Best Sites Like Alibaba: 25 Global Alternatives
Alibaba features the largest collection of manufacturers and suppliers in the world, making it a popular choice for sourcing products. However, exploring alternative sites can actually sometimes yield better deals. Other online marketplaces might offer cheaper prices, higher product quality, or more favorable delivery terms.
In this article, we'll provide an in-depth overview of the 25 best alternatives to Alibaba that are worth considering when looking for suppliers.
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The Best Sites Besides Alibaba
Depending on a seller's business goals, different factors come into play when choosing a supplier. These can include offering products tailored to local markets, reduced shipping costs and times, quality standards, and more. To ensure a more strategic approach to sourcing, we've divided the top Alibaba-like websites by country. Here are the 25 leading alternatives to Alibaba:
USA
Sourcing products locally can offer significant benefits, such as lower shipping costs and easier communication with suppliers due to smaller time differences and removed language barriers. Let's explore two primary platforms for finding suppliers based in the U.S.
Amazon Business
Website: business.amazon.com
Type: B2B marketplace
Products: General merchandise
Amazon Business is an excellent choice for those who are looking to buy wholesale. It offers discounts on bulk orders as well as recurring delivery. With Amazon's strong business reputation, you can be assured of a reliable purchase experience. It's also especially convenient for retailers who sell on Amazon's main website, as it integrates inventory management, order fulfillment, and sales tracking seamlessly, streamlining business operations.
However, to ensure a smart investment in your product sourcing, you need to check whether your goods are potentially profitable. Criteria can vary depending on the business model, but there are universal parameters to consider, including:
High Profit Margins: This refers to the amount of money left over from each sale after all expenses. Look for items that have a profit margin of 30% or greater.
High Demand: Choose an item that people want to buy. It doesn’t need to be the most popular product, but it does need to have a sizable customer base. Monthly sales numbers totaling 300 or more usually indicate strong demand.
Small and Light: Opt for products weighing under 5 lbs to minimize your shipping costs and FBA fees, if applicable. When using third-party logistics solutions, prioritize non-fragile items to minimize the likelihood of damage during transport.
In order to find a product that matches your needs and preferences, conducting market and product research is essential. This may sound complicated at first, but luckily there’s a tool that makes this type of analysis super easy.
Finding Profitable Product Ideas Using the AMZScout Product Database
If you’re looking for the best products to sell, just follow these steps:
1. Go to the AMZScout Product Database. Start your free trial by entering your email address.
2. Set your product criteria. You can utilize 16 search filters to define your item's criteria. For instance, filter products by category, the number of sales per month, monthly revenue, or other parameters that are relevant to your needs.
3. Get your results. Click Find Products to generate a list of products that match your preferences. Once you have your list, review the most promising products on Amazon Business.
Keep in mind that Amazon Business offers ready-made goods that do not allow for customization, which may not be ideal for private label sellers. Additionally, it's important to compare the costs of Amazon Business with Alibaba and their competitors to ensure that you get the best deal. Below, you'll find a list of 24 additional websites where you can explore products that have caught your interest.
Thomasnet
Website: business.thomasnet.com
Type: Supplier database
Products: Industrial goods
ThomasNet provides a database that contains half a million suppliers, specializing primarily in industrial goods. This platform is renowned for its secure payment system, transaction assurance, and ability to obtain multiple quotes for your products.
Now, let's check overseas websites similar to Alibaba.
China
Chinese suppliers are widely known for their competitive prices and robust manufacturing capabilities. There are numerous suppliers located in China, many of whom specialize in specific product types. In this article, we will focus on the largest suppliers who offer a wider range of products.
AliExpress
Website: aliexpress.com
Type: B2C marketplace
Products: General merchandise
AliExpress is a part of the Alibaba Group, but it is not equivalent to Alibaba itself. AliExpress is better suited for individuals or businesses looking to buy small quantities of goods. Consequently, while the prices on AliExpress are higher, the initial investment is lower since you can purchase items individually.
DHgate
Website: dhgate.com
Type: B2B/B2C marketplace
Products: General merchandise
DHgate combines aspects of both Alibaba and AliExpress. It allows you to buy single pieces from manufacturers at wholesale prices, which is ideal for those seeking cheap products. But also be aware of the longer delivery times and the frequent presence of fake or replica items.
Chinavasion
Website: chinavasion.com
Type: B2B/B2C marketplace
Products: General merchandise
Chinavasion's website design may appear outdated, but don't be quick to dismiss it. This platform actually offers a wide variety of product categories, including car repair tools, with a primary focus on electronics. Wholesalers can benefit from attractive discounts, and customers appreciate both the speedy delivery and comprehensive refund policy.
