Temu vs AliExpress: Which One Is Better For Dropshipping?

Are you torn between Temu vs AliExpress for your dropshipping business? Ever wondered which platform truly offers the best deals, fastest shipping, or superior customer support?

Dive into my detailed Temu vs AliExpress comparison and discover the strengths and weaknesses of each. You’ll gain valuable insights into pricing, product variety, shipping times, and more, helping you make an informed decision for your business.

Ready to unlock the secrets of these e-commerce giants? Read on!

Temu vs AliExpress Quick Overview

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What Is Temu?

Temu, based in Boston, Massachusetts, is an online store offering a wide range of affordable products shipped directly from China.

Temu is owned by PDD Holdings, a Chinese company headquartered in Dublin, Ireland. Many people associate Temu with Pinduoduo, so let’s clarify: PDD Holdings owns both Temu and its sister company, Pinduoduo.

At Temu, you can find a variety of items, such as car accessories, clothing, small home appliances, outdoor furniture, power tools, baby clothes, and much more. Prices are incredibly low, starting at just $1. Even higher-priced items can be found for around $30.

👉  Read about Temu Dropshipping: Is This App The Future of Selling Online?

What Is AliExpress?

AliExpress, owned by the Alibaba Group, is an online retail platform from China that connects businesses and individuals with customers worldwide. This popular e-commerce marketplace is especially friendly for dropshipping.

Many suppliers on AliExpress offer features like blind shipping, meaning the supplier’s branding isn’t included on the packaging, helping dropshippers maintain their own brand identity.

AliExpress has an incredible variety of products. Whether you’re looking for gadgets, clothes, home items, or accessories, you’ll find millions of options. It’s like a treasure trove full of goodies.

Moreover, sellers on AliExpress often provide competitive rates due to direct sourcing, bulk purchasing, and lower overhead costs. This makes AliExpress a great choice for budget-conscious buyers. So, if you want to save money while shopping, AliExpress is the place to go.

Check out my AliExpress Dropshipping Guide – How To Do It In 2024?

How Does Temu Dropshipping Work?

Step 1: Discover Your Winning Temu Products

When it comes to finding the best products for your store, dive into Temu’s marketplace. It’s a goldmine! Start by exploring the top stores and bestsellers in your chosen niche.

Also, I suggest you visit their Best Sellers category and select your niche to uncover some real gems.

Step 2: Use Order Numbers for Filtering

 Here’s a neat trick: filter by order numbers. This shortcut helps you find items that are already popular.

Also, sorting by “top sales” highlights products with proven demand, making it a smart investment choice.

Step 3: Check Supplier Ratings

Supplier ratings are a game-changer. Choose manufacturers with seller ratings and plenty of reviews. This acts as a guarantee for smooth order fulfillment.

Also, consider products shipped from Temu’s U.S.-based warehouses for fast shipping and happier customers.

Step 4: Select an E-commerce Platform & Create Your Storefront

Making a great first impression is crucial for attracting and retaining customers. Craft a website with user-friendly navigation, attractive visuals, and clear menus and categories.

I recommend Shopify for its intuitive interface and variety of themes tailored for dropshipping stores. However, you have many alternatives like WooCommerce, BigCommerce, Wix, and more.

During the design process, present your products effectively by including comprehensive details like size and material. High-quality product photos and videos enhance customer understanding and interest.

Step 5: Create Product Listings

Add listings for the products you plan to source from Temu. Create compelling titles, and detailed descriptions, and showcase professional images.

For example, the Cartfind app on the Shopify App Store can help you easily import products from Temu to your Shopify store.

How Does AliExpress Dropshipping Work?

Step 1: Create Your AliExpress Account

First, you need to sign up. Head to the AliExpress website and look for the “Account” button in the top right corner.

Click on it, then select “Register.” You can also speed up the process by using your existing social media accounts to create an account.

