This new age of shopping has brought retailers to modify the way they function by tying up with E-Commerce platforms such as AliExpress and Wish to have their goods sold and delivered to the consumers' doorsteps.
Both AiExpress and Wish are two major online shopping retail companies which hold relatively large shares in the E-Commerce trade industry and have opened a whole new world of possibilities for shoppers and bargainers.
We’ve seen AliExpress and Wish selling loads of high-quality products at extremely discounted prices, and we’ve even bought from them at some point in time. However, there are quite a few differences to how these two mega-stars operate. So with no further delay, let’s see what drives AliExpress and Wish by factoring in some key aspects.
Is Aliexpress better than Wish?
My experience has been that Wish is good for a few products as it isn't under the radar of regulators, it has a lot more reps. But if looking for good reps then Dhgate is still a better option than Wish and Aliexpress , in my opinion. Aliexpress and Wish do different products well. If you are looking for super cheap, low quality items then Wish is good as Aliexpress has moved to better quality offerings now.
Is Wish Cheaper than Aliexpress?
Wish is not cheaper than Aliexpress as all goods from China have an import cost element to it, especially goods over a value of 25 Euros, there is a VAT cost. As Wish has warehouses in Europe, the cost of shipping and rental also is added to the cost. Anything coming from China directly is cheaper and that makes Aliexpress still lucrative.
What is AliExpress
A global e-commerce platform based in China, is the International arm of the Alibaba group. AliExpress was launched back in 2010 as an online competitor to eBay and Amazon and has rapidly grown to become one of the largest online e-commerce giants of today.
AliExpress sells anything and everything from clothes and apparel to electronics. The best part about the products sold on AliExpress is that they’re a lot cheaper than other retail websites, offering jaw-dropping discounts on everything in store. Major game players and big brands have used AliExpress to either market their products or as a platform to sell their products.
What is Wish
Wish is an online retail platform that sells a variety of products over numerous categories. Founded in 2010, Wish functions under the ownership of California-based company “ContextLogic Inc” and was founded by a pair of former Google employees.
Upon inception, Wish was simply a platform that reroutes the buyer to third-party sites in order to purchase products. Now, Wish sells directly to its customers with over hundred million high-quality products sold at heavily discounted prices.
Comparison between AliExpress and Wish
It is fairly difficult to list out all the differences between AliExpress and Wish as each platform has their own business model and structure. Both these platforms use different modes of operation especially when it comes to the way their website is designed. Products can be classified based on the filters offered, each platform uses a variety of payment methods and shipping service.
Accounts
Both AliEXpress and Wish allow users to create personal accounts in order to complete an order. However, on Wish you’re made to create an account before browsing through products and on AliExpress you are able to pick the product of your choice, check the prices and add them to the cart before you would have to login or create an account
| AliExpress | Wish |
| Browse products, use filters and check prices without having an account | Requires a valid account in order to browse products, use filters and check prices |
| Login via Google, Facebook, Twitter, Tik-Tok, and Instagram to name a few | Login via Email, Facebook or a Google Account |
Payments
Considering the Global outreach, both platforms have a variety of payment methods available on their website to make the buying process easier for customers. From a range of Credit cards and Wire transfers to wallets and PayPal, we’ll take you through the various payment methods offered by both AliExpress and Wish.
| AliExpress Payment | Wish Payment |
| Credit Card/Debit card | Credit Card/Debit card |
| PayPal | PayPal |
| Wire Transfer | Google Wallet |
| Western Union | Klarna |
| iDeal (App Only) | |
| Przelewy24 (App Only) | |
| WebMoney (App Only) | |
| Mobile Payment (App Only) | |
| QIWI (App Only) | |
| PayU (App Only) | |
| Sofort Bank (App Only) | |
| Bancontact (App Only) | |
| Other (Cash on Delivery) |
Pricing
Though you can find almost all the same products on both platforms, the prices listed on AliExpress are much lower than those of Wish. This is due to the fact that AliExpress charges a lower commission rate of 5% rather than that of Wish which is at 10%.
Here, most sellers or retailers who list the same products on both the platforms would resort to selling on Wish at the maximum retail price and on the other hand, reduce the price of their items on AliExpress to create a balance.
