Overview

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

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.

Features

Kingsoft Cloud offers a CDN with video-on-demand (VOD) and live streaming capabilities, including adaptive bitrate streaming for video delivery. Its Web Application Firewall (WAF) provides OWASP-based protection, and DDoS defense includes basic and advanced anti-DDoS IP options. Image optimization is supported for efficient content delivery. The Hanhai Large Model Platform enables edge computing for AI workloads, particularly large language model inference. Real-time logs and an API-first design facilitate monitoring and integration. Notable products include Kingsoft Cloud Elastic Compute (KEC) and Object Storage (KS3).

Pricing Snapshot (2025-08-17)

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

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 / When it doesn’t

When it fits:

  • 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:

  • 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.