Global Sources
Website: globalsources.com
Type: Supplier database
Products: General merchandise
This platform is famous for organizing trade shows, where buyers can meet suppliers in-person and negotiate terms. Global Sources offers a wide range of products, though the online catalog is often outdated. Additionally, the English version of the website is not always fully available.
Made-in-China
Website: made-in-china.com
Type: B2B marketplace
Products: General merchandise
Made-in-China is a robust Alibaba alternative, boasting over 70 million products across 4,300 categories. It features a reliable payment system and offers both ready-made goods and products made on demand.
1688
Website: 1688.com
Type: B2B marketplace
Products: General merchandise
1688 is a part of the Alibaba Group, and operates similarly to Alibaba while offering millions of products across various categories at affordable prices. However, it caters primarily to the domestic market, so accessing information on this platform in English will require downloading an app or using Google Translate.
Taobao
Website: world.taobao.com
Type: B2B/B2C marketplace
Products: General merchandise
Taobao is a Chinese shopping platform known for its incredibly low prices and extensive range of products. Many consider Taobao to be the Chinese version of eBay. However, it can be challenging for international buyers to buy here due to language barriers.
JD
Website: global.jd.com
Type: B2B/B2C marketplace
Products: General merchandise
JD.com focuses primarily on technology-related products and is gradually expanding its presence in the luxury sector. JD.com ensures swift delivery due to its efficient logistics network. This platform is also highly vigilant about product authenticity, ensuring that customers receive genuine items.
Gearbest
Website: gearbest.ma
Type: B2B/B2C marketplace
Products: General merchandise
Gearbest focuses mostly on gadgets, technology, and electronics, although it is also currently expanding to include products from the beauty, sports, and home sectors as well. One great thing about Gearbest is its comprehensive quality control process. Every item on the site is tested thoroughly, so you know what you’re buying is high-quality.
ECVV
Website: ecvv.com
Type: Supplier Database
Products: Industrial goods
ECVV boasts a database of nearly one million suppliers who specialize in industrial goods. This resource is convenient to use, offering immediate access to supplier quotes and payment options. However, since ECVV acts as a middleman, it's crucial to vet suppliers carefully to avoid scams.
Banggood
Website: m.banggood.com
Type: B2B/B2C marketplace
Products: Electronics
Banggood is similar to Alibaba, but specializes in electronics. It offers competitive prices, which is particularly advantageous for wholesalers, and features a convenient dropshipping program tailored to electronic online stores. However, due diligence is advised when checking product quality, as occasional scams have been reported.
LightInTheBox
Website: lightinthebox.com
Type: B2B/B2C marketplace
Products: General merchandise
LightInTheBox often runs discounts and sales over a wide range of already-affordable items. It ships to over 200 countries with an average international delivery time of two weeks. However, clothing sizes on this platform might differ as they may not always align with standard measurements.
SHEIN
Website: m.shein.com
Type: B2B/B2C marketplace
Products: Fashion & Clothes, Home & Garden
SHEIN sells products from a variety of categories, but the vast majority of their items fall under women’s apparel. Unlike other entries on this list, SHEIN has locations all over the world, which makes shopping and ordering much easier.
India
Sourcing from India can sometimes offer even more competitive prices than China. Additionally, India is renowned for their high-quality manufacturing in sectors such as textiles, leather goods, and jewelry. Here are India’s top-three websites like Alibaba to compare:
IndiaMART
Website: indiamart.com
Type: B2B marketplace
Products: General merchandise
IndiaMART offers affordable products across a wide range of categories, including pharmaceuticals. It also boasts an extensive network of suppliers and offers its own logistics solutions. However, this platform caters primarily to the local market, so prices are stated in local currency, requiring time for conversion.
ExportersIndia
Website: exportersindia.com
Type: supplier database
Products: General merchandise
ExportersIndia is a comprehensive database of Indian suppliers that can be filtered by business type to find the best match for your needs. This platform allows you to check product details fully (such as sizes, materials, and more) and supplier information, helping you choose a reliable partner.
TradeIndia
Website: tradeindia.com
Type: B2B marketplace
Products: General merchandise
TradeIndia offers a B2B platform that is the same as Alibaba's, except it's based in India instead of China. One useful feature of this option is their business loans, which they’re able to offer right through their site. Their DialB2B service also makes it easy to connect with suppliers.
