Source-backed analysis6
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.
6 reference sourcesInformation updated Nov 10, 2026
How we review
Taobao Review
Alibaba's huge Chinese marketplace: vast range, real hurdles for overseas buyers
By AppDuo Editorial Team · Updated
- Web
- iOS
- Android
On this page
Decide at a glance
Our verdict
Taobao suits people who want a very wide range of Chinese goods and can handle shipping, payment and language themselves. The trade-offs: only certain products ship directly to Vietnam, the interface covers only Chinese, English, Russian, Thai and a few other languages, and the US named Taobao on its notorious markets list for counterfeiting in 2022 (per Wikipedia).
Best for: Experienced buyers of Chinese goods who want to compare prices and find niche items that local marketplaces rarely stock.
Skip it if: Shoppers who need fast delivery, easy returns and an interface and support in a familiar language.
Pros
- Huge scale: the China App Store shows over 1.8 million ratings averaging 4.1 out of 5.
- The app is free and buying needs no membership.
- Per Wikipedia, Alipay holds payment until the buyer receives the goods, and a seven-day no-reason return rule applies.
Cons
- Direct delivery to Vietnam covers only some products; many buyers need an order-on-behalf service, which adds fees.
- The Vietnam App Store score is lower than China's (3.9 versus 4.1 out of 5).
All pros and cons · Who is it for?
Pros
- Actively maintained: version 10.69.0 shipped on 6 November 2026.
Cons
- Counterfeit risk: the US named Taobao on its notorious markets list for counterfeiting in 2022 (per Wikipedia).
Best for
- Buyers willing to use an order-on-behalf or international shipping service to get items delivered outside China.
Problems it solves
Experience & key features
What is Taobao?
Taobao is Alibaba Group's e-commerce marketplace. It launched in May 2003 and is headquartered in Hangzhou (per Wikipedia). Individuals and small businesses list goods at fixed prices or by auction, and buyers pay through Alipay. On the App Store, Taobao describes itself as serving over 1 billion users, with goods from major brands and small and medium-sized sellers, plus cross-border shipping options.
Key features
According to Wikipedia, Taobao offers AliWangWang chat so buyers can talk to sellers before ordering, shop ratings and feedback, and live-stream selling (launched in 2018). The App Store listing adds e-wallet and card payments in selected regions, free shipping or local returns on some products, and an English interface in Malaysia, Singapore, Australia, Thailand and Cambodia.
Pricing and real cost
Taobao charges buyers no membership fee; the in-app purchases on the App Store are Taobao Live recharge packs. For buyers outside China the cost lies elsewhere: for Vietnam, a GHN guide lists domestic Chinese shipping, international shipping, warehousing and import duty, and says Taobao ships directly to Vietnam only for certain products. GHN is a delivery company, so the parts promoting its own services deserve caution.
More analysis
Risks and who it suits
Wikipedia records several issues: the US named Taobao on its notorious markets list for counterfeiting in 2022, and sellers protested fee increases in 2011. Buyers should read shop reviews carefully and check return terms. Compared with Shopee or Lazada, Taobao offers more Chinese goods but is harder to buy from; AliExpress and Temu are easier options for buyers who need direct international delivery.
Screenshots
Plans & pricing
Prices last verified Nov 10, 2026
Người mua / Buyer
PersonalFree
The app is free and buying carries no membership fee; buyers pay the item price and the shipping each seller sets. The in-app purchases on the Vietnam App Store are Taobao Live recharge packs priced from 5,000 VND to 29,999,000 VND.
- Free plan limits
- None of the sources opened mention a paid buyer plan. According to a GHN guide, only certain products ship directly to Vietnam.
- Free trial
- No free trial
Cancellation & refunds
Taobao's official refund policy page could not be opened. According to Wikipedia, Alipay holds the payment until the buyer receives the goods, and Taobao has applied a seven-day no-reason return rule since 2008, first for clothing and later for other goods. For orders shipped to Vietnam, check the exact terms in the app before buying.
Privacy
Taobao's privacy policy could not be opened, so this review does not summarise the official text. The developer-reported privacy label on the Vietnam App Store lists identifiers used for tracking; purchase, search and browsing history and device IDs linked to the user for advertising and personalisation; and payment info, address, name, phone number and contacts linked to the user for app functionality. Wikipedia also notes that international users may not receive refunds that are not issued through Taobao's system.
