Verithiathe honest score on any app
Updated July 2026 · real, multi-region App Store reviews
Head-to-head

AliExpress vs Etsy

AliExpress 4.7★ · Free to download 65
Winner Etsy
Etsy 4.9★ · Free + IAP 75

Etsy is generally preferred for unique, handmade items and supporting small businesses, despite recent app issues and concerns about dropshippers, while AliExpress is a strong contender for budget-friendly mass-produced goods with fast shipping, but struggles with customer service and returns.

Full reviews: AliExpress · Etsy

Etsy excels in offering unique, handcrafted items and supporting small businesses, though users report app bugs and an increase in dropshippers. AliExpress provides a vast selection of affordable goods with often fast shipping, but faces significant criticism regarding customer service, refunds, and faulty items.

Head to head

Product Variety & Uniqueness edge: EtsyR6R8R25R47
AliExpress AliExpress offers a wide range of products, from irrigation systems to iPad accessories, with users finding quality products for a fraction of the price R6R8. Many appreciate the variety and value for money R25R47R60.
Etsy Etsy is praised for its unique, one-of-a-kind items and the ability to support small businesses and artists R62R77R83R89. Users find a vast selection of creative and handmade goods . However, there are growing complaints about the influx of AI-generated products, dropshippers, and items from China, making it harder to find genuine handmade crafts R76R81.
Shipping & Delivery edge: AliExpressR5R6R7R26
AliExpress Many AliExpress users report fast delivery, sometimes faster than anticipated R5R6R30. However, some users complain about extremely long shipping times R26 and packages being marked as delivered but never received R7.
Etsy Etsy users frequently express frustration with high shipping costs, with some finding $20 for tiny items excessive . There are also reports of shipping times being different from what's stated, leading to delays .
Customer Service & Returns tieR7R13R18R20
AliExpress AliExpress receives significant criticism for poor customer service and difficulty with returns and refunds R7R13R18R20. Users report issues with faulty goods, being told to pay for return postage to China, and not receiving promised refunds R13R28. Some also mention scams and an almost impossible refund process R18. However, a few users report positive experiences with communicative vendors and successful returns .
Etsy Etsy's support team is widely criticized for being unhelpful, slow to respond, or non-existent . Users report issues with account access, inability to reset passwords, and no way to report app problems . There are also complaints about not being able to block harassing sellers .
App Usability & Performance edge: AliExpressR3R10R14R16
AliExpress AliExpress is generally described as simple and easy to use by some R14. However, others find it complicated to navigate R16R25 and report issues with account creation R10. There's also a complaint about the app data growing significantly, consuming a lot of storage R3.
Etsy Etsy users report numerous app issues, including freezing , inability to click on listings , and slow performance . Filters for searching products are criticized for being broken or disappearing . Users also mention bugs with managing collections and annoying notification pop-ups . Some older iPhone users can't use the new version of the app .
Value & Pricing edge: AliExpressR8R22R30R44
AliExpress AliExpress is highly praised for its awesome prices and great value, with users finding quality products for a fraction of the price R8R30R44. Many appreciate the discounts and incentives offered . However, some complain about shipping fees doubling the cost at checkout R22.
Etsy Etsy users frequently complain about high shipping costs and price gouging . There are also concerns about resellers marking up prices for items that appear to be dropshipped from other countries R76R81R105.
Pick AliExpress if

Pick AliExpress if you are looking for very affordable, mass-produced items and are willing to navigate potential customer service or return challenges for the sake of low prices and often fast shipping R8R30R60.

Pick Etsy if

Pick Etsy if you prioritize unique, handmade, or customized items and want to support small businesses and artists, even if it means potentially higher shipping costs or occasional app glitches R62R77R83R89.

Evidence note: Etsy has a significantly higher lifetime rating and many more reviews, indicating a larger and generally more satisfied user base, despite recent negative reviews focusing on app performance and dropshipping concerns. AliExpress's lower lifetime rating is consistent with its user reviews highlighting customer service and return issues.

Frequently asked

Which app is better for finding unique, handmade items?
Etsy is widely considered better for finding unique, handmade items and supporting small businesses, with users appreciating the creativity and one-of-a-kind products available R62R77R83R89.
Which app offers better prices?
AliExpress generally offers better prices and great value, with many users finding quality products for a fraction of the price R8R30R44R60.
Which app has better customer service and return policies?
Both apps receive significant criticism for their customer service and return processes, with AliExpress users reporting difficulty returning faulty goods and getting refunds R7R13R18R28, and Etsy users finding support unhelpful or non-existent for account issues .
Are there issues with dropshippers on Etsy?
Yes, many Etsy users report a significant increase in dropshippers and resellers selling mass-produced items, sometimes at a markup, making it harder to find genuine handmade crafts R76R81R105.

What reviewers actually said

Built only from these 120 real reviews (foreign ones translated). Superscripts jump to the quote here. Apple has no per-review links, so [ref] opens that app's reviews on the App Store.

