AliExpress vs Taobao: Are they the same? Which one is better?

If you are a frequent online shopper – especially when you live in China – you’ve likely heard of Taobao and AliExpress. Taobao and AliExpress are two of the leading online shopping platforms in China and globally. So, you can find and buy just about all kinds of products there – from groceries, clothes and accessories to even brand-new cars. Both Taobao and AliExpress are owned by Alibaba, and you might find pretty much similar products on both sites. But are they the same thing? And which site will be more relevant for expats in China?

In this article, you will find a comprehensive comparison between Taobao vs AliExpress. This way, you can select which site is better suited for you.

Are Taobao and AliExpress the same?

In a sense, there are some similarities between Taobao vs. AliExpress. For example, both sites are owned by Alibaba, who runs them as online marketplaces. You might also find similar products on both AliExpress and Taobao. But they are actually two different entities.

Before getting into what are the differences between Taobao and AliExpress. Let’s first explore what Taobao and Aliexpress are.

What is Taobao?

Launched back in 2003, Taobao entered the market well before AliExpress and is now one of the largest e-commerce platforms in China. The word “Taobao” literally is translated to "search for treasures"¹– and true to its name, Taobao is a real online treasure trove filled with a wide range of affordable and unique goods. While Taobao is primarily a consumer-to-consumer platform, many small businesses also sell their products directly to customers. In some cases, you can even negotiate for a lower price.

The biggest difference between Taobao and AliExpress is that Taobao mainly targets local Chinese consumers. As a result, the entire website operates in Chinese and is highly user-friendly for Chinese speakers. That said, if you're an expat living in China and understand Chinese, shopping on Taobao will be much easier for you. If you live abroad and still want to purchase from Taobao, the site still ships internationally via third-party logistics providers.

In general, Taobao is mostly known for:

• Excellent consumer protection
• Highly competitive prices
• Wider range of products
• Taobao Live

What is AliExpress?

AliExpress was founded in 2010 and is also owned by Alibaba. AliExpress operates primarily as a business-to-consumer platform, allowing you to purchase goods directly from businesses or manufacturers rather than individual sellers ². The site also offers a wide range of products across various categories, including trending beauty items, fashion, sports gear, and much more.

One key feature of AliExpress is that it’s designed as a cross-border shopping platform, catering mainly to international buyers. If you're an expat currently living in China, you can still browse the site; however, the site will not offer shipping to mainland Chinese addresses. Here’s what AliExpress is known for:

• Global shipping to over 200 countries and regions
• International user-friendly interface in multiple languages
• Trusted sourcing sites widely used by resellers and dropshippers
• Offers various payment options

Taobao vs AliExpress: What are the differences?

Both Taobao and AliExpress are owned by Alibaba, but they are completely different entities. Here are a few main differences between Taobao vs AliExpress:

Target Audience

AliExpress is mostly for international customers, while Taobao caters to domestic customers.

Language and Accessibility

AliExpress is designed for the global market, so the language is automatically set in** English**. Non-Chinese speakers can easily switch to other languages at the top right corner as below:

On the other hand, Taobao is completely in Chinese, so it might be more challenging for non-native speakers to shop there. But if you are still keen on shopping from Taobao instead of AliExpress, you can translate the website to English and order from Taobao.

Product Range and Pricing

AliExpress sells products aimed at international buyers, products including electronics, tech gadgets, fashion apparel, home furniture, and top-trending beauty items. Even though the products on both sites are pretty much similar, AliExpress might be more expensive because it supports the global segment. You also have to pay shipping fees from China to your hometown, making the cost significantly higher.

You can also find many of the same products on Taobao as on AliExpress. But you will find out that Taobao often features a wider range of China-exclusive items as it primarily serves the domestic market. This means sometimes you’ll come across quirky and unique products that aren’t typically available on AliExpress, and goods on Taobao are also often cheaper than those on AliExpress.