Step 2: Build Your Dropshipping Store

Starting dropshipping with AliExpress is easy because major e-commerce platforms like Shopify, WooCommerce, and BigCommerce integrate well with AliExpress product import apps. These apps automate the order fulfillment process.

For example, you can set up your dropshipping store using Shopify. Install an app like AutoDS to import products from AliExpress into your Shopify store.

 Shopify offers a simple interface and a variety of cool themes for your store, some free and some paid. It also provides many customization options.

With Shopify’s drag-and-drop editor, you can easily create and modify your store. Plus, Shopify works well with various dropshipping apps, allowing your business to run smoothly with automated supply chain management.

Before importing AliExpress products into your store, decide what to sell and find reliable suppliers. This will be discussed further in the next step.

Step 3: Choose What to Sell and Find Reliable AliExpress Suppliers

Selecting the right AliExpress products is crucial for your business success. If you’re new to dropshipping, you might not know where to start, but don’t worry—I can help!

Start by visiting the best-selling page on AliExpress to find popular items in different categories.

 You can also use AliExpress product research tools like AliExpress Dropshipping Center and AliShark.

Thus, all you have to do is paste the product link, and click “Analyze data”. AliExpress DS center will provide you with all necessary information about the product.

Moreover, tools like Minea, AutoDS, and Adserea can help you find profitable niches, analyze hot-selling products, and locate reliable suppliers.

Also, ensuring your suppliers are trustworthy is essential. AliExpress Chrome extensions can simplify this task.

Thus, Up Assistant thoroughly evaluates seller ratings by looking at customer feedback, the seller’s tenure on AliExpress, and their communication skills. This tool provides a more accurate rating, helping you make informed decisions.

For instance, if you’re researching dropshipping fitness products like yoga mats, UpAssistant will show a number rating on each product thumbnail, indicating the seller’s reliability.

Step 4: Manage Dropshipping Logistics With Apps Like DSers

Managing logistics can be challenging in dropshipping.

So, apps like DSers automate various aspects of your AliExpress shipping logistics, making the process much easier.

For instance, I go to the Shopify Apps Store and type in “AliExpress dropshipping” to find a free importing dropshipping app. In my case, that app is Dsers.

Once you install the app, go to AliExpress, find your product, and click on “Add To Dsers”.

Next, from the Dsers dashboard, go to “Import Products”, choose the product you want to add to your Shopify store, select it, and then choose “Push To Shopify”.

Temu vs AliExpress: Key Features

Products

Temu Products

Temu boasts a vast product catalog with 29 categories and millions of products. You can find items in various dropshipping niches like clothing, electronics, home decor, and beauty products.

Although Temu doesn’t accept wholesale orders or handle dropshipping requests from vendors, it connects customers with a wide range of items across different market segments.

AliExpress Products

AliExpress is known for its extensive range of products, catering to the diverse needs and preferences of buyers worldwide. Hence, the platform has over 100M products.

Whether you’re looking for cutting-edge electronics, fashionable clothing, unique home decor, or specialized accessories, AliExpress has it all.

With countless categories to explore, from consumer electronics and fashion to beauty and health products, home and garden essentials, and sports and entertainment merchandise, you’ll find a vast selection.

 For example, clicking on the women’s clothing category reveals an expansive menu with numerous sub-categories. This variety extends across every category, offering endless browsing possibilities.

👉 Check out the 20+ AliExpress Best Sellers For Dropshipping In 2024.

Products: Who Wins Temu vs AliExpress?

Winner: AliExpress

Why?
AliExpress boasts a wider variety of products across countless categories compared to Temu.

While Temu offers a broad range of items, AliExpress’s sheer volume and diversity make it more suitable for dropshippers seeking a vast selection to meet diverse customer needs.

With millions of products, AliExpress allows for greater flexibility and variety in curating your dropshipping store.

