Company snapshot
| Category | EdgeCast | Kingsoft Cloud (kscloud) |
|---|---|---|
| Status | active | active |
| Founded | — | — |
| Headquarters | — | — |
| Website | — | — |
| Docs | — | — |
Overview
EdgeCast, originally founded in 2006 as EdgeCast Networks, is a content delivery network (CDN) and video streaming provider, now operated by Parler Cloud Technologies following its acquisition from Edgio in February 2025. The company specializes in delivering video-on-demand, live streaming, and edge computing services. It was previously acquired by Verizon in 2013 and later by Limelight Networks in 2022, which rebranded as Edgio before entering bankruptcy in 2024. EdgeCast serves clients across media, gaming, and e-commerce, including platforms like Parler Social and PlayTV. Its infrastructure supports high-performance content delivery with a focus on video streaming.
Kingsoft Cloud, founded in 2012, is a leading cloud service provider in China, offering CDN, cloud storage, and computing services. It serves industries like gaming, video streaming, healthcare, and finance, with a strong focus on AI-driven solutions. The company operates as a subsidiary of Kingsoft Corporation and is listed on NASDAQ (KC) and HKEX (3896). Its customers include enterprises leveraging its infrastructure for high-performance computing and AI applications, particularly within the Xiaomi and Kingsoft ecosystems. As of 2025, it reports significant growth in AI cloud revenue and operates data centers globally.
Network & Architecture
EdgeCast operates 25 data centers across seven countries, with points of presence (PoPs) in North America, Europe, Asia, and other regions, following its acquisition by Parler Cloud Technologies. The network leverages a private backbone and peering agreements to optimize content delivery. It integrates with Triton DataCenter for enhanced cloud hosting capabilities. The architecture is designed for low-latency video streaming and edge computing, with strong global coverage but limited public details on specific PoP counts or capacity.
Kingsoft Cloud operates data centers in mainland China, Hong Kong, Russia, Southeast Asia, and North America. Specific POP (Point of Presence) counts are not publicly disclosed, but the provider emphasizes a global footprint with strong coverage in APAC, particularly China. Its infrastructure supports high-performance computing for AI and gaming, with robust peering for low-latency delivery in the region. Limitations may include less extensive coverage in EMEA and LATAM compared to providers like Akamai or Cloudflare. The service is optimized for China’s regulatory environment, holding necessary licenses for operation.
Feature comparison
| Feature | EdgeCast | Kingsoft Cloud (kscloud) |
|---|---|---|
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
Pricing details are not publicly disclosed by Parler Cloud Technologies. Customers must contact the sales team for custom quotes. No free tier or pay-as-you-go (PAYG) options are explicitly mentioned, suggesting an enterprise-focused model.
Kingsoft Cloud uses a pay-as-you-go (PAYG) model with enterprise-focused pricing, requiring custom quotes for most services. No free tier is publicly advertised, and pricing details are not fully transparent without contacting sales. Per-GB pricing for CDN or storage is not publicly listed, but the model supports scalability for large enterprises. See https://en.ksyun.com/pricing for more details.
Integrations & DevEx
EdgeCast supports an API-first approach for configuration and management. Real-time logs are available for monitoring performance. Integration with Triton DataCenter enhances its cloud hosting capabilities. No specific details are provided on Terraform support, SDKs, or CI/CD integrations.
Kingsoft Cloud provides APIs for service management and real-time logs for monitoring. Documentation is available at https://endocs.ksyun.com/, covering CDN, storage, and compute services. Terraform support is not explicitly documented. SDKs are available for major programming languages, supporting integration with CI/CD pipelines. Migration tools for data transfer, such as Kingsoft Cloud Data Transmission Service (KDTS), assist with moving data between engines.
When it fits
- Suitable for media companies needing robust video streaming (live and VOD) with HLS/DASH packaging and RTMP ingest.
- Ideal for enterprises seeking edge computing and serverless functions integrated with CDN services.
- Fits platforms like Parler Social or PlayTV requiring global content delivery with DDoS protection.
- Enterprises needing a China-licensed CDN with strong APAC coverage for gaming or video streaming.
- Businesses within the Xiaomi or Kingsoft ecosystems seeking integrated AI and cloud solutions.
- Organizations prioritizing AI-driven edge computing and high-performance infrastructure.
When it doesn’t
- May not suit small businesses or developers looking for transparent, pay-as-you-go pricing models.
- Limited public details on PoP coverage or advanced integrations like Terraform may deter DevOps-focused teams.
- Not ideal for users needing extensive security features like WAF, bot mitigation, or signed URLs.
- Small businesses or startups looking for a free tier or transparent, low-cost pricing.
- Companies requiring extensive POP coverage in EMEA, LATAM, or other non-APAC regions.
- Users needing advanced features like HTTP/3, DRM, or Terraform integration not currently offered.
History & Notes
—
—