8 Best Cheap Shopping Apps Like AliExpress in 2025

Table of contents

If you’re in the business of selling online, whether you’re a wholesaler, dropshipper, or product supplier, platform choice can make or break your margins. While AliExpress has long been a go-to marketplace, a new wave of budget-friendly shopping apps is changing the landscape in 2025. These platforms offer global reach, flexible seller terms, and increasingly sophisticated logistics solutions, making them worthy contenders for any e-commerce strategy. In this article, we’ve rounded up 8 of the best cheap shopping apps like AliExpress that sellers should have on their radar this year.

>> See more:

1. Temu

Temu is a fast-growing e-commerce platform launched in 2022 by PDD Holdings that mirrors AliExpress’s model of offering low-cost products directly from Chinese manufacturers. Its vast catalog spans fashion, electronics, and home goods, appealing to budget-conscious shoppers worldwide. As one of the top cheap apps like AliExpress, Temu emphasizes affordability and global shipping, but it stands out with aggressive discounts and a polished app interface. Its rapid rise in markets like the US and Europe makes it a strong competitor, with a focus on trendy, impulse-buy items. The platform’s buyer protection and return policies also rival AliExpress’s, enhancing its appeal.

App store rating: ⭐4.7(1,744,534 reviews)

Google play rating: ⭐4.6(7,804,281 reviews)

App Features:

User Interface: Sleek and modern, with vibrant visuals and a mobile-first design that emphasizes product discovery through curated trending sections and personalized feeds tailored to user browsing history.
Gamification: Engaging spin-the-wheel promotions for discounts, daily check-in rewards (e.g., free shipping coupons), and a referral program offering free items or $10-$20 coupons for inviting friends.
Search and Filters: Advanced search with filters for price, category, shipping speed, customer ratings, and deal type (e.g., flash sales), plus AI-driven suggestions for related products.
Payment Methods: Accepts credit/debit cards, PayPal, Apple Pay, Google Pay, and Klarna for installment payments in select regions; secure checkout with 3D Secure authentication.

Unique Offering: Emphasis on trendy, ultra-low-cost items like $0.50 phone cases, $3 t-shirts, and quirky home gadgets, paired with a gamified shopping experience that encourages impulse purchases.

>> Explore: 11 Cheap Shopping Apps Like Temu But Better in 2025

2. Wish

Wish is a popular e-commerce app that’s a lot like AliExpress—it’s all about scoring great deals on super affordable products, mostly from China. With its fun, discovery-style shopping experience and frequent flash sales, it’s a favorite among bargain hunters around the world. You’ll find everything from trendy clothes to quirky gadgets, all without needing to hit a minimum order. Designed with mobile shoppers in mind and offering worldwide shipping, Wish is a go-to for anyone who loves finding a good deal. Just like with AliExpress, product quality and delivery times can be a bit of a mixed bag, so it’s smart to check reviews before you buy.

App store rating: ⭐4.7(2,338,545 reviews)

Google play rating: ⭐4.7(14,448,711 reviews)

App Features:

User Interface: Bold and scroll-heavy, designed for endless browsing with colorful product tiles and a “deal dash” section highlighting time-limited discounts.
Gamification: Features “Blitz Buy” wheel spins for extra savings, daily login bonuses (e.g., 10% off coupons), and social sharing rewards for inviting friends to join.
Search and Filters: Intuitive search with filters for price, category, shipping cost, and user reviews; includes a “Wish Clips” video feature to showcase products in action.
Payment Methods: Supports credit/debit cards, PayPal, Google Pay, and Afterpay in some regions; offers one-tap checkout for registered users.

Unique Offering: A fun, scroll-heavy interface that promotes impulse buying through daily deals and visually engaging product feeds, ideal for casual shoppers seeking quirky, low-cost finds.

3. DHgate

DHgate is a B2B and B2C marketplace connecting buyers with Chinese wholesalers. The platform offers a product range similar to AliExpress, including electronics, fashion, and jewelry. Its focus on low prices and bulk purchasing options makes it a favorite for both individual shoppers and dropshippers. As many wholesale apps like AliExpress, DHgate provides global shipping and buyer protection, with a vast selection of affordable goods. Its wholesale model allows for competitive pricing, though counterfeit risks require careful seller vetting, akin to AliExpress.

