Is AliExpress Legit? Review with 3 Issues (With Screenshots)

Last year, we saw AliExpress Shoe ads and decided to buy sneakers and loafers from them. But then, we started wondering - Is AliExpress legit?

It’s because most shoes were under $20, and some gadgets were even less than $5. Fast forward to today, we’ve ordered more than two dozen times from them.

Here’s what we’ve found:

AliExpress is 100% legit and is owned by the Alibaba Group, a Fortune 500 company in China. It connects international buyers with thousands of credible Chinese sellers. Orders are protected by AliExpress’ Buyer Protection, which guarantees a full refund if the item doesn’t arrive.

Having said that, AliExpress does have a few issues, and we’re discussing these complaints here. So, stick to the end and find out what to expect if you order from them.

Key Takeaways

• AliExpress is a legit online marketplace owned by Alibaba Group, a global company listed on the NYSE.

• It’s been around since 2010 and serves over 200 countries.

• Buyer Protection gives you 15 days to get your money back if anything goes wrong.

• Payments are held in escrow, and sellers can’t have them until you confirm the product arrived.

• You can read thousands of verified AliExpress reviews and buyer photos before ordering.

• AliExpress accepts secure payments like Visa, Mastercard, and PayPal in some regions.

• Some items now ship from U.S. warehouses, so you get them faster.

Is AliExpress Legit? Or a Scam? (Our Review)

AliExpress is a 100% legitimate and real online marketplace where you can buy almost anything, including shoes. It is run by Alibaba Group, a major name in global e-commerce (not just China). Most sellers are based in China, so shipping can take a few weeks.

Still, you’re covered with buyer protection if something arrives damaged or doesn’t show up. Just be sure to read product reviews and seller ratings.

We ordered a pair of New Balance sneakers and got them delivered in about 3 weeks. The shoes were exactly as described. But you need to know what to look out for, or you might get scammed.

Here are all the reasons why AliExpress is reliable:

AliExpress Is Legit Because It Is Owned by Alibaba Group

AliExpress is completely legit because it's owned by Alibaba Group, one of the largest and most respected e-commerce companies in the world. Alibaba is a public company listed on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol BABA. That means it’s fully regulated and has to follow strict global standards.

SO, it’s clear that Alibaba isn't some small name. It’s worth hundreds of billions of dollars. And it powers tons of other global platforms too. So, if AliExpress were fake or shady, that would damage the entire company’s name. That’s why they put serious effort into keeping the platform working right.

Our first time ordering from AliExpress was honestly out of curiosity. We saw a pair of sneakers that looked just like a branded pair, but for under $25. At first, it sounded too good to be true. But when we did some digging and saw that Alibaba runs the whole thing, we relaxed a bit.

We checked their corporate filings on the NYSE site, and yes, it’s all public. That means real investors track this company.

AliExpress Has Been Around for Over 14 Years and Ships to 200 Countries

AliExpress is not a scam because it has been operating since 2010. Right now, it is delivering products in over 200 countries. According to Statista’s Consumer Insights Report, AliExpress is one of the biggest cross-border online shopping platforms out there with real warehouses.

Here’s the picture of the AliExpress warehouse we clicked:

When we ordered our shoes, everything looked solid. The store had thousands of reviews. Buyers from the US, UK, and Australia had uploaded photos with their feedback. Moreover, the interface showed product prices in US dollars.

One more thing we noticed: the seller’s account showed it had been active for over five years. Sellers that survive that long on AliExpress tend to care about their ratings.

The site also gave us an automatic countdown showing how much time we had left before confirming delivery. That’s part of the buyer protection process.

Buyer Protection Program That Actually Works

Did you know AliExpress has a working buyer protection program? It’s true. It gives you 15 days to get a refund after confirming delivery. If your item doesn’t match the description, you can file a claim and get your money back.

We’ve used this Buyer protection feature more than once. A friend of ours ordered hiking shoes that looked amazing in the pictures but arrived scratched. He contacted the seller and opened a dispute. The platform stepped in and gave him a full refund in five business days. That was impressive.

Here’s what we always look for: the label that says “Buyer Protection” on the product page. That means the item is covered. If you don’t see that label, skip the product.

