Temu vs AliExpress: Which Better for Dropshipping in 2025
For dropshipping industry, AliExpress has long been the top choice for dropshippers. However, the recent rise of Temu is changing this landscape. Temu’s lower prices and faster shipping are attracting sellers worldwide. Temu Vs AliExpress, which is the better dropshipping platform?
In this article, DailyFulfill will detail the key differences between Temu vs AliExpress to help you choose the best solution for your dropshipping business.
Quick answer is :You can find very cheap prices on Temu. But for dropshipping, AliExpress is better in more ways.
AliExpress has more dropshipping tools and more products. It also connects with more stores. This helps you grow your business. Temu has cheaper prices and ships faster. This is good for people who are just starting. It is also good for testing new products. AliExpress lets you talk to suppliers and makes orders automatic. Temu needs you to handle orders by yourself. Temu usually ships faster if you want quick delivery. But AliExpress gives you more ways to ship. AliExpress is better for special products. It also helps more with dropshipping.
Here is a quick comparison:
Feature | AliExpress (Preferred) | Temu (Less Preferred) |
|---|---|---|
Dropshipping Support | Yes, with special tools | No official help |
Product Catalog | Over 500 million products | Smaller, trendy things |
Integrations | Strong and works well | Very few |
Packaging | No brand, easy to resell | Has brand, not great |
Dropshipping Comparison
Quick Summary
If you want to start dropshipping, you want things to be simple. AliExpress gives you more tools and better help. It also connects right to big online stores. Temu has very low prices and cool new products. But Temu is good for shopping for yourself or trying new things. Most dropshippers still pick AliExpress because it is easier.
Here’s a quick look at how they compare:
Feature | AliExpress | Temu |
|---|---|---|
Dropshipping Support | Has a Dropshipping Center and free research tools. Connects to stores easily. | No dropshipping help. You need to do extra work. |
Platform Integration | Works well with Shopify, WooCommerce, Amazon, and eBay. | Does not connect to dropshipping stores. |
Product Variety | Has over 100 million products in many categories. | Has fewer items. Most are trendy and cheap. |
Pricing | Prices are good. You can get discounts and coupons. | Prices are very low. Free shipping, but you must order a minimum amount. |
Shipping | Many shipping choices. Delivery takes 7-30 days. | Orders are processed fast. Shipping is 7-15 days, but not many choices. |
Buyer Protection | You can return items in 15 days. Buyer protection is strong. | You can return items in 90 days. Buyer protection is strong. |
Supplier Transparency | You can see seller ratings, feedback, and history. | You do not see much about sellers. Temu controls the orders. |
Customer Support | You can contact support in many ways, but it is slow. | You get 24/7 live chat. Support answers faster. |
Tip: If you want dropshipping to be easy, use AliExpress. You get more control, more choices, and better tools for your business.
Key Differences
There are some big differences between Temu vs AliExpress for dropshipping. AliExpress was made for dropshippers. It has a Dropshipping Center and free tools. You can connect your store and import products. You can also manage orders without much work.
Temu does not have these features. You cannot connect your store to Temu. You must use other services to dropship from Temu. This makes things harder and slower. Temu also controls the suppliers more. You cannot pick or talk to them as much.
AliExpress lets you see seller ratings and feedback. You can also see their history. This helps you find good suppliers and avoid problems. Temu does not show much about sellers. You do not know who you buy from.
For shipping, Temu sometimes sends orders faster. But AliExpress has more shipping choices and better tracking. Both sites protect buyers, but Temu lets you return things for 90 days. AliExpress only gives you 15 days.
If you want a platform that helps with dropshipping from start to finish, AliExpress is better. You get more tools, more information, and more ways to grow your business.
