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

AliExpress vs SHEIN

AliExpress 4.7★ · Free to download 70
Winner SHEIN
SHEIN 4.7★ · Free to download 75

SHEIN holds a slight edge over AliExpress due to its generally faster delivery and a wider range of positive feedback on product quality, despite both apps facing similar issues with pricing transparency and customer service.

Full reviews: AliExpress · SHEIN

Both AliExpress and SHEIN offer highly discounted products, but SHEIN appears to have a slight advantage in delivery speed and overall product satisfaction, although both struggle with consistent pricing and customer support. AliExpress is praised for its variety and value, while SHEIN is a favorite for fashion and plus-size options.

Head to head

Product Variety & Quality tieR6R8R39R41
AliExpress AliExpress offers a vast array of products, from irrigation systems to iPad accessories, with users finding quality products for a fraction of the price R6R8. Many customers are satisfied with the quality of items received, especially for specific niches like building blocks or watch parts R39R41R59.
SHEIN SHEIN is loved for its extensive selection, particularly in clothing and plus sizes, with many users happy with the quality of their purchases R77R98. However, some reviews indicate that quality can be inconsistent, especially for hoodies and certain shirts .
Pricing & Value edge: AliExpressR44R47R60R48
AliExpress AliExpress is praised for its awesome prices and great value, with many items available for very low costs, sometimes as low as $0.99 R44R47R60. The app also offers deals, sales, and incentives for further discounts R48.
SHEIN SHEIN is known for its unbeatable and affordable prices . However, a significant number of users report issues with prices changing in the cart or at checkout, making the final cost much higher than expected . Many also feel that discounts and free gift promotions are misleading or impossible to achieve .
Delivery Speed & Reliability tieR5R6R30R33
AliExpress AliExpress users report mixed experiences with delivery. Some describe rapid and fast deliveries, even faster than anticipated R5R6R30R33. However, others complain about long shipping times and packages not being delivered despite status updates R26R39.
SHEIN SHEIN also has varied delivery experiences. While some users are happy with receiving their items R77, many express frustration with late orders, packages arriving on the last day of the expected window or even later . There are also complaints about packages being left in insecure locations or not arriving at all .
Ease of Use & App Experience tieR14R55R3R10
AliExpress AliExpress is generally considered user-friendly and simple to use by many R14R55. However, some users find it complicated to navigate and report issues with account creation or app data growing significantly R3R10.
SHEIN SHEIN is described as a good and easy-to-use app by many . Conversely, a significant number of users find the app experience frustrating due to excessive ads, pop-ups, and confusing mini-games designed to offer discounts .
Customer Service & Returns tieR6R14R35R37
AliExpress AliExpress receives mixed reviews for customer service. Some users praise vendors for excellent communication and responsive service R6R14R35R37. However, many report significant difficulties with returning faulty goods, getting refunds, or dealing with scam sellers R13.
SHEIN SHEIN's customer service also garners mixed feedback. Some users report good customer service , but others express annoyance with the customer service team and difficulties with returns due to high shipping costs R98. There are also complaints about not receiving refunds or issues with payment processing R79.
Pick AliExpress if

You are looking for a wide variety of non-fashion items, are patient with shipping, and prioritize finding products at extremely low prices, even if it means navigating a slightly less intuitive app R6R8R44.

Pick SHEIN if

You primarily shop for fashion, including plus sizes, and appreciate a vast selection of trendy clothing at affordable prices, despite potential frustrations with dynamic pricing and delivery times R98.

Evidence note: Both apps are free to download, and much of the negativity for both stems from common issues with international e-commerce platforms, such as shipping times, return policies, and customer service challenges. SHEIN's issues with pricing transparency and misleading promotions are more frequently cited than similar issues for AliExpress.

Frequently asked

Which app has faster shipping, AliExpress or SHEIN?
Reviews for both apps show mixed experiences with shipping speed; some AliExpress users report rapid delivery R5R6, while others complain about long waits R26. Similarly, SHEIN users experience both timely arrivals R77 and significant delays .
Are products on AliExpress and SHEIN good quality?
Both apps offer products that users describe as good quality for the price (R8, R59, R60 for AliExpress; R77, , for SHEIN), but there are also instances where quality is inconsistent or does not match expectations, particularly for certain clothing items on SHEIN or when expectations are too high for low-priced items on AliExpress R59.
Is it easy to return items or get refunds on AliExpress and SHEIN?
Returning items and getting refunds can be difficult on both platforms; AliExpress users report issues with returning faulty goods and getting refunds R13R28, and SHEIN users mention high return shipping costs making returns not worthwhile R98 and problems with payment and refunds R79.

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. [R39] AliExpress 5/5 · US Great app for building blocks and figs!: Have used it many times and have been satisfied with the products. You need to have patience as the products take time to arrive in the US. Worth the wait.
  4. [R41] AliExpress 5/5 · US Phenomenal: Really impressed with the watch
  5. [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.
  6. [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
  7. [R60] AliExpress 5/5 · US Great App: Awesome prices!!!! High quality products 🔥👌🏼
  8. [R48] AliExpress 5/5 · US Deals and Sales Galore: I personally enjoy the app with all its fun little games and incentives to earn ways to get further discounts on top of the already highly discounted products from various vendors and official stores.
  9. [R5] AliExpress 5/5 · US Soo good: Fast delivery
  10. [R30] AliExpress 5/5 · US The app is wonderful: prices are cheaper and delivery is fast. · translated
  11. [R33] AliExpress 5/5 · US makeup: good match and fast delivery
  12. [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
  13. [R55] AliExpress 5/5 · US Excellent App: Excellent app that’s user friendly!
  14. [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
  15. [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
  16. [R35] AliExpress 5/5 · US Customer service: 5
  17. [R37] AliExpress 5/5 · US KTM 390 adventure parts: Very happy with my purchase, they were very communicative got right back to me right away, got the shipping faster than they said it would get here, and it was the best price I could find anywhere, would highly recommend. Great job guys Larry D.
  18. [R26] AliExpress 1/5 · GB Shipping: Man this is so un OG this shipping takes sooo long 1 star
  19. [R77] SHEIN 5/5 · US Love SHEIN: So far everything that I ordered and received are very good.
  20. [R59] AliExpress 5/5 · US Everything is usable: Quality is there in most things. Some things loo serious but once they arrive you laugh because you expected more.
  21. [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
  22. [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.
  23. [R98] SHEIN 5/5 · US Love the plus size selection!: I have loved almost everything about the clothing. Only thing that would be better is if it was more cost effective to return items. The return shipping is not even worth returning anything. But I do love most of the products I have received.
  24. [R79] SHEIN 1/5 · US Pay: It won't let me pay for my order with my card or any other one; it keeps showing an error, even though I've tried several times.

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