DHgate vs. Temu vs. Shein vs. AliExpress: Full Comparison and Reviews 2025

DHgate vs. Temu vs. Shein vs. AliExpress:Overview

DHgate

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DHgate, established in 2004, is the premier B2B cross-border e-commerce wholesale marketplace in China, connecting more than 2 million registered buyers from over 220 countries and regions worldwide, selling wholesale to retailers around the world.DHgate hosts over 30 million products in a wide range of categories including Apparel & Accessories, Computers & Networking, Consumer Electronics, Toys & Hobbies, Health & Beauty, Bags & Jewelry, Home, Auto, and more.

One of the advantages of DHgate is its wide selection of products and competitive prices. The platform also offers a range of payment options, including credit cards, PayPal, and bank transfers, making it convenient for buyers to complete transactions. Additionally, DHgate provides a buyer protection plan, a secure refund policy, express delivery, and shipment tracking, and is committed to providing a fast, easy, and safe buying experience to businesses and consumers worldwide.If you're looking for websites to buy in bulk, this site is a great option for finding affordable Chinese products that ship to the India.

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Temu

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Temu is owned and operated by the Chinese-based and Cayman Islands registered company PDD Holdings, which also owns Pinduoduo, a well-known online commerce platform in China. It was launched in the United States in September 2022 and attained massive growth in the first few months of its release. A year later, they expanded their reach to Australia and New Zealand. Today, they have coverage in many other countries, including the UK, Germany, Spain, and top markets in Asia.  As of now, Temu enjoys traffic of 100 million active users, and that is for the United States alone. Globally, there are over 130 million app downloads for the platform. Overall, Temu enjoys 420 million monthly visits to its platform.

Temu has an extensive range of daily life products, such as trendy clothing, footwear, accessories, beauty products, and more. As a newcomer to the scene, Temu is a rising star in the budget-friendly online shopping world. It is somewhat similar to Groupon but with a new way of shopping and social media marketing. It allows China-based vendors to sell and ship directly to customers without relying on warehouses in the destination country. One factor that makes Temu stand out is its affordable prices, making it accessible to all types of audiences. The platform is famous for marketing strategies that emphasize discounts and freebies, and it sells products at lower prices than Amazon.

Shein

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Shein is a fashion retail company that is headquartered in Singapore.  It was founded in 2008 by Chris Xu in Nanjing, China as SheInside and sold women's fashion. The company is known for its cheaply priced apparel which is made directly in China. In 2015, the brand officially changed its name to Shein. Now SHEIN is an international B2C fast fashion e-commerce company. The company mainly focuses on women's wear, but it also offers men's apparel, children's clothes, accessories, shoes, bags, homewear, electronics, beauty supplies and other fashion items. Products in the catalog of clothes and fashion accessories are primarily sold by Shein itself. In other categories, it is usually the third-party sellers who sell. 

Shein has gathered over 6000 Chinese clothing factories under its umbrella and ships to over 150 countries around the world.It mainly targets Europe, America, Australia, and the Middle East along with other consumer markets. So far, the USA is currently Shein’s leading market.  In 2020, Shein was the most talked about brand on TikTok and Youtube and the 4th most talked about brand on Instagram. Currently, it's no. 2 on App Store for shopping (right after another Chinese brand, TEMU). At Shein, you'll find hundreds of tops, dresses, bathing suits, jeans, and outerwear for under $20.  Shein currently serves over 220 countries. It's undoubtedly, one of the best Chinese clothing websites.

AliExpress

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Launched in 2010, Aliexpress is an online retailer based in China which is owned by the Chinese company Alibaba. It started as a business-to-business portal then later ventured into business-to-consumer (B2C) services and consumer-to-consumer services, and even cloud computing and payment services. Even though AliExpress is head quartered in Hangzhou, China, it has a prominent market share in other countries too like Singapore, Russia, Brazil, and the United States. Now, AliExpress has become a leading B2C e-commerce platform, and sellers are typically small to medium businesses.  It is similar to eBay, where sellers are independent and can set up their own shops. AliExpress doesn't sell its own products.

Aliexpress is inarguably one of the most popular online marketplaces for a variety of items. From household electronics to tech gadgets, beauty supplies, men’s and women’s clothing, there’s no end to the type of stuff you can get on the website. To put it briefly, the category of goods on AliExpress covers almost all day-to-day items that most people require. Buyers can order as low as 1 item and enjoy fast delivery and full tracking services. This comprehensive platform also offers discounts on bulk purchases in every product category. It stands out for its competitive prices. You can find products from well-known brands as well as cheaper items from independent suppliers.

DHgate vs. Temu vs. Shein vs. AliExpress: Full Comparison 

Here's a detailed 2025 comparison of DHgate, Temu, Shein, and AliExpress, covering business model, prices, products quality, buyer protection, return policy, shipping speed, user experience and more.

1. Business Model

DHgate is a B2B/B2C marketplace which connects international buyers (often resellers) primarily with Chinese wholesalers/manufacturers. Strongest for wholesale & bulk orders (MOQs common). Targets small/medium businesses.

Temu is a pure B2C ultra-low-cost retailer which operates a centralized retail model (like an online discount store). Sources directly from manufacturers (often via PDD Holdings) and sells at rock-bottom prices. Heavy focus on user acquisition.