Product Range
Variety
When you want to dropship, you need many choices. AliExpress has a huge selection of products. You can find almost anything there. Temu has fewer products, but it covers more types of categories. Here’s a quick look at how they compare:
Platform | Approximate Number of Products (SKUs) | Number of Product Categories |
|---|---|---|
AliExpress | Over 100 million | 18 |
Temu | Around 10 million | 33 |
AliExpress is great if you want a big catalog. There are over 100 million products. You can always find something new or special for your store. Temu has about 10 million products, so there are fewer choices. But Temu has more categories. You might find new trends faster on Temu, especially in fashion, home, and beauty.
Tip: If you want to try many products or need something special, AliExpress is the best choice. If you like trending items or want to try new categories, Temu helps you see what is popular.
Trends
Dropshipping trends change quickly. In 2024, both platforms have some top trends:
Sustainability and eco-friendly products, like reusable bags and energy-saving gadgets.
Smart tech, such as smart home devices and wearables.
Health and wellness, like fitness gear and organic skincare.
Customization, such as personalized gifts and custom jewelry.
Home office essentials, like ergonomic chairs and wireless accessories.
Temu is popular with younger shoppers because of low prices and trendy items. Temu also ships faster in North America and Europe. This helps you get new products to customers quickly. AliExpress still has the biggest catalog and easy dropshipping tools. But Temu’s new style is making things interesting. If you want to stay ahead, watch both platforms for new trends and fast-selling products.
Pricing
Costs
When you look at costs, Temu stands out for its super low prices. You can find items for less than $1. Temu keeps prices low by working directly with factories and offering free shipping. You often see deep discounts and deals that make products even cheaper. This makes Temu a great place if you want to test new products or try dropshipping with a small budget.
AliExpress works a bit differently. Sellers pay a commission fee, usually between 5% and 8%. This can make prices a little higher than Temu. But you get more options to negotiate with suppliers, especially if you plan to buy in bulk. Sometimes, you can get a better deal on AliExpress if you talk to the right seller or order more items.
Here’s a quick look at how the two compare:
Temu: Ultra-low prices, lots of discounts, free shipping, but less room to negotiate.
AliExpress: Prices can be higher, but you can negotiate and get bulk discounts.
Tip: If you want the lowest price for a single item, Temu usually wins. If you plan to scale up and order more, AliExpress gives you more flexibility.
Margins
Profit margins matter a lot in dropshipping. Temu’s low prices mean you can set higher markups, especially when you sell trending or impulse-buy items. Many dropshippers see bigger margins on small orders from Temu because the costs are so low. But Temu’s prices can change fast, and sometimes items go out of stock quickly.
AliExpress gives you more control as you grow. You can talk to suppliers, ask for better prices, and get deals on bigger orders. This helps you keep your profit margins steady as your business gets bigger. Experts say you should aim for margins between 20% and 40% no matter which platform you use.
Temu: Best for high margins on small, trendy products.
AliExpress: Better for steady margins and scaling your business.
Keep an eye on both platforms. Prices and margins can change, so always check before you list a new product.
Shipping
Speed
How fast you ship is very important. Your customers want their orders fast. Temu usually ships faster than AliExpress. This is true for the US and Europe. Temu uses local warehouses to help ship quickly. Most Temu orders in the US come in 5 to 10 days. In Europe, it takes about 10 to 21 days. Temu also has express shipping. Express can get packages to the US in just 4 days.
AliExpress is often slower. Standard shipping from AliExpress takes 15 to 45 days. The time depends on the seller and shipping method. You can use express shipping with DHL or FedEx. Express costs more money. Here is a table to show the difference:
Platform | Shipping Type | US Shipping Time | Europe Shipping Time | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Temu | Standard | 5-10 days | 10-21 days | Local warehouses speed up delivery |
Temu | Express | 4-11 days | N/A | Costs more, but much faster |
AliExpress | Standard | 15-45 days | 15-45 days | Slower, depends on seller and method |
AliExpress | Express | Faster (DHL/FedEx) | Faster (DHL/FedEx) | Costs extra, but speeds up delivery |
🚚 Tip: Temu is usually faster if you want quick shipping.
