Last Updated on January 26, 2022
Very recently, shopping was a ritual: people got together in families, dressed specially for this purpose, chose which shops to go to, and how much time to spend. Shopping for many was a holiday, leisure, fun, a good way to relax and eat out somewhere around.
Now, most of the purchases have moved online, and almost every week we read about another chain of stores that is forced to close the doors to customers forever.
But itâs not for the Greatest of the Greatest. Aliexpress and Taobao are the two whales, on which the whole online shopping world is based, and the most common thing about them is their offer for non-limited online shopping with cheapest prices. You probably heard of them? They both are originally from China, trying to conquer the world. And you know, they do it!
But there are numerous big and small differences between them, which weâre going to review right now, and this competition âAliExpress versus TaoBaoâ is more serious than you think. Check it yourself.
What Is AliExpress?
There isnât a single more famous, large and widespread online store in the world that allows you to buy goods with delivery from China, except AliExpress. This trading platform seeks to do literally everything that is possible at all, as long as people buy some goods with its help, finding it the best and most attractive in its class. More than 10 million goods can be bought in this online store, and this is already done by almost everyone around the world.
However, it happened that the delivery of certain goods took several weeks or even months, so the administration of the store understood that such a problem existed, so they considered it necessary to finally solve it.
This was done, and from now on, any items, regardless of their price, are delivered to buyers exclusively by air, while it was decided to partly abandon delivery by trains and ships. The pre-shipping idea of ordering is a helper, so in the USA and Europe there were built some special warehouses for this, so a buyer can pre-order there first.
Speak of statistics all over the world, Alibaba Groupâs strongest international child has something to show:
In addition, there appeared more cargo transportation services, and the ability to combine purchases into one package, which is way too comfortable for offices, companies and families.
Despite the situation in India, AliExpress found a way to transfer purchases and to win this game, speaking of online shipping (and shopping đ).
What is Taobao?
A characteristic feature of the original taobao.com is its focus on China’s domestic market.
They have it all for Chinese people. And you should believe that Chinese people will do their best for themselves.
As a result, the entire interface of the site is made in Chinese and just very recently they made it possible to sign up using English, so the registration procedure allows the use of English only, which became so cosy for the expats in China, who donât know Chinese, but still have to live somehow.
That is why working with Taobao without intermediaries is extremely problematic and requires translation into different languages using specialized services.
Lack of services for official translation led to the increase of intermediaries who can help with registration and purchasing. And some people really want to start ordering from TaoBao, because some products seem a bit cheaper than AliExpressâ products. (What?? Even cheaper price?)
But why? It is the same holding, the same company. Whatâs the reason for competing?
Just watch below.
Aliexpress versus Taobao in 2021 (Summary)
Letâs have a look at the table comparing Aliexpress and Taobao in the same categories.
The information below was updated in AUGUST, 2021.
| AliExpress | Taobao | |
|---|---|---|
| Pricing | Offers cheapest prices youâre ever likely to find elsewhere;fixed prices | Offers lowest prices on Chinese-branded and unbranded goods;prices are negotiable |
| Product range | Wide range of products, which includes clothing, home stuff, healthcare things and even food; especially huge assortment of electronic things. | Large range of different things from jewelry and cosmetics to house appliances for interior design and more |
| Shipping cost | Cost depends on the location you choose for a deliveryAliExpress Standard Shipping offers free shipping in some situations | Cost depends on the location you choose for a delivery |
| Buyer protection | Buyer policy includes refunds and returns if something is wrong | Buyer policy includes protection against scams |
| Sellers | Always has contacts of sellers and feedbacks with ratings | Always has contacts of sellers and feedbacks with ratings |
| Service | AliExpress Dispute System handles all the situations with refunds, returns, sellers and buyers | TaoBao Customer Service available everyday 7/0 to solve all the problems that might happen |
| Promotions | There is an application that can be used wherever | There is an application that can be used wherever |
Taobao vs Aliexpress – Where Is the Price Better
The pricing on the two platforms can be very different and what we can do right now is just to compare the lowest prices. Is it really possible to buy something for a change in a pocket?
Letâs see the prices for earphones: the first picture is from Aliexpress’ website. You can buy them for 20.40$ + 1.20$ for Shipping= 23$
The second picture is Taobaoâs: almost 14-29$ for the same ones + we also should remember about the shipping cost, which is not mentioned.
Itâs very important to remind you, that on AliExpress, as well as on other marketplaces, you can stumble upon a âfake discountâ: the price is first overstated and then understated, and you can always use a handy helper to find the best price to check its honesty.
The first one – Taobao:
AliExpressâ is below:
Key difference: you see it yourself. Really similar purchase – really different digits.
Conclusion: AliExpress is way cheaper, even with shipping included.
Product range
Basically you can find any AliExpress item on Taobao and vice versa. Some particular things can be different, but mostly itâs similar.
Now I would like to review bedsheets. Letâs have a look: AliExpress has a different range of products, but mostly you can find very cheap offers, and itâs not likely to find high prices, you see?
Something from 4$ to 40$ – and itâs not only on the first page. But when I go deeper I donât really know about the quality of the sheets. I just leave it for the chance.
The situation with Taobao is quite different: there are more honest prices and theyâre really higher – from 12$ to 430$ on this screenshot. I guess, the quality should also be better, but at the end of the day we never know.
Key difference: experience of living in China tells me that they only import good stuff for themselves and they always try to leave the best things to stay inside of their country. (this is The Secret of their success, write it down đ)
Conclusion: Iâm not surprised that AliExpress has lower prices, meanwhile Taobao mostly thinks about the quality, which is not 100% true, but Iâd think that.
