Source-backed analysis8
Review basis
Research-based review: the AppDuo Editorial Team compiled it from official pages, documentation, app stores, press and user feedback, without hands-on testing. Every claim links to a source with the date it was checked.
8 reference sourcesInformation updated Nov 10, 2026
How we review
AliExpress Review
Alibaba's cross-border marketplace: wide range, low prices, mixed refund reports
By AppDuo Editorial Team · Updated
- Web
- iOS
- Android
On this page
Decide at a glance
Our verdict
AliExpress suits shoppers who accept international delivery for a wide range at low prices, backed by a Buyer Protection Program that allows refund claims within 15 days of delivery. The trade-offs are sharply different ratings between app stores (4.1 to 4.6/5) and Trustpilot (1.8/5), and a EUR 550 million European Commission fine over inadequate controls on illegal, unsafe and counterfeit goods.
Best for: Shoppers hunting niche items, accessories and low-cost electronics from many overseas sellers
Skip it if: People who need genuine goods with local warranty or delivery within days
Pros
- Wide range from many sellers; regional sites such as the Vietnamese one show prices in local currency
- Buyer Protection Program: refunds for items not as described, damaged or not arriving, with free returns within 15 days
- Strong store ratings: 4.6/5 on the Vietnamese App Store (13,200 ratings) and 4.1/5 on Google Play (over 16.2 million ratings)
Cons
- Trustpilot score is only 1.8/5 (189,513 reviews); reviewers complain about rejected refunds, delays and items differing from listings
- On 20 July 2026 the European Commission fined AliExpress EUR 550 million under the Digital Services Act for failing to assess and mitigate risks from illegal, unsafe and counterfeit products
All pros and cons · Who is it for?
Pros
- Interface in 18 languages per the App Store (including Vietnamese, English, Japanese, Korean)
Cons
- For a change of mind the buyer pays return shipping, and several categories are excluded
- The data policy allows sharing with advertising partners and the App Store label lists many data types linked to the user
Best for
- Buyers who accept longer delivery times and vet sellers before purchasing
Skip it if
- Buying food, medicines, cosmetics or safety-certified products, given European regulators' concerns about illegal and unsafe goods
Problems it solves
Experience & key features
What it is
AliExpress is a B2C marketplace owned by Alibaba Group, launched in 2010 per Wikipedia, connecting sellers (mostly businesses) with buyers across many countries. Under its privacy policy, users in Vietnam contract with Alibaba.com Singapore E-Commerce Private Limited. The Vietnamese website shows prices in dong and offers order-threshold coupons.
Buyer protection and refunds
The Buyer Protection Program refunds items that do not match the description, arrive damaged or short within 15 days of receipt, or do not arrive within the guaranteed window. The steps are: contact the seller, file a refund request under your order, then receive the refund after the warehouse checks the returned goods. The page also notes statutory rights for buyers in most EU countries, such as a 2-year legal warranty and a 14-day right to return. Trustpilot, however, carries many complaints about rejected refunds.
Regulatory and product-safety flags
On 20 July 2026 the European Commission fined AliExpress EUR 550 million for falling short of its Digital Services Act duty to assess and mitigate risks from illegal, unsafe or counterfeit products. The decision concerns Europe and is not a finding about other markets, but it is worth weighing when buying electrical goods, food, cosmetics or certified products. Wikipedia also notes that the US added AliExpress to its notorious markets list for counterfeiting in 2022.
More analysis
Compared with alternatives
AliExpress is strong on range and imported goods, while regional marketplaces with local stock, such as Shopee and Lazada in Southeast Asia, typically deliver faster. Temu and Shein also sell cross-border and are worth comparing on price, delivery time and return terms. For high-value items or those needing warranty, local retail chains (FPT Shop in Vietnam, for example) make complaints easier to pursue.
Screenshots
Plans & pricing
Prices last verified Nov 10, 2026
Người mua / Buyer
PersonalFree
The website and app have no membership fee; buyers pay item prices and shipping where applicable. The Vietnamese homepage shows prices in dong and order-threshold coupons (for example 568,500 VND off orders of 3,383,000 VND, ending 19 Nov), each with its own conditions.
- Free plan limits
- No sign-up fee for buyers. The App Store description mentions app-only discounts and price-drop notifications.
- Free trial
- No free trial
Cancellation & refunds
According to AliExpress's Buyer Protection Program page: refunds are available if an item does not match the description or photos, arrives damaged or short within 15 days of receipt, or does not arrive within the guaranteed delivery window shown on the order page. Free returns apply within 15 days of receipt, but for a change of mind the buyer pays return shipping. A full refund follows once the warehouse quality check passes, to the fast-refund bonus or the original payment method. Prohibited items, underwear, socks, food, batteries and customised goods are excluded.
