Company snapshot
| Category | ChinaCache | Transparent CDN |
|---|---|---|
| Status | defunct | active |
| Founded | — | — |
| Headquarters | — | — |
| Website | — | — |
| Docs | — | — |
Overview
ChinaCache, founded in 1998, was a Beijing-based content delivery network (CDN) provider specializing in the Chinese market, offering content delivery, cloud security, and streaming solutions. It served industries like media, gaming, and e-commerce, with notable clients including Alibaba, Baidu, and Tencent. The company was delisted from NASDAQ in 2019, and its international operations were acquired by EdgeNext in February 2023. As of August 2025, ChinaCache is considered defunct as a standalone entity, with its services integrated into EdgeNext’s offerings.
Transparent CDN, founded in 2015 and headquartered in Madrid, Spain, offers content delivery and web optimization services tailored for e-businesses. The provider focuses on accelerating website performance, optimizing images, and providing detailed analytics through real-time logs. Its services are designed to be accessible via an API-first approach, enabling seamless integration for developers. Transparent CDN serves a range of clients, from small businesses to larger enterprises, with a global network presence. The company emphasizes straightforward pricing and ease of use for performance-focused content delivery.
Network & Architecture
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Transparent CDN operates a global network with points of presence (POPs) across North America, Europe, Asia, and Latin America, though specific POP counts are not publicly disclosed. The provider leverages HTTP/3 and TLS 1.3 for efficient and secure content delivery. Its architecture supports real-time traffic analytics, which aids in performance monitoring. The network is optimized for general web content and image delivery but lacks specialized capabilities for video streaming or edge computing. Regional strengths include Europe and North America, with growing coverage in Asia and Latin America.
Feature comparison
| Feature | ChinaCache | Transparent CDN |
|---|---|---|
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
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Transparent CDN uses a pay-as-you-go (PAYG) model with no minimum commitments, making it accessible for small to medium-sized businesses. Pricing is based on data transfer and requests, though specific per-GB rates are not publicly listed. A free trial is available for testing the service. For detailed pricing, visit https://www.transparentcdn.com/pricing.
Integrations & DevEx
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The API-first design supports integration with developer workflows, offering programmatic access to configuration and analytics. Real-time logs are available through the Transparent Edge dashboard, aiding in performance monitoring. The provider does not support Terraform or other Infrastructure-as-Code tools, and no SDKs or CI/CD integrations are documented. Migration tools are not explicitly offered, but the API simplifies onboarding for developers familiar with programmatic setups.
When it fits
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- Small to medium-sized e-businesses needing cost-effective CDN services with simple integration.
- Websites prioritizing image optimization and real-time analytics for performance monitoring.
- Developers seeking an API-first CDN for programmatic control and global content delivery.
When it doesn’t
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- Enterprises requiring advanced edge computing, serverless functions, or key-value storage.
- Businesses focused on video streaming, needing VOD, live streaming, or HLS/DASH packaging.
- Organizations needing robust security features like WAF, bot mitigation, or rate limiting.
History & Notes
ChinaCache was a pioneer in China’s CDN market, being the first to secure a nationwide CDN operating permit in 2000. It expanded globally with offices in the US, UK, and Hong Kong, and collaborated with partners like Microsoft and Adobe. Despite its early success, financial difficulties led to its NASDAQ delisting in 2019 and the eventual sale of its international operations to EdgeNext in 2023. Some sources note ChinaCache’s contributions to open-source CDN tools, but its standalone services are no longer active. For further details on the acquisition, see: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20230214005037/en/[](https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20230214005005/en/EdgeNext-Completes-Acquisition-of-ChinaCaches-Overseas-Business-Strengthening-Position-in-the-Global-Cloud-Services-Market)
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