AliExpress vs Shein vs Temu: what is the best one for you?

Written by Savings Expert: Ryan O’Connell
Published on 04 February 2025

Online marketplaces like Temu, Shein, and AliExpress have revolutionised how we shop, offering a seemingly endless array of products at competitive prices—all at the click of a button. These platforms cater to savvy shoppers seeking affordable deals on everything from clothing and accessories to electronics and home goods. But with so many choices, how do you know which marketplace is right for you?

Each has its own unique appeal: Temu promises ultra-low prices and trendy finds, Shein specialises in fast-fashion staples, and AliExpress offers a vast range of items from global sellers. While their affordability and convenience are undeniable, questions often arise about quality, shipping times, and sustainability. This article dives into a detailed comparison of these e-commerce giants, exploring their strengths, drawbacks, and what sets them apart, helping you make informed decisions and get the most value for your money. Let’s unravel the online shopping maze!

Most Popular Products at AliExpress, Shein and Temu

Temu, Shein, and AliExpress each shine in their own niches, offering distinct product selections tailored to different shopping needs:

• Temu: Known for its ultra-budget prices, Temu features a wide variety of trending products, including gadgets, home accessories, and everyday essentials. Its focus is on affordability, often targeting shoppers looking for low-cost, practical items.

• Shein: A fast-fashion powerhouse, Shein primarily specialises in trendy clothing and accessories for women, men, and children. Its strength lies in its ability to quickly adapt to global fashion trends, making it a go-to for style-conscious shoppers.

• AliExpress: A global marketplace, AliExpress offers an enormous catalogue, ranging from electronics and gadgets to fashion and home goods. The platform is particularly popular for tech products and unique items sourced directly from manufacturers.

Key Differences: Temu focuses on affordability and practical trends, Shein excels in fashion-forward apparel, while AliExpress provides unparalleled variety and direct-from-seller prices.

Pricing at AliExpress, Shein and Temu

When comparing prices across Temu, Shein, and AliExpress, affordability is a common thread, but each platform has its pricing nuances.

• Temu offers some of the lowest prices, particularly on household items, small gadgets, and trending accessories. Its ultra-budget deals often rival dollar stores, making it ideal for cost-conscious shoppers. Flash sales and steep discounts are frequent, adding extra savings.

• Shein, while still affordable, is slightly higher-priced than Temu, especially for its clothing. The emphasis on trendy, fast-fashion apparel often justifies the marginal price increase, and its frequent promo codes and sales events make it competitive.

• AliExpress provides a wide range of price points due to its marketplace model, where multiple sellers compete. While you can find bargains, prices can vary significantly depending on the seller and product quality. Bulk purchases and tech items often yield the best value.

Temu leads in rock-bottom prices, Shein balances affordability with style, and AliExpress offers diverse pricing for global shoppers.

Delivery

Delivery options for Temu, Shein, and AliExpress differ significantly in the UK, reflecting their varied business models and logistics networks.

• Temu offers free standard shipping on most UK orders, with delivery times typically ranging from 7 to 15 days. While expedited options are rare, the low free shipping minimums make it a great choice for smaller purchases. Tracking is reliable, ensuring customers can monitor their orders easily.

• Shein caters well to UK shoppers with standard delivery times of 7 to 10 days and express delivery options that arrive within 3 to 7 days. Shipping fees are calculated based on order value, but free shipping is often available during promotions or for orders exceeding a specific amount. Shein’s UK logistics network ensures relatively quick and dependable delivery, appealing to those who need their items promptly.

• AliExpress delivery times to the UK can vary widely, depending on the seller and chosen shipping method. Standard delivery often takes 15 to 45 days, while AliExpress Premium Shipping or local UK warehouses can reduce this to 10 to 20 days for an extra fee. Many items offer free shipping, though tracking reliability depends on the seller.

For UK shoppers, Shein offers the fastest and most consistent delivery, Temu is best for budget-conscious shipping, and AliExpress provides flexibility but often slower service.

Quality of Temu, Shein and AliExpress

Product quality varies notably between Temu, Shein, and AliExpress, influenced by their target markets, suppliers, and price points.

• Temu: Temu emphasises affordability, often at the expense of consistent quality. While you can find surprisingly decent items, especially in household gadgets and accessories, products can sometimes feel cheaply made. Reviews are essential when shopping on Temu, as quality can be hit-or-miss. It’s a good option for budget-friendly purchases where durability isn’t a top concern.

• Shein: Shein focuses primarily on trendy, fast-fashion apparel. The quality is generally better than Temu’s, especially in clothing and accessories, but it varies based on the item and price. Higher-priced Shein pieces tend to use better materials, while lower-end products can lack durability. Shein’s product reviews and customer-uploaded photos are helpful for assessing quality before purchasing.

• AliExpress: AliExpress offers the widest range of quality, reflecting its marketplace model. Products range from high-quality items, such as electronics and gadgets from reputable sellers, to lower-quality goods at rock-bottom prices. The platform includes seller ratings and reviews, which are critical for gauging reliability. Quality often aligns with price, so paying slightly more can yield better results.

In summary, Shein generally offers better quality for fashion, AliExpress is versatile with quality varying by seller, and Temu prioritises low-cost products over durability.

Top ways to save at AliExpress, Temu and Shein

While one of the highlights of many of the eCommerce online marketplaces is the price point being so low. However, that doesn't mean that you can't always find additional ways to save. Here's some ideas to get you started.

• Discount codes: These online marketplaces often have some great discounts which you can apply to your order to reduce that total. You can browse our selection of Temu, Shein and AliExpress voucher codes to find the best savings on your order.

• Download the app: One of th best ways to secure the best price for an item or find exclusive offers is to download the Temu, Shein or AliExpress apps as they often provide exclusive discounts for app users.

• Check social media: By following these online marketplaces on social media platforms, you can be the first to know about the best offers.