Privacy
AliExpress.com's privacy policy (effective 30 July 2026) says that for users in Vietnam the contracting entity and data controller is Alibaba.com Singapore E-Commerce Private Limited. It describes information you provide, data collected automatically from your device via cookies, and information from third parties such as social media platforms. Data may be shared with marketing and analytics partners (such as Google, Facebook, Instagram, AppsFlyer and Criteo), payment providers and affiliates, and the policy has sections on user rights and international transfers. The developer-declared App Store privacy label lists identifiers as usable for tracking, and financial info, location, contact info, user content and search history as linked to the user.
AliExpress alternatives
7.2/10Amazon
The world's largest online store, strong on range and the Prime membership
7.1/10Shopee
Vietnam's leading e-commerce marketplace, with Shopee Mall and SPayLater
Frequently asked questions
Does AliExpress refund purchases?
Yes, under the Buyer Protection Program: refunds if an item does not match the description or arrives damaged or short within 15 days of receipt, or does not arrive within the guaranteed window. Many Trustpilot reviews report claims being rejected in practice.
Can I return an item if I change my mind?
Yes, within 15 days of receipt, but if the reason is a change of mind you pay return shipping. Underwear, socks, food, batteries, customised goods and prohibited items are excluded.
Is AliExpress safe?
It has a Buyer Protection Program and highly rated apps, but Trustpilot scores it 1.8/5 and the European Commission fined it EUR 550 million on 20 July 2026 over inadequate risk controls on unsafe and counterfeit goods. Check sellers and reviews before buying.
Does AliExpress support Vietnamese?
Yes. The website has a vi.aliexpress.com version showing prices in dong, and the App Store lists Vietnamese among supported languages.
Review evidence & sources8
Scores
- Ease of use
- 7.4
- Features
- 7.6
- Value for money
- 7.3
- Performance
- 6.8
- Support
- 5.8
- Privacy & security
- 5.6
Why this score
4.6/5 on the Vietnamese App Store and 4.1/5 on Google Play from millions of ratings, with an 18-language interface and real-time order tracking. Marked down as Trustpilot is only 1.8/5, mainly over refunds and support.
Why this score
Multiple payment methods, order tracking, verified reviews, app-only discounts and Buyer Protection; as a cross-border marketplace it lacks local services such as in-store warranty.
Why this score
No membership fee and order-threshold coupons, but no independent price comparison; return shipping for a change of mind falls on the buyer.
Why this score
No independent app-speed data. Trustpilot reviewers cite long delays and parcels marked delivered but not received; the Buyer Protection page refers to a guaranteed delivery window shown on the order page.
Why this score
The dispute flow is clear (contact the seller, then file a refund request). Trustpilot shows AliExpress replying to 99% of negative reviews, but reviewers describe template answers, automated refund rejections and slow resolution.
Why this score
A detailed policy with a user-rights section effective 30 July 2026, but it allows sharing with advertising and analytics partners who may combine data for targeted ads, and the App Store label lists many data types linked to the user.
What users say
- App Store (Vietnam)4.6/5 · 13,200
- Google Play4.1/5 · 16,288,295
- Trustpilot (aliexpress.com)1.8/5 · 189,513
Sources
- Vendor-providedAliExpress Vietnamese homepageNov 10, 2026
- Vendor-providedAliExpress Buyer Protection ProgramNov 10, 2026
- Vendor-providedAliExpress.com Privacy Policy (effective 2026-07-30)Nov 10, 2026
- storeApp Store listing (Vietnam)Nov 10, 2026
- storeGoogle Play listingNov 10, 2026
- review-siteTrustpilot: aliexpress.comNov 10, 2026
- Vendor-providedEuropean Commission: fine of EUR 550 million (2026-07-20)Nov 10, 2026
- Community-reportedWikipedia: AliExpressNov 10, 2026
Specs & compatibility
- Developer
- Alibaba.com Singapore E-Commerce Private Limited (Alibaba Group)
- Headquarters
- Singapore
- Launched
- 2010
- Category
- Shopping
Capabilities
- Mobile app
Platforms
- Web
- iOS
- Android
Interface languages
- Vietnamese
- English
- Japanese
- Korean
- German
- French
- Spanish
- Portuguese
- Russian
- Thai
- Indonesian
Support
- Live chat
- Help center
Change history
- Update.The current AliExpress.com privacy policy version takes effect.
- Update.The European Commission fines AliExpress EUR 550 million for breaching its duty to assess and mitigate risks from illegal, unsafe and counterfeit products.
- Update.The European Commission opens a formal investigation of AliExpress under the Digital Services Act.
Full change history (6)
- Update.The US Trade Representative adds AliExpress to its Notorious Markets list for counterfeiting and piracy.
- Company.AliExpress shifts fully from small-scale wholesale to a consumer-oriented platform.
- Launch.AliExpress launches under Alibaba Group.
About the author
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