Costs
Shipping costs can lower your profits. Temu makes it easy with free shipping on most items. If your order is late, you get a $5 shipping credit. This helps you save money and keeps customers happy.
AliExpress has more shipping choices. The cost can change a lot. Standard shipping may be free or have a small fee. But it is slower. Faster shipping costs more. Some sellers offer premium shipping. Premium gets orders to customers in 7 to 15 days. But this costs extra.
Here is a quick table to compare:
Aspect | Temu | AliExpress |
|---|---|---|
Standard Shipping | 7-15 business days, mostly free | 15-35 days, cost varies by seller |
Expedited Shipping | 5-10 days, often free | 7-15 days, additional cost |
Shipping Cost | Generally free on most products | Varies, often extra fees for faster options |
Shipping Model | Centralized, bulk warehouses | Multiple sellers, variable methods |
Dropshipping Support | Not officially supported | Supports dropshipping integrations |
💡 Note: Temu is better for fast and cheap shipping. AliExpress gives you more choices and better dropshipping help. Pick what works best for your business.
Usability
Interface
Running a dropshipping store means you need an easy platform. Temu has a simple design made for phones. You can find products fast on the app. The app works well on your phone. If you like shopping on your phone, Temu is friendly and clean.
AliExpress looks harder to use at first. There are more menus and options. This is because it has more business features. It might feel confusing when you start. But you get used to it after some time. The extra tools help you handle many orders and products. If you want to grow your store, you may like these features.
Here’s a table to help you compare:
Feature Aspect | Temu | AliExpress |
|---|---|---|
Interface Style | Simple, mobile-first, easy to use | More complex, many features |
Dropshipping Integration | No API or direct support | Connects with Shopify, WooCommerce, and more |
Automation & Scalability | Manual order management | Supports automation with third-party tools |
Target User | Casual shoppers, small sellers | Professional dropshippers, growing businesses |
Usability for Dropshipping | Less suitable | Business-friendly, efficient |
Tip: Temu is good for quick shopping. AliExpress is better if you need business tools.
Integrations
Integrations help make dropshipping easier. You want your store to connect with Shopify or WooCommerce. AliExpress does this very well. You can use plugins and apps like DSers, Zendrop, Spocket of cousre DailyFulfill. These tools let you import products and sync orders. They also help automate tracking. This saves you time and stops mistakes.
Temu does not have these connections. You cannot link Temu to Shopify or WooCommerce. If you use Temu, you must add products by hand. You also have to manage orders yourself. This takes more time and can slow you down. Some third-party tools help a little. But they do not work as well as AliExpress integrations.
AliExpress connects with Shopify, WooCommerce, and BigCommerce.
You can use apps to automate your dropshipping business.
Temu is best for manual orders or mobile-first sellers.
You may have problems with branded packaging or account issues if you dropship from Temu.
If you want to grow your dropshipping business, AliExpress gives you the tools you need. Temu is better for testing products or small stores you run by hand.
Supplier Quality
Reliability
You want suppliers you can trust when dropshipping. If a supplier makes a mistake, your customers will be unhappy. Temu and AliExpress both have good and bad points for reliability.
Temu ships orders quickly. Packages often arrive in 5 to 10 days with fast shipping. Standard shipping takes about 7 to 15 days. Temu gives you tracking updates as your order moves. You get a $5 credit if your package is late. This is helpful for you and your customers. Temu handles everything from the warehouse to your customer’s door. You can return items for up to 90 days.
AliExpress is a bit different. Shipping can take longer, sometimes up to 45 days with standard shipping. Premium shipping is faster, usually 7 to 15 days. Tracking updates are sometimes slow. AliExpress does not give a delivery credit if your order is late. But customer service is better. You can talk to support in many languages. AliExpress suppliers know more about dropshipping. They are good at fixing problems.
