A friendly, no-fluff breakdown of the four major Alibaba Group platforms — who they’re for, how they differ, and which one you should use depending on your needs.
1 Understanding the Alibaba Ecosystem
How 1688, Alibaba, Taobao, and AliExpress Are Connected
Quick version: they all belong to Alibaba Group, but each platform targets a different audience. Think of it like one big mall with separate stores:
- 1688.com — domestic wholesale (B2B) for China-based buyers and resellers
- Alibaba.com — international wholesale (B2B) for global importers
- Taobao.com — China’s consumer marketplace (C2C/B2C)
- AliExpress.com — cross-border retail (B2C) for international shoppers
Business Models at a Glance: B2B, C2C, and Cross-Border Retail
In short: 1688 = factories & wholesalers, Alibaba = exporters for the world, Taobao = everyday Chinese shoppers, and AliExpress = international shoppers who want convenience.
2 What Is 1688.com? — China’s Wholesale Sourcing Powerhouse
Core Features and Target Users
1688 is the heart of domestic wholesale in China. Most sellers are the actual factories or local distributors, so prices are factory-direct and often the lowest you’ll find.
It’s built for Chinese shop owners, resellers, and anyone who wants bulk quantities at factory prices.
Pros and Cons for Foreign Buyers
Pros: unbeatable prices, huge selection, some suppliers offer dropshipping or low-minimum options.
Cons: language barrier (mostly Chinese), payment limits (you usually need a Chinese bank card/Alipay), and no built-in international shipping — so foreign buyers must use agents or forwarders.
How 1688 Differs from Alibaba
Both are B2B, but 1688 is domestic (RMB, local focus) while Alibaba.com is built for international trade — English support, global payments, and export-ready suppliers (but usually higher prices).
3 What Is Alibaba.com? — Global B2B Marketplace
Key Features
Alibaba.com connects global buyers with Chinese manufacturers and exporters. It supports multiple payment options (bank transfer, credit cards), trade assurance, and sellers used to working with foreign clients.
Pros & Cons
- Pros: English support, buyer protections (trade assurance), easier payments, and export-ready sellers.
- Cons: prices are often higher than 1688 and MOQs can be steeper.
4 What Is Taobao? — The Retail Shopping Heaven
Who Uses Taobao and What You Can Find
Taobao is China’s biggest marketplace for consumers. You’ll find everything: daily essentials, clothing, handmade goods, niche finds, and trend items. Locals use it every day; foreigners can buy via agents.
Key Benefits and Drawbacks
Taobao shines for variety and retail pricing, but it’s primarily for Chinese shoppers — which means Chinese UI, domestic shipping, and payment methods like Alipay.
How Taobao Differs from AliExpress
AliExpress is basically Taobao’s export-friendly cousin: similar goods, but packaged and priced for international buyers (and usually a little pricier for the convenience).
5 What Is AliExpress? — Global Retail Gateway for Shoppers
Designed for International Buyers
AliExpress lets people worldwide buy from Chinese sellers with ease: multilingual site, global payments (cards, PayPal in some regions), international shipping and buyer protection.
AliExpress vs Taobao: Same Products, Different Access
Often the same factories supply both, but AliExpress sellers factor in shipping & platform fees — so expect slightly higher prices but a much smoother buying experience if you’re outside China.
Dropshipping & Small Orders on AliExpress
AliExpress is very dropshipper-friendly: no MOQ, easy order-by-order purchases, and integrations with common eCommerce platforms.
6 Feature Comparison: 1688 vs Alibaba vs Taobao vs AliExpress
| Feature | 1688 | Alibaba.com | Taobao | AliExpress |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Target Users | Chinese wholesalers & factories | Global wholesale buyers | Chinese consumers | Global consumers |
| Business Model | B2B (Domestic) | B2B (Cross-border) | C2C / B2C | B2C (Cross-border) |
| Pricing & MOQ | Lowest, MOQs common | Moderate, MOQs common | Retail, no MOQ | Retail, no MOQ |
| Language | Chinese (limited English) | English & multilingual | Chinese | Multilingual |
| Payments | RMB / Chinese bank or Alipay | Global methods | Alipay / RMB | Global methods |
| Shipping | China-only (use forwarder) | Global export | China-only (use forwarder) | Worldwide |
| Buyer Protection | Minimal | Strong (trade assurance) | Medium | Strong |
| Ease for Foreigners | Tough (needs agent) | Easy | Moderate (agent helps) | Very easy |
7 How Foreigners Can Buy from 1688 or Taobao
Payment Barriers and Workarounds
Both 1688 and Taobao expect RMB payments. Typical solutions:
- Use a third-party buying agent to place orders and pay with their Chinese account.
- Open an Alipay with Chinese verification (not always easy).
- Hire a forwarder who buys, consolidates and ships for you.
Shipping Solutions for Overseas Buyers
Because sellers often don’t ship abroad, you’ll want:
- a China warehouse address from your forwarder
- consolidation & repacking services to save on weight & volume
- clear communication with sellers (or an agent who handles it)
Language Challenges & How to Overcome Them
Use translation extensions, but for negotiation or custom specs, a bilingual sourcing agent is worth every penny—they’ll confirm details, handle disputes, and save you time.
8 Choosing the Right Platform for You
Choose 1688 if you are...
Looking for factory-direct bulk prices and okay using an agent to handle payments and shipping.
Choose Alibaba if you are...
Importing at scale and want English support, trade assurance, and export-ready suppliers.
Choose Taobao if you are...
Shopping for personal items or testing samples and comfortable using a forwarder.
Choose AliExpress if you are...
A global shopper or dropshipper who wants easy payments and direct shipping to customers worldwide.
9 FAQs
Is Taobao part of Alibaba? What about 1688 and AliExpress? ›
Yes — Taobao, 1688, Alibaba.com and AliExpress are all under the Alibaba Group umbrella, but they target different markets and use cases.
Can foreigners buy directly from 1688 or Taobao? ›
Not directly in most cases. You’ll usually need a buying agent or forwarder to place orders, pay in RMB and ship internationally.
Why are prices on 1688 cheaper than Alibaba or AliExpress? ›
1688 serves domestic Chinese buyers and connects you to factory prices—no export fees, no international logistics or extra platform margins, so base prices are lower.
Do I need a Chinese bank account to use 1688 or Taobao? ›
Yes, typically — unless you use an agent who pays on your behalf.
Which is better for small businesses or dropshipping? ›
For beginners and dropshipping: AliExpress. For long-term, lower-cost sourcing at scale: 1688 or Alibaba (with an agent to handle logistics).
10 Final Verdict
Short answer: there is no single “best” — pick based on what you need. If you want the lowest price and can handle logistics, go 1688. If you want global B2B support, pick Alibaba. For retail convenience, use Taobao (via agent) or AliExpress.
11 Bonus: How Jiyunservice Can Help
We help international buyers bridge the gaps: payments, consolidation, inspection and international shipping. If you don’t have a Chinese bank card or you're not comfortable negotiating in Chinese, a shopping agent (like us!) does the heavy lifting — you just get your goods.