There’s more. If a seller tries to charge you extra shipping after the sale, you can contact AliExpress. Similarly, if a seller uses rude language, AliExpress will step in. That’s all part of the buyer protection system.

Payments Are Held Securely Until You Confirm Delivery

AliExpress is legitimate because it holds your payment in escrow until you confirm that the product has arrived. The seller doesn’t get paid right away. This setup protects you from fraud and gives you time to check your item first.

When we ordered our sneakers, we didn’t know this at first. But once we got into the order page, we noticed that there was a countdown timer showing how long we had left before the payment would be released. That was a good surprise. It meant we had the power to stop the seller from being paid if the product was fake or broken.

AliExpress uses what’s called an “escrow system.” It basically means your money stays with the platform, not the seller, until you’re happy with the product. Once you confirm you got the right item, then and only then, the seller gets their money.

Millions of Real Customers Use It

You can trust AliExpress because millions of people have. Millions of people shop there every year and leave verified reviews with photos. You can check seller ratings, customer comments, and a lot of other things before placing your order. That level of openness makes it much easier to trust what you're buying.

When we were checking out the shoes, the reviews were what sealed the deal for us. Check out these AliExpress reviews:

We always look for stores with a high star rating (anything over 4.5 stars and over 1,000 orders). But even more important than stars is the content of the reviews. Are people saying the item matches the photo? Is anyone complaining about getting the wrong size? Are the pictures clear? That’s what we check before buying anything.

AliExpress also shows you how long the store has been active and how many products they've sold. That helps too. The shoe store we bought from had been open for over five years and had already shipped thousands of orders.

Moreover, AliExpress’ social media following is massive,, and people love reviews there, too.

Scam companies don’t build audiences like that.

Statista reports that in December 2023, most of the social media traffic to AliExpress came from YouTube, nearly 70 percent of all referrals. Facebook came next with around 12 percent, and WhatsApp Web brought in about 6 percent. YouTube clearly played the biggest role in getting users to the site.

The Platform Accepts Major and Secure Payment Methods

AliExpress is totally safe because it supports trusted payment options like Visa, Mastercard, and even PayPal in some countries. These companies have strong buyer protection policies, so if something goes wrong, you can file a chargeback.

We always use PayPal when shopping there. It’s like having two layers of safety. Here’s the screenshot of the checkout page:

They also support other secure payment services depending on where you live. Here’s the latest list of payment methods supported by AliExpress:

We also noticed that the checkout page is fully encrypted. You’ll see the little lock icon next to the URL, which means your information is safe and private. You’re not entering your card into some random third-party website. Everything goes through their secure internal system.

If AliExpress’ system detects any unusual activity, it can reject your payment, too. One time, we had a VPN turned on and we tried to place an order. AliExpress immediately rejected it and requested us to submit an appeal. Here’s the screenshot:

Its Mobile App Is Used by Millions and Rated Very High

AliExpress is legit, and its mobile app has over half a billion downloads on Android. It has 4.5 stars from over 16.1 million reviews on the Google Play Store and 4.7 stars from over 500,000 ratings on the App Store. That level of feedback is proof that people trust it and use it often.

We’ve been using the app ourselves for a few years now. It’s surprisingly smooth. It’s fast, and it lets you manage everything (from tracking to refund requests).

We’ve also noticed that updates to the app come regularly. That’s a good sign. It means the developers are fixing bugs and improving features. We even used the live chat feature once to talk to a seller directly from the app. That conversation helped us confirm sizing and shipping info before we placed the order.

AliExpress Has Local Warehouses for Faster Shipping

People don’t believe AliExpress is a scam because many items are now shipped from local warehouses in places like the United States, Europe, and the Middle East. That means some orders can arrive in just 3 to 7 days, instead of several weeks. This shows the platform is investing in real logistics and faster delivery.

We interviewed Kayliegh, and she told us that when she first used AliExpress years ago, everything came from China. It used to take at least 3 to 4 weeks. But now, things are different, and shipping time is only a few days.

You can see the shipping location before you order. It usually shows up as “Ships from: United States” or “Ships from: Spain” or wherever the warehouse is. That’s something we always look for now, especially when we want something fast.