Case
We’ve taken the same product from both platforms (AliExpress and Wish); an Anker Soundcore 2 Portable Bluetooth Speaker sold by the Anker authorized retailer. If you take a close look at the screenshots below, you’ll see that though the prices are roughly the same there’s a difference in the overall amount being paid in the form of Tax.
Wish lists the product at $40.00 with Free shipping and a delivery time of approximately 2-3 weeks. Whereas, AliExpress has the same item listed at a price of $43.18 including taxes and with Free shipping, the product should reach its destination within a period of 4-5 weeks.
Anker Soundbar 2 on AliExpress
Anker Soundbar 2 on Wish
Shipping
With quite a few shipping methods to list out, let's segregate the various shipping methods provided by both AliExpress and Wish.
Wish generally ships faster because of its warehouses in multiple locations. But depending on the seller, most Aliexpress sellers have moved from Standard Shipping to Express shipping.
| AliExpress Shipping Carriers | Duration | Wish Shipping Carriers | Duration |
| AliExpress Standard Shipping | 15-20 Days | Wish Standard Shipping | 10-15 Days |
| AliExpress Saver Shipping | 30 Days | Wish Express Shipping | 5-10 Days |
| AliExpress Premium Shipping | 39 Days | 2-Day Delivery | Second Day |
| China Post Air Parcel | 45-52 Days | Ship to Store* | TBD |
| Turkey Post | 7-30 Days | Pickup Now | ASAP |
| Sellers Shipping Method | TBD | FedEx | 24 Days |
| FedEx | 24 Days | DHL | 21 Days |
| DHL | 21 Days | UPS | 20-30 Days |
| e-EMS | 45 Days |
*Ship to Store - Not available for all goods. Read the shipping details of each product carefully.
AliExpress
Shipping through AliExpress is a one-stop shipping method that is handled and provided by the Alibaba group. It is an end-to-end international logistics service which comprises the initial first mile pickup, consolidation service, international line-haul service, custom clearance service, and last-mile delivery service. AliExpress Shipping includes a global tracking service, customer service and the platform guarantees positive service.
The major types of shipping methods available on AliExpress;
AliExpress Standard Shipping
Standard shipping with AliExpress will take roughly 15-45 days to deliver. Standard shipping is not cheap but is surely reliable.
AliExpress Premium Shipping
Premium shipping is where the package would be delivered anywhere between 7-15 working days.This is a premium variant of the standard shipping provided by AliExpress. The only difference is that Premium Shipping is way faster than its Standard counterpart and would be quite expensive, almost 8-10 times more than Standard Shipping. This shipping price varies on the destination the package is heading to.
e-Packet Shipping
e-Packet shipping allows users in the US and merchants in Hong Kong to gain access to the in-process scanning information and delivery confirmation that can be checked on both Hong Kong Post’s tracking systems and on USPS’s Track and Confirm. Here packages would take anywhere between 20-40 days to be delivered based on the shippers location and the destination the package is bound for.
Tracking your Shipments
Once goods are packed and shipped, you’d receive a valid tracking number on AliExpress, with which you can check the status of your shipment in real-time. This can be checked by
1. Go to “My Orders”
2. Click “View Detail”
3. The tracking details are under “Logistics Information”
Wish
Unlike AliExpress where there would be two primary shipping methods, Wish would have 5 types of shipping that stores/retailers provide based on the value of the product, if it’s a perishable good, or if it’s a store pickup. At times, the sellers may also tend to use services like DHL, FedEx, or UPS and this would mostly cost more or you may have to be present at the destination to sign for a package upon delivery.
Standard Shipping
In order to maintain lower than average shipping costs, the retailer would normally use an economical shipping package based on the size/weight of the order and destination it is to be shipped to. Here packages are handed over to local couriers for the last leg of the delivery.
Wish Express
This shipping method is highlighted only when the product you buy has this shipping method assigned to it. It would appear as an Express Shipping option and is depicted as a small orange truck. Orders shipped with this method would take on average about 5-10 business days to reach the destination.
2 Day Delivery
This method is enabled by the seller on the website/app and would be depicted as an orange truck icon with 2 Day Delivery mentioned next to it. It is an expedited shipping method allowing deliveries to take place within 2 days from the day the order was confirmed.