  1. [R6] AliExpress 3/5 · US Shopping: Everything from irrigation systems to micro pads for iPad. AliExpress has the best shops. Top notch products from verifiable suppliers who have excellent communication skills with the customer and professional services. Their deliveries are rapid faster than any other e-shopping site. Truly a 21st century online service.
  2. [R8] AliExpress 5/5 · US My go to: I do a lot of purchasing from these guys. Yeah we know where it comes from but I can’t beat the buys. Have definitely received some quality products for a fraction of the price.
  3. [R25] AliExpress 5/5 · US Great value site: Wonderful site a little difficult to navigate but worth the effort. Very happy with purchases made and very fast shipping, good quality.
  4. [R47] AliExpress 5/5 · US We: most of the stuff on here is legit good quality items recommend getting app $.99 at the beginning of getting it
  5. [R5] AliExpress 5/5 · US Soo good: Fast delivery
  6. [R7] AliExpress 1/5 · US Ali express: Be careful ordering. They will Say the package was delivered but never was. And they will not refund your money .
  7. [R26] AliExpress 1/5 · GB Shipping: Man this is so un OG this shipping takes sooo long 1 star
  8. [R13] AliExpress 1/5 · GB Very poor customer service: It is impossible to return faulty goods.They say you can return up to 5 items a month free, but when I tried to return two faulty items I was only allowed to select that I was returning them because I didn’t want them and would have to pay the return postage to china “Self-return “As your return request is due to personal change of mind (e.g., no longer needed, unmet ex
  9. [R18] AliExpress 1/5 · GB A lot of scam, refund and complaints process almost impossible: Ordered a dashcam, seller sends a WhatsApp message asking me to cancel the order, I was charged, 2 time ordered and same seller, same story, when I refused, they updated the status delivered, and the app is just not user friendly
  10. [R20] AliExpress 1/5 · GB Disappointed with AliExpress service: I've been your customer for a long time, but recently it's been very disap · translated
  11. [R3] AliExpress 3/5 · US App data grows significantly: Why app consume 800-900MB on ipho storage after few months usage? Right after first install its data and documents size about 60MB and it grows every day
  12. [R10] AliExpress 1/5 · US Major issue: Tried creating a account for this app but both of them got locked even the mere second I signed in I have never had issues like that before and I believe the app is completely broken
  13. [R14] AliExpress 5/5 · US Simple and easy: I'm really pleased with how simple and easy the vendors have been to work with and the app has been to use
  14. [R16] AliExpress 2/5 · GB Overall…: So complicated, I don’t like to use it , using it because I hope to find something good. Feels like carrot on sticks, but when you get it, carrot tastes dry.
  15. [R22] AliExpress 1/5 · GB Scammers: Won’t use this app again . I’m fairly new to it anyway but I built myself a nice little shopping trolley and when I went to check out it more than doubled with shipping fees . Absolutely ridiculous.. Back to Temu for me
  16. [R30] AliExpress 5/5 · US The app is great: prices are cheaper and delivery is fast · translated
  17. [R44] AliExpress 5/5 · US Very good and gives you what you bought: I got exactly what I asked for, for only 99 cents it’s a monkey jellycat, other places would definitely scam me.
  18. [R62] Etsy 5/5 · US Supporting Small Businesses: Love the products from small businesses!!!
  19. [R77] Etsy 5/5 · US Unique: Always know you’re getting one of a kind
  20. [R83] Etsy 5/5 · US Supporting small business: Love the one of kind things and supporting small business. Win win.
  21. [R89] Etsy 5/5 · US ❤️ More Than a Marketplace, A Community of Dreams: Etsy isn’t just a shopping app, it’s a place where creativity comes alive. Every shop tells a story, every handmade item carries someone’s passion, and every purchase helps support a dream. As someone who loves creativity and handmade art, Etsy has inspired me over and over again. Whether I’m looking for unique gifts, beautiful supplies, or ideas t
  22. [R60] AliExpress 5/5 · US Great App: Awesome prices!!!! High quality products 🔥👌🏼
  23. [R28] AliExpress 1/5 · GB Deceitful: I bought an electric bike which turned out to be faulty. They told me they would refund the postage once I paid for the return. I paid over £50 and then they refused to refund the money and only offer me coupons which you get free in the app anyway so if they tell you the same I wouldn’t trust them.
  24. [R76] Etsy 2/5 · US Imma make this short as I can/: This app used to be for handmade crafts and small artists. Yeah some are still there but now? It is absolutely flooded with AI slop and drop shipping. It takes me forever to find genuine stuff now. Please please PLEASE do not spend a stupid amount of money for something clearly from China or “art” from someone who’s so untalented that they can’t even put in a good A
  25. [R81] Etsy 3/5 · US Plagued by dropshippers: I love being able to shop independent artists on Etsy but the resellers/dropshippers selling Temu products at incredible markup as “hand made” is absurd and needs to be dealt with. I have to research anything I buy now to ensure it isn’t a scam.
  26. [R105] Etsy 3/5 · GB Very slow: Very slow, full of dropshipping and companies disguising themselves as sellers

Synthesized from 120 recent App Store reviews · updated July 2026 · View on the App Store