1688 vs Alibaba: Which is better?

Between 1688 and Alibaba, which is the better B2B marketplace for sourcing products? Take a look at how they compare on pricing, shipping, dropshipping and payments.

Key takeaways

• 1688 offers lower prices but focuses on Chinese buyers, while Alibaba caters to global markets with broader shipping options
• Both platforms allow supplier negotiation, private labelling and supplier verification
• 1688 supports domestic shipping only, whereas Alibaba provides worldwide shipping options through logistics partners
• WorldFirst enables payments to both platforms: World Pay for 1688 suppliers in CNH without a Chinese bank account, and the World Card, a Mastercard-powered business payment card, for Alibaba suppliers in major currencies with competitive FX rates

If you’re sourcing products from China, two B2B marketplaces stand out: 1688.com and Alibaba. Both platforms offer access to thousands of suppliers, product categories and built-in tools for messaging, payments and order management.

Which one should you choose?

If you’re sourcing in bulk and can manage logistics and language barriers, 1688 offers more cost-effective prices. If you want a more global, plug-and-play solution with supplier-managed shipping, Alibaba is often the better fit.

Whichever platform you choose, WorldFirst makes payments straightforward. Use World Pay to pay suppliers on 1688.com even without a Chinese bank account, and use the World Card, a Mastercard-powered business payment card, for fast, secure supplier payments on Alibaba.

Here’s a detailed comparison of 1688 and Alibaba to help with the decision.

What is 1688?

1688.com is one of the biggest online B2B wholesale marketplaces in China. It connects buyers with factory manufacturers and wholesalers. Part of the Alibaba Group, it is not as popular overseas because it mainly targets domestic Chinese buyers. 1688 can be considered the domestic version of Alibaba. Many Chinese suppliers source products from 1688 to resell on other marketplaces like Alibaba, AliExpress and Taobao.

Since 1688 is marketed to Chinese buyers, the website is in Mandarin and there’s no official English version. The website text can be auto-translated using a web browser.

→ Take a look at the complete guide to buy from 1688 outside of China

Main features of 1688

• Direct access to Chinese manufacturers and wholesalers at factory-level pricing
• Low minimum order quantities (MOQs) on many product categories, with some suppliers accepting single-unit sample orders
• Negotiable pricing on bulk orders, often with significant discounts above standard MOQs
• Supplier verification and factory inspection records for established manufacturers
• Private labelling and product customisation across most product categories
• Chinese-only interface with web browser translation as the common workaround
• Domestic shipping within China, international buyers arrange their own logistics
• CNY payments only and international buyers use World Pay as the authorised international payment provider for 1688.com

What is Alibaba?

Alibaba is one of the biggest and most globally popular wholesale B2B marketplaces. It has over 200 million products listed from 200,000 suppliers. Wholesalers, retailers, dropshippers and small business owners can source products from the platform. Alibaba attracts more international buyers due to its support for English and various international payment methods.

Main features of Alibaba

• English-language interface with multi-language support across major global markets
• Global supplier reach with suppliers from China, India, Vietnam, Thailand and other sourcing hubs
• Trade Assurance through Alibaba’s buyer protection program covering product quality and on-time shipment
• Gold Supplier and Verified Supplier tiers indicating supplier credibility
• International shipping options through supplier-managed logistics or Alibaba’s own shipping tools
• International dropshipping support with direct integration into Shopify, WooCommerce and other e-commerce platforms
• Multiple international payment methods including credit cards, debit cards, online bank payment, PayPal, Western Union and Apple Pay
• Private labelling and OEM services across most product categories
• Request for Quotation (RFQ) feature letting buyers describe product needs and receive multiple supplier quotes

Similarities between 1688 and Alibaba

Before looking at the differences, here are some similarities between the two platforms.

Part of the Alibaba Group

Both 1688 and Alibaba are part of the Alibaba Group, meaning they have access to similar resources. The marketplaces are not technically competitors — each caters to a different target audience, domestic and international.

Multiple sellers

Both platforms allow sellers to list products. Sellers are responsible for managing inventory and order fulfilment.

Negotiable pricing

Product pricing on Alibaba and 1688 is not always fixed. Buyers can connect with suppliers to negotiate pricing, especially when buying in large quantities. Many sellers offer discounts on high MOQs.

Supplier verification

Both platforms verify suppliers and run factory inspections in some cases to ensure buyers connect with genuine suppliers. Customer ratings and reviews are available to check before placing orders with a new supplier.

Private labelling and white labelling

Many sellers on 1688 and Alibaba offer private labelling and product customisation. Buyers can add company name, logo and branding to products or ask suppliers to customise products specifically for the business.

