Best for low-cost variety
Temu vs AliExpress vs SHEIN: which shopping app should you choose?
Choose Temu for low-cost variety, AliExpress for its broad global marketplace, or SHEIN for trend-focused fashion and the strongest Google Play rating.
At a glance
| App | Google Play rating | Price | In-app purchases | Platforms | Age rating |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temu: Shop Like a BillionaireTemu | 4.4 out of 513,073,668 ratings | Free | No | Android, iOS | Teen |
 AliExpress - Shopping AppAlibaba Mobile | 4.3 out of 516,291,890 ratings | Free | No | Android, iOS | Teen |
 SHEIN-Shopping OnlineRoadget Business PTE. LTD. | 4.8 out of 511,437,432 ratings | Free | No | Android, iOS | Teen |
Ratings, prices and age ratings come from the Google Play listings, read on Nov 7, 2026. Listings change over time.
How we compared them
Temu, AliExpress and SHEIN are free shopping apps with huge product selections and budget-friendly deals. All three have Teen content ratings, no in-app purchases and no ads on Google Play.
Their focus differs: Temu emphasizes affordable finds, AliExpress spans a wide range of products, and SHEIN centers on fashion. This comparison weighs their Google Play figures, strengths and trade-offs to help you choose.
How we compared them
We compared the Google Play ratings, install ranges, prices, ad and in-app purchase status, and the apps’ stated shopping focus and strengths and weaknesses. Store figures were read on November 7, 2026.
Temu declares that it shares device or other IDs and collects several categories of information, including app interactions, search history, photos, videos and approximate location. It also declares encryption in transit, the ability to request data deletion and an independent security review. No data-safety declarations were supplied for AliExpress or SHEIN, so we do not compare their privacy practices.
Temu: Shop Like a Billionaire
Temu4.4 out of 5 on Google Play
Best for budget shoppers looking for variety
Temu combines a wide range of products with budget-oriented pricing and a user-friendly interface. Its 1 billion-plus installs put it alongside SHEIN in scale, and its 4.4 Google Play rating is slightly above AliExpress’s 4.3.
The trade-off is variable product quality, occasional app glitches and potentially slow shipping. Customer service response can also be limited, and availability varies by region.
- Price
- Free, no ads
What we like
- Affordable prices across many product types
- User-friendly interface and secure payment options
- 1 billion-plus installs and a 4.4 rating
What to know
- Quality and delivery times can vary
- Customer service response and regional availability can be limited
AliExpress - Shopping App
Alibaba Mobile4.3 out of 5 on Google Play
Best for shoppers seeking a broad global marketplace
AliExpress offers a wide product range, frequent deal-oriented shopping and regularly updated listings. It has been available since 2012, earlier than Temu and SHEIN, and its 500 million-plus installs reflect substantial reach.
Its 4.3 Google Play rating is the lowest of the three. Shipping may be slow, product descriptions can be sparse, and customer service response times vary; occasional crashes are another drawback.
- Price
- Free, no ads
What we like
- Broad product selection and regular listing updates
- Affordable prices with deals
- Longer history on Google Play than the other two
What to know
- Lowest Google Play rating of the three
- Slow shipping and uneven product descriptions or support
SHEIN-Shopping Online
Roadget Business PTE. LTD.4.8 out of 5 on Google Play
Best for fashion shoppers chasing current styles
SHEIN focuses on trendy fashion, with a broad range of styles, frequent flash sales and a user-friendly interface. Its 4.8 Google Play rating is the highest of the three, and it has 1 billion-plus installs.
It is less suited to shoppers prioritizing consistent sizing, product quality or sustainability. Shipping can be delayed, and returns may be cumbersome; its fashion focus is narrower than the general marketplaces offered by Temu and AliExpress.
- Price
- Free, no ads
What we like
- Trend-focused fashion selection
- Frequent flash sales and affordable options
- Highest Google Play rating of the three
What to know
- Sizing and product quality can be inconsistent
- Returns can be cumbersome, with limited sustainable options
Which one should you pick?
Best for a broad global marketplace
AliExpress - Shopping App
Best for fashion and top rating
SHEIN-Shopping Online
Frequently Asked Questions
Which app has the highest Google Play rating?
SHEIN has the highest rating at 4.8. Temu is rated 4.4, and AliExpress is rated 4.3.
Which app is better for fashion?
SHEIN is the clearest choice for trend-focused clothing and frequent fashion sales. Temu and AliExpress offer broader product selections.
Which app has the most installs?
Temu and SHEIN each have 1 billion-plus installs on Google Play. AliExpress has 500 million-plus.
Are Temu, AliExpress and SHEIN free to download?
Yes. All three are free on Google Play and show no in-app purchases or ads.