Shipping cost
Two absolutely the same doors. Have a look: Taobao has it for 92$-111$ + shipping.
AliExpress has it for 20$… PLUS 271$ (yes, look down) for shipping. Itâs equal to almost 300$ for a door.
Key difference: Thatâs interesting, because probably itâs all about how you connect with delivery companies. The main difference is AliExpress gives you an opportunity to have a delivery by default, and Taobao is cheaper, but there is no way to find this contact of delivery if you donât know Chinese.
You can always talk to Chinish (Chinese English) speaking sellers, but do you really wanna spend time? Well, time is money, but you can try. Let me know after.
Conclusion: Iâd say Taobao is good for the price, but AliExpress is better for letting me relax.
Buyer protection
Buyer protection on AliExpress works like the clock. Literally, they always would remind their customer about the time, so buyers always know what happens to their money and time and where they can apply for extension of any period.
An important note: if you have any problems with refunding the money paid, you may go by the following link: https://alitools.io/en/blog/how-to-get-a-refund-on-aliexpress/ – there is all the information about AliExpress Service, how it works and how they can help you. They are on the phones everyday, no weekends.
Taobao buyersâ protection is quite the same: they also care about a client first, so there is a special âFundâ as an intermediary between a seller and a buyer and the money for a purchase comes to the Fund first. After the client has delivered his order, the money is automatically transferred to the seller.
Key difference: At this point, they both have it all for a customer. The complicated thing is translation and way of talking about the things. AliExpressâ Service is more international-minded, focusing on export.
Service employers in the section of Buyer Protection must know English and have good communication skills to make a great conversation with any party on the platform. So their messages and marketing team also focuses on Us-European vision of communicating. Taobao is the insider, so misunderstanding is more likely to happen.
Conclusion: Buyer Protection on AliExpress is closer to people outside China.
Sellers
AliExpress has a lot of ways to measure a seller to let a customer know that itâs a good decision to buy from this one. There are a lot of ratings on AliExpress, as well as Taobao, you just should know where they are located and read feedback carefully.
Both AliExpress and Taobao try their best to prevent a customer from scamming, bullying and fake mail or account attacks.
But on the internet (and Iâm not discovering America right now) fake accounts and fake messages do still exist and the best way to keep yourself away from it is to have a communication with the Service on the official page https://alitools.io/en/blog/is-aliexpress-safe-legit/ and make your purchases be as safe as itâs possible.
Well, letâs have a look. Sometimes they can mail you convincing you need a verification for some reason. But why would AliExpress need your verification for the second time? Ask yourself, reflect, donât do immediate moves. Text Support from the site or inside the application.
Sometimes the sender address might be very suspicious. So, read everything, donât click the links without a precise understanding of what they want from you. Protect yourself first, and AliExpress can also protect you well.
Speaking of Taobao, itâs all the same, but there is a different thing. (continuing the topic of buyer protection, because all the sections are in the tight connection with each other)
Taobao has a table with all the marks of a seller’s reliability and feedback system. Very comfortable.
Key difference: no bright differences, scammers are everywhere.
Conclusion: Be careful always.
Service
Service System in Taobao supports both Chinese and English languages; Chinese is a priority, but a customer with only English skills will anyway have a reply from the team, so any problem can be solved.
AliExpress Support has no priority language having working stuff all over the world. You may ask questions about shipping, complain and have an objective discussion in order to solve a problem.
Key difference: Service in Taobao has less opportunities for Chinese non-speaking people.
Conclusion: AliExpress as an international opportunity is a win.
Promotions
Discounts are a very usual situation on AliExpress, so itâs not very hard to encounter some percent off your purchase. Have a look following this link https://alitools.io/en/blog/aliexpress-points-what-they-are-how-to-get-and-where-to-use-them/ , there is more information about how a customer can get their discount and how it can be used.
Taobao also has discounts and sales, itâs a common situation for every platform, so just letâs have a look:
Key difference: Chinese way of marketing has always been focused on letting their customers know about discounts, holiday presents, sales, so AliExpress and Taobao are similar at this point.
Conclusion: The only thing different is a national one: Chinese holidays are less in numbers, thatâs why on Taobao you can less often find some discount, compared to the international AliExpress, which every day has some sales in some countries.
Lastly, what’s the difference between Taobao and Aliexpress?
The greatest similarities between AliExpress and Taobao are the huge Service Support and strong Buyer Protection. Despite all the bullies around the platforms, Alibabaâs applications do their best to have a great deal with you and to make you a happy customer. As well as to make you a happy seller, if you are the other party.
Why does Taobao VERSUS AliExpress?
First of all, the quality of goods on the platforms might be different, though prices also vary. AliExpress has way lower prices and also has a delivery option to any country by default, meanwhile Taobao only has the default one within China.
Second of all, they are made of the same technologies, but they are made FOR different target audiences. Taobao is amazing if you live in China. Itâs more comfortable and faster. AliExpress is amazing, when you live in all the other countries, because itâs made for export.
So, even when we say that China is the second largest country on the globe, the whole other world is larger in total.
FAQ
Is Taobao the same as AliExpress?
They are not the same, because they have absolutely different target audiences.
Taobao is cheaper than AliExpress?
No, mostly more expensive, because AliExpressâ aim is to have a wide international circles of circles of people who buy and sell.
How to find Aliexpress items on Taobao?
You just go to AliExpress first, copy the name, translate it into Chinese (especially, if you use an application) and paste it into Taobao. You can do the same vice versa as well.
