Analogs of AliExpress: The Best Solutions for Businesses

AliExpress no longer offers favorable terms for commercial trade. Price increases have been noticed by private buyers as well, which is why many are switching to Temu (though it also has its nuances). If you decide to purchase and resell goods from China, DiFFreight recommends finding an analog to AliExpress.

The Best Sites as Alternatives to AliExpress

Experts will detail why you should look for sites similar to AliExpress in another section of this article. To put it briefly, AliExpress is aimed at individual buyers and exports. Prices there are significantly higher than on similar domestic platforms. The Chinese themselves do not use it, opting for local alternatives instead. Temu, a growing competitor of AliExpress, is also not the best option — see our article on this topic.

1688.com

A wholesale marketplace cheaper than AliExpress for the B2B (business-to-business) segment. On 1688, factories and suppliers sell in bulk to other businesses. It’s part of China’s domestic market, so the prices will pleasantly surprise you.

This platform is one of the best for commercial trade, and you can find manufacturers to produce custom orders. If you need small batches, it’s better to choose another service.

Alibaba

Alibaba is one of the largest online marketplaces specializing in wholesale orders. Sellers often operate on a "Minimum Order Quantity" (MOQ) basis, which defines the minimum number of units required to receive a wholesale price.

Positive reviews about Alibaba include:

• It allows you to work directly with Chinese manufacturers and order private-label production.
• Communication with sellers: you can negotiate prices and terms, including payment methods.
• Significant discounts when ordering large quantities.

We recommend exploring Alibaba if you are interested in large-scale wholesale. The site is available in English and offers conversion to USD.

Taobao

Taobao, part of the Alibaba Group, is focused on individual purchases but also has wholesale options. You will need to contact sellers to clarify whether they work with MOQ, which can be challenging if you don’t know Chinese.

Pay close attention to the listed prices to determine whether they are retail or wholesale. The platform allows direct communication with suppliers, so you can negotiate. If you plan to order a large batch, many sellers can offer individual discounts or favorable terms. They are always ready to negotiate, even though the main focus is retail. Access a vast range of products, including exclusive or unique items.

JD.com

JD.com has a special section for wholesale buyers where you can purchase goods in bulk at discounted prices. Available products include electronics, clothing, household items, and more. There is no direct delivery like on AliExpress. However, JD offers logistics within China, so you can ship goods to a warehouse and then arrange delivery from China to Ukraine.

Vivo

This is a replacement for AliExpress in Ukraine if you specialize in selling electronics from China. For large purchases, the company offers business partnerships for resellers and distributors. Wholesale discounts are available for those interested in resale. Buying electronics directly is more cost-effective than purchasing through intermediaries on AliExpress or other marketplaces.

Why Sites Like AliExpress Can Be Problematic

DiFFreight clients have faced the following issues:

• Language barrier: Domestic marketplaces often lack an interface, even in English, making it impossible to study terms.
• Complex price monitoring: It’s unclear who offers the best price, when to expect discounts, how to obtain coupons for wholesale, etc.
• Quality control: It’s difficult to inspect goods without being in China, and waiting for a test batch takes time.

In such cases, it’s worth finding an intermediary to organize the purchasing process. We offer comprehensive services from purchasing by link to sourcing suppliers in China according to specific requirements. Our procurement department not only negotiates in Chinese but also conducts price comparisons.

Another option from DiFFreight is product inspection at the warehouse. If the supplier doesn’t have test samples, you can order a minimum batch. We will inspect the goods, note all characteristics, and compile a report with photos and videos. You will understand whether to order more without waiting for delivery.

Why AliExpress Is Unpopular for Business in 2025

Entrepreneurs actively seek AliExpress alternatives for several reasons:

• Savings: Even though it’s a global platform, the cost of goods has significantly increased. The same product from the domestic market costs much more on Ali, making wholesale purchases unprofitable. Delivery costs have also risen.
• Market oversaturation: Due to its user-friendly interface and availability in Ukrainian, everyone buys on AliExpress. Products become uncompetitive.
• Changes in return and buyer protection policies: These policies are not always beneficial for businesses, especially for large volumes. When ordering in bulk, returns happen inevitably, but they lower the seller’s rating. This is why many avoid wholesale orders.
• Low quality: AliExpress features many intermediaries who buy from factories and resell to other countries. Quality control is minimal, leading to defects.
• Chinese and international brands on AliExpress are almost always resellers. It is more profitable to search directly for the supplier’s store.

DiFFreight helps you purchase goods in China from your choice of the domestic marketplace or find a specific item with the required characteristics — full-service purchase and delivery. Working directly with suppliers and factories allows you to:

• Expand your online store’s range with unique products unavailable to competitors.
• Select items after receiving test samples/order custom manufacturing.
• Make purchases at the most favorable prices.

Sign up for a consultation with DiFFreight experts to get the best terms for your business!