Alibaba Alternatives: 12 Sites Like Alibaba to Source

Estimated reading time: 13 minutes

I’m sure you must know Alibaba because it is the choice of most e-commerce sellers. I admit that finding suppliers from Alibaba is a great choice. But have you considered or are you considering other websites like Alibaba to source? There are also many options available on other similar websites.

Alibaba is not the only website that can provide you with a directory of suppliers. In this article, you will be shown other websites like Alibaba for sourcing. You don’t have to worry about finding top wholesale websites for bulk purchasing. Because I will analyze the pros and cons of these websites and applicable scenarios for you. Here we go.

Why Alibaba’s Website is Popular?

As discussed at the beginning of the article. Alibaba’s website is widely known. But do you know why it’s so popular?

Alibaba focuses on e-commerce, retail, Internet, and technology sectors. On Alibaba.com, you can buy anything. Of course, for e-commerce sellers. There are many suppliers you can find here.

Note: Alibaba.com has thousands of Chinese suppliers. You can find a Manufacturer in China easily.

To summarize, Alibaba can bring you the following benefits:

a) Alibaba leverages a vast network of suppliers. Especially in a manufacturing country like China. Alibaba can offer products at wholesale prices. You can get the products you want at a lower cost.

b) You can find all kinds of products on Alibaba. From raw materials to finished goods. Whether it is clothes or electronic products. You can search for everything.

Also Read: Best Items to Flip on Alibaba: What to Buy from Alibaba

c) Furthermore, Alibaba has a unique process to verify suppliers. And the platform offers different levels of verification. You’ll feel more secure when contacting these suppliers. At least, you know these Alibaba customer service won’t just sit idly by and ignore your problem.

Trying to contact an Alibaba supplier but not receiving a reply? Please, Alibaba can only provide you with most of the security guarantees. There are also many problems with Alibaba.

You can check another article about What to Do When Chinese Suppliers (Alibaba) Ignore Your Inquiries.

Are you familiar with Alibaba scams? Do you know how to safely source products on Alibaba.com? Can you evaluate the reliability of Alibaba verified suppliers? If your answer is no, please consider contacting a sourcing agent on Alibaba to ensure you don’t lose your investment.

Why Consider Other Websites Instead of Alibaba?

Alibaba has a wide range of products and you can contact suppliers of any product on this platform. This is why it is so popular.

However, as mentioned in the previous section, Alibaba also has some problems. No website is perfect. Although in most cases, Alibaba is still the first thing that comes to mind for some people.

But why do you need to consider other websites instead of Alibaba? The following is my analysis, I hope it can be helpful to you.

Alibaba has a huge scale. Customer service response may be slower. Resolving disputes or processing returns can be more cumbersome than on a more localized e-commerce platform.

Imagine that thousands of suppliers mean hundreds of issues can occur a day. And these customer service staff will be very busy. When will they be free to deal with your problem?

So, consider other websites that can provide you with better consumer protection and customer service experience.

In addition, the products of different platforms are also different. While Alibaba offers a broad range of products, some specific areas or specialized items may be more readily available on other websites or from more reputable suppliers. Suppliers on Alibaba may not be professional in a certain product. A wider selection of products is available through other websites. Make sure you find the right product suppliers.

Although Alibaba offers many benefits. But please consider the possible risks and look at some similar websites to source. This may lead to some more favorable options for you.

What Other Websites Are Like Alibaba?

Do you know of any other websites similar to Alibaba? Don’t worry, I have listed 12 websites like Alibaba to source for you,

1. Sourcing from Shein (shein.com)

Shein is a global fashion website focused on women. This website is very popular among young people.

The model Shein employs enables it to quickly design, manufacture, and market new styles, often moving from concept to product within weeks. This fast-paced approach allows Shein to offer an ever-changing and wide range of fashion items. The website is always updated with the latest market consumer trends.

However, Shein has also attracted some criticism. There is a focus on the sustainability and ethical implications of fast fashion. Includes the environmental impacts of rapid production and garment disposal, as well as labor practices in the supply chain. Despite these challenges, Shein continues to expand its global reach. Entering new markets and continually evolving its product offerings to maintain its leadership position in the fast fashion industry.