Shein is pure B2C fast-fashion retailer (Vertically integrated) which dominates trendy, ultra-fast-fashion apparel/accessories.Shein manufactures (via vast network), markets, and sells its own branded apparel & accessories directly.

AliExpress is a primarily B2C, supports "Small Quantity B2B" (bulk discounts) marketplace which connects international buyers with Chinese retailers and wholesalers (including small businesses and factories). AliExpress has vast array of sellers, similar to eBay/Amazon marketplace and offers largest general consumer goods selection.

2. Prices

The price of DHgate is very low(especially per unit in bulk). Prices reflect wholesale negotiation.

The price of Temu is extremely Low (loss-leader strategy). Often the cheapest for single items.

The price of Shein is  Low (esp. apparel). Prices highly competitive for fast fashion.

The price of AliExpress  is low to medium. Huge range; "from $..." prices common but check actual listings.

3. Products Variety & Quality

DHgate has wide variety products (including electronics, mobile phones, wedding apparel, home & garden, jewelry, wholesale fashion, machinery). It is strong in unbranded/white-label. The quality is highly variable and seller-dependent. Often good for unbranded/generic items. Risk of counterfeits.

Temu has massive variety (including home goods, electronics/accessories, apparel, kitchenware, toys, beauty, tools, etc.). Broad but curated selection. The Quality is typically lowest ("you get what you pay for").  Many unknown brands.

Shein has huge variety within fashion & lifestyle (including women's/men's/kids' fast fashion, shoes, bags, jewelry, beauty, home decor (growing)). Apparel is core. The quality is improving, but still risky. Not known for durability.

AliExpress features largest overall variety (literally almost anything, including electronics, fashion, beauty, home, toys, auto, tools, craft supplies etc. ).  The quality is extremely seller-dependent, ranging from terrible to excellent. Requires careful vetting of sellers/reviews.

4. Shipping Options, Speed & Costs

DHgate's shipping options vary greatly by seller. Standard shipping often slow (10–40 days)  , sometimes faster options. Costs usually low/free, but factored into price. Tracking usually provided.

Temu often offers free standard shipping (7-15 days to US/EU). Faster paid options emerging. Costs are heavily subsidized.

Shein's shipping relatively fast (5-10 weeks to US/EU standard). Free shipping thresholds common ($29-$49). Express options available. Regional warehouses improving speed.

The shipping speed of AliExpress is varies massively by seller/item.  Often "Free Shipping" on cheap items, costs more for faster/heavier items. Standard AliExpress Shipping (often free/subsidized) = Slow (10–30 days).

All four platforms target global markets (US, EU, UK, CA, AU, etc. are primary). Specific availability varies slightly.

5. Return & Refund Policy

The return & refund policy of DHgate is seller-dependent, often complex. Buyer protection mediates disputes. Returns can be difficult/expensive internationally. Partial refunds common.

Temu is very buyer-friendly. Free returns within 90 days  (often prepaid label). Easy refunds (often partial or full without return for cheap items). "Refund Only" is common.

Shein's return & refund policy is relatively easy. Free returns within 30-45 days (depending on region). Prepaid labels usually provided. Refunds processed upon receipt.

The return & refund policy of AliExpress is seller-dependent, but platform mediates. Buyer Protection period (15-90 days). Returns often require buyer to pay shipping unless item is faulty/wrong. Dispute resolution is key. "Free Returns" are rare.

6. Buyer Protection

"DHgate Buyer Protection" covers non-delivery, item not as described. Dispute process within strict timeframes. DHgate uses an escrow system to hold the buyer's payment until the buyer successfully delivers and confirms the order. Heavily favors buyers if evidence is strong.

Temu offers most aggressive protection. Easy refunds/no returns for low-cost items, 90-day window. Full refunds for non-delivery, significant inaccuracies. Easy claims process.

 Strong as the direct retailer.   Shein handles issues directly. Return/refund policy is clear and generally honored.

AliExpress' "Buyer Protection" is core. Covers non-delivery, item not as described. Dispute process within set deadlines. Platform mediates. Effectiveness depends on evidence provided.

7. Customer Support

DHgate offers primarily platform-level support for disputes/transactions. Direct seller communication is crucial first step. Support can be slow.

Temu's customer service is aggressive, proactive, and easily accessible (in-app chat, email). Known for quick refund resolutions. Focus on customer retention.

Shein features generally responsive (in-app chat, email, social media) customer service. Handles issues directly as the retailer. Fairly efficient.

AliExpress offers customer support to mediate disputes between buyer and seller. Direct seller contact first. Support can be bureaucratic and slow, but essential for unresolved issues.

Bottom Line

DHgate vs. Temu vs. Shein vs. AliExpress: Which is the Best for Your Needs?

The decision to choose between DHgate, Temu, Shein and AliExpress: depends on your needs and shopping preferences.

Consider using DHgate if you need wholesale pricing, dropshipping options, or bulk orders and can tolerate risk/slow shipping. 

If you prefer prioritizing rock-bottom prices, faster shipping, easy returns/refunds over guaranteed quality, you may choose Temu.

If you are focused primarily on fashion items and want access to trendy products with relatively fast shipping times, Shein may be a suitable choice.

AliExpress will be perfect if you prefer affordable prices, strong buyer protection, and a huge selection of products (especially niche items, components, unbranded goods) . 

In a word, choose Temu for effortless cheap buys, Shein for fast fashion, AliExpress for vast selection (with effort), and DHgate for wholesale/bulk sourcing.

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