【Cloud Server】Differences Between Aliyun and Alibaba Cloud

The cloud services provided by the Alibaba Group are branded as “Aliyun” within mainland China, while the same services are offered internationally under the name “Alibaba Cloud.”

Although both are part of the Alibaba Group, there are differences in the console interfaces, account authentication methods, and the services and regulatory compliance provided to customers.

*Note: Information as of September 2025.

Comparison: Aliyun vs. Alibaba Cloud

Although both are cloud services from the Alibaba Group, they are treated almost as separate services because of differences in account systems and regulatory compliance.

Aliyun’s services, in particular, can only be used by customers who have a Chinese ID or a business license, meaning they are available exclusively to users with a domestic Chinese identity or a registered Chinese company.

If an Overseas Company Wants to Use China Regions

For overseas corporate customers who want to use China regions, it is possible to do so through an Alibaba Cloud (International) account.

By following the steps below to create an account, access to China regions can be enabled:

① Create an Alibaba Cloud account

Create an Alibaba Cloud account via the website: https://www.alibabacloud.com

*Note: In this example, we will show how to create a corporate (business) account.

The account email address will be verified. A verification email will be sent to the registered email address.

You must also register a credit card for payment in advance.

When creating an account, registering a credit card is mandatory, regardless of whether you plan to use the services in the future.

At this point, the preparations for using Alibaba Cloud are complete.

② Select a Cloud Server in the China Region

Here, we will choose a server (virtual machine) called ECS (Elastic Compute Service).

At this stage, it is already possible to select a China region and the desired instance model.

When you proceed to “Place Order”, the following message will appear.

This means that even for overseas companies, “corporate verification” (real-name verification) is required to use China regions.

*Note: If you select regions other than China, real-name verification is not required.

From the account management screen, proceed to the corporate verification process.

For a Japanese company, this screen requires uploading the company registration certificate and entering the corporate registration number.

After submission, Alibaba Cloud’s support team will review the application. The review usually takes 2–3 days, and the result will be sent by email.

*Note: Corporate verification is valid at the cloud account (master account) level, so once verification is completed, no additional verification is required when selecting or using other China regions later.

Additional Information

Important Notes on Corporate Verification Review

Depending on the review status at Alibaba Cloud, the following cases may occur. Also, the specific review criteria are not publicly disclosed, so caution is required:

• Even for overseas companies (e.g., Japanese companies), the uploaded company registration documents may be required in English.
• Even for overseas companies, a Chinese contact (address or phone number) may be requested.
• Depending on the review, the corporate verification may not be approved at all.

*Note: FAQs regarding real-name verification are also publicly available here:

〇 Alibaba Cloud Official FAQ
https://www.alibabacloud.com/help/en/account/account-verification-faqs

Restrictions on Using China Regions

For overseas companies using Alibaba Cloud (International), there is no problem if you only launch instances such as ECS in the China region for internal system use.

However, if you operate services in the China region that are publicly accessible on the internet (e.g., websites accessible via HTTP/HTTPS), applying for and registering an ICP license is mandatory.

This ICP license can only be obtained by companies registered in China, so an overseas company cannot obtain it on its own.

*Note: You need to prepare a Chinese phone number, a Chinese legal representative, and a Chinese business license, and submit them to the Public Security Bureau.

Summary

When planning to use cloud services for the Chinese market, consider the following points for a smoother process:

• Aliyun (China) and Alibaba Cloud (International) differ in services, payment methods, and other aspects, so if you only have an overseas company, it is generally recommended to choose Alibaba Cloud (International).
• Even as an overseas company, once the initial corporate verification is completed on Alibaba Cloud (International), China regions can be used.
• If you plan to publish or operate websites, an ICP license is mandatory, which requires a Chinese company.

● For website creation, server setup, and operation – Contact Us ●