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This article was written by Jungle Scout ecommerce experts with some assistance from artificial intelligence.
Alibaba and Aliexpress are two of the most popular online marketplaces worldwide, offering millions of products to businesses and consumers.
While the same company — Alibaba Group — owns both marketplaces, they serve different markets and business models.
In this article, we will explore the differences between Alibaba and Aliexpress and help you determine which platform is right for you.
- What is Alibaba?
- What is Aliexpress?
- What are the differences between Alibaba and Aliexpress?
- Alibaba vs. Aliexpress for dropshipping
- Alibaba vs. Aliexpress for private label
What is Alibaba?
Alibaba is an online B2B (business-to-business) marketplace that connects buyers and sellers from across the globe. It was founded in 1999 by Jack Ma and has since grown to become one of the largest e-commerce companies in the world.
Alibaba’s primary business facilitates trade between businesses, enabling companies to buy and sell products in bulk quantities. For example, as an Amazon seller, you need to find a manufacturer for your product; you can find them on Alibaba.
READ MORE | How to Buy on Alibaba and Sell on Amazon in 2024
You can find a wide range of products on Alibaba, from raw materials to finished products, machinery, and industrial equipment.
Alibaba features global suppliers and manufacturers for nearly any product you can think of – all with the ability to customize your product.
The platform also offers various services, including logistics, financing, and marketing tools, to help businesses grow and expand their operations.
What is Aliexpress?
Aliexpress is an online retailer that enables consumers to buy products directly from manufacturers and wholesalers. It was launched in 2010 as an international extension of Alibaba, and its business model is geared towards B2C (business-to-consumer) transactions.
With Aliexpress, anyone can go to the site and make a single purchase, just as if they were purchasing from Amazon.
Aliexpress offers various consumer products, from clothing and electronics to home appliances and beauty products.
Unlike Alibaba, Aliexpress is focused on small orders, making it an ideal platform for individuals who want to purchase products in small quantities. It offers a range of services, including buyer protection, secure payment options, and fast shipping.
Aliexpress can also be an excellent place for ecommerce entrepreneurs to test out new product samples they want to offer, as you can order in smaller quantities than Alibaba.
What are the differences between Alibaba and Aliexpress?
As you can probably see, there are many differences between Alibaba and Aliexpress, but let’s dive deeper into each topic.
| Alibaba | Aliexpress | |
| B2B vs. B2C | Alibaba is primarily designed for businesses looking to source products in large quantities. | Aliexpress is geared toward individuals looking to buy products in smaller quantities. |
| Online transactions | On Alibaba, buyers and sellers negotiate prices, place orders, and handle logistics. | Aliexpress handles everything from payment processing to shipping and delivery, making it easier for consumers to purchase products. |
| Customization | Manufacturers and suppliers found on Alibaba can offer more customization of the products you purchase, such as branding, custom products, and unique packaging, perfect for private label sellers. | On Aliexpress, it is typically what you see is what you get, just like with any other online retailer. |
| Pricing | On Alibaba, suppliers typically require a large MOQ (minimum order quantity) to keep the price per unit low. | Prices for products on Aliexpress are usually cheaper than in a marketplace such as Amazon (even if it ships from China). Smaller quantities = higher price/unit. |
| Shipping | When purchasing in bulk from a manufacturer on Alibaba, you will likely be shipping products through ocean or air freight, and this is done either through your supplier or with a freight forwarding company. | On Aliexpress, you simply place an order, which is shipped with a courier such as FedEx, UPS, or DHL, making Aliexpress a good option for dropshippers. |
Want to learn another way to search for suppliers for your product? Check out our video on Jungle Scout’s Supplier Database tool:
Alibaba vs. Aliexpress for dropshipping
Our pick: Aliexpress
Amazon dropshipping is an e-commerce method in which the seller takes orders on behalf of a manufacturer, distributor, or supplier. Then, when a customer buys the product, the seller uses their supplier to fulfill those sales.
Aliexpress is a great platform for drop shipping, as it simplifies the order process by handling tasks such as payment processing, packaging, and shipping.
READ MORE | How to Dropship on Amazon in 2024
For example, if you have a drop shipping store through Shopify, once a customer places an order from your store, you then place an order from a seller on Aliexpress and enter your customer’s shipping information. The seller on Aliexpress can typically add your company information to packing lists or invoices.
However, since Aliexpress sellers are typically resellers and not direct manufacturers, you may face challenges in terms of product quality control, shipping times, and maintaining consistent stock availability. It’s crucial to carefully select reliable suppliers and communicate effectively to ensure smooth operations.
Note: If you will be drop shipping on Amazon, make sure you review Amazon’s drop shipping policy before doing so.
Alibaba vs. Aliexpress for private label
Our pick for private label: Alibaba
When it comes to creating your own branded private label products, Alibaba is the better choice. As we went over above, suppliers and manufacturers on Alibaba will allow you to customize and brand your products and product packaging according to your specific needs.
READ MORE | 2024 Guide to Amazon FBA Private Label
As a B2B platform, Alibaba is the choice between the two for private label products. It provides access to a vast network of manufacturers and suppliers, its benefits include:
- Customization. As we went over above, Alibaba’s suppliers and manufacturers offer more flexibility in terms of customization, allowing you to create unique packaging, branding, and product specifications.
- Negotiation. Additionally, you can negotiate with suppliers to meet your specific requirements and achieve better pricing for bulk orders. However, private labeling on Alibaba often requires a higher level of commitment and investment, as you typically need to meet minimum order quantities for manufacturing.
It also requires careful supplier selection and effective communication to ensure that your private label products meet your quality standards.
Aliexpress can be a good option if you are just starting with a smaller budget or want to test a particular product market but don’t expect the best quality or the ability to customize like you can working with a manufacturer on Alibaba.
What platform will you use for your ecommerce business?
We hope this article helped you understand the differences between Alibaba and Aliexpress and when you would use each platform. Remember, if you want to create a private label product for your brand, use Alibaba. If you want to test out products, order a product as a consumer, or drop ship, use Aliexpress.
Do you have any more questions regarding Alibaba or Aliexpress? Let us know down in the comments.
Check out our full How to Sell on Amazon Guide for more information on product research, product sourcing, listing creation, and much more.
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