This also made us realize that AliExpress is trying to compete with local online stores. They know people don’t want to wait a month. So they’ve built partnerships and warehouses around the world to fix that.

One more thing: Items that ship from a local warehouse are also easier to return. That’s important. You don’t want to deal with international return shipping.

It Works with Major Global Delivery Partners

AliExpress is a trusted platform because it works with top delivery companies like Cainiao, FedEx, DHL, and many national postal services. Every order comes with a tracking number, so you can follow the shipment from the warehouse to your doorstep.

When we bought our New Balance sneakers from AliExpress, the tracking kicked in as soon as the order was packed. We got updates straight in the app and through email. Here’s the screenshot of the page:

Cainiao is the logistics network created by Alibaba itself. It works closely with AliExpress sellers to speed up processing and improve package tracking. If you see “Cainiao Standard Shipping” on your checkout page, that’s what it means. And it’s honestly reliable.

We’ve also had items delivered through FedEx and DHL when we paid a little extra for express shipping. Those came in under a week. And just like other platforms, tracking updates came in real time.

Even the free shipping options often include basic tracking now. That wasn’t the case a few years ago. Before, you’d sometimes get a tracking number that didn’t update. Now, it’s different. The whole system is way more transparent.

Major News Media Cover AliExpress as a Global Shopping Platform

Another great thing about AliExpress is that it always gets media coverage. Global media outlets like Forbes, CNBC, Bloomberg, Fortune, The Guardian, and USA Today like to write about e-commerce. These platforms recognize AliExpress as a major player in global e-commerce, right next to Amazon, Temu, and Shein.

Let us explain.

On December 18, 2024, Forbes talked about how small businesses around the world are adjusting their pricing and product strategies just to compete with AliExpress. We loved that this article even advises small and mid-size online retailers to localize product listings.

Bloomberg went even further. They reported that Alibaba’s international e-commerce arm, which includes AliExpress, was considering a U.S. IPO. In our opinion, that shows strong confidence in the platform's long-term growth. Scam sites don’t plan IPOs. And they definitely don’t get covered in Bloomberg unless they’re a real force in the market.

We also saw AliExpress mentioned in The Guardian on June 18, 2025. The article said the European Commission had accused AliExpress of a “systemic failure” under the Digital Services Act. The issue was about the platform allowing the sale of illegal or unsafe products.

But here’s the key part: AliExpress responded immediately and took action. That’s what real companies do when they’re held accountable.

Even Fortune covered a story about the EU investigating AliExpress for allowing unsafe items. Again, it’s not good press, but it’s real.

So while it’s not perfect, AliExpress is well-known and widely watched.

Customers Get Active Support

Most shoppers have praised AliExpress customer service. It provides working customer support through live chat and a dispute system that resolves most cases in the buyer’s favor. If you have proof and follow the steps, you can get refunds.

Here’s the screenshot of the chat we had about returns:

After this chat, we started the return process. Here’s the proof:

We’ve actually used their dispute system twice. One time, a pair of shoes arrived in the wrong size. We contacted the seller and opened a case. The refund was processed in about 6 days. Here’s the proof:

Here’s how the system works:

Live Chat on AliExpress is available on the site and the mobile app. There’s an AI agent named “Eva,” but you can also chat with a live rep during weekdays (around 9 AM to 5 PM EST). That’s how we got help on one of our past orders.

Also, AliExpress has a Help Desk where you can send a support ticket. We submitted one for a missing tracking update, and they got back to us by email within 48 hours. It wasn’t instant, but it got resolved.

There are also corporate contact numbers, though they’re mostly for their offices and not standard customer support.

From what we’ve seen and researched, the best support comes through chat and the Help Center, not phone or email. They don’t list a general support email, but they do provide contact emails for things like:

• Data privacy (dataprotection.ae@aliexpress.com)

• Legal issues (enforcementenquiry@alibaba-inc.com).

So yes, they do offer support, and when it matters, it works.

The Official Website Is Fully Secure

AliExpress.com is totally legit because its official website uses HTTPS encryption. It also has a clearly written Privacy Policy and Terms & Conditions section, which we’ve reviewed ourselves. It explains how your data is handled and how your purchases are protected.