Pricing & Offerings

Temu Pricing

Temu stands out in the eCommerce world with its extremely low prices. It collaborates closely with sellers and suppliers to offer the most affordable products to buyers. Often, you can enjoy heavy discounts and free shipping on your orders.

Temu can keep prices low due to its strong business relationships. You’ll find items starting at less than $1 year-round on both its website and mobile app.

This is possible because of limited margins, solid supplier connections, and substantial investment from PDD Holdings.

However, Temu has a minimum order amount requirement. For instance, if your order is under $10, you can’t place it. I once tried to make an order of $2.27 and received a pop-up window preventing checkout.

Also, different users reported varying minimum order amounts, like $10 or $20, and these amounts can even change within the same month.

AliExpress Pricing

AliExpress also offers low product prices with various discounts available. However, since you often have to pay shipping costs, some cheap products might not seem so cheap after all.

One advantage of buying from AliExpress is the bulk purchase discounts. Sellers frequently offer lower prices when you buy in larger quantities, making it more cost-effective.

For example, let’s say I want to buy a stainless steel water bottle for my outdoor activities. After some research, I found that it costs at least $6-8 to get one on AliExpress, and the shipping might take a bit longer.

On AliExpress, a stainless steel water bottle costs $8.24. I noticed other similar water bottles on AliExpress were more expensive.

However, on Temu, I found a similar stainless steel water bottle for $3.47 with free shipping. The seller has a rating of 4.8 stars out of 5 and has sold more than 9,6K items, including 200 stainless steel water bottles. This deal seems quite appealing.

But if I need to buy a large quantity for a group event or to resell, I would choose AliExpress. Many sellers on AliExpress offer coupons or discounts for bulk orders, making it more economical for large purchases.

Pricing & Offerings: Who Wins Temu vs AliExpress?

Winner: AliExpress

Why?
Temu’s pricing is extremely competitive, with products often priced lower than those on AliExpress. Thanks to its strong business relationships and substantial investment from PDD Holdings, Temu can offer heavy discounts and free shipping on many items.

 For dropshippers looking to maximize profit margins, Temu’s lower prices can be highly advantageous.

However, as a dropshipper, you will probably want bulk orders, and that’s what AliExpress has and Temu does not.

Plus, the sellers offer many coupons and discounts as well, and they have a special program for dropshippers at AliExpress dropshipping center where dropshippers can get lots of discounts and lower prices.

Payment Options

Temu Payment Options

On Temu, you have a variety of payment methods to choose from, including Visa, Mastercard, Apple Pay, Google Pay, PayPal, American Express, Klarna, and Afterpay. For international orders, Temu also supports:

• Afterpay
• American Express
• Apple Pay
• Cash App Pay
• Diners Club
• Google Pay
• JCB
• Klarna
• Maestro Card
• Mastercard
• PayPal

AliExpress Payment Options

AliExpress offers even more payment methods to cater to buyers worldwide. Besides credit and debit cards, you can pay with Alipay, iDeal, Western Union, WebMoney, bank transfer, and local payment solutions.

So, you can simply choose the option that best suits your needs and preferences.

Payment Options: Who Wins Temu vs AliExpress?

Winner: AliExpress

Why?
AliExpress offers a wider array of payment methods, including local payment solutions and more global options, which cater to a broader audience.

This flexibility ensures that no matter where your customers are, they can find a payment method that works for them, enhancing their shopping experience and potentially increasing your sales.

Shipping Times & Costs

Temu Shipping Times & Costs

Temu processes orders within 1-3 days, though some items may take longer. The shipping time depends on whether you choose standard or express shipping.

Standard shipping typically takes 7-15 business days. For express shipping, the estimated time is provided in your order confirmation. You can also find estimated delivery times in the product details section of each seller’s shop.

To check the estimated delivery time for each item in your order, simply click on the product page.

Due to Temu’s business model, where sellers are charged a commission of 5% to 8% of the sale’s value, some products may be priced slightly higher than those on AliExpress.

