Aliexpress and Amazon are major online shopping platforms. AliExpress is based in China, and Amazon is one of the AliExpress alternatives based in the USA. International buyers are curious about the differences between Amazon vs Aliexpress.
Based on our ten years of sourcing experience, we have dealt with many cases about product sourcing. Aliexpress and some other Aliexpress alternatives allow users to buy affordable and quality goods. They also ship to places all over the world.
In this article, you will learn the details about AliExpress and Amazon. Let’s get started.
What is Aliexpress?
AliExpress is China’s famous retail giant, started by Jack Ma from Alibaba Group. Founded in 2010, it offers a wide range of products at cheap prices. It has many global suppliers, just like any other online shopping platform.
You can shop anything you want at Aliexpress as they ship worldwide. Now, it is one of the largest e-commerce platforms in the world.
Pros
- Low Prices: The same product sold on AliExpress is at very low prices.
- Free Delivery: Most Aliexpress online sellers offer free delivery.
- Safety Guaranteed: AliExpress is secured to make payments.
Cons
- Delivery Time: Global customers need to expect longer delivery times.
- Paypal Option Unavailable: Many sellers on Aliexpress accept Alipay but not Paypal.
- Unsatisfactory Items: Items that arrived might not be as described online.
What is Amazon?
Amazon is another online shopping platform giant founded by Jeff Bezos. It has many products from kitchen appliances to everyday wear.
Amazon was founded in 1994 and became the largest online shopping platform globally. It started as an online bookstore. But then, the products vary and progressed into a huge online marketplace today.
Pros
- Huge Selection: There are many quality products sold on Amazon.
- Fast Delivery: Amazon has a fast delivery line.
- Secure Personal Data: The security system is strong on Amazon.
Cons
- Difficult Refund: It isn’t easy to get a refund on Amazon.
- Lack of Coupons: Amazon hardly offers coupons or discounts.
- Scammers: There are scammers on Amazon that sell fake things.
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The main difference between Amazon vs Aliexpress
With the two online shopping platforms in the world, there is still a difference between them. Let’s see.
Aliexpress vs Amazon: Pricing
The pricing on both Aliexpress and Amazon are different. AliExpress has a lower price with better deals. Usually, very few Aliexpress shops work during the Chinese New Year. But, you can expect many specialized shopping festivals like 618 and double 11 to grab the best deal. They also offer coupons to encourage buyers to ship from their stores.
Amazon, however, offers higher prices compared to AliExpress prices. Their Prime membership grants shoppers perks but with prices. Still, some customers favor Amazon. They enjoy the benefits of Amazon Prime members even with higher prices.
Aliexpress vs Amazon: Product Selection
There is a wide variety of cheap products on the AliExpress platform. You can easily get everything from home appliances to clothing on AliExpress. The most popular product category on the site is electronics. But, you have to be careful, as the branded products on AliExpress might be fake.
Amazon also has a broad category of products. You can find products ranging from health products and cosmetics to food on Amazon. Moreover, branded brands are easier to find on Amazon. Surprisingly, these branded things are mostly real.
Suggested reading: Best 30 items on Dhgate
Aliexpress vs Amazon: Shipping Costs
On AliExpress, the shipping prices vary according to your location. Most of the time, you can get free shipping by buying on AliExpress. In some cases, the domestic shipping is between 1 USD to 3 USD. Meanwhile, international shipping costs more than 3 USD.
Amazon calculates its shipping costs by region. Regions like Latin America and Israel cost 8.99 USD. Meanwhile, Mexico and the Middle East cost around 4.99 USD. Customers who subscribe to Amazon Prime can get free shipping of their orders.
Aliexpress vs Amazon: Shipping Times
AliExpress is known to have a disadvantage in shipments. Most of its sellers are in China. So, it will take a longer shipping time to reach other countries. It could take 15 to 25 days to reach you, especially if you are not in China.
In this case, Amazon has topped AliExpress with better shipping times. They are fast in shipping to many countries, especially with Amazon Prime. Sometimes, you could get your products in under 24 hours too.
Aliexpress vs Amazon: Payment Methods
AliExpress accepts many kinds of payments from all around the world. It is safe as Alipay has a strong security system for buyer protection on financial data. Besides Alipay, AliExpress accepts credit cards like Visas, MasterCard, Maestro, American Express, etc. So, you can still shop in AliExpress even if you are a foreign buyer.
Amazon, on the other hand, mainly accepts international payments. Payments such as AliPay are not supported on the platform. It supports payments via Amazon Pay, Visa, Mastercard, and American Express.
Aliexpress vs Amazon: Dropshipping
It is known that AliExpress has its advantages among drop shippers. Sellers have reached out to their suppliers from AliExpress to drop ship products. It has product and shipping prices lower than the market. In short, AliExpress is an excellent place to start small businesses if you want to dropship.