1688 vs Alibaba: What’s the difference?

Who wins on price?

While both Alibaba and 1688.com offer wholesale pricing, 1688.com has comparatively lower pricing than Alibaba because it targets domestic buyers.

Compare products on both marketplaces before placing an order. Product pricing is not the only factor to consider when sourcing products — shipping costs, international payment fees and customs fees all contribute to the final landed cost.

Which platform handles shipping better?

Since 1688 targets domestic buyers, it only supports domestic shipping within China. International buyers connect with suppliers to see if they can assist with international shipping, or manage shipping independently through third-party logistics providers or freight forwarders.

Alibaba supports international shipping. The mode of shipping and the costs involved depend on the product and the quantity ordered. Negotiating shipping costs with sellers is also possible.

Details about shipping modes and costs are available on each product page.

Do they support dropshipping?

Dropshipping on 1688 is not supported. For dropshipping products through 1688, buyers contact suppliers directly to arrange it, or partner with a dropshipping agent based in China who manages the entire process.

Alibaba supports international dropshipping, allowing direct dropshipping to customers. Alibaba accounts can be linked to Shopify or WooCommerce stores to automatically import product information, send order details to Alibaba suppliers and share shipping information with customers.

AliExpress dropshipping is another option that works similarly to Alibaba dropshipping.

→ Take a look at how AliExpress compares to 1688 and Alibaba in the detailed comparison guides for 1688 vs AliExpress and Alibaba vs AliExpress

Support for English language

Since 1688 is aimed at domestic buyers, its website is primarily in Chinese. The website can be translated into English through web browsers. Sellers on the platform speak Chinese and may have limited English understanding, which can affect interaction and negotiation for international buyers.

Alibaba’s website is entirely in English and caters to global buyers.

How to pay suppliers on Alibaba

Alibaba supports major international payment methods including credit cards, debit cards, online bank payment, PayPal, Western Union and Apple Pay.

Some of these options come with high currency conversion fees, limited control over spending and reduced visibility when managing multiple suppliers. For businesses handling payments to multiple Alibaba suppliers alongside receiving funds from international customers, a multi-currency account with a linked card consolidates these flows into one dashboard.

The World Card is a Mastercard-powered business payment card linked to the World Account, offering a secure way to pay Alibaba suppliers while giving greater control over spending. Because the World Card is linked to the World Account, funds collected from international customers through marketplaces like Amazon, Shopify, Stripe and Etsy can be used directly for supplier payments without converting back to AUD first.

With the World Card, you can:

• Pay Alibaba suppliers in USD, CNY and other major currencies at competitive FX rates, with zero foreign exchange fees on 15 supported currencies when spending from an existing balance in that currency
• Spend directly from marketplace earnings. S USD collected from Amazon or Stripe can pay an Alibaba supplier in USD without being converted to AUD and back
• Control spending with card-level spending limits and real-time transaction tracking
• Issue up to 20 multi-currency cards at no additional cost to streamline payments across different suppliers or teams
• Simplify expense management with all transactions visible in one dashboard
• Earn cashback on eligible spending (Terms and Conditions Apply)

Beyond Alibaba

The World Card isn’t just for Alibaba. It can also be used for:

• Amazon, Etsy and Shopify for platform fees or advertising
• Meta Ads (Facebook, Instagram) and Google Ads for marketing campaigns
• Logistics and shipping partners involved in the supply chain
• Alipay wallet for payments when travelling to China

How to pay suppliers on 1688.com

Unlike Alibaba, 1688.com does not support international payment methods such as credit cards or PayPal. Until recently, the only way to pay suppliers on 1688 was by opening a Chinese bank account–a major roadblock for overseas buyers.

World Pay is the authorised international payment provider for 1688.com. It allows overseas buyers to pay 1688 suppliers in CNH (offshore Chinese yuan) directly from the World Account, without needing a Chinese bank account. The payment is integrated with 1688’s checkout, suppliers receive the funds in CNY in their Chinese bank account, and the buyer retains 1688’s standard buyer protection.

Benefits of using World Pay for 1688 payments:

• Competitive exchange rates — up to 0.8% on 1688 payments
• Zero account opening and monthly fees
• Full integration with 1688.com so orders and payments stay connected
• No Chinese bank account required

Steps to use World Pay (also called Cross-border Pay / 跨境宝 / KJB):

1. Register for a 1688.com account
2. Register for a World Account
3. Convert funds to CNH in the World Account
4. Authorise the World Account to link payments to 1688.com via World Pay

Take a look at the step-wise guide on how to link a 1688 account to a World Account.