However, Temu offers faster shipping but fewer shipping options compared to AliExpress, so choose the one that suits your needs.

AliExpress Shipping Times & Costs

For AliExpress, standard shipping usually takes 15 to 30 days, but it can sometimes extend beyond that. Delivery time varies based on factors like the supplier’s shipping method and the countries involved.

If you need your items sooner, AliExpress offers Premium Shipping, which typically delivers within 7 to 15 working days. This option is great for faster delivery.

AliExpress uses a commission-based model, charging sellers 5% to 8% per sale, which can lead to slightly higher product prices than Temu.

 💡 Tip: Learn How to Reduce AliExpress Shipping Times in 2024.

Shipping Times & Costs: Who Wins Temu vs AliExpress?

Winner: Temu and AliExpress

Why?
Temu generally offers faster shipping times compared to AliExpress. Standard shipping on Temu usually takes 7-15 business days, while AliExpress’s standard shipping can take 15-30 days or longer.

For dropshippers needing quicker delivery to maintain customer satisfaction, Temu’s shipping speed is a significant advantage.

Buyer Protection

Temu Buyer Protection

Temu offers a comprehensive buyer protection program. Your purchase is covered if:

• The item you received is different from what you ordered.
• The item you received is broken or damaged.
• The item you ordered is no longer available, cannot be delivered for any reason, got lost in transit, arrived too late, or did not arrive at all.

The protection period in Temu lasts 90 days. You can return the item within 14 days after submitting your return request, and free shipping is available for your first return on every order.

AliExpress Buyer Protection

AliExpress also provides robust buyer protection. Your purchase is covered if:

• The product did not arrive.
• The item is damaged.
• The item is different from what was described on the listing.

Additionally, AliExpress covers these situations:

• The seller fails to provide after-sales service.
• The seller’s product quality is poor and not as promised based on the mentioned warranty.
• The seller asks for additional payment or deliberately chooses another carrier instead of what you paid for.
• Unacceptable behavior by the seller.

Buyer protection on AliExpress lasts 15 days after receiving the item. In contrast, Temu gives buyers up to 90 days from the day of purchase to return the item or request a refund.

This is a significant difference: AliExpress starts the countdown on the day your customer receives the item, while Temu starts it on the day of purchase.

AliExpress has a 75-day protection period, shorter than Temu’s. You can place a return request within 15 days of receiving the order. The free return service is only available for items with a “Free Return” label.

Buyer Protection: Who Wins Temu vs AliExpress?

Winner: AliExpress

Why?
AliExpress has built up trust over many years but still has a risk of scams. However, its experience in dealing with fraud issues gives it an edge.

AliExpress employs strong security measures like two-factor authentication, monitored seller activity, and robust tools for disputing charges, making it a safer choice for buyers.

Temu, on the other hand, is still developing these features, which may allow riskier sellers temporarily. It is crucial to check reviews on both platforms carefully.

Additionally, AliExpress offers insurance policies to refund fraudulent charges, providing an extra layer of protection for buyers.

Return Policy

AliExpress Return Policy

When shopping on AliExpress, you benefit from strict purchase protection policies designed to ensure your satisfaction.

If your item doesn’t arrive, or it doesn’t show up within the specified timeframe, you can apply for a full refund and receive it within 15 days.

Additionally, if the item is not as described, you can request a full or partial refund. You can either return the item for a full refund or keep it and receive a partial refund.

However, it’s important to note that sending items back to the supplier can be challenging. Sometimes, if you’re unhappy with a product and want to return it, it might be nearly impossible to send it back to the supplier.

Despite this, AliExpress still offers solid buyer protection, including refunds or replacements for items that don’t meet your expectations.

Temu Return Policy

Temu, on the other hand, promises a generous refund policy. You can return items up to 90 days after delivery, giving you plenty of time to inspect your purchase and decide if it meets your needs.

