Temu vs Shein vs AliExpress: Which Is Actually Cheaper?
Temu, Shein and AliExpress all promise rock-bottom prices on goods shipped mostly from China - so which one should you actually use? The honest answer is that each wins at something different. Here's how they stack up where it matters.
Best for variety: AliExpress
AliExpress is the oldest and broadest of the three. If you want a specific niche product - a replacement part, a hobby component, an obscure gadget - AliExpress almost certainly has it from multiple sellers. The breadth is unmatched, and seller ratings give you a real signal of who to trust.
Best for trend fashion: Shein
Shein is built around fast fashion. New styles drop constantly, sizing runs small but the catalogue is enormous, and prices on clothing usually undercut both rivals. If you're shopping for on-trend outfits rather than gadgets or homeware, Shein is the natural pick.
Best for everyday low prices: Temu
Temu is the newest and most aggressive on headline price, especially for home, kitchen, accessories and impulse buys. Its welcome discounts for new accounts are the steepest of the three, and the app constantly surfaces cheap bundles. Quality varies, but for low-stakes everyday items it's hard to beat on price.
Price head-to-head
For identical or near-identical generic products, the three are often within a euro of each other before discounts - the real difference comes from coupons and welcome offers. That's why checking a verified code before checkout matters more than which app you open:
- Temu: biggest new-user welcome bundles and frequent percentage-off codes.
- Shein: strong app-exclusive discounts and spend-thresholds (e.g. €15 off €60).
- AliExpress: small but stackable select-item codes plus big sale events (11.11, anniversary).
Shipping reality
All three ship slower than a domestic retailer. AliExpress offers premium shipping on many items for a fee; Temu and Shein both have free standard shipping with occasional faster options. Expect roughly one to two weeks across the board, longer during sale peaks.
The verdict
- Want it cheap and everyday? Start with Temu.
- Shopping trend clothing? Shein.
- Hunting a specific or niche product? AliExpress.
- Whichever you pick, apply a verified coupon first - that's where the real saving is.