A PolarDB cluster is billed across up to four items. Your total cost is:
Total cost = Compute node fees + Storage space fees + Backup storage space fees (only for usage exceeding the free quota) + SQL Explorer fees (only if enabled)
The following figure shows the approximate cost breakdown.
Billable items
| Billable item | Description | Billing method |
|---|---|---|
| Compute nodes | Includes primary nodes and read-only nodes. Fees are based on the region, node specifications, and usage duration. |
Note
|
| Storage space | Covers data files, index files, log files (online logs and archived logs), and temporary files. Fees are based on data volume and storage duration. |
Note
|
| Backup storage space | PolarDB provides a free quota for backup storage. Fees apply only to usage that exceeds the free quota, based on backup size and retention period. | Pay-as-you-go only |
| SQL Explorer (optional) | An optional add-on for security audit and performance diagnostics. When enabled, fees are based on the storage capacity and retention period of audit logs. | Pay-as-you-go only |
Backup storage space and SQL Explorer do not support the Subscription billing method. If you purchase a cluster with Subscription, that billing method applies only to compute nodes. Backup storage space and SQL Explorer are always billed pay-as-you-go.
Billing methods
| Billing method | How it works | Best for |
|---|---|---|
| Subscription | Pay upfront for a fixed term. Applies to compute nodes only. | Stable workloads with predictable resource usage |
| Pay-as-you-go | Billed by actual usage. Applies to all billable items. | Variable workloads, short-term use, or evaluating PolarDB |