App store rating: ⭐4.2(525,981 reviews)

Google play rating: ⭐4.5(521,927 reviews)

App Features:

User Interface: Functional and business-oriented, with a clean layout prioritizing bulk deals, supplier profiles, and product categories for wholesale buyers.
Gamification: Offers “Deal of the Day” promotions, loyalty points for frequent purchases, and referral discounts for sharing the app with new users.
Search and Filters: Robust search with filters for price, MOQ (minimum order quantity), shipping method, seller rating, and verified suppliers; includes a “Request for Quotation” tool for bulk orders.
Payment Methods: Accepts credit/debit cards, PayPal, wire transfers, and Western Union; escrow payment system holds funds until delivery is confirmed.
Unique Offering: Strong focus on wholesale and bulk purchasing, making it ideal for businesses and dropshippers seeking lower per-unit costs than AliExpress’s retail-heavy model.

4. Banggood

Banggood is a global direct-to-consumer online retailer founded in 2006 in Guangzhou, China, by Aaron Chen. It offers a wide range of well-selected, cost-effective products sourced directly from manufacturers, covering over 30 categories with more than 100,000 suppliers worldwide. Its warehouses in the US, UK, and Europe enable faster delivery for some regions, addressing a common AliExpress pain point.

Banggood’s mission is to provide affordable products without compromising quality, reflected in its slogan: “a good life doesn’t cost a fortune.” It has expanded beyond its own platform by selling on third-party apps like AliExpress, eBay, Amazon, and has launched related brands targeting different market segments

App store rating: ⭐4.7(43,185 reviews)

Google play rating: ⭐4.6(425,159 reviews)

App Features:

User Interface: Tech-focused and streamlined, with a dark-themed design, quick-access menus for electronics, and spotlight sections for new arrivals and top brands.
Gamification: Includes “Lucky Draw” games for coupons, points-based rewards for reviews and purchases, and affiliate bonuses for promoting products.
Search and Filters: Detailed search with filters for price, category, warehouse location, shipping speed, and verified sellers; features a “Hot Deals” tab for trending discounts.
Payment Methods: Supports credit/debit cards, PayPal, Klarna, and Boleto (in Brazil); offers secure SSL-encrypted checkout.

Unique Offering: Faster shipping from regional warehouses and a strong emphasis on electronics and gadgets, appealing to tech enthusiasts seeking quicker delivery than AliExpress.

5. LightInTheBox

LightInTheBox is a Chinese retailer offering a streamlined shopping experience similar to AliExpress, with low-priced apparel, gadgets, and home goods. Its global reach and direct-from-manufacturer model ensure competitive pricing, attracting budget shoppers worldwide. Like AliExpress, it supports dropshipping and provides free shipping on many items, though its product range is slightly narrower. The app’s focus on mobile discounts and user-friendly navigation makes it a compelling alternative for casual buyers.

App store rating: ⭐4.5(53,879 reviews)

Google play rating: ⭐4.5(292,756 reviews)

App Features:

User Interface: Minimalist and fashion-forward, with high-quality product images, a focus on curated collections, and a “Daily Deals” carousel for quick purchases.
Gamification: Offers “Lucky Bag” mystery discounts, seasonal coupon drops, and loyalty rewards for repeat purchases or social media engagement.
Search and Filters: Efficient search with filters for price, size, color, shipping method, and customer reviews; includes a “You May Like” section for personalized suggestions.
Payment Methods: Accepts credit/debit cards, PayPal, and wire transfers; supports split payments via Klarna in select regions.

Unique Offering: A curated selection of trendy fashion and home decor, with frequent app-only discounts that encourage mobile shopping over AliExpress’s broader, less curated catalog.

6. Joom

Joom is a global marketplace offering affordable products like clothing, electronics, and home goods, closely aligned with AliExpress’s low-price, high-variety model. Its focus on daily shopping needs and free shipping on many items makes it popular in Europe and Russia. Like AliExpress, Joom supports global shipping and small orders, with a user-friendly app that emphasizes affordability. Its curated product feed and promotions make it appealing for casual shoppers.

App store rating: ⭐4.7(67,111 reviews)

Google play rating: ⭐4.4(3,622,223 reviews)

App Features:

User Interface: Bright and curated, with a social media-like feed, short product videos, and a “Daily Drops” section for limited-time offers.
Gamification: Features “Joom Coins” for purchases and reviews, redeemable for discounts, plus referral bonuses and interactive quizzes for coupons.
Search and Filters: Smart search with filters for price, category, shipping method, and user ratings; includes a “Live Shopping” feature for real-time deals.
Payment Methods: Accepts credit/debit cards, PayPal, Google Pay, and local payment methods (e.g., iDEAL in the Netherlands); secure checkout with regional options.