2. Sourcing from Temu (temu.com)

Do you know Temu?

It’s a Temu, which is affiliated with Chinese Pinduoduo and began its work in the USA in 2022.

After launching the App in the UK in early 2023, Temu was frequently used as one of the most downloaded Apps. Sensor Tower data recommended the app has nine million monthly users, to the BBC.

The e-commerce company with the motto ‘shop cheap like a lord’ offers the consumer to purchase directly from Chinese factories at throwaway prices.

This is a news from BBC.

Temu is still a relatively new player in the complex e-commerce market worldwide and sells all kinds of products in different sectors. In as much as Temu has to do business with you, they can offer you better prices than those you find in other e-commerce businesses.

It may sound like you have to part with 5$ to purchase a product from Alibaba. But in Temu, you only spend 2$, or even less than that.

Through its direct purchasing of products and efficiency in delivery, Temu has set out to offer its consumers benefits in cheap and quality products. Using this approach helps the website to rival other existing e-commerce websites within the international market. If you need to acquire some goods at a cheaper price then Temu is one of the best platforms to use.

3. Sourcing from DHgate (dhgate.com)

DHgate is one of the B2C cross-border e-commerce operators in China. Primarily for linking export small and medium enterprises from China with foreign buyers. The platform primarily deals with wholesale business and has a broad product portfolio.

Operating online, DHgate assists small manufacturers in reaching global buyers. This makes a broader network of suppliers fit into the platform and makes it operational. You also give them full market access that they would not easily penetrate with their little capital.

And on this website, you get Chinese suppliers that aren’t listed on Alibaba at all. This means you have more suppliers for your product and you can even get the product at a better price. Because you can purchase directly from these manufacturers.

Additionally, both the website and mobile app offer tools such as a search engine, buyer protection policy, and secure payment system. To ensure the transaction goes smoothly.

4. Sourcing from Global Sources (globalsources.com)

Global Sources is one of the popular B2B sourcing websites with its headquarters in Hong Kong. Currently, most of the suppliers featured on this website are from China and Asia.

Integrated procurement is the kind of procedure that is being followed in Global Sources. That is, offering an online marketplace and an effective trade show at the same time. Such trade fairs, which are predominantly in Hong Kong, involve hundreds of thousands of suppliers and buyers around the globe.

With those suppliers and their products, one can have confrontations where you meet the suppliers personally, and get to inspect their products personally. This combination of the Internet and traditional mode of purchasing lets the buyer not only search for new products or suppliers via the Internet but also establish relationships and bargain face to face.

5. Sourcing from Thomasnet (thomasnet.com)

Thomasnet is an extensive resource associated with the industrial products and suppliers’ search in North America. It is a unique source of information for manufacturing, engineering, and procurement executives to get data about more than 500,000 suppliers and millions of products.

Thomasnet has a good portal search engine. It can be used for precise searches for product or service offerings, supplier location, certifications, and the company’s size. Furthermore, Thomasnet gives rich data about the suppliers: Employs information about the company, a list of the products it offers, and its contact information. This will make it easier for you to sort out potential suppliers.

However, because the site is uniquely designed for industrial products, the depth of the product lineup might not be as deep. However, for industrial sector companies, Thomasnet continues to be the go-to source for procurement, developing networks, and learning about industry trends and events.

6. Sourcing from 1688 (1688.COM)

1688 is a widely known Chinese online B2B website that is part of Alibaba Group. The title 1688 was chosen since this number is rather popular in China and is considered to express that business will always prosper.

Consequently, 1688 mainly targets customers in China. At least there are many suppliers from China here. However, this also implies that the platform is primarily implemented in the Chinese language, and therefore English users are likely to find it challenging.

Moreover, cross-border from 1688 begins from 1688 and may be fraught with greater difficulties and higher costs compared to the international platform, which can be Alibaba.com.

For further information, read this article: How to Buy from 1688.com Outside China?