Taobao alternatives
7.1/10Shopee
Vietnam's leading e-commerce marketplace, with Shopee Mall and SPayLater
6.8/10AliExpress
Alibaba's cross-border marketplace: wide range, low prices, mixed refund reports
Frequently asked questions
Does Taobao ship directly to Vietnam?
Yes, but only for certain products, according to a GHN guide (published 4 June 2025, updated 16 June 2025). The guide does not say which products qualify, so check on the product page.
Does Taobao have a Vietnamese interface?
No. The App Store listing names English, Kazakh, Malay, Russian, Simplified Chinese and Thai; Vietnamese is not listed.
Does Taobao cost anything to use?
The app is free and buying has no membership fee. Buyers pay the item price plus shipping and duties; the in-app purchases are Taobao Live recharge packs.
Who owns Taobao?
Taobao belongs to Alibaba Group; the app's developer on the App Store is Zhejiang Taobao Network Co., Ltd. Alibaba lists Taobao among its businesses on its official site.
Review evidence & sources6
Scores
- Ease of use
- 6.0
- Features
- 8.0
- Value for money
- 6.5
- Performance
- 6.5
- Support
- 5.5
- Privacy & security
- 5.0
Why this score
Besides Chinese, the app offers English, Russian, Thai, Malay and Kazakh, so only 6 languages and limited breadth. Only some products ship directly to Vietnam; the rest need a third party. The 3.9 out of 5 on the Vietnam App Store is also low for a major shopping app.
Why this score
Per Wikipedia and the App Store listing: a multi-seller marketplace, Taobao Live shopping streams, AliWangWang chat, Alipay payments, shop ratings and a dispute process. The range is huge; marked down because many features are built for the Chinese market.
Why this score
There is no membership fee, but buyers outside China must add international shipping, any order-on-behalf fee and import duty. These extra costs are hard to predict, so the score sits below marketplaces that deliver domestically, such as Shopee or Lazada in Southeast Asia.
Why this score
A GHN article says goods usually take a long time to reach Vietnam but gives no figure. The app is 293.1 MB and updates regularly. No independent stability data was found, so the score is mid-range.
Why this score
Per Wikipedia, disputes go to a vote by volunteer user jurors, and the losing side can ask Taobao staff to review; but international users may miss refunds issued outside Taobao's system. The interface is limited to Chinese, English, Russian and Thai.
Why this score
The App Store label lists identifiers used for tracking plus purchase, search, payment, contact and contacts data linked to the user. The official privacy policy could not be opened, so retention and sharing terms could not be assessed.
What users say
- App Store (Vietnam)3.9/5 · 5,094
- App Store (China)4.1/5 · 1,811,025
Sources
- Community-reportedWikipedia: TaobaoNov 10, 2026
- storeApp Store listing (Vietnam)Nov 10, 2026
- storeApp Store listing (China), via iTunes lookup APINov 10, 2026
- Vendor-providedAlibaba Group official site (list of businesses)Nov 10, 2026
- Vendor-providedAlibaba Group Form 6-K: March quarter and fiscal 2025 resultsNov 10, 2026
- pressGHN: Taobao có ship thẳng về Việt Nam không (2025-06-04)Nov 10, 2026
Specs & compatibility
- Developer
- Alibaba Group (Zhejiang Taobao Network Co., Ltd)
- Headquarters
- China
- Launched
- 2003
- Category
- Shopping
Capabilities
- Mobile app
- Integrations
Platforms
- Web
- iOS
- Android
Interface languages
- Chinese
- English
- Russian
- Thai
Integrations
- Alipay
- AliWangWang
- Taobao Live
- Tmall
Support
- Live chat
Change history
- Feature.App version 10.69.0 is released on 6 November 2026 on the App Store.
- Company.Alibaba reports Taobao and Tmall Group customer management revenue of RMB322,346 million for fiscal 2025, up 6%.
- Update.About 50,000 sellers join the "October Rising" protest against unannounced increases in fees and deposits (per Wikipedia).
Full change history (5)
- Feature.The Taobao app arrives on the App Store, per the release date in App Store data.
- Launch.Taobao launches (domain registered on 21 April 2003), with free listings, instant messaging and Alipay escrow payments.
About the author
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