Shipping and Delivery

As mentioned, buying from Aliexpress might incur a cross-border shipping cost. Depending on where you live, the delivery time might vary. In general, it will be around 15 to 30 days ³. AliExpress does offer an On-time Delivery guarantee time to help you check your desired delivery date. The site will refund you if your order doesn’t arrive on time. It is worth noting that AliExpress will not deliver to mainland Chinese addresses!

If you live in China, the good news is Taobao’s shipping fees to domestic bases can be lower, and the delivery time can be shorter. It generally takes up to some days to weeks to receive your package, but you can even get your goods within an hour. The platform does support foreigners to buy from Taobao as a foreigner, but since most sellers rely on third-party logistics providers, the shipping costs can be significantly higher.

Payment Methods

AliExpress gives you multiple payment options such as credit/debit cards and digital wallets (Paypal, Apple Pay, Google Pay, etc). Depending on your location, you might even choose Buy Now Pay Later options.

Taobao, on the other hand, predominantly offers payment gateways that are swift for Chinese consumers. Payment methods such as AliPay and Wechat Pay are frequently used. Taobao also supports international credit/debit cards such as Visa, MasterCard and JCB for payment. It is worth noting that there will be handling fees, and these fees are not refundable even if the transaction is refunded.

Customer service

Taobao offers both 24/7 self-service and online customer service, but it is primarily in Mandarin. There are also international hotlines to call if you live in Taiwan, Hong Kong, Singapore, Malaysia, or Australia. For other countries, you can email to: English@service.alibaba.com

AliExpress’s customer service is generally more multi-language friendly than Taobao’s. You can easily reach out to their support team via live chat if you have any questions. The AliExpress team is available 24/7, and the platform also offers an online self-service portal for quick assistance.

Dropshipping

Operating a dropshipping business? Taobao and AliExpress are both great sources.

AliExpress offers a dedicated Dropshipping Center that helps you explore and evaluate products you might want to sell. It's especially beginner-friendly thanks to its English interface, a wide range of international shipping options, and an easy-to-follow supplier selection process.

For dropshipping, Taobao is massive when it comes to a variety of products, but if you don’t know Mandarin, it will require some extra work to search around the website. If your business is getting bigger, you can consider working with a Taobao agent. With amazing support and management, you can earn much better profit margins even with high logistics costs.

Is Taobao cheaper than AliExpress?

Both Aliexpress and Taobao offer competitive prices. But most of the time, Taobao might be cheaper than AliExpress because it mainly serves the domestic Chinese market.

Is Taobao better than AliExpress?

Whether Taobao is better than AliExpress will depend on each individual's needs. There are pros and cons to each of both sites. AliExpress might be better for international buyers who don’t speak Chinese, while Taobao can be an excellent choice for Mandarin speakers to get access to a wider range of products with more competitive prices – especially if you are living in China.

Taobao vs AliExpress: Reviews on Reddit

If you need real reviews from other expats who have purchased from either Taobao vs AliExpress before, you can read the reviews on Reddit for the specific products or sellers.

Some Reddit users agree that Taobao is cheaper and offers wider product categories, while AliExpress is easier to use due to its English-interface and straightforward international shipping. International shipping for Taobao can be confusing because the cost might vary – you might have to pay more than you expect.

Other users also point out that shopping on Taobao often gives you a better chance of finding premium-quality items at reasonable prices, while AliExpress may have more knockoffs. However, AliExpress tends to offer a smoother experience when it comes to customer service and refunds, especially for international buyers who don’t live in China.

So if you live in China with some Chinese proficiency, Taobao is obviously a way to go. But if convenience matters more and you don’t live in China, AliExpress is a better choice.

Chinese e-commerce platforms like Taobao and AliExpress are exactly the places to go for your next shopping-spree. From everyday essentials to fashion accessories to latest technology, these platforms have it all, at very competitive prices.

If you're an expat in China looking for a reliable way to manage your international finances, Wise offers a seamless online solution tailored to your needs. With Wise, you can send money abroad with low, transparent fees and real exchange rates, all from the convenience of your device. Wise provides customer support in English and other languages, ensuring you have the assistance you need whenever you need it.

This service is provided in partnership with a licensed third-party payment provider in China.