7. Sourcing from Eworldtrade (eworldtrade.com)

Eworldtrade is an internet-based business-to-business marketplace. It gives businesses all over the globe the opportunity and place to advertise their goods and services.

Some of the services and tools available on the website are designed to assist with the transaction process. For example trade show information, secure means of paying the vendors, or full logistics support. They can help simplify the challenges that are typical for international business activities. Most of those concerns that used to give you toast such as language huddles, payment issues, and the shipment of the products are no more there. Under the very best of circumstances, this makes it easier for you to expand into new markets.

8. Sourcing from Kompass (kompass.com)

Kompass is one of the leading international sources of business, and industrial information with internet-based online directory services. Unlike Alibaba which focuses mainly on the B2B selling Wholesale Trade, KOMPASS acts as a business directory from which you can obtain information on various Companies and will specialize by the industries across the Globe. Contains company details, phone number, email, and other details about products and services.

Note: Kompass does not sell and buy products on behalf of users and is limited to verified business data. So strictly speaking, this website cannot be used in place of Alibaba. However, I think this website is more professional than Alibaba’s website in verifying suppliers.

9. Sourcing from HKTDC (hktdc.com)

Mainly, The Hong Kong Trade Development Council (HKTDC) is a Trade Organisation. Services include market research, product exhibitions business sourcing, and other business-related services.

Alibaba functions as an electronic business platform that connects many sellers and buyers to engage in business through the Internet. The major functions of the HKTDC include the promotion of business linkages, trade fairs & exhibitions, and business delegations. This provides an opportunity to meet the suppliers directly, which are the following. It assists in the formation of long-term business relations and also allows you to open various new market areas.

10. Sourcing from Tradekey (tradekey.com)

Many people and companies use Tradekey to market and sell their products all over the world regardless of the size of their business. It is also fair to say that compared to Alibaba, TradeKey provides a more specialized and geographically diverse platform, that is in the comfort to use for companies from all corners of the globe.

Very frequently, the website highlights the need for increasing trade relations and collaboration. This company provides several services and tools aimed at the establishment and development of sustainable business partnerships. These are partner programs, trade show information, and business matchmaking services. If you are a novice do not be worried. TradeKey is going to assist you in searching for compatible traders as well as manufacturers globally.

11. Sourcing from AliExpress (aliexpress.com)

AliExpress is also an Alibaba Group. The website is mainly aimed at offering customer retail services for small business entities that are established across the globe. Unlike most current B2B platforms, AliExpress is a B2C platform where Chinese exporters can sell directly to global buyers.

Also, not to mention that AliExpress has constant scratch-off and discount offers. Perhaps one day the product that interests you will be on discount.

While Alibaba is more business-oriented, AliExpress is for individual customers, here you can purchase goods for personal use at retail or wholesale prices.

12. Sourcing from Google (google.com)

Yes, you read that right. Google can also be used for sourcing.

Google has a strong search engine. This website can be a great sourcing tool. You can get any information about a product from Google. Of course, if you have a target supplier, you can use Google’s database to get all the information about the supplier to verify the supplier’s legitimacy.

Detail Explanation: How to Verify Chinese Supplier’s Legitimacy

All you need is a simple search query to get all the information you want. What a great way to do this!

Which Are the Best Wholesale Websites?

Too many choices may make your head spin. Which website should I choose? In other words, which website is the best website for sourcing?

The reality is that there is no such thing as a best website. However, you can choose the website that best suits you according to your needs. I compiled these websites for you and analyzed the characteristics of each website. You can choose the one that suits you through the form below.

Read More,

• How To Buy Wholesale From China?
• Best Items to Flip on Alibaba: What to Buy from Alibaba
• How to Send Money to China?
• Everything You Should Know About Creating a Global Sourcing Strategy!

Final Thoughts

Considering other websites like Alibaba to source can increase your options. If you feel like there are too many options to decide what to do. Or you still don’t know which website to buy products from. Don’t worry, you can take a look at the benefits that choosing a sourcing agent can bring to you. Owlsourcing is a global sourcing company. We provide you with a one-stop service from sourcing products to shipping. You can contact us anytime.