Here’s a quick table to compare:
Aspect | Temu | AliExpress |
|---|---|---|
Shipping Speed | Faster: 5-10 days (expedited), 7-15 days (standard) | Slower: 7-15 days (premium), 15-45 days (standard) |
Tracking Information | Real-time tracking, proactive updates | Occasional delays in tracking updates |
Delivery Guarantees | $5 credit if delivery delayed | No such credit offered |
Buyer Protection | End-to-end responsibility, 90-day returns | 15-day refund window, item must be unopened |
Customer Service | Slower, limited | Faster, more responsive |
Order Fulfillment Errors/Delays | Fewer delays, better delivery guarantees | More established, better at fixing errors |
🛒 Tip: Temu is great for fast shipping and delivery guarantees. AliExpress is better for customer service and experienced suppliers.
Data
You need good data to choose the right suppliers. AliExpress gives you lots of information. You can see seller ratings and reviews. You also see how long they have been selling. Feedback from buyers helps you find good suppliers. You can check how many orders a seller has finished. You can read real stories from customers.
Temu does not show much about its suppliers. You do not see seller ratings or detailed feedback. Temu controls the whole process. You trust the platform, not the individual supplier. This makes it harder to know quality before you order.
On AliExpress, you can compare sellers and pick the best one.
On Temu, you trust Temu’s system to handle problems and returns.
If you want more control and data, AliExpress gives you the tools. If you want a simple process, Temu handles everything, but you get less information about who sends your products.
Protection
Security
You want your dropshipping business to be safe. Sometimes, orders have problems. Maybe an item never comes, or it looks wrong. Both Temu and AliExpress help you fix these problems, but they do it in different ways.
Here is a quick comparison:
Aspect | AliExpress | Temu |
|---|---|---|
Customer Support | Live chat, email, help center; response times vary by supplier | 24/7 live chat and email; fast and helpful |
Buyer Protection | Covers late shipments, poor quality, and mismatched items; full refunds possible | Covers non-delivery and product flaws; aims to restore harmony |
Dropshipping Support | Direct supplier communication and integrated tools; supports dropshipping | No official dropshipping support; manual order processing |
Overall Effectiveness | Well-established, works smoothly with dropshipping workflows | Reliable but less tailored for dropshipping; manual process can slow things down |
AliExpress is better for dropshipping disputes. You can talk to suppliers and use their buyer protection program. If something is wrong, you often get a full refund. Temu also helps with problems and has 24/7 support. But you must handle orders by hand, which can be slow if you have many customers.
If you want easy dispute help for your dropshipping store, AliExpress gives you more control and faster answers. Temu is good for personal shopping, but not as easy for dropshipping problems.
Dropshipping Support
Tools
Running a dropshipping store is easier with the right tools. AliExpress gives you lots of help. You can use AliDrop to fill orders with one click. This lets you send orders to suppliers fast. You can also import products to Shopify with one click. Adding new products is quick and simple. Shopify connects with AliExpress, so you can track stock and manage orders easily.
Temu is starting to add smart features too. You can use the Cartifind app for Shopify. It uses AI to help you pick products and import them. The app can make product names and descriptions for you. Temu has a Chrome extension that helps you import products and videos. It can even help with some order tasks. Temu also has VIP dropshipping fulfillment. This gives you plain packaging and fast delivery in 5-7 days.
Here’s a table to show the differences:
Platform | Dropshipping Tools |
|---|---|
AliExpress | Automated order fulfillment, one-click import, Shopify integration, inventory syncing |
Temu | Cartifind app, AI product analysis, Chrome extension, VIP fulfillment with unbranded packaging |
🛠️ If you want more automation and easy store management, AliExpress is better. Temu is good for trying new products or if you want fast shipping and special packaging.
Resources
You need good resources to help your business grow. AliExpress gives you a Dropship Center and works with AutoDS. These tools let you automate orders and track shipments. You can handle returns with one click.
Temu does not have official guides or automation for dropshipping. You must do most things by hand.
💡 Tip: If you want to save time and grow your store, use AliExpress with automation tools. For Temu, be ready to do more work yourself or look for outside help.