Other Options in Asia
There are other Asian marketplaces and supplier databases, mainly from Korea, that are expanding their international presence. Below are the main options that operate similarly to Alibaba.
HKTDC (HK)
Website: home.hktdc.com
Type: B2B marketplace
Products: General merchandise
Headquarters: Hong Kong
HKTDC has been on the market for over 60 years, connecting buyers with international suppliers. This platform is known for its trade fairs and exhibitions (held primarily in Hong Kong), where you can meet suppliers in person. It also offers a variety of filters, including company and product certification, making it convenient for purchasing.
ECPlaza
Website: ecplaza.net
Type: B2B marketplace
Products: Electronics and Industrial goods
Headquarters: South Korea
ECPlaza is renowned for updating its databases daily to ensure that users have the latest information. In addition to offering affordable products, it also provides a service for accessing all verified export suppliers in Korea. Its main focus is on electronics and industrial goods, offering these product types across various categories.
EC21
Website: ec21.com
Type: B2B marketplace
Products: General merchandise
Headquarters: South Korea
EC21 is known for its online trade events and product exhibitions, where you can discover the newest products. It also offers a premium service that allows you to work exclusively with verified and reliable suppliers. This company has been in the market for almost as long as Alibaba and has already built a strong reputation.
Global Sourcing
Some marketplaces and supplier databases extend beyond offering suppliers from a single country, providing options from multiple countries. This is great for differentiating offers and expanding your sourcing opportunities. Let's check out the top companies for global sourcing.
eWorldTrade
Website: eworldtrade.com
Type: B2B marketplace
Products: General merchandise
Global presence: 200+ countries
eWorldTrade connects buyers and suppliers from various industries. In addition to wholesale, it also offers dropshipping services. Customers appreciate its user-friendly design and customer support. However, there have been mixed reviews regarding some fake profiles, so it’s important to verify each supplier carefully.
Allbiz
Website: all.biz
Type: Supplier database
Products: General merchandise
Global presence: 90 countries
Allbiz is a database that contains over 1,000 companies from nearly 90 countries. It offers a great variety of filters tailored to each product category, making it easy to find the best fit for your needs. While you are able to contact sellers directly, unfortunately, you cannot see product prices or quotes upfront.
TradeKey
Website: tradekey.com
Type: Supplier database
Products: General merchandise
Global presence: 240+ countries
TradeKey offers numerous international suppliers and manufacturers at reasonable prices. This tool is free to use, but if you wish to access its additional features (such as a dedicated account manager, SEO tools and other resources), you need to obtain a premium membership.
Tradeboss
Website: tradeboss.com
Type: Supplier database
Products: General merchandise
Headquarters: Romania
Global presence: 200+ countries
Tradeboss is a supplier and manufacturer database featuring over 100,000 products. It's free to use, and you can see how long each supplier has been operating. However, some company information may be outdated, and certain suppliers might not be offering products currently.
While there are various alternatives, it's hard to beat Alibaba when considering the combination of affordable prices, logistics to international destinations, and extensive category range, making it the most popular choice. Consequently, there are many services, further streamlining the process of supplier research on Alibaba. Let's check it out below.
How to Find the Best Suppliers on Alibaba
If you do decide to use Alibaba to look for a supplier, there’s a simple way to find the best companies with whom to partner.
1. Install the AMZScout PRO Extension.
2. Open the AMZScout PRO Extension.
After installation, Amazon.com will open automatically.
Enter your general details to start your free trial. If you already have an account, click the ‘log in’ link.
3. Search for a product. This might include:
Areas of interest or passion you want to explore.
Trending products (typically from the ‘Movers & Shakers’ category).
Good products from non-Amazon marketplaces.
4. Find a supplier.
Once you find a product you’re interested in selling, click the AMZScout icon (located in the bottom left-hand corner) to open the extension.
Select the local and global suppliers on Alibaba button within the tool. Then you’ll be able to sort suppliers by country, price, and minimum order quantity. You can also choose to only display companies that support the trade assurance program and have been verified. This makes it easy to narrow your search to the only very best suppliers.
Alibaba makes it incredibly easy to find suppliers, and it becomes an effective toolset when combined with AMZScout’s PRO Extension. To shorten your research process from months to days, the PRO Extension can help make that a reality.
Conclusion
When you want to start selling online, it's essential to identify a profitable product. Use the AMZScout toolkit to find the best fit for your store and streamline your supplier research process on Alibaba. However, consider exploring other available sites like Alibaba as well to ensure that you get the best deal.