Unique Offering: A curated, mobile-first shopping experience with a focus on daily essentials and trendy items, popular in Europe for its localized promotions and faster regional shipping compared to AliExpress.

7. Shein

Shein is a global fast-fashion e-commerce app like AliExpress founded in 2008, mirrors AliExpress with its low-cost, trendy products, primarily sourced from China. Specializing in women’s clothing but also offering men’s apparel, accessories, and home goods, Shein appeals to budget-conscious shoppers worldwide as apps like AliExpress. Its direct-from-manufacturer model ensures competitive pricing, and its global shipping to over 150 countries aligns with AliExpress’s broad reach. Shein’s mobile app, with a focus on flash sales and social media engagement, rivals AliExpress’s affordability and variety, though it emphasizes fashion over AliExpress’s broader catalog.

App store rating: ⭐4.6(1,100,851 reviews)

Google play rating: ⭐4.0(6,425,562 reviews)

App Features:

User Interface: Vibrant and trend-driven, with a TikTok-inspired layout featuring high-quality fashion imagery, personalized style quizzes, and a “New Arrivals” feed updated daily with thousands of items.
Gamification: Offers “Shein Points” for reviews, purchases, and social media engagement, redeemable for discounts; includes “Money Tree” challenges and daily check-in rewards for coupons or free items.
Search and Filters: Robust search with filters for price, size, color, style (e.g., boho, streetwear), shipping speed, and customer ratings; features AI-driven “Style Match” for similar looks and size recommendation tools.
Payment Methods: Accepts credit/debit cards, PayPal, Afterpay (pay in 4 installments), Klarna, and local payment methods (e.g., iDEAL in the Netherlands); secure checkout with encryption.

Unique Offering: A laser focus on fast fashion with daily drops of thousands of trendy, ultra-affordable clothing items, enhanced by social media integration and style personalization, catering to Gen Z and Millennials more than AliExpress’s generalist approach.

>> You may also like: 15 Best Clothing Apps Like Shein in 2025

8. eBay

eBay is a global online marketplace since 1995, resembles AliExpress by offering a vast range of affordable products, from electronics to fashion, through a mix of individual sellers and businesses. Like AliExpress, it supports global shipping and appeals to bargain hunters seeking low prices, often through auctions or direct purchases. Its diverse catalog and buyer protection policies align with AliExpress’s model, though eBay’s auction system and second-hand goods focus set it apart. The app’s robust search and bidding features make it a strong alternative for deal-seekers.

App store rating: ⭐4.8(4,783,310 reviews)

Google play rating: ⭐4.7(4,902,173 reviews)

App Features:

User Interface: Clean and professional, with a modular design showcasing trending deals, saved searches, and a “Watching” tab for tracking auctions; personalized home feed based on browsing history.
Gamification: Features “eBay Bucks” rewards for eligible purchases, redeemable as discounts, plus daily deals and bidding countdowns that gamify the auction experience.
Search and Filters: Advanced search with filters for price, condition (new/used), auction vs. buy-it-now, shipping options, seller rating, and location; includes a barcode scanner for in-store price comparisons.
Payment Methods: Accepts PayPal, credit/debit cards, Apple Pay, Google Pay, and local methods (e.g., SEPA in Europe); secure escrow for high-value items via eBay’s payment system.

Unique Offering: A unique auction-based shopping model alongside fixed-price listings, with a strong emphasis on second-hand, collectible, and vintage items, offering more variety in niche markets than AliExpress’s primarily new, mass-produced goods.

In a rapidly evolving digital marketplace, sellers who stay ahead of platform trends are the ones who scale smarter. These 8 affordable apps like AliExpress offer fresh ways to grow your brand, streamline operations, and connect with global buyers at scale. But why stop at using these platforms—what if you could own one? If you’re serious about building your own marketplace app with the power and reach of AliExpress, partner with SimiCart. We’ll help you launch a feature-rich, seller-first mobile app that puts you in control of your own e-commerce ecosystem. Start your journey with SimiCart today—and turn your vision into the next big sales channel.

>> Contact us now!