DashScope (灵积) is Alibaba Cloud's unified AI model service platform. It provides access to multiple large language models including Qwen, Llama, ChatGLM, and others through a single API interface. Think of it as Alibaba's answer to OpenAI's API platform.
DashScope uses a pay-as-you-go model with no upfront costs. Here are the current prices for popular models:
| Model | Input (per 1M tokens) | Output (per 1M tokens) |
|---|---|---|
| qwen-turbo | $0.30 | $0.60 |
| qwen-plus | $0.80 | $2.00 |
| qwen-max | $2.40 | $7.20 |
| qwen-max-longcontext | $3.60 | $10.80 |
| Model | Type | Price (per 1M tokens) |
|---|---|---|
| llama2-7b-chat | Open Source LLM | $0.20 |
| llama2-13b-chat | Open Source LLM | $0.35 |
| chatglm3-6b | Chinese LLM | $0.15 |
| baichuan2-7b-chat | Chinese LLM | $0.18 |
New DashScope users receive the following free credits:
| Feature | DashScope | Direct Qwen API (via NovAI) |
|---|---|---|
| Pricing | Same base prices | Same base prices |
| Account Setup | Alibaba Cloud account required | Simple email signup |
| Phone Verification | Chinese phone often required | No phone required |
| Payment | Alipay/Chinese bank | Credit card, PayPal, crypto |
| Models Available | Qwen + Llama + ChatGLM + more | Qwen + 15+ other models |
| API Format | DashScope specific | OpenAI-compatible |
| Global Access | Limited | Full global access |
Monthly cost for processing 20 million tokens (16M input, 4M output) with qwen-plus:
| Platform | Input Cost | Output Cost | Total |
|---|---|---|---|
| DashScope | $12.80 | $8.00 | $20.80 |
| NovAI (same pricing) | $12.80 | $8.00 | $20.80 |
| GPT-4o (comparison) | $40.00 | $80.00 | $120.00 |
Both DashScope and NovAI offer the same pricing for Qwen models, which is 83% cheaper than GPT-4o.
Visit Alibaba Cloud and sign up for an account. You'll need to verify your identity.
Navigate to the DashScope console and activate the service for your account.
Generate an API key from the DashScope console. Keep this secure.
Use the DashScope SDK or REST API to start making requests.
Access Qwen and 15+ other models through NovAI with OpenAI-compatible API. No Chinese phone required. Global access. Instant setup.
Get Started Free →Not exactly. DashScope is Alibaba Cloud's platform that includes Qwen models among others. You can access Qwen through DashScope or through other providers like NovAI that offer the same models with different access methods.
Technically yes, but it can be challenging. You may face verification issues without a Chinese phone number, and payment options are limited. International users often prefer alternatives like NovAI.
Yes, enterprise customers can get up to 30% discounts by committing to reserved instances. You need to contact Alibaba Cloud sales for enterprise pricing.
qwen-max-longcontext supports 32K token context window (vs 8K for standard qwen-max) but costs 50% more. Use it only when you need to process very long documents.
Yes, DashScope pricing for Qwen models is among the most competitive in the market, matching or beating most alternatives. The pricing is identical whether you use DashScope directly or through providers like NovAI.
DashScope offers competitive pricing and access to multiple AI models through Alibaba Cloud. For businesses already in the Alibaba ecosystem, it can be a convenient choice.
However, for international users or those wanting simpler access, platforms like NovAI offer the same Qwen models with easier onboarding, global payment options, and OpenAI-compatible APIs—often making them the preferred choice.
Ready to access Qwen models? Try NovAI today for instant access with no Chinese phone verification required.