Last Updated on January 26, 2022
Choosing between AliExpress and Wish isn’t a matter of personal preference if you are looking for an e-commerce platform for business purposes. You need to consider the type of shopping (retail or wholesale), financial aspects, shipment, and many other factors. In this article, we offer a detailed Wish vs AliExpress comparison to help you choose the right option.
Definition of AliExpress
AliExpress is a world-famous e-commerce platform that offers a wide variety of goods in different categories at affordable prices. The prices are rather low as the products are mostly made in Chinese factories, where the labor is pretty cheap. In order to protect customers against scams, the marketplace offers an extensive buyer protection policy.
Owner: Alibaba Group
Location: China
Major markets: China, the USA, Russia, Canada
Definition of Wish
Initially, Wish was a platform where users can create wish-lists and then buy products in third-party’s shops. Now it is an online marketplace that distributes numerous goods at discounted prices. Unlike AliExpress, it deals with sellers globally and distributes the products to the USA and Europe.
Owner: ContextLogic Inc
Location: USA
Major markets: United States, Brazil, France, the United Kingdom
What Is the Difference Between Wish and AliExpress?
In order to compare AliExpress vs. Wish, we have carried out extensive research. As a result, we managed to assess the key parameters of both platforms that should help you to decide which one suits you more. Each parameter will be covered in more detail later in the article.
| AliExpress | Wish | |
| Pricing | Fixed, Low | Fixed, Slightly Higher |
| MOQ (Minimum Order Quantity) | No | No |
| Startup Costs | Low or No | Slightly Higher |
| B2B/B2C | B2B/B2C | B2B/B2C |
| Dropshipping | Yes | No |
| Shipping cost | Free, Low | Low |
| Private Labeling | No | No |
| Buyer protection | Yes | Yes |
| Wholesaling | No | No |
| Lead Time | No | No |
| Service | The Seller | The Seller |
Method of Evaluation
When carrying out the research, we have evaluated eleven parameters. These are the key differentiators that help to analyze each platform and determine major pros and cons. Here are the factors we focused on:
- Pricing – fixed or negotiable
- MOQ (Minimum Order Quantity) – exists or not
- Startup Costs – high, low, or none
- B2B/B2C – target audience
- Dropshipping – direct-to-consumer shipping
- Shipping costs – the average shipping pricing
- Private Labeling – possibility to add branding
- Buyer protection – takes place or not
- Wholesaling – possible or not
- Lead Time – the time of production
- Service – who is responsible for fulfillment
Pricing
The price is among the most important contributing factors when it comes to marketplaces. Obviously, the platform with a more lucrative offer wins.
AliExpress
AliExpress is famous for its low prices. For example, the Wired Stereo Bass headphones cost from $2.67 to $3.29.
Since there are many retailers on the platform, a customer can find the best offer for the chosen product. However, it may take quite some time to navigate the search or product recommendations and find the best price and a reliable manufacturer.
An auto tracker can help you with that: the software does all the tough work for you while you only look through the offers. Currently, Alitools provides the best auto tracker on the market. You can download one here.
Wish
Wish isn’t as cost-effective for customers as AliExpress. If we are to compare Wish vs. eBay vs. AliExpress, the first two would be more similar. Look at the same headphones: they cost $3.50 at a discount, while they used to be $15.
MOQ (Minimum Order Quantity)
MOQ or Minimum Order Quantity means the number of product items necessary for a seller to accept the order. Typically, the limitation applies to wholesale deals.
AliExpress
There are no MOQ restrictions on AliExpress. A customer is free to buy as many units as they want, whether it’s only one, ten, or one hundred. This suits those who don’t need bulk orders and want to get just a few t-shirts or something else.
Wish
Wish is similar to AliExpress in this regard: no MOQs are applied. Consumers merely select the goods and buy them – one or five, doesn’t matter. The maximum quantity specified in the cart, however, is fifty.
Startup Costs
Entrepreneurs always think about initial costs and try to reduce them as much as possible to lower the risks to a minimum.
AliExpress
AliExpress isn’t associated with any significant investments. Since there are no MOQ conditions to meet, a startup can order as many goods as necessary. To protect the business, one can only buy the product once the pre-payment is received.
Wish
The only reason why Wish is going to be more expensive and require a bigger budget is the higher prices. The thing is that Wish charges sellers a 10% commission, while AliExpress – only 5%. Therefore, the prices on Wish are slightly higher. Although it is insignificant when ordering one or two units, you will definitely feel it more if the number reaches 100 or more.
B2B/B2C
Target audience – consumers or businesses – affects the marketplace offer. In other words, the platform always provides better conditions for a group of targeted clients.