You can check the HTTPS status from the url bar.

The site also supports dozens of languages and currencies. That means the platform is built for real users from around the world.

We’ve shopped from both the desktop site and the mobile app. Both are fully secure. You can see the padlock icon in the browser address bar, which means your payment and personal data are encrypted. That’s the basic security you expect from a legit site.

One of the things we like is how well the site works in multiple languages. AliExpress supports:

• English

• Spanish

• French

• German

• Portuguese

• Arabic

• Hebrew

• Japanese

• Korean

• Vietnamese

• Turkish.

It’s not just language either. The platform supports local currency displays, and even regional payment methods, which shows how much they’ve invested in global access. That’s something scam sites can’t afford to do.

Also, the official domain is https://www.aliexpress.com, and it never redirects to shady third-party pages.

If you’re shopping from a browser, just make sure you’re on the correct URL.

3 AliExpress Complaints: AliExpress Reviews

Some AliExpress reviews are full of complaints. The most common ones are about:

• Slow shipping

• Counterfeit products

• Poor customer support.

Many buyers also report mismatched items or missing packages. While the platform is legit, it’s not perfect.

Here’s the full AliExpress review table (about complaints):

Many Customers Complain About Long Shipping Times

One of the biggest complaints people have with AliExpress is how long it takes for items to arrive. Most products ship from China or overseas warehouses, so delivery can take anywhere from 2 to 6 weeks, depending on where you live.

When we ordered our shoes, the wait was about 3 weeks. We were prepared for that, but we’ve seen people complain online because they expected Amazon-like speed. And to be fair, AliExpress never hides the estimated shipping time. You’ll see it clearly on every product page.

But still, a lot of people don't pay attention and then feel frustrated when their item takes a month to show up.

We also noticed that shipping speed varies based on the seller and the shipping method you choose. In our experience, the cheaper the item, the slower the delivery. Some sellers offer premium options like FedEx or DHL, which can cut delivery time down to just a few days, but those cost more.

The other thing is customs. Sometimes, your package sits at customs in your country for days without updates. That’s not AliExpress’s fault.

Some Buyers Get Counterfeit or Poor-Quality Items

Another common complaint about AliExpress is counterfeit or poor-quality products. Since the platform is open to third-party sellers, not every store sells what they advertise. Some people have received items that look nothing like the pictures. Others have gotten knock-offs when they thought they were getting genuine products.

This is the risk that comes with super low prices.

If a product has a lot of photos from buyers and detailed feedback, we trust it more. But if the reviews are missing or fake-looking, we stay away.

AliExpress does try to monitor this. They’ve removed some shady sellers in recent years and banned certain products flagged as fake.

Customer Support and Dispute Resolution Can Be Frustrating

AliExpress has a working dispute system, but many buyers complain that support is slow or unhelpful. We’ve used the refund system ourselves. One time, it worked well. We opened a dispute, sent proof, and got our money back in less than a week. But another time, we had to message the seller multiple times.

The live chat is available, but it starts with a bot named Eva. It’s okay for basic questions, but it’s slow when you need human help. There’s no direct phone support either. The numbers listed online are for their offices, not customer service. And most email contacts are for legal or data privacy issues.

This leaves the Help Center and dispute process as your main options. It’s all done inside your account, and it works most of the time. But if the seller fights back, you’ll need to provide strong proof, like photos, videos, or screenshots. Without that, the case might not go in your favor.

This is where some buyers get frustrated. They expect Amazon-style service, with fast refunds and easy returns. AliExpress is different.

Is AliExpress Cheaper Than Temu?

Here’s the thing:

In many cases, AliExpress is cheaper than Temu, especially for bulk purchases. Both platforms offer very low prices, but AliExpress often gives buyers more options from more sellers.

We’ve bought the same phone case from both sites just to test. On Temu, it was $4.99 with free shipping. On AliExpress, it was $2.89, also with free shipping.

AliExpress has been around since 2010, so it has a much larger base of suppliers. Temu is newer and more curated, but AliExpress gives you the freedom to shop directly from sellers (who are often manufacturers). That’s why prices can be even lower. It’s raw and wide open.

