The ApsaraVideo Player SDK requires a license for authorization. You can obtain a license by purchasing one or qualifying for a free offer based on your spending on eligible Alibaba Cloud services.
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The Player SDK for mobile will become a paid service on February 14, 2025 (starting from version 7.0.0). You can choose to start a free trial or purchase the official version. More cost-effective combo packages are also available. After you make a purchase, see Integrate the Player License for authorization instructions.
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If you spend a certain amount on resources for ApsaraVideo VOD, ApsaraVideo Live, or Intelligent Media Services, you can receive a complimentary one-year license for the Standard or Professional Edition of the Player SDK. For more information, see ApsaraVideo Player SDK billing.
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Newly purchased licenses for the web Player SDK Standard Edition support only version 2.29.1 and later. Newly purchased licenses for the mobile Player SDK Professional Edition support only version 7.0.0 and later. Before you purchase a license, confirm the Player SDK version number that is integrated into your application.
Licensing workflow
To use the Player SDK in your application, complete the following steps:
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Obtain a license -- Purchase a paid license or qualify for a free license based on your spending.
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Bind the license -- Associate the license with your application in the ApsaraVideo VOD console.
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Integrate the license -- Add the license credentials (License Key and License File) to your application code.
This topic covers step 1. For steps 2 and 3, see Integrate a license.
Obtain a license
Each license edition includes a specific set of features. For a detailed comparison, see Player SDK feature details. For billing questions, see the Player billing FAQ.
Free trial
The Player SDK offers a free trial. Each user can try the Player Professional Edition for one month with ApsaraVideo VOD, ApsaraVideo Live, or Real-Time Streaming (RTS). To apply, see Player trial application. The trial requires license verification. For instructions, see License verification.
After you apply, you can view all your trial benefits in My Trials.
Purchase a paid version
Individual purchase
To purchase the Player SDK, place an order on the Audio and Video Terminal SDK Purchase Page. For authorization instructions, see Integrate a Player License.
Package deal (Recommended)
You can choose from several bundles based on your business needs, including the Player SDK and ApsaraVideo VOD bundle, the Player SDK and Real-Time Streaming (RTS) bundle, and the Player SDK and ApsaraVideo Live bundle. Compared to individual purchases, bundles offer an 80% discount on the Standard Edition and a 60% discount on the Professional Edition. Other Alibaba Cloud services included in the bundle are also discounted.
Free with minimum purchase
To apply for complimentary resources, visit Player SDK Complimentary Resource Application.
If your cumulative spending on ApsaraVideo VOD, ApsaraVideo Live, and Intelligent Media Services reaches a specific amount within the last 31 days (from T-30 to T), you qualify for a free Player SDK license. The details are as follows:
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T: The current date (inclusive).
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T-30: 30 days before the current date (inclusive).
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The statistical period is the last 31 days, calculated on a rolling basis.
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Purchase type |
Service type |
Purchase amount (CNY) |
Offer description |
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Minimum spending (list price) |
ApsaraVideo VOD, ApsaraVideo Live, Intelligent Media Services |
≥ 5,000 |
Receive a free one-year license for the Player SDK Standard Edition. |
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≥ 100,000 |
Receive a free one-year license for the Player SDK Professional Edition. |
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Intelligent Media Services subscription package - Starter |
1,500 |
Receive a free one-year license for the Player SDK Standard Edition. |
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Intelligent Media Services subscription package - Standard |
30,000 |
Receive a free one-year license for the Player SDK Professional Edition. |
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Intelligent Media Services subscription package - Ultimate |
100,000 |
Renew a license
Method 1: Renew from the License Management page
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Go to the My Authorizations page in the ApsaraVideo VOD console.
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Select the License Management tab, find the instance ID that is bound to the target application, and click Renew in the Actions column.
Important-
If the instance ID is empty or an error occurs in the console during renewal, use Method 3: Purchase a new license and bind the application or submit an Alibaba Cloud ticket for renewal.
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Renewal applies to the entire license order. If your license order includes multiple SDK entitlements, all of them are renewed together. You cannot change the configuration during renewal. If you have questions, submit an Alibaba Cloud ticket.
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On the renewal management page, click Renew in the Actions column. You are redirected to the Billing Management > Renewals page. On the Manual Renewal tab, find the target ApsaraVideo MediaBox instance and click Renew in the Actions column.
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On the ApsaraVideo MediaBox renewal page, confirm your current configuration and the renewal duration, then click Buy Now to complete the renewal. We recommend that you enable auto-renewal to prevent expiration.
Method 2: Renewal through resource plan purchase
If you have received a complimentary license by consuming resources or purchasing a designated subscription package, you must bind the new license before your current one expires. Follow the instructions in Step 3: Bind a license to avoid service interruptions from failed SDK calls in production.
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SDK |
Eligible amount |
Application link |
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player SDK |
For details, see Obtain a player SDK license. |
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short video SDK |
For details, see Obtain a short video SDK license. |
Apply by submitting a Yida form. |
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live streaming SDK |
Free of charge |
No application required |
Method 3: Purchase a new license and bind the application
If the instance ID is empty for your purchased SDK license or if an error occurs during renewal, you must purchase a new license from the ApsaraVideo MediaBox Purchase Page before your current license expires. After the purchase, follow the instructions in Step 3: Bind a license to prevent service interruptions.
Empty instance ID: The instance ID column for the order on the License Management page is empty.
Console error during renewal:
A red error message appears at the bottom of the renewal page: Order configuration parameters do not meet validation criteria. Please reconfigure the product! This prevents you from completing the renewal by clicking Buy Now. If you encounter this error, use Method 3: Purchase a new license and bind the application or submit an Alibaba Cloud ticket for renewal.