This topic describes the billing methods, billable items, and pricing of ApsaraVideo VOD (VOD).
Billing methods
VOD supports two billing methods: pay-as-you-go and resource plans. Pay-as-you-go is the default billing method. For common paid features, you can purchase subscription-based resource plans.
Pay-as-you-go: Pay for resources after you use them. You are charged based on the actual usage of each billable item. This billing method is suitable for scenarios where resource usage frequently changes.
Resource plans (subscription): Purchase discounted resource plans for different billable items in advance. Usage is deducted from your resource plans at settlement. This billing method is suitable for scenarios where resource usage is stable.
Resource plans offer discounts compared to the pay-as-you-go billing method.
If a resource plan expires or the usage exceeds its quota, the overage is billed on a pay-as-you-go basis. Purchase a resource plan that suits your service needs and business volume. For more information, see Purchase resource plans.
VOD pricing
Pricing of billable items
For the pricing of each VOD billable item, see VOD pricing. For the pricing of the short video SDK, see Short Video SDK pricing.
Pricing of resource plans
For the pricing of VOD resource plans, see Resource plan pricing.
Choose the most suitable resource plan based on your required services and business volume. For more information about the types, prices, purchase, and deduction rules of resource plans, see Resource plans.
ApsaraVideo VOD data transfer plans can be used for deduction only if the billing method for acceleration is set to pay-by-data-transfer. If the billing method is not pay-by-data-transfer, the data transfer plans are frozen. You can switch the billing method as needed. For more information, see Switch between billing methods.
Resource plan | Description | Purchase |
ApsaraVideo VOD storage plan | Used to deduct the usage of ApsaraVideo VOD media asset storage. This plan is globally available. | |
ApsaraVideo VOD transcoding plan | Used to deduct transcoding fees for Standard Transcoding (H.264 LD), Narrowband HD 1.0 (H.264 LD), and Narrowband HD 2.0 (H.264 LD). Purchase by region. | |
ApsaraVideo VOD data transfer plan | Used to deduct acceleration traffic usage. This does not include storage outbound traffic. Purchase by region. |
Billing cycle
The billing cycles for VOD services are as follows:
Billing cycle | Fee deduction and bill generation | Applicable billable items |
Hourly | Fees are deducted hourly. Bills are usually generated about 7 hours after a billing cycle ends. The actual time is determined by the system. |
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Hourly | Fees are deducted hourly. Bills are usually generated 3 to 4 hours after a billing cycle ends. The actual time is determined by the system. |
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Daily | A bill for the previous day is generated and fees are deducted after 00:00 each day. The actual time is determined by the system. | Pay-by-peak-bandwidth (video acceleration) |
Monthly | A bill for the previous month is generated and fees are deducted after 00:00 on the first day of each month. The actual time is determined by the system. | Pay-by-95th-percentile-bandwidth (video acceleration) |
Year | Payment is made when you submit the order. Fees are deducted in real time. Bills are generated within 2 to 3 hours. The validity period is one year. | Short Video SDK Billing |