration region and endpoint region are the same.

• Internet traffic from endpoint group to backend service: Internet traffic is generated based on the backend connection method. Private-network traffic is not charged.

Billing rules

Fees charged by scenario

Data transfer billing examples

Example 1: Chinese mainland client accessing a non-Alibaba Cloud application in the Chinese mainland

Acceleration region: China (Shanghai). Endpoint group region: China (Beijing). Internet connection to backend. Traffic used in one month: 1,000 GB.

Chinese mainland internet traffic unit price = 0.80 CNY/GB
Chinese mainland cross-region traffic unit price = 0.48 CNY/GB
Shanghai internet traffic fee = 0.80 x 1000 = 800 CNY
Beijing internet traffic fee = 0.80 x 1000 = 800 CNY
Cross-region traffic fee = 0.48 x 1000 = 480 CNY
Total data transfer fee = 800 + 800 + 480 = 2,080 CNY

Example 2: Chinese mainland client accessing an overseas Alibaba Cloud application

Acceleration region: China (Shanghai). Endpoint group region: US (Silicon Valley). Private-network connection to backend. Traffic used in one month: 1,000 GB. Transmission quality: premium bandwidth for cross-border acceleration.

Chinese mainland internet traffic unit price = 0.80 CNY/GB
Premium bandwidth cross-border traffic unit price = 6.4 CNY/GB
Shanghai internet traffic fee = 0.80 x 1000 = 800 CNY
US (Silicon Valley) internet traffic fee = 0 CNY (private-network connection, no charge)
Cross-border traffic fee = 6.4 x 1000 = 6,400 CNY
Total data transfer fee = 800 + 0 + 6400 = 7,200 CNY

GA resource plan

A GA resource plan is a prepaid offset package using CU as the unified unit. It automatically offsets the instance fee and CU fee of pay-as-you-go GA instances at a defined ratio. It does not offset data transfer fees.

• Purchase: Go to GA console - GA Resource Plan, choose Buy Now. Select the specification, effective time, and validity period.

  • Effective time: You can choose immediate activation after payment or a scheduled activation time.

  • Offset order: Multiple plans can be stacked.

    • They are consumed in order of expiration (earliest first). When expiration dates are the same, the plan purchased first is consumed first.

    • Usage exceeding the purchased quota is automatically billed as pay-as-you-go.

  • Offset ratio:

    • The instance fee is offset using a coefficient (approximately unit price / CU price = 0.354922 CU per hour).

    • The CU fee is offset 1:1 based on actual hourly consumption.

  • Validity: 1 year from the purchase date. Unused quota is automatically cleared at expiration and cannot be extended.

• View usage details: Go to the Resource Plan page to check remaining quota and offset records.

• Unsubscribe: Initiate unsubscription on the Resource Unsubscription page in the Billing Management console. Refer to Introduction to resource plans and purchasing for detailed unsubscription rules.

CDT resource plan

CDT resource plan offsets internet traffic across all billing tiers on BGP (multi-line) routes (beyond the free quota).

Data Transfer Plan also offsets CDT internet traffic, but only covers the first billing tier (0–10 TB) on BGP (multi-line) routes.

No resource plan currently offsets cross-region or cross-border traffic.