Alibaba Cloud International Complete Guide: Registration, Services, and Pricing for International Users [2025]

"Alibaba Cloud has two websites—which one should I use?"

This is the most common question from international users.

The answer is simple: Choose the International site. But why? This article will give you the complete answer.

What is Alibaba Cloud International?

Alibaba Cloud International is Alibaba Cloud's cloud service platform for global users.

The URL is alibabacloud.com.

It's completely independent from the China site (aliyun.com).

Accounts don't sync, data doesn't sync, and payment methods are different.

Why Two Separate Sites?

The reason is regulations and market requirements.

China has the Cybersecurity Law and data localization requirements that the China site must comply with.

The International site is for the global market and complies with international standards like GDPR.

For international users, the International site has almost no barriers to use, while the China site has many restrictions.

To learn about Alibaba Cloud's complete service offerings, see Alibaba Cloud Complete Guide: From Beginner to Advanced, Essential Reading for International Users [2025].

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International Site vs China Site Complete Comparison

This table helps you understand the differences at a glance:

Comparison Item	International Site	China Site
URL	alibabacloud.com	aliyun.com
Interface Language	English/Traditional Chinese/Multiple languages	Simplified Chinese mainly
Account System	Independent account	Independent account (requires China phone)
Registration Barrier	Email or international phone	China phone number required
Real-name Verification	Optional (passport works)	Mandatory (requires China ID)
Payment Methods	Visa / Mastercard / PayPal	Alipay / WeChat Pay
Currency	USD	CNY
Data Center Locations	29 regions globally	Mainly within China
Compliance Standards	GDPR, SOC, ISO	China Cybersecurity Law
Technical Support	English mainly	Chinese
ICP Filing	Not provided	Available

Key Difference Breakdown

1. Accounts Are Completely Independent

International and China site accounts cannot be linked.

Even if you register with the same email, they are two different accounts.

Resources, billing, and settings are all separate.

2. Payment Methods Are Vastly Different

This is the main reason international users choose the International site.

China site only accepts Alipay or WeChat Pay—international credit cards won't work.

International site accepts Visa, Mastercard, PayPal without any issues.

3. Different Data Center Locations

International site has data centers around the world: Hong Kong, Singapore, Tokyo, US West, Europe, etc.

China site data centers are mainly within mainland China.

If your services are for users outside China, the International site offers more data center options.

4. ICP Filing Restrictions

This is the only situation where you might need the China site.

If your website must go live within mainland China, ICP filing is required.

ICP filing can only be completed on the China site—the International site doesn't offer this service.

International site or China site? It depends on your business needs. Schedule a free consultation and let us help analyze the best choice for you.

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International User Registration Tutorial

The registration process is simple—can be completed within 5 minutes.

Step 1: Go to Official Website

Open your browser and enter alibabacloud.com.

You can switch languages in the top right corner—select your preferred language for easier navigation.

Step 2: Click "Free Account"

There's an orange "Free Account" button in the top right of the homepage. Click it to enter the registration page.

Step 3: Choose Registration Method

You can choose:

• Email registration: Enter email, set password
• Phone number registration: Select your country code, enter phone number

We recommend using a company email for easier management later.

Step 4: Fill in Basic Information

• Country/Region: Select your country
• Password: At least 8 characters, including uppercase, lowercase, and numbers
• Check the agree to terms checkbox

Step 5: Email Verification

Alibaba Cloud will send a verification email to your inbox.

Click the link in the email to complete verification.

Step 6: Set Up Payment Method

After logging in, go to "Account Management" → "Payment Method".

Click "Add Payment Method", select:

• Credit/Debit Card: Enter Visa or Mastercard information
• PayPal: Link your PayPal account

When binding a credit card, there will be a small verification charge (usually $1 USD), which will be refunded.

Real-name Verification Notes

International site real-name verification is optional.

You can use most services without verification.

If verification is needed (e.g., to increase quotas), you can use:

• Passport
• Company business registration

Not required: China ID card.

International Site Main Services

The International site offers almost as many services as the China site.

Here are the most commonly used by international users:

Cloud Server ECS

Elastic Compute Service for quickly launching virtual hosts.

Hong Kong data center has lowest latency for Asia Pacific, about 30-50ms.

For detailed tutorial, see Alibaba Cloud ECS Tutorial: Server Specs, Configuration, and Pricing Guide.

Object Storage OSS

Enterprise-grade file storage service, similar to AWS S3.

Ideal for storing images, videos, backup files, with API integration support.

