Company snapshot

CategoryBaishanCloudHighwinds
Statusactivedefunct
Founded
Headquarters
Website
Docs

Overview

BaishanCloud, founded in 2015, is a global cloud data service provider specializing in content delivery network (CDN) services, edge security, and data lifecycle management. Headquartered in Guiyang City, China, with international operations in Bellevue, Washington, it offers cloud delivery, storage, and security solutions. The company serves internet and enterprise customers, particularly in China and Asia, with a focus on data transmission, storage, and governance. BaishanCloud has a strong presence in the tech services industry, supporting applications like TikTok and Tencent QQ. It has raised approximately $173 million in funding and employs over 600 staff as of 2023.
Highwinds Network Group, Inc., founded in 2002, provided content delivery network (CDN) services, cloud storage, IP transit, and colocation, serving clients like Blip.TV, Hudl, Valve, and CCP Games. Its RollingThunder network supported video streaming and gaming content delivery. Acquired by StackPath in 2017, Highwinds CDN was integrated into StackPath’s offerings but was discontinued in November 2023 as StackPath exited the CDN business. The service is now defunct, with no active operations.

Network & Architecture

BaishanCloud operates a global edge cloud platform with over 1,700 edge nodes across 300+ cities in more than 150 countries, with a strong focus on China and Southeast Asia. Its network includes 1,029 IPs, with 823 IPv4 and 206 IPv6 addresses, deployed across 28 cities in two countries (China and Hong Kong). The platform leverages intelligent routing, load balancing, and high-performance SD-WAN for efficient data transmission. Regional strengths include unparalleled performance in China due to its china-licensed status, but its global footprint is less extensive than some competitors in North America and EMEA. The network handles 600 billion daily requests and supports 80T of redundancy bandwidth.

Feature comparison

FeatureBaishanCloudHighwinds
waf
bot_mitigation
ddos
rate_limit
http3_quic
tls13
tiered_cache
origin_shield
instant_purge
stale_while_revalidate
stale_if_error
image_optimization
video_vod
video_live
drm
hls_dash_packaging
websockets
signed_urls
edge_compute
functions
kv_storage
api_first
realtime_logs
log_push
terraform

Legend: ✓ = Supported, ✗ = Not supported, — = Not listed

Pricing

BaishanCloud operates on a pay-as-you-go (PAYG) model, primarily targeting enterprise clients. Specific per-GB pricing details are not publicly disclosed. The company emphasizes tailored solutions for large-scale deployments, with no free tier or public trial information available. For pricing details, visit https://www.baishancloud.com/.

Integrations & DevEx

BaishanCloud provides an API-first platform with support for real-time logs, log streaming, and analytics. It offers edge-native technology for standardized application development across heterogeneous edge nodes. No specific Terraform or CI/CD integration details are documented, but its developer-centric tools support SDKs for custom integrations. Migration tools are not explicitly mentioned, but its partnership with Mlytics facilitates multi-CDN ecosystems.

When it fits

  • When it fits

  • China-focused businesses needing a licensed CDN with strong regional performance and regulatory compliance.
  • Enterprises requiring edge computing and serverless solutions for data-intensive applications.
  • Organizations seeking integrated security with WAF, DDoS protection, and zero-trust networking.
  • When it doesn’t

  • Companies needing extensive North American or EMEA coverage may find BaishanCloud’s footprint limited compared to Cloudflare or Akamai.
  • Small businesses or startups looking for free-tier or low-cost options may find its enterprise focus less accessible.
  • Users requiring Terraform or CI/CD integration may need to confirm support, as documentation is sparse.

When it doesn’t

History & Notes

Highwinds operated a global network with over 70 points of presence across North America, South America, Europe, Asia, and Australia, known as RollingThunder. It secured significant funding, including $55 million in 2008 and $205 million in 2013, to expand its CDN infrastructure. After its 2017 acquisition by StackPath, Highwinds’ services were merged but faced integration challenges. Customer feedback on StackPath’s CDN, including Highwinds, highlighted declining support and price increases. Akamai acquired approximately 100 enterprise accounts from StackPath in 2023, but smaller customers needed to find alternatives independently.