ApsaraMQ for RocketMQ instances support two network access methods: virtual private cloud (VPC) and Internet. Internet access incurs bandwidth-based fees. VPC access does not.
If Internet access is not enabled on an instance, no Internet access fees apply.
Access instances through a VPC whenever possible. VPC access avoids Internet access fees, provides lower latency, and eliminates exposure to public network security risks.
Billable items
Internet access fees are based on outbound Internet traffic bandwidth only. Inbound Internet traffic is free.
| Traffic direction | Charged? | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Outbound (instance to client) | Yes | Billed by bandwidth tier |
| Inbound (client to instance) | No | Free, but subject to bandwidth limits |
Inbound bandwidth limits
Inbound Internet traffic is not charged but is rate-limited. The maximum inbound bandwidth equals the fixed bandwidth you select when you create the instance.
Billing models
ApsaraMQ for RocketMQ supports two billing models for Internet access: subscription and pay-as-you-go. Both models use tiered pricing, where the per-unit cost varies by bandwidth tier.
| Billing model | Billed by | Minimum billing unit | Settlement cycle |
|---|---|---|---|
| Subscription | Month | 1 month | Prepaid |
| Pay-as-you-go | Hour | 1 hour | 1 hour |
Subscription
Formula:
Internet access fees = Unit price of bandwidth (USD/month) x Purchase duration (months)Tiered pricing:
| Bandwidth | Monthly price | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 1 Mbit/s | USD 3.3/month | Base tier rate |
| 10 Mbit/s | USD 73.89/month | Tiered pricing applies (not 3.3 x 10 = USD 33) |
Tiered pricing means each bandwidth increment may have a different per-Mbit/s rate. The total price is the sum of costs across all tiers, not a simple multiplication. Check the buy page for current prices.
Pay-as-you-go
Formula:
Internet access fees = Unit price of bandwidth (USD/hour) x Usage duration (hours)Usage duration is the total time the instance runs with the Internet access feature enabled.
Tiered pricing:
| Bandwidth | Hourly price | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 1 Mbit/s | USD 0.0057/hour | Base tier rate |
| 100 Mbit/s | USD 1.937/hour | Tiered pricing applies (not 0.0057 x 100 = USD 0.57) |
Minimum billing unit:
1 hour. Usage under 1 hour is rounded up to 1 hour.
Settlement cycle:
1 hour. At the beginning of each hour, ApsaraMQ for RocketMQ settles fees for the previous hour and deducts them from your Alibaba Cloud account balance. Bills are generated automatically, though delivery time may vary.
Check the buy page for current prices.
Billing example
Scenario: You enable Internet access with 5 Mbit/s outbound bandwidth on a pay-as-you-go instance that runs for 48 hours.
Calculation:
Internet access fees = Unit price for 5 Mbit/s tier (USD/hour) x 48 hoursLook up the unit price for the 5 Mbit/s tier on the buy page to calculate the total cost. Because of tiered pricing, the unit price for 5 Mbit/s is not simply 5 times the 1 Mbit/s rate.
VPC vs. Internet access
| Factor | VPC access | Internet access |
|---|---|---|
| Additional fees | None | Bandwidth-based fees apply |
| Security | Traffic stays within private network | Traffic traverses the public Internet |
| Inbound bandwidth limit | N/A | Limited to the bandwidth selected at instance creation |
FAQ
Why is my 10 Mbit/s subscription not priced at 10 times the 1 Mbit/s rate?
ApsaraMQ for RocketMQ uses tiered pricing. Each bandwidth increment falls into a different pricing tier with its own per-Mbit/s rate. The total price is calculated by summing the cost of each tier, not by multiplying the base rate by the total bandwidth. Check the buy page for the rate at each tier.
Am I charged for Internet access if I only receive messages (inbound traffic)?
No. Only outbound Internet traffic is charged. Inbound traffic is free but rate-limited to the fixed bandwidth you selected when you created the instance.
When does pay-as-you-go billing start and stop?
Billing starts when you enable the Internet access feature on your instance and stops when you disable it. The minimum billing unit is 1 hour. If you enable Internet access for less than 1 hour, you are billed for 1 full hour.
References
For a complete overview of ApsaraMQ for RocketMQ billing methods and billable items, see Billing overview.