Furthermore, Temu provides end-to-end buyer protection, taking full responsibility for the parcel from dispatch to delivery. This means you can shop with peace of mind, knowing that Temu stands behind your purchase.

In addition, Temu offers a 30-day return policy on all products, which further adds to your peace of mind. While both Temu and AliExpress have similar return policies, Temu’s longer return window gives it an edge.

For dropshippers, AliExpress supports app integration, allowing you to link AliExpress to your eBay or Amazon business and complete orders directly. This makes it easier for business owners to manage their dropshipping operations.

In contrast, Temu doesn’t support direct dropshipping integration, meaning B2B buyers must ship goods to a warehouse before they can reach customers.

Because of this outstanding dropshipping assistance, AliExpress often comes out on top for dropshippers.

Return Policy: Who Wins Temu vs AliExpress?

Winner: Temu

Why?
Temu’s generous 90-day return policy outshines AliExpress’s 15-day window after receiving the item.

This longer period allows for a more thorough inspection and decision-making process for buyers, which is crucial for maintaining high customer satisfaction and reducing the likelihood of disputes.

Customer Support

Temu Customer Support

If you need to reach out to customer service in Temu, you have several options. You can send messages or use social media platforms.

The live chat feature is available 24/7, so you can get a response to your queries or problems at any time, ensuring that help is always just a click away.

AliExpress Customer Support

When shopping on AliExpress, you can contact customer service through messages and social media, just like on Temu.

Additionally, you can reach out via WeChat. However, in my experience, AliExpress tends to reply slower compared to Temu.

This might mean waiting a bit longer for assistance, but you still have multiple ways to get in touch with their support team.

However, AliExpress embedded chat into their app is also very effective. Hence, you can communicate with all the sellers and solve your problems.

Customer Support: Who Wins Temu vs AliExpress?

Winner: Temu

Why?
Temu’s customer support is more responsive and available 24/7 via live chat, ensuring that help is always just a click away. Although AliExpress offers multiple contact methods, including WeChat, it tends to have slower response times.

For dropshippers, quick and effective support is essential to resolve issues promptly and maintain smooth operations.

Dropshipping Services

Temu does not provide support for dropshipping. Conversely, AliExpress features a Dropshipping Center. Therefore, if you are a dropshipper, AliExpress is a better choice.

Not only will you benefit from quick and seamless integrations, but you can also collaborate with suppliers who understand and cater to dropshippers.

The AliExpress Dropshipping Center is a free tool for product research. It helps you find top-selling AliExpress items for your online store by showcasing the most popular products on the market at any given time.

Moreover, the AliExpress Dropshipping Center offers additional features like “Goods Analysis,” which provides insights into the current sales volume of specific products.

Dropshipping Services: Who Wins Temu vs AliExpress?

Winner: AliExpress

Why?
AliExpress is better suited for dropshipping due to its robust Dropshipping Center, which offers valuable tools for product research and supplier management.

The seamless integration with major e-commerce platforms like Shopify and WooCommerce further simplifies the dropshipping process.

In contrast, Temu lacks direct dropshipping integration, which can add complexity and additional steps for B2B buyers.

Temu vs AliExpress: Which One Is Better For Dropshipping?

If you’re diving into dropshipping, AliExpress is an excellent choice due to its extensive product selection, competitive pricing, and direct connections with manufacturers.

With thousands of suppliers offering a wide range of products at wholesale prices, dropshippers can find numerous lucrative opportunities on AliExpress. Additionally, the platform’s robust shipping options and buyer protection policies make it an attractive option for dropshipping businesses.

Moreover, AliExpress supports app integration, allowing you to link your store with platforms like Amazon or eBay seamlessly.

This integration means you can manage your dropshipping operations smoothly and efficiently.

For instance, with the AliExpress Dropshipping Center, you get access to features like “Goods Analysis,” which shows the current sales volume of specific products, helping you identify winning items for your store.