The World Account: One account for sourcing payments and global cash flow

Paying 1688 suppliers through World Pay and Alibaba suppliers through the World Card both run from the same World Account. The World Account is a multi-currency business account built for Australian businesses with cross-border operations.

Collect international customer payments without conversion fees: Receive marketplace payouts from Amazon, Shopify, Stripe, Etsy and 130+ other marketplaces and payment gateways in the original currency. USD from Amazon lands as USD, GBP from a UK customer lands as GBP — no automatic conversion to AUD on arrival.

Hold balances in 20+ currencies: You can hold multiple currencies including AUD, USD, GBP, EUR, NZD, SGD, HKD, JPY, CAD and CNH. Convert when the exchange rate works for the business, or spend the balance directly through the World Card.

Send payments in 100+ currencies across 200+ countries and regions: Make international transfers at competitive conversion rates. Pay Chinese suppliers in CNH, Alibaba suppliers in USD, logistics partners in their local currency–all from the same account.

Lock in exchange rates: With forward contracts, you can lock in exchange rates for up to 24 months to manage currency risk on future payments, subject to eligibility.

Zero account opening, monthly or receiving fees: The World Account charges no setup fee, no monthly maintenance fee and no fees for receiving international payments.

World Account fees

Fees checked in October 2026.

1688 vs Alibaba: Which one is better for your business?

When choosing between 1688 and Alibaba, the right answer depends on business requirements and how shipping and procurement will be managed. If you can handle international shipping and dropshipping independently, 1688 offers access to lower prices. A translator or interpreter may be useful to communicate with 1688 sellers who have limited English.

If suppliers managing shipping and dropshipping suits the business better, leaving you free to focus on fulfilling customer orders and growing the business, Alibaba is often the better choice.

Whichever platform fits, WorldFirst handles the payments side, World Pay for 1688 suppliers in CNH, the World Card for Alibaba suppliers in major currencies, and the World Account for holding, converting and sending funds across 20+ currencies.

FAQs

1. Can international buyers use 1688?

Yes, international buyers can use 1688, but the platform is built for domestic Chinese users. International buyers navigate language barriers and use World Pay to complete payments from outside China, the authorised way to make payments on 1688.com as an international buyer.

2. Is 1688 cheaper than Alibaba?

Generally, yes. 1688 offers lower prices because it’s a domestic B2B platform, but buyers manage their own logistics and handle communication in Chinese to access those savings. Prices can also differ depending on suppliers, product categories and inventory location.

3. How do I pay a 1688 supplier from outside China?

Use World Pay by WorldFirst, the authorised payment method for overseas businesses buying on 1688.com. It links the World Account to 1688 orders and lets buyers pay suppliers in CNH at competitive rates (up to 0.8%).

4. How do I pay Alibaba suppliers?

Alibaba supports credit cards, debit cards, online bank payment, PayPal, Western Union and Apple Pay. The World Card, a Mastercard-powered business payment card linked to the World Account — can also be used, with competitive FX rates and the ability to spend directly from multi-currency balances.

5. What’s the best way to save on FX fees when sourcing from China?

Use a multi-currency account with competitive conversion rates. The World Account by WorldFirst offers up to 0.6% on major currencies and up to 0.8% on 1688 payments, with zero account opening or monthly fees.

6. Can I use 1688 without knowing Chinese?

Yes, with some effort. Browser translation tools, sourcing agents or bilingual suppliers all work as solutions. The platform and most sellers operate in Mandarin.

7. Can I use the World Card for Alibaba supplier payments?

Yes. The World Card is a Mastercard-powered business payment card accepted wherever Mastercard is accepted. It supports payments in 150+ currencies with zero foreign exchange fees on 15 supported currencies when spending from an existing balance in that currency.

8. What’s the difference between 1688 and AliExpress?

1688 is a Chinese-language B2B wholesale platform aimed at domestic buyers, while AliExpress is a global B2C and small-order B2B platform. Alibaba sits between them — B2B wholesale but with international buyer support. Take a look at the 1688 vs AliExpress and Alibaba vs AliExpress comparison guides for more detail.

The information contained is general only. Before acting on the information you should consider whether it is appropriate for you, in light of your objectives, financial situation or needs. Although information has been obtained from and is based upon multiple sources the author believes to be reliable, accuracy is not guaranteed and the information may be incomplete or condensed. All opinions, estimates, mentioned products/services and referenced material constitute the author’s own judgement as of the date of the article and are subject to change without notice. WorldFirst shall not be responsible for any losses or damages arising from reliance on such information.