DailyFulfill Recommendations
For Beginners
If you are new to dropshipping, you want something easy and cheap. Temu is a good pick for people just starting out. You can try dropshipping without spending much money. Temu has low prices and is simple to use. Shipping is fast, so customers do not wait long. You can test new products in fashion and home goods. The app is easy to use on your phone.
Strengths of Temu for Beginners | Explanation |
|---|---|
Low Costs | Temu has cheap prices, so it is easier to start. |
Ease of Use | The site is simple, so you can test products easily. |
Fast Shipping | Orders arrive quickly, so customers are happy. |
No Extra Fees | You can try products without paying extra money. |
Budget-Friendly | Good for small sellers and people with less money. |
Tip: If you want to try dropshipping without spending a lot, Temu is a good way to start.
For Experienced Sellers
If you already know dropshipping and want to grow, AliExpress is better. You get more tools and more products to sell. AliExpress lets you link your store to Shopify, WooCommerce, Amazon, and eBay. You can talk to suppliers and ask for lower prices. You can also get discounts if you buy a lot. The site lets you use automation, so you can handle more orders with less work.
Feature | AliExpress | Temu |
|---|---|---|
Dropshipping Support | Has a Dropshipping Center, research tools, and connects to big stores | No direct dropshipping help, you must do things by hand |
Product Variety | Many products in lots of categories | Focuses on cheap, trending items |
Supplier Management | You can talk and make deals with suppliers | Temu controls things, so less freedom |
Integration | Works with Shopify, WooCommerce, and more | No easy connection, you do things yourself |
You can grow your store, use automation, and work with suppliers on AliExpress. This is why many experienced dropshippers pick AliExpress to build bigger stores.
For Fast Shipping
Do you want your customers to get their orders fast? Temu usually ships faster than AliExpress. Most Temu orders come in 7 to 15 days. Some even arrive in less than a week. AliExpress shipping times depend on the seller and shipping type. Standard shipping can take 15 to 45 days, but you can pay more for faster shipping.
Platform | Average Delivery Time | Shipping Speed Summary |
|---|---|---|
AliExpress | 15-45 days | Shipping times change a lot; usually slower |
Temu | 7-15 days | Faster than AliExpress |
Spocket | 2-7 days | Fastest shipping with US/EU suppliers |
Temu is best if you want free and fast shipping for most things.
AliExpress can be fast if you pay more, but it costs extra.
🚚 Tip: If you care most about fast shipping, Temu is the better choice for most products.
For Unique Products
If you want to sell special or hard-to-find products, AliExpress is best. The site has a huge list of items in many categories. You can find almost anything, like gadgets or custom gifts. You can also talk to different suppliers for special deals or custom orders.
Temu has lots of popular, cheap products. But there are not as many choices as AliExpress. If you want your store to stand out with unique items, AliExpress gives you more options.
Tip: If you want a store with lots of special products, AliExpress helps you find more and grow your business.
Well, after reading this article about Temu vs AliExpress, you will definitely have your own answer. Each platform has its own unique advantages. Please choose the best and most suitable platform according to the actual situation of your own dropshipping business.
If you have any other questions about dropshipping, please contact us and we will be happy to help you.
Faq
No, Temu does not let you dropship right from the site. You have to order each item yourself. You cannot link Temu to Shopify or WooCommerce. If you want dropshipping to be simple, AliExpress is a better choice.
Yes, AliExpress is safe for dropshipping. You get buyer protection and safe payments. You can also see seller ratings. Always read reviews before you buy. Use safe payment options for more security.
Temu ships orders faster than AliExpress most of the time. Temu packages usually come in 7 to 15 days. AliExpress can take 15 to 45 days unless you pay extra for fast shipping.
You cannot make dropshipping automatic with Temu. You have to add products and handle orders by yourself. AliExpress lets you use apps and plugins to help with automation.
Reach out to the support team as soon as you can. On AliExpress, start a dispute and message the supplier. On Temu, use live chat to get help. Always tell your customer what is happening.