Ship to Store
Ship to store is an option that enables the buyer to have the item shipped to a store nearby for a local and physical pickup. This option is only provided on certain items and would have a Ship to Store option available
Pickup Now
This option is available on certain items that are already located at a store near by your physical address. When such products are available on Wish, they would be accompanied by an icon stating Pickup Now.
Tracking your Shipment
Tracking an order from Wish.com is easy and can be done by visiting the Order History page while logged into your account. You can track your shipment either over the website or via the mobile app by accessing order history and tapping on the image of the product you ordered.
Range of Products
Upon checking the category of products available on both the platforms, it's safe to say that there’s not much difference in terms of what’s being sold. From items you’d use everyday to costumes you’ll probably use once a year, AliExpress and Wish have almost everything you could ask for.
Below are two tables for your reference of the categories of items available on both AliExpress and Wish.
AliExpress
| Women’s Clothing > | Dresses, Jackets, Jeans, Hoodies, Suits and more | Men’s Clothing > | Shirts, Shorts, Jeans, Formals, Jackets, Suits and more |
| Cell Phones and Telecommunications > | Cell phones, Accessories, Mobile Phone Parts, Bags and Cases, Walkie Talkies etc. | Computer & Office > | Computer peripherals, Laptops, Cases, Cables, Storage Devices, Laptop/ Desktop parts etc. |
| Consumer Electronics > | Portable audio & video, Cameras, Video games, Speakers etc | Jewelry & Accessories > | Fine jewelry, bracelets, necklaces, jewelry sets and more |
| Home & Garden > | Kitchen, Dining & Bar, Pet products, Decor, Garden supplies etc. | Luggage & Bags > | Women’s bags, Men’s bags, Wallets, Suitcases, Coin holders and more |
| Shoes > | Casual, Sports, Boots, Flats, Pumps, Shoe Accessories and more | Mother & Kids > | Baby clothing, Activity and Gear, Baby Food, Baby Care, Strollers and others. |
| Sports & Entertainment > | Clothing, Camping, Golf, Sports bags, Fishing equipment etc. | Beauty & Health > | Nail art, Makeup, Bath and Shower, Health care, Skin care, Oral hygiene, Men’s Grooming etc |
| Watches > | Men’s watches, Women’s watches, Watch Accessories | Toys & Hobbies > | Dolls, Action Figures, Model building kits, puzzles, Arts & Craft |
| Wedding & Events > | Dresses, Accessories | Novelty > | Costumes, Stage wear, Accessories |
| Automobiles & Motorcycles > | Replacement parts, Electronics, Tools, Accessories and Lights | Lights & Lighting > | Lamps, Lighting Accessories, LEDs, Novelty Lighting |
| Furniture > | Home Furniture, Office furniture, Outdoor furniture, Furniture parts | Electronic components and Supplies > | Signboards, EL Products, Components, Sockets, Machinery |
| Education & Office Supplies > | Writing material, Filing products, School supplies, Stamps, Binding supplies | Home Appliances > | Hardware, Plumbing, Bathroom fixtures, Kitchen fixtures, Painting supplies |
| Food > | Coffee, Grocery, Cheeses, Canned fruits | Security & Protection > | Video surveillance, Alarms, Fire protection, Safes, IoT devices |
| Tools > | Tool Sets, Parts, Construction tools, Hand Tools, Rivet guns, Lifting tools and Accessories | Hair Extension & Wigs > | Weaves, Salon tools and Accessories, Braids, Wigs, Extensions, Hair pieces |
| Apparel Accessories > | Glasses, Handkerchiefs, Scarves, Belts | Underwear & Sleepwear | Socks, Lounge Wear, Innerwaear |
| Virtual Goods > | Codes, Coupons, Tickets, Softwares and Games |
Wish
| Gadgets > | Drones, Cameras, Smart phones, Tools and Accessories | Shoes > | Casual, Sports, Boots, Flats, Pumps, Shoe Accessories and more |
| Accessories > | Masks, Belts, Bracelets, Rings, Socks | Hobbies > | Coin collecting, Stamp collecting, Model kits, DIY Arts and Crafts |
| Household Supplies > | Disposal units, Garbage bags, Kitchen supplies, Batteries, Mouse traps | Fashion > | Shirts, Jackets, Pants, Sleeveless T-shirts, Shorts |
| Home Decor > | Linen, Bathroom Fixtures, Room Freshners, Patio furniture, Tables | Baby & Kids > | Diapers, Baby clothes, Accessories |
| Wallets & Bags > | Leather wallets, Tote bags, Sling bags, Laptop bags, Backpacks | Phone Upgrades > | Phone Accessories, Cases, Tempered Glass, Protectors |
| Watches > | Luxury Watches, Analog Watches, Protectors, Straps | Tools > | Household tools, Power tools, Cables, Tool Accessories |