For usage guide, see Alibaba Cloud OSS Complete Tutorial: Object Storage Setup, Pricing, and Use Cases.

CDN Acceleration

Cache your website content to nodes worldwide.

Users access from the nearest node, making it faster.

For setup tutorial, see Alibaba Cloud CDN and DNS Tutorial: Acceleration Setup and DDoS Protection Guide.

Other Popular Services

• RDS: Cloud databases (MySQL, PostgreSQL, SQL Server)
• SLB: Load balancer
• VPC: Virtual private cloud
• Container Service: Kubernetes container service

Personal Cloud Storage Needs?

If you just need personal file storage without enterprise-grade services.

Consider Alibaba Cloud Drive—large free storage capacity, unlimited download speeds.

See Alibaba Cloud Drive Registration Guide: Download, Usage, and Account Sharing [2025].

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So many services, don't know where to start? Alibaba Cloud's product line is extensive—choosing wrong could mean wasted money. Schedule a free consultation and let experts help you plan.

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International Site Pricing and Discounts

Alibaba Cloud International site pricing is in USD.

Billing Models

Pay-as-you-go

• Pay for what you use
• Billed hourly
• Can stop anytime
• Suitable for testing, temporary needs

Subscription

• Prepay fixed costs
• 30-50% cheaper than pay-as-you-go
• Need to estimate usage
• Suitable for production environments

New User Discounts

Alibaba Cloud International frequently offers new user discounts:

• Free trial credits: New users can receive a certain amount of trial credits
• First purchase discounts: Additional discounts on first subscription purchase
• Free tier: Some services have permanently free basic plans

Promotional Events

Alibaba Cloud typically has major promotions during:

• Singles' Day (November): Biggest discounts
• 618 (June): Mid-year sale
• Anniversary: Periodic events

Recommendation: If you need substantial resources, wait for promotional periods to buy and save a lot.

Reseller Discounts

Purchasing Alibaba Cloud services through certified resellers typically provides:

• Additional discounts (5-15%)
• Local language technical support
• Consolidated billing (local currency invoices)

FAQ

Q1: Can international users use Alibaba Cloud International site?

Yes. The International site is fully open to international users—registration, payment, and usage have no restrictions.

Q2: Does the International site have multiple languages?

Yes. The website interface can be switched to multiple languages, though some technical documentation is only available in English and Simplified Chinese.

Q3: Can I use international credit cards on the International site?

Yes. Supports Visa, Mastercard, and PayPal.

Q4: Are prices the same on International and China sites?

No.

International site is priced in USD, China site in CNY.

Overall price differences aren't huge, but exchange rate fluctuations affect actual costs.

Q5: I need ICP filing, what should I do?

ICP filing can only be completed on the China site.

If your website must go live within mainland China (e.g., .cn domain or China data center), you need to:

1. Register a China site account (requires China phone number)
2. Complete enterprise real-name verification (requires China company)
3. Submit ICP filing application

This process is complicated—recommend finding professional assistance.

Q6: Which International site data center is fastest for Asia Pacific?

Hong Kong data center has lowest latency, about 30-50ms.

Second is Singapore, about 50-80ms.

If your users are mainly in Asia Pacific, choosing Hong Kong data center is the best choice.

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Next Steps: Choose the Right Plan

Consulting Alibaba Cloud plans through CloudInsight, you can get:

Neutral Advice

We don't just serve Alibaba Cloud—we're also familiar with AWS, GCP, Azure.

We recommend the most suitable platform based on your actual needs, not pushing any particular one.

Reseller Discounts

Purchase through certified resellers for additional discounts.

Also get local currency invoices for easier accounting.

Technical Support

Don't need to dig through English documentation when you hit issues.

We provide local language technical support, helping solve various problems during implementation.

Complete Planning

From requirements analysis, architecture design, cost estimation to deployment.

One-stop service that saves you time and effort.

Schedule a free consultation, we'll respond within 24 hours.

"China cloud platforms—we have experience"

👉 Schedule now for personalized cloud solution advice

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References

1. Alibaba Cloud International Official Website - https://www.alibabacloud.com
2. Alibaba Cloud Documentation - https://www.alibabacloud.com/help
3. Alibaba Cloud Pricing Calculator - https://www.alibabacloud.com/pricing-calculator
4. Alibaba Cloud Global Infrastructure - https://www.alibabacloud.com/global-locations
5. ICP Filing Information - https://www.alibabacloud.com/help/icp-filing