While Temu offers aggressive pricing and fast shipping, it primarily focuses on Chinese suppliers, which might limit product diversity. Some sellers consider using Temu for dropshipping due to its commission-based model and lenient return policy, which can be advantageous.

Temu processes orders within 1-3 days, and you can enjoy heavy discounts and free shipping on your orders.

Their end-to-end buyer protection ensures that the parcel is covered from dispatch to delivery, giving you peace of mind. Additionally, Temu’s longer 90-day return window allows buyers to inspect their purchases thoroughly.

However, Temu doesn’t support direct dropshipping integration like AliExpress does. This means that B2B buyers need to ship goods to a warehouse before they can reach customers, potentially adding to the overall cost and complexity of your operation.

So, in my opinion, if you want a wide product variety and solid supplier relationships, AliExpress is your best bet. However, if you’re looking for niche products and attractive discounts, exploring Temu could also be beneficial.

⭐ Overall Winner: Who Wins Temu vs AliExpress?

Winner: AliExpress

Why?
In my opinion, if you are looking for support in comprehensive dropshipping operations, AliExpress is the superior choice.

Its extensive product selection, robust supplier relationships, and seamless integration with major e-commerce platforms provide a solid foundation for dropshipping businesses.

While Temu offers competitive pricing and faster shipping, the lack of direct dropshipping support and a narrower product range make AliExpress the more reliable and versatile option for most dropshippers.

What Do Users Say About Temu vs AliExpress?

Temu is #6 in the eCommerce & Shopping > Marketplace category in the US. Plus, it has over 544.2M.

Plus, based on Temu reviews from customers, the company is rated with  3/5 stars on Trustpilot, with most of the comments with positive reviews.

On the other hand, AliExpress is #5 in the eCommerce & Shopping > Marketplace category in the US. Plus, it has over 580.6M.

Plus, on Trustpilot, AliExpress has a very poor rating on Trustpilot of 2.6/5 stars as well, just like Temu does. But, keep in mind that these are all customers, not dropshippers. So, most of the complaints are about poor customer support, long shipping times, etc.

However, I must say that AliExpress results come from over 146K comments and only 18% have a 1-star rating, while Temu reviews are only from 19K, and 38% have a 1-star rating.

Also, If I compare both of the platforms on Semrush, AliExpress has dropped a few positions compared to Temu. Hence, Temu is in the #46 position on the global Rant, whole AliExpress, is in the #58 position on the Global rank.

Moreover, 69.28% of US-based customers buy from Temu, while only 30.72% buy from AliExpress.

Also, the consumer base on AliEpxress is most from 25 to 34 years old. On the other hand, in Temu customer segments are mostly from 25-34 years old, and 35-44 years old.

➡ Users comments

Moreover, as I did in-depth research, most of the users on Reddit, say that AliExpress is favored for its vast selection of interesting and unique products.

Users appreciate the reliability and helpfulness of AliExpress support, with many noting they’ve had issues resolved quickly and satisfactorily.

However, shipping times can be longer, which might be a drawback for those needing quicker deliveries.

Temu, on the other hand, is praised for its competitive prices and significantly faster shipping times. Some users find Temu’s product selection more limited and often similar to what’s found on other platforms.

Additionally, Temu’s customer support has received mixed reviews, with some users reporting unsatisfactory responses to issues like wrong orders or refunds.

Conclusion

Both Temu and AliExpress offer unique advantages for dropshipping, but your choice depends on your business needs.

Temu stands out with its incredibly low prices and fast shipping, making it ideal for budget-conscious sellers. However, its lack of direct dropshipping integration can add complexity.

On the other hand, AliExpress excels with a vast product selection, strong supplier relationships, and seamless integration with major e-commerce platforms, making it a reliable choice for comprehensive dropshipping operations.

Before starting, consider your priorities—whether it’s cost, product variety, or ease of integration—and choose the platform that aligns best with your goals.