That said, Temu sometimes wins on shipping speed. Their warehouses are already in the U.S., which means you will get items faster than from AliExpress. We’ve had Temu orders arrive in 7 days, while AliExpress ones took 3 weeks.

Why Is AliExpress So Cheap?

AliExpress is so cheap because you’re buying directly from Chinese factories or wholesalers, with no middlemen. Sellers compete hard on price, and most items are shipped in bulk, which cuts down costs even more.

We’ve ordered products for under $3 that would’ve cost $10 to $15 in local stores. It feels like a steal, and in many ways, it is. The platform connects you straight to the source.

Sellers on AliExpress often sell the same products they make for other global brands, but without the logo.

Also, AliExpress sellers use basic packaging and long shipping routes to save money. That’s why your order might show up in a plain plastic bag.

Another big reason for the low prices is scale. AliExpress serves over 200 countries and has millions of active sellers. When that many people buy and sell in one place, prices naturally go down.

Is AliExpress as Safe as Amazon?

AliExpress is safe, but not quite as hands-on or fast as Amazon. On Amazon, returns are simple and support is easy to reach. AliExpress works differently. It’s a global marketplace where you deal with each seller directly, and while it's legit, it takes a little more effort.

That said, we’ve shopped on both. And we’ve gotten full refunds on AliExpress when items didn’t match the listing. The platform uses an escrow system, which means sellers don’t get paid until you confirm delivery. That’s a strong safety net for buyers.

But with Amazon, you usually deal with Amazon directly. It’s made for convenience. With AliExpress, you have to read reviews carefully.

So, is AliExpress as safe as Amazon? In terms of payment and protection, yes. In terms of customer service and delivery speed, our answer is no. It’s more like eBay than Amazon. You’re shopping through a platform, but dealing with individual sellers.

Is AliExpress Worth It?

AliExpress is worth it if you’re looking for low prices and don’t mind longer shipping times. It’s especially good for things like sneakers, loafers, phone accessories, cheap electronics, or gifts. Just don’t expect overnight delivery or perfect quality every time.

What makes it worth it for us is the Buyer Protection. If something’s broken or doesn’t match the photos, you can open a dispute and usually get a refund. We’ve done this a few times, and it worked.

What you need to remember is this: AliExpress is a deal-hunting platform. If you love the idea of scoring a product for $2 that would cost $12 elsewhere, you’ll love it.

Is AliExpress in the USA?

Yes, AliExpress is available in the USA, and many products are even shipped from U.S.-based warehouses for faster delivery. You can shop in U.S. dollars, pay with American credit cards, and get support in English. The platform is fully set up for American shoppers.

We’ve ordered plenty of things from the U.S. version of AliExpress. The checkout process works just like any other U.S. e-commerce site. You can:

• Search by category

• Filter by U.S. shipping location

• See estimated delivery times before you buy.

What surprised us was how many items now ship from within the U.S. That didn’t used to happen. Before, everything came from China. But now, if you see “Ships from: United States” under the item title, you know you’ll get it within a week.

AliExpress also runs U.S.-targeted sales, like Black Friday deals and Singles Day promotions, with huge discounts for American shoppers. We bought during those sales and saved a ton.

Just keep in mind that not every product is available for U.S. shipping. Some items still only ship from China. But that’s always shown before checkout, so you’ll know what you’re getting into.

AliExpress vs Others (A Comparison)

If you want to compare AliExpress with other brands or stores, then we’ve got a table for you:

AliExpress vs Alibaba vs Temu: What's the Difference?

AliExpress, Alibaba, and Temu all sell low-cost products from Chinese suppliers, but they’re built for totally different kinds of shoppers. AliExpress is for cheap one-off purchases. Alibaba is for buying in bulk. Temu is for fast, curated shopping at low prices.

Here’s the AliExpress vs Alibaba vs Temu comparison:

Conclusion

The bottom line is:

AliExpress is a real and legit shopping site owned by the Alibaba Group. It connects people around the world with sellers, mostly from China. You can get shoes, electronics, and other types of products at very low prices.

You’re protected by their buyer protection program, which gives you a refund if your order doesn’t arrive or isn’t what you expected. Many items include tracking, and reviews from other buyers help you decide.

However, shipping is usually slow, but millions shop there every day without problems.