| Tops > | Blouses, Women’s tops, tunics | Pet Accessories > | Leashes, Collars, Pet Accessories |
| Stationary > | Notebooks, Pens, Pencils, Papers, Office Supplies, School Supplies | Underwear > | Men’s and Women’s Innerwear |
| Kitchen > | Containers and storage jars, Utensils, Dinner sets | Bottoms > | Leggings, Pants, Jeans, Skirts and Shorts |
| Automotive > | Lighting and Tools, Accessories, Covers, Stickers, Keychains |
Customer Service
The customer service of Aliexpress is almost non-existent in terms of a human response being provided for your complaint. Rather they have a system called “Dispute” where since all orders are backed by AliExpress’s Buyer Protection, you can file a dispute for various reasons if you’re unhappy with the product in order to obtain a refund.
Here your query can take anywhere between 24 hours to 2-4 weeks to be resolved. You can also reach out to the customer support team on their Customer Support platform hosted by their AI ‘Eva’ . You will be able to ask her questions pertaining to refunds, payment issues, disputes raised and not receiving goods.
Wish on the other hand can be contacted on their Customer Support number listed. These support tickets are forwarded to the respective seller who in turn helps the customer by providing a resolution. However there are some instances where the Wish Customer Support team would respond to these tickets to ensure a smoother customer experience.
Queries would be responded to automatically within the first 12 hours and a complete resolution would be given normally within 3-7 working days depending on the nature of the complaint.
Similarities between AliExpress and Wish
Both platforms are online marketplaces that you can take advantage of and purchase items in bulk for cheap. Both platforms are known for their ability to introduce buyers and sellers from across the globe.
Here are some major similarities between AliExpress and Wish
- Mobile Applications - Both platforms have their own mobile applications that you can download and shop easier than before. Whether you have a desktop, mobile or a tablet, you will always be able to login and purchase products on discount. Another advantage of using the application is that you receive regular notifications and coupons for upcoming or live sales. Click here to download AliExpress. Click here to download Wish
- Asian Sellers - Another common thing between AliExpress and Wish is that they both host Asian sellers even though their main marketplace is the US, UK and Europe. Therefore, the majority of the products sold on AliExpress or Wish are made in China and hence cheaper than other platforms or sites.
- Reliable Platforms - As of today, there are more than a million users on AliExpress and DHgate and both platforms offer a reasonable refund/returns policy and money back guarantee. As compared to other Chinese e-Commerce sites, both AliExpress and Wish are much safer to use and from what we’ve noticed, both sites offer the same amount of security as Amazon.
Takeaway
Both AliExpress and Wish have established their names in the online shopping domain and have hundreds, in fact millions of sellers and buyers that visit these sites daily. Both platforms have quite a lot to offer giving you the ability to choose from items based on price or the total number you want to order.
Wish grants it’s users with points upon each purchase that can be converted into discounts for your upcoming orders. Whereas, AliExpress has brilliant seller discounts for those planning to buy products in bulk. With Free shipping, AliExpress gets a plus point and is more convenient for users who don’t want to spend much only on shipping the product.
Overall, both platforms are unique in their own way and it’s really hard to say which is better. Have a go, check out the complete list of products, go through each Application, Website and decide which is more convenient for your needs. It could be your physical location or the price that makes you pick from either. So what are you waiting for!
Stay Safe & Safe Shopping.
Which is better wish or AliExpress?
Wish is better than Aliexpress when it comes to ultra cheap products that cost a few dollars. But Aliexpress beats Wish hands down when it comes to variety, pricing, shipping time, service, seller trust and more. Aliexpress also has better quality products for cheaper products.
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