In contrast, Amazon is not dropship-friendly. It does have over 300 million active registered users. But, you’ll need to pay a subscription to dropship. It means that it is not free to dropship on Amazon. Besides, they are known to ban accounts without warning or explanations.
Suggested reading: Dhgate Dropshipping
Aliexpress vs Amazon: Return Policy
AliExpress offers free returns of products under several conditions. First of all, it must be within 15 days of receiving the product. The item must be in perfect condition and have the original packaging. Simply submit the return request and print the return label if you wish to return them. Then, you can wait for the picking of the item.
Amazon also offers a return of items. If the customer is unsatisfied, they can return them in 30 days for no reason at all. However, Amazon does not offer free returns. If the customer wants to return an item, they have to bear the shipping cost.
Aliexpress vs Amazon: Customer Service
AliExpress offers good customer service quality in a live chat option. You can voice out to AliExpress if you have any concerns. Feel free to contact them for any requests, such as order tracking or return processing. It is available from Monday to Sunday, 24 hours. However, they do not have a customer service number.
Amazon also offers assistance to its customers. They provide support through phone, email, and live chat. The live chat option is free 24/7. So, if you have any customer service needs, you can contact them using which option is available.
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Suggested reading: Alibaba vs Dhgate
FAQs About Amazon vs Aliexpress
Is AliExpress a safer online store than Amazon?
AliExpress offers buyer protection for buyers to buy online goods safely. Their security in protecting customers’ data is guaranteed. Compared to Amazon, both parties have almost the same level of safety confirmation.
Why is AliExpress cheaper than Amazon?
AliExpress is cheaper than Amazon due to its low manufacturing costs. They do not jack up the prices like Amazon. Amazon tends to sell the same products at higher prices.
Is it safe to buy from Aliexpress?
It is safe to buy from AliExpress. But, you have to be careful to shop online and only give your financial data when it is secured. Overall, AliExpress has a strong security system to protect its customers.
Is AliExpress a reputable online shopping company?
AliExpress is a well-known company in China. So far, it does not have any significant bad reviews from the customer. The customers are satisfied when they shop on AliExpress.
Why shop on AliExpress?
It is recommended that you choose AliExpress when you shop online. It offers many products at low prices. Plus, it is perfectly safe to shop for everything you need for your daily life.
What’s Next
In summary, AliExpress and Amazon each have their pros and cons. Though they look similar, they are different in many aspects. For instance, shipping times, payment methods, product range, return and refund policy, etc. You should choose your preferred online marketplace based on your need.
I hope you find helpful information about AliExpress vs Amazon in this article. If you have any inquiries, feel free to contact us on our services pages.
Excellent comparison of Amazon vs AliExpress. This guide helps clarify the strengths and weaknesses of each for both buyers and sellers. Really useful for making informed decisions!
Great comparison of Amazon and AliExpress. In terms of consumer protection and dispute resolution, which platform do you believe offers better safeguards for buyers?
Sharline, your comparison of Amazon and AliExpress for wholesale is a real eye-opener! It’s interesting to see how each platform caters to different seller needs. I’m leaning towards AliExpress for its variety and pricing, but Amazon’s quick shipping is tempting. Would love to hear others’ experiences, especially regarding bulk orders!
The contrast between Amazon and AliExpress in terms of product range, pricing, and shipping is stark. Each platform seems to serve distinct market needs.
The detailed comparison of Amazon and AliExpress sheds light on each platform’s unique offerings, helping both buyers and sellers make better choices.
Choosing between Amazon and AliExpress for sourcing can be tricky. This comparison provides valuable insights. Would love to hear about others’ experiences with both platforms.
Choosing the right platform can significantly impact a seller’s success. From your experience, which platform offers better support and growth opportunities for new sellers?
Your analysis of Amazon and AliExpress from a seller’s perspective is invaluable. Which platform do you recommend for someone just starting out with a small inventory?
This comparison between Amazon and AliExpress is incredibly insightful. It highlights critical differences in audience, platform fees, and seller support, guiding where to focus selling efforts. Highly recommended for e-commerce entrepreneurs.
Really comprehensive comparison between Amazon and AliExpress! It sheds light on the subtle differences that can significantly impact a buyer’s or seller’s decision. The sections on shipping times and payment methods were particularly enlightening. It’s intriguing to see how each platform caters to its audience. Has anyone leveraged both platforms for their business, and what strategies worked best for you?
The battle between these e-commerce giants is fascinating. Your comparative analysis helps highlight the strengths and weaknesses of each. From a seller’s perspective, which platform do you find more favorable?
Fascinating comparison between Amazon and AliExpress! Do you have any insights on how the customer service experience differs between the two, especially in dispute resolutions?
Great article on the pros and cons of Amazon and AliExpress! How do customer service and dispute resolution processes on the two platforms stack up, particularly from a seller’s perspective?
Thanks for the insights! Has anyone found better quality products on one platform over the other?