AliExpress
AliExpress is designed for the B2C segment. However, it’s also popular among small businesses that source goods on the platform. By the way, an entrepreneur may find rather lucrative bulk offers.
Wish
Comparing AliExpress press vs. Wish, the latter is probably more about B2C. Although some businesses do buy on Wish, the offers aren’t as appealing as on AliExpress.
Dropshipping
Dropshipping makes sense when the margin profit relies on goods reselling. It means that the seller sends the parcel directly to an end client. Such an option is rather convenient and cuts the delivery time.
AliExpress
AliExpress is a popular platform for those who seek dropshipping. Many entrepreneurs practice this activity by reselling AliExpress goods. One of the platform’s benefits is the possibility to ship from the USA, which takes much less time.
Wish
When comparing Wish vs. AliExpress, Reddit isn’t necessary: Wish doesn’t allow dropshipping. Therefore, the Chinese marketplace once again seems to be a better option for businesses.
Shipping Cost
The cost of shipping may become a determining factor when comparing a Wish App vs. AliExpress. After all, they may add up to a significant final price.
AliExpress
On AliExpress, users are likely to find free delivery. You can filter the goods that are shipped for free. In all other cases, the cost varies a lot. Standard delivery isn’t expensive, while the express one that takes 7-14 working days is much more expensive.
Wish
Wish offers many delivery options at different prices. There are standard and Wish Express shipping methods that are more expensive compared to Pickup Now – pick up in a nearby store (available for a limited number of goods).
All in all, Wish vs. AliExpress shipping times are pretty much the same. However, with Wish, you can get the goods faster because they are usually located in the USA, not China.
Private Labeling
Private labeling is the opportunity to customize the purchased products. Sometimes, the manufacturers are willing to add minor changes to the design if you order in bulk.
AliExpress
You won’t find private labeling on AliExpress as the goods are ready to be shipped. That’s why you have to suffice with the existing offer.
Wish
Here, Wish is completely the same as AliExpress. If you are looking for customization, you should compare AliExpress vs. Alibaba vs. Wish: Alibaba, being a marketplace full of manufacturers, provides a chance to get branded goods.
Buyer Protection
Purchasing goods online is always accompanied by an enhanced risk of scams. Buyer protection measures are implemented to reduce the risk of losing money because of unreliable sellers.
AliExpress
AliExpress boasts one-of-a-kind buyer protection. The platform guarantees a client a refund if the parcel isn’t delivered or if you received goods that aren’t as described. The platform also facilitates dispute resolution between sellers and customers.
Wish
Wish has pretty similar buyer protection policies: you can request a refund if the order never arrives or if it’s of poor quality. The customer support team always assists in complaint resolutions.
Wholesaling
Wholesaling is an opportunity to buy large quantities. Usually, it’s practiced by retailers that have many orders and need to store the goods to deliver them promptly.
AliExpress
If you seek wholesale offers, you may consider AliExpress. In case you manage to find really good prices or get a discount for a bulk order, everything is good. However, there is another [MOU1] Chinese marketplace that offers far better prices – ALibaba.
Wish
On Wish, the maximum number of units you can get is 50. Therefore, it’s hardly possible to call it a wholesale offer. All in all, the platform offers more lucrative conditions and discounts for single items.
Lead Time
Lead time is a synonym for production time. It indicates the time it takes for the product to be manufactured after a client pays for the order. Lead time is an important factor as it extends the waiting time until the parcel arrives.
AliExpress
AliExpress sellers send the goods almost recently. Since no customization is involved, the products don’t need to be altered. They are just stored, waiting for customers to make an order.
Wish
Once again, there is no difference between Wish and AliExpress: Wish offers ready-made goods; that’s why lead time isn’t included in the waiting period.
Service
We also evaluated the e-commerce platforms in terms of service. The parameter indicates who is responsible for fulfillment.
AliExpress
If you deal with AliExpress, all you need is to provide the shipping address. The seller will organize the delivery.
Wish
The same applies to Wish. A client doesn’t arrange the delivery. This is the seller’s responsibility.
Conclusion
Wish or AliExpress? This is solely your choice that depends on your needs. Wish is the best option if you need:
- Fast delivery for US clients
- High-quality goods that aren’t only from Asian manufacturers
- Lucrative deals
At the same time, AliExpress is for those who look for:
- Low prices
- Large quantities of goods
- Dropshipping
All in all, the platforms are rather similar. They are predominantly geared for the B2C segment, while both can be used for dropshipping purposes. There is no wholesaling, lead time, private labeling. The startup costs are rather low, and the shipping ones vary. Which of these will become the key differentiator is up to you.
Is Wish Safer Than AliExpress?
When comparing AliExpress vs Wish, the latter is typically safer to order from. The reason is that sellers aren’t only located in China but also around the globe.
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