Fun Fact!
Did you know that 1688, Alibaba, and AliExpress all belong to the same company. the Alibaba Group?
Interestingly, even though they are under one roof, each platform is made for different types of buyers:
- Want to buy in bulk at the lowest prices? There’s one for that.
- For custom products with your brand? Another one’s perfect for you.
- To test a few items or order something small? There’s one for that too.
In this guide, I’ll break down what each platform is, who it’s best for, and when to use which, so you don’t waste time or money.
Whether you are an aspiring entrepreneur, a seasoned business owner, or someone simply trying to buy affordable products from China, knowing the ins and outs of these platforms will make all the difference in your sourcing strategy.
What is 1688?
1688.com is a popular website in China used mostly by businesses inside China. Think of it like a giant online marketplace where factories and suppliers list their products at super low prices, but they usually sell in big amounts.
Why 1688 Might Work for You:
- Lowest prices: If you are trying to get the cheapest deals possible, 1688 usually beats the other two sites.
- Great for bulk buying: If you want to buy hundreds or thousands of items, this is the place to look.
- Lots of suppliers: You’ll find a huge variety of products.
But Here’s the Catch:
- However, the whole site is in Chinese, and most sellers do not speak English.
- Shipping outside China is not available since the site is made for Chinese businesses.
- Buying from 1688 requires an agent (a person or company who helps you buy from 1688 and ships it to your country).
- You usually have to order 100+ pieces of a product at once.
Best For:
People who want to buy large quantities at the lowest price, and who have someone to help them with the language and shipping.
What is Alibaba?
Alibaba is made for international buyers like people in the U.S., Europe, or anywhere outside of China. It connects you with factories and suppliers in China and other countries. It is great if you are starting or growing a business, especially if you want to create your own branded products.
Why Alibaba Might Work for You:
- Easier to use: The site is in English, and most sellers speak English too.
- You can customize products: Want your logo on the product or different packaging? Many sellers on Alibaba can do that.
- Safe payments: Alibaba offers Trade Assurance, which protects your money until you confirm that your order arrived and is what you expected.
- Medium size orders: You usually need to order at least 50 to 500 pieces, depending on the product.
Best For:
People who want to build their own brand or buy medium to large quantities of products. Great for growing an online store or creating custom items.
What is AliExpress?
AliExpress is like a regular online shopping site. It is kind of like Amazon, but from China. It is perfect if you only want to buy a few items at a time or want to test a new product without spending too much money.
Why AliExpress Could Be a Good Choice for You:
- Buy one item: No need to order in bulk. You can buy just one piece if you want.
- Ships to most countries: Sellers deliver to many places around the world, and shipping is often cheap or even free.
- Easy to pay: You can pay using your credit card, PayPal, or other common options.
- Perfect for dropshipping: You don’t need to keep products. Sellers can send items directly to your customers.
But Keep in Mind:
- Prices are higher than 1688 & Alibaba (since you are buying one item, not hundreds).
- Also, shipping times can be long, sometimes 2 to 4 weeks.
- Quality can vary, so it is good to read reviews and check ratings before buying.
Best For:
People who want to test products, buy small amounts, or run a dropshipping business without holding inventory. You can also get help from dropshipping agent services.
Quick Comparison:
Here’s a simple chart to understand the key differences:
| Feature | 1688 | Alibaba | AliExpress |
|---|---|---|---|
| Buyer Type | Domestic B2B | International B2B | Retail / dropshipping |
| MOQ | High (100+ units) | Medium (50–500 units) | Low (1+ units) |
| Price Level | Lowest | Medium | Higher |
| Customization | Flexible | Good (private-label) | Limited |
| Language / Support | Chinese only | English support | English, easy |
| Payment / Escrow | Alipay / Bank | Trade Assurance | PayPal / Card |
| After-Sales Risk | Medium | Low–Medium | Medium-High |
When Should You Use Each One?
Use AliExpress if:
- Starting out and want to test a few items.
- Don’t want to spend a lot of money upfront.
- Doing dropshipping and want to ship directly to customers.
- okay with slightly higher prices and longer shipping times.
Consider Alibaba When:
- Building your own brand and want to customize products (putting your logo on a mug or your design on packaging).
- Ready to buy more units, 100 or 500 pieces.
- Want a bit more security when working with suppliers.
- Planning to grow your business and need a reliable supply.
Go for 1688 if:
- Buying in very large quantities (like 1000s of pieces).
- You want the cheapest possible prices.
- Have someone (a sourcing agent or Chinese speaking friend) who can help with buying and shipping.
- Comfortable with a more complicated process in exchange for better prices.
Tips to Keep in Mind
Keep these few things in mind no matter which site you choose.
-
Check Supplier Reviews & Ratings
First, check supplier reviews and ratings. This helps you see what other buyers say about the product and the seller.
-
Ask Questions Before You Buy
Don’t be afraid to message the seller. Ask about customization, shipping times, or anything that is not clear.
-
Choose Safe Payment Methods
Use Trade Assurance on Alibaba, PayPal on AliExpress, and only use trusted payment services for 1688 through your agent.
-
Know the Real Cost
Never forget to calculate:
- Product price
- Shipping costs
- Import taxes or customs
- Agent fees (if using 1688)
-
Start Small, Then Scale
If you are new, it is okay to start with AliExpress or a small Alibaba order. Once you figure out what works, you can grow and switch to larger orders or even 1688 for better pricing.
So, Which One Should You Use? Here’s the Deal:
- AliExpress: Use it if you want to buy just a few things easily and quickly. It is better when you want retail amounts: 1 item, a few times, or dropshipping to customers.
- Alibaba: It is a B2B platform for bulk buying. Use it if you want to start or grow a business, with your own brand or packaging. Also provides a dropshipping option but it can not be used.
- 1688: Offers low prices and sometimes no minimum order limit. But again it is in Chinese only, so you can use Google translate. You can also use the more convenient source of an 1688 sourcing agent to help you buy and ship.
Each platform is useful in its own way, it all depends on how many products you want, how much you want to spend, and how you plan to run your business.
How to Order from Each Platform
Here are basics:
Buy from AliExpress
- Create an account
- Search for your product
- Choose a seller with good reviews
- Add to cart & pay
- Wait for delivery
Learn to Use Alibaba
- Sign up
- Search for products
- Message suppliers (ask for quotes, MOQ, customization)
- Negotiate
- Place order using Trade Assurance
- Arrange shipping (air/sea)
Buy from 1688 (via agent)
- Find a sourcing agent
- Share product link from 1688
- Agent contacts seller & gets price
- You pay the agent
- Agent arranges local shipping & sends it internationally
This makes it actionable, not just informative.
Which One is Best for You?
Ask yourself:
- Need to test 1 or 2 products?
AliExpress - Logo on products?
Alibaba - Want the cheapest price for big quantity?
1688 - Don’t speak Chinese?
Avoid 1688 unless using agent - Need fast results with a low budget?
AliExpress
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Not checking seller reviews
- Ignoring shipping cost (can be higher than product cost!)
- Not calculating total landed cost (product + shipping + customs + agent fee)
- Not using buyer protection
- Assuming all products are high quality
Right Platform
Sourcing from China can feel confusing at first, but once you understand how 1688, Alibaba, and AliExpress work, it gets easier. Also AliExpress is great if you are just testing things and do not want to spend much.
Alibaba is better when you are ready to place bigger orders and build your own brand. 1688 is the cheapest, but it is best for large orders and usually needs some help with language and shipping. Start where you are, keep learning, and switch platforms as your business grows. Want to make sourcing easy? SourcingXpro can help, contact us now.
Sources:
- Alibaba.com – Guide to Using Alibaba for Sourcing
- AliExpress.com – Beginner’s Guide to Buying
FAQs
- Can I buy just 1 item from 1688?
1688 is made for bulk orders, mostly for businesses inside China. Most sellers require a minimum order quantity (MOQ) of 100 pieces or more. - Is Alibaba safe to use?
Absolutely. Alibaba has a feature called Trade Assurance, which protects your payment. Your money is only released to the seller after you confirm the goods are received as agreed. - Do I have to pay import taxes or customs?
By all means, depending on your country and order value. Always check your country’s import rules and factor in customs charges when calculating the total cost. - Do I need to know Chinese to use 1688?
Kind of. The site is in Chinese only. But you can use Google Translate, or better yet, work with a sourcing agent who understands Chinese and can help you communicate and place orders.
