kitio.aiAlibaba Cloud PAI vs Create ML
A side-by-side look at pricing plans, free tiers, features, pros and cons, updated for 2026. Create ML is completely free, while Alibaba Cloud PAI is paid.
At a glance
Best for
Category
Pricing model
Starting price
Free plan
Made by
Based in
Rating
Key features
- Data labeling (PAI-iTAG)
- Notebook development (PAI-DSW)
- Distributed training (PAI-DLC)
- Model serving (PAI-EAS)
- Model Gallery deployments
- No-code training app
- Image and sound classifiers
- Object detection
- Text and tabular models
- Core ML export
| Feature | Alibaba Cloud PAI | Create ML |
|---|---|---|
| Best for | Alibaba Cloud's platform for labeling, training and serving ML models | Train custom machine learning models on a Mac without code |
| Category | Models & APIs | Models & APIs |
| Pricing model | Paid | Free |
| Starting price | See pricing page | Free |
| Free plan | No | Yes, fully free |
| Made by | Alibaba Cloud | Apple |
| Based in | China | United States |
| Rating | No ratings yet | No ratings yet |
| Key features |
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Pricing compared
Create ML is completely free, while Alibaba Cloud PAI is paid.
Free plan
Cheapest paid plan
Top plan
Free trial
Prices in USD, checked Nov 5, 2026 or later. Plans change often, so confirm on each tool's site before you buy.
Pros and cons
Alibaba Cloud PAI
- Covers the full ML lifecycle
- One-click deployment of open models
- CPU and GPU resources with autoscaling
- Pricing requires the cloud calculator
- Many modules to learn
- Best suited to existing Alibaba Cloud users
Create ML
- No training code required
- Data stays on your Mac
- Outputs ready-to-use Core ML models
- Requires a Mac
- Limited to Apple's model templates
- Not suited to large custom architectures
Which one should you choose?
Choose Alibaba Cloud PAI if you want:
- Covers the full ML lifecycle
- One-click deployment of open models
- CPU and GPU resources with autoscaling
Watch out: pricing requires the cloud calculator.
Choose Create ML if you want:
- No training code required
- Data stays on your Mac
- Outputs ready-to-use Core ML models
Watch out: requires a mac.
Alibaba Cloud PAI vs Create ML FAQ
What is the difference between Alibaba Cloud PAI and Create ML?
Alibaba Cloud PAI: Alibaba Cloud's platform for labeling, training and serving ML models. Create ML: Train custom machine learning models on a Mac without code. Both are models & apis tools.
Is Alibaba Cloud PAI or Create ML cheaper?
Create ML is completely free, while Alibaba Cloud PAI is paid.
Do Alibaba Cloud PAI and Create ML have free plans?
Alibaba Cloud PAI: No. Create ML: Yes, fully free.
Who makes Alibaba Cloud PAI?
Alibaba Cloud PAI is made by Alibaba Cloud, based in China.
Who makes Create ML?
Create ML is made by Apple, based in United States.
Which should I choose, Alibaba Cloud PAI or Create ML?
Choose Alibaba Cloud PAI if you value covers the full ml lifecycle and one-click deployment of open models. Choose Create ML